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Hokitika Guardian, 25 May 1923, Page 2

Mn Stani.kv Baldwin who has come so rapidly to the front in British statesmanship. and is now Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and the first Commoner of the Empire, has had a goixl political training. Ho lias been in Parliament since 1908. and prior to joining the Ministry in 1917, was Private Secretary to the British Treasury. 11 is work as Chancellor of the Exchequer was of outstanding notice, lx?-i-ause of the part ho played in the debt .settlement with tlie United States and the relief given in taxation under his recent Budget. Bis age is about 55 years, so that for the task before him, ■lie may he said to be in his prime. Comparatively “new” man that lie is, ne should do well. Ho is essentially English and possesses traits of the character of the highest English type. Ho will owe his sudden elevation to tho high office, first, to his native ability, and second, to the fact that the most brilliant Cabinet Minister next to the retired Prime Minsiter is in the House of Lords, remote from the huilv burly of the more active work in tho Commons. Lord finlfour but for his years and his long expressed desire to Ik- relieved from office, might also have been Prime Minister. Satisfaction will ho felt that a. younger man of such promise and experience is available for the past, which of necessity is ft most exacting position to fill.

Tub result of tho Cooper case—to so describe the Newlands horror—appears to have been satisfactory on tho whole. The finding was evidently in keeping with the evidence and judging by the remarks of the presiding Judge, Mr Justice Chapman, was satisfactory to His Honor’s views of the case. The Crown counsel intimated in his address that a victim or vengeance was not sought, hut justice was required, and that appears to have been meted out. The case is about tlio worst in the annals of crime in the Dominion. Cold and callous indeed were the acts leading up to the horrible crime. The small private gain was surely a mean incentive for so dastardly’ an act as was perpetrated. The woman has gone free—-that was in accordance with the evidence no doubt, and the verdict will be respected. The culprit himself will no doubt- receive the punishment the law affords. The world will bo well rid of such a one, and it is to l>o hoped his end will be a warning for all to regard. Baby farming horrors of tho kind now revealed, do recur from time to time, nnd they are a sad reflection on our humanity. The ease is one which marks the blackest page in the Dominion’s crime, and it is only to l>e hoped so shocking an event will not again come to pass in the history of this fair country.