THE NEW PREMIER.

Hokitika Guardian, 23 May 1923, Page 3

THE NEW PREMIER.

THE PREMIERSHIP. MR BALDWIN APPOINTED. AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. (Received this dny fit 11.45 a.m.) LONDON, May 22. The Parliamentary leaders have chosen Mr Stanley Baldwin, Chancellor of tlio Exchequer, as Premier. •lit Hon Sir R. S. Homo has agreed to becomo Chancellor, and it is understood that there will ho no vital changes in the Cabinet, and that Lord Cur/,on is ready to continue as Foreign Secretary. Tho consensus of opinion among Unionists is that it is essential that the Premier should he in the House of Cpin- / mens where the strongest opposition is forthcoming, while in tho House of Lords there is practically no opposition. Labourites are also of the opinion that there would lie no justification for appointing a member of the House of Lords as Premier. Labour is now the recognised Opposition and is without representation in the House of Lords. It was believed that in the event of a peer being chosen as Premier, Labour would have used every political device to precipitate a dissolution. Mr Bonar Law has written to the Glasgow Unionist Association, stating that his decision to resign was indeed -W sudden. Ho had hoped that when lie went away he would sufficently recover to make his resignation unnecessary. But as he had .suffered constant pain ho came hack really worse, and the doctor’s verdict left him no choice. He presumed there would lie no objection to his continuing as a member; at least, during this Parliament, though it is unlikely he would ho able to attend the House of Commons this session.

AMERICAN COMMENT. (Roceived this day at 11.45 a.in.) WASHINGTON, May 22. Officials believe that the appointment of Mi' Baldwin to the IVitish Premiership mentis an early and final agreement regarding the British debt to the United States. Mhilo it had been generally supposed that the matter has been fully settled, it lias been hanging fire. Only to-day Sir 'Auckland Geddes forwarded the l nited States the- last word regarding the changes desired by tho British, concerning the form of the bonds which are to be issued, while apparently technical and trivial, the respective treasuries regard the changes as important. It is recalled that Mr Baldwin was mainly responsible for obtnin- £- jug the British Cabinet’s consent to the main settlement terms, opposing Mr Bonar Law in certain details. It is believed Mr Baldwin will now hasten to conclude the agreement. GERMAN OPINION. (Received this day at 11.10 a.m.) PARIS, May 22. A message from Berlin quotes a high official as saying that the German Government would welcome Lord Cur/,on as a. successor to Mr Bonar Law, whose breakdown is deeply regretted throughout Germany. The official hoped Lord Robert Cecil would be appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs, because his appointment would, doubtless, tend towards Germany’s entry into the l eague of Nations. A CHARACTER SKETCH. (By an Admirer in the Daily Mail). He is a little, sturdy man, with the face and temperament and something of the manner of a hall-terrier. There are touches of coarseness and brutality in bis expression; but the predominating characteristic is conscious rectitude. His eyes aro lit up with a kind of scornful courage. His carriage is assertive, indeed aggressive. He seldom defends, but meets attack with counter-attack and ruthlessly pursues an advantage. Yet, like the animal lie resembles, lie is a laslidioiir. lighter. If the challenger is a worthy opponent, he grins grimly like a pugilist taking punishment, and “mixes it” merrily. But if his assailant he o! lesser breed, he wrinkles his nose disdainfully and, at the most, snaps a word or two over his shoulder or, as like as not, ignores the attack with ft contemptuous snili the corollary o which is that he is sometimes ill danger of under-estimating his adversary. His adversaries, however, are in small danger of under-estimating him. Aside from theso more obvious attributes, his chief quality is his uncompromising Englishnoss. Me estimates things primarily and almost wholly from an English standpoint. Indeed, it is a habit of mind with him ; so much so that, in answer to a supplementary question in the House of Commons with regard to tho fluctuations of sterling in relation to American currency, lie instinctively replied, “It is the dollar that fluctuates, not the pound.” He has little patience with internationalism in tho sense of wider world citizenship; if you were to ask his secret thoughts as to tho development of the League of Nations you would probably learn that he was all fur a League in which the whole world came " into the British Empire; hut that he was inclined to look down upon States that the Almighty had neglected to bless with the benefits of British rule and therefore a little sceptical of the good to be achieved by consulting with other Powers (except America) for tho purpose of solving world problems. On the other hand, it would he quite false to suppose that he has any Imperialist ambitions or even the desire nndulv to press the British point of view on other States. His aim in foreign policy would probably he goodnatured tolerance of other peoples, and as few dealings with them as possible. For the rest he has a good deal in common with the best type of English soldier. He can make up his mind quickly and stick to his decision when it has been reached. While not seeking it out, he is not afraid of responsibility. He has prodigious faith in himself; and therefore, when he has tested them, ho is willing to trust his subordinates.

On tho other hniul, though gifted .with foresight, he is wanting in the higher faculties of imagination and vision. It is doubtful whether he has the time or the inclination to dream. One of the many • unexplained and perhaps inexplicable relations in life is that between a man’s name and his nature. George Buhl) Dodington, for instance, was foredoomed from his christening to be a poor intriguing creature. Samuel Johnson could never have been aught but fiercely independent. Hampden and Cromwell proclaim themselves as leaders of men: and Stanley Baldwin has a good ring about it. It means a man with a restricted but clear and essentially clean outlook on life; a large manliness; an impatience of intrigue; and an intolerance of the restrictions of red tape and routine. It signifies a strong mind, without necessarily a great intellect: a courageous habit of thought; faith in friendship; strength in enmity. It suggests, in addition to high qualities of leadership, a complete indifference to self-interest and a loyalty to persons rather than ideas. And it exactly describes the little man who bears it-, with his sniff and his pugnacity and his zest for work, his scornful eyes and his indomitable heart.