Stonemason M.P.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 26 February 1912, Page 4

Stonemason M.P.

DRANK ALE WITH KINO EDWAItD. An interesting and virile study was was that of the late lit. Hon. Hy. Broadhurst, and a furious opponent of votes for womon. Not many inon rise from tho position of working stonemason to be Minister of tike Crown. That was tho fortune of the sturdy La-hour member who for so many years was a familiar figure at tit. Stephen's. He would tell liow in his younger days he had worked as a- labourer on the Clock Tower at Westminster and on the building of the Home Office, which he afterwards entered as Under-Sec-retary of State. He was always ft man of the peoplo.

When King Edward, as Prince of Wales, iuvited him to stay at Sandringhaui he sought to be excused on the ground that he had no dress suit. Mr Broadhurst at that time was maintaining himself and his wife on a salary of £150. His wife was his tailor. She made all his clothes, and the outlay involved by a dress suit was a consideration to him. The Prince gaily waived aside the objection and assured Mr Broadhur.st that lie could take his meals in his own room if lie preferred. This visit was not the only ono Mr Broadhurst paid to tSandringh-am, for King Edward conceived <a genuine liking for the old man.

Mr Broadihurst declared that, ho was never entertained more to his liking and nover felt more at home. He visited the village club, whero Prince and M.P. each sat down . TO A GLASS OF ALE in a loom where farm labourers were enjoying thoir beer and pipes. Mr Broadhurst was one of the few Labour members, of whom Mr Ramsay Mac Donald is another, who played golf. He was an enthusiast in the days when tho game had not attained the popularity it now enjoys. One night Mr Broadhurst, greatly agitated over some political question, decided to interview Mr Balfour on the subject. When Ho reappeared in the lobby he was surrounded by journalists anxious to know the result of his conference with tho then Prime Minister. "Oh!" said Mr Broadhurst, "we talked about golf all the time." It is scarcely realised now that Mr Broadhunst was secretary of the Trade Unions Congress for a longer period than any other holder of that office. He was first elected at the Congress held «t Glasgow in 1875, seven years after the starting of the national movement.