BRITISH POLITICS.

Hokitika Guardian, 22 May 1923, Page 2

BRITISH POLITICS.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION

OFFICIAL STATEAIENT.

LONDON, ALny 20.

Downing Street has issued a communique stating Air Bonnr Law s ioyag© did not improve his health and on hi s return to London he was examined by his medical advisers, who issued the following bulletin:—“ln spite of his rest, the Prime Alinister’s voice is still unsatisfactory. AA'e are unable to promise an improvement within a reasonable time. The state of his general health is not good.” v In consequence of this document, Mr (Bonnr Law placed his resignation in Hie hands of His Majesty, who has been graciously pleased to accept it.

A Al AN OF GREATNESS. LONDON, May 20. The “Daily Mail” says that Air Bonar ].a\\- will remain among the great (mures in our history. His greatness came by strength of character and nobility of dispositions. The nation will praise him because he was a and good man who did Ins best for the country without a thought of self. It will not forget his kindliness, simplicity and straightforwardness. His deep human sympathy, showed often during the war, made hint so loin.de. AIR BALDWIN WILLING. LONDON, Afa.v 21. A Court Circular makes no reference tr L-ord Curzon’s visit to the ka'R ■ Aldershot Apparently the King lias not vet approached Lord Curzon thong i it that Mr S. Baldwin is willing to act as Leader of the House of Commons under Lord Curzon. LONDON SPECUI-ATION. Ton DON, May 21 Tho King and Queen are spending the week-end at Aldershot and are due to return to London oil Friday, hut the King is only an hour’s drive from town in the event of a crisis necessitating his presence at Buckingham Palace. . A Court Circular dated from the Royal Pavilion at Aldershot, states the King lias received a letter from Air Bonar Law in which the latter, on the urgent recommendations of his medical advisers, tenders his resignation. The Circular adds that the King lias received this communication with the deepest regret.

The clubs are buzzing with rumours and speculation all day. Alnnv -members of the House of Commons have altered their holiday arrangements m order to remain in town. Otheis have hurriedly returned from the country and tho seaside, including Air S. Baldwin, who spent a day in town, and then went to Chequers Court, Air Bonar Law did not nominate Ins successor. This is not the practice when it is a ease of direct succession within a party. The King then uses liis own discretion. Another feature of the crisis is that any new Alinistcrs appointed in connection with the change will not require to risk bye-elections, ns the usual nine months since the General Election do not expire until August. During recent weeks there have been several efforts to heal the breach between the Coalition Unionist Al misters. Within the past fortnight Sir R. Horne has been invited to enter the Govcrniciit, lint he has acquired vast business commitments. Alorcover Sir R, Horne considers that all the Unionist cx-Alinisters stand together. • • • - The chief difficulty of a rc-union is Lord Birkenhead, whose recent speeches have angered many Unionists. . Mr Bonar Law’s supporters in Central Glasgow did not expect him to resign his seat in the House of Comm on h.

The newspapers, regardless of party, pay a tribute to the character and popularity of the retiring Premier. The “Daily Telegraph,” after recalling Mr Bonar Law’s sagacity, and simple, honest character, says: “The future of the Conservative Party is inseparably hound up with the succession to the Premiership. Some of the troubles of the present Cabinet are directly due to a lack of unity within the party ranks. Whoever is chosen, the new Premier should make it his prime duty to strengthen the Administration by the inclusion of distinguished Conservative leaders who are still outside. Otherwise we shall soon have a Labour Socialist Government, with its policy of rank spoliation.”

A SUGGESTED SUCCESSOR. LONDON, May 21 The “Morning Post” says:—“The King and country lose a Minister who can ill he spared, and whom it will be difficult to replace. Mr Bonar Law had the instinct of caution, and withal a pawkiness of statement, which made his strength in the councils of State.” The “Post” considers Mr 8. Baldwin would he the best successor. The “Daily Chronicle” saysMr Bonar Law’s illness ami resignation create the greater sympathy because he has never aroused the least personal animosity. He is one of the best-loved men in Britain’s political record. He owes his success to moral worth. Ilis record in public life has assured him of an honoured niche m fame’s temple. The “Westminster Gazette” regards the resignation as a serious disaster, saying: “A Government which lias confidence in itself is much needed. Mr Bonar Law’s retirement- reveals the poverty of Conservatism.” The “Daily Herald” says—"We all have learned to respect the ex-Pic-niier’s sterling qualities of honesty, courage and devotion to duty, which every man values in an opponent. For a time, the tail will wag the dog, then the nation will turn to Labour.” FRENCH REGRETS. PARIS, May 21. The news of Mr Bonar Law’s resignation is regretted in French official circles. His honesty of purpose and loyalty to the Entente have never been questioned. Frenchmen have nevci forgotten that Mr Bonar Law, in August 1914, thrilled France with a timely assurance of England’s sympathy and help. DRAMATIC SUDDENNESS. LONDON, May 21. Though there was much speculation during the week-end regarding Mr Bonar Law’s health, the actual resignation came with dramatic and unexpected suddenness. Sir Frederick Sykes (his son-in-law) and Colonel Waterhouse (his Private Secretary) carried Mr Bonar Law’s letter of resignation to the King at Aldershot. The speculation in the political clubs is chiefly concerned with the likelihood of Lord Curzon inviting the Coalition Unionists to return to the Conservative fold, hut the general impression is that the inclusion of Mr Chamberlain, Sir R. Horne and Lord Birkenhead in a reformed Cabinet is remote.

LABOUR LEADER’S FEELTNG. LONDON, May 21

Mr Ramsay MacDonald said: “The resignation comes as a very great shock and surprise. My first thought is one of . sorrow for Mr Bonar Law’s serious condition. In recent months I have come to regard him with real affection. The only thing I care about for the- mopient is the personal n r y poet,"

LORD BE AVER BROOK’S TRIBUTE LONDON, May 21 Lord Beaverbrook, who has spent the last fortnight with Air Bonar Law, says:—“The ex-Premicr meant to recover and hold on, but he never contemplated a period like Chatham’s last Administration, in which the Prime Alinister reigned, but did not govern. When I joined him at Aix-Les-Bains, tho will to recover v.-.jt still there, hut th’o effort had resulted in a retrograde movement. His tlirdat was worse, instead of hotter. We delayed some days, hoping the beautiful climate of Aix-Les-Bains would do him good, hut finally ho had to go to Paris. Directly Air Bonar Laiv heard the doctor’s verdict, he was firm in his determination to retire. His supreme gift of character did not fail him. Ho forgot himself entirely. H© felt that it would be unfair to tho nationa To hold such a great position when his V body was exhausted. In the last Government AH Bonar Law did work. His sanity corrected the irro-'~' gular impulses of brilliant, erratic genius, hut lie worked in obscurny. The Coalition was doomed when lllhenlth compelled him to retire. His dominating quality was judgment. The magic which enabled him to succeed, lay in a cool brain and an honest heart.”