A Hard=Hitting Smith.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 16 January 1911, Page 4

A Hard=Hitting Smith.

THE M.P. FOR WALTON. Five years ago, says au exchange, the "British public knew little of Mr F. E. Smith. When ho became member of Parliament for Walton Division of Liverpool, for which lie has just been re-elected, ithero was no excitement an political circles. Thought he had what legitimately might be called a well-known name, it was too well known to have significance. A new member called Gladstone, or Churchill, or Asquith would have caused men to show curiosity. But Smith! Mr Smith made his advent at St. Stephen's, when the Parliament o'f 1906 assembled, and one evening, when the House was scantily filled, a tall, thin, dark strong-chinned pale-faced .young man rose from the Opposition side. This was to be another 'bead, on the string of "maiden speeches," which were just then being delivered by young M.P.'s tryin gtheir oratorical wings, and the older members at first looked on with merely casual interest. There was something, 'however, in his long black slimness which attracted the eye, and held it. There was a highkeyed contempt and cadenced individuality in the tone of his voice, which' was unusual, and the ear was captivated. He did not say commonplace things in a commonplace way, which! had been characteristic of other maiden speeches. There was originality of thought; there was literary distinction of phrase; 'there was banter, wit, bitter satire. He threw a jibe, and the House laughed. But where the jibe fell it 'burnt like vitriol. Since then he has been well-tested, and to-day is one of the mosit interesting and dramatic personalities in Britain. Not so many years ago a comparatively poor lad, dependant for his scholastic advancement upon winning scholarships, he is now ono of the leading members of Parliament, a King's Counsel, and a poli'fcical speaker, more in demand than any other champion of the Unionist cause. ETis career, in short, lias boon one of meteoric brilliance and. given the opportunity it may be counted upon to carry him within q-rasp of the Premiership when the time arrives for the Unionists to take up the reins of office.