A BIG MAN

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 128, 16 June 1937, Page 4

A BIG MAN

?The introduction of the Budget and the diseussion thereon alwws cauae great excitement," writes Mr L. Williame in the Inouirer " This reminds me of a strilung incident that oecurred when Gladstone was Chancellor of the Exchequer, and introduced one of his famous Budgets. The clerk who was responsible for a certain item made an error involving an enormous sum of money. Relying on the stateihent given to him, Gladstone got wrong with his figures; and as soon as the mistake was detected, there was consternation in the minds of his friends, and derision on the Jips of his enemies. " When the olerk was called to explain how he had falleh into so crave an error, his feelings were not to be envied. Severe blamo ap aneer of the great statesnian were the least he could cxpeot. - Lstant SLal possibility. What then nrnst he have folt D when Gladstone greeted him with these words. I have sent for you F to tell vou how well and gratefully I appreciate the servmes you have so fremmntlv rendered me. It was only the mistake you made that ooened my eyes to see with what care and aecuracy you have for is So manv years prepared the enormous statistics with whicli you i- ,mve T>rovide d me for these occasions.' Those words, at such a 18 time could only have come from a fine, generous spirit. Gladstone „ 'big enough to put his own annoyance in the background and to Lw to uuuish his subordinate for making oue mistake, however ' qp.rious iu the course of faithful and di||0|( Vjuk, U a 1 ^at man t. d» ttot uit o.i a tUag." ^