The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times.) FRIDAY, MARCH 14th, 1924. MR MACDONGALD.

Hokitika Guardian, 14 March 1924, Page 2

The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times.) FRIDAY, MARCH 14th, 1924. MR MACDONGALD.

At the moment- there is but one Air MacDonald to lie distinguished as such the Prime Minister of Great Biitain. Mr MacDonald has made his presence felt since taking up his office. Certainly ho holds his position alone by tr.e grace of the preponderating section of H.AI. Opposition, but so far has not unworthily justified the confidence reposed in him. There are those who profess to believe that the Labour Government will fall in a few weeks’ time. Party feeling will run high on seme burning question, and the late of the Government will be sealed on a

fateful decision. But the longer Afr MacDonald is permitted to remain in office the greater will be liis hold on the people. He is winning his spurs, ant; he is winning his way too. into the confidence of the people, even among sections of communities opposed to him politically. His personal strength is outstanding, and he has inspired his col leagues in the main no less successfully. He is gaining great experience, and the knowledge will be of use to him in the days to come when he will lead a party dominating for the time at least, the Opposition opposed to him. Certainly, at this juncture there has been no crucial test for his statesmanship. But in facing the many great problems which beset him he- has spoken sanely and with a realisation of li is task. To understand the man cf the hour better it will be interesting to print the following, a pen and ink sketch of Mr MacDonald by “A Friend’’ published in a London daily newspaper. This is the pen picture of the man who is leading the Empire at the present moment:

The vicissitudes of politics are proverbial. hut in all our long history of development and change there is no parallel to the process by which Afr Ramsay MacDonald has reached the fir-t position in the State. Never beLiiv has a, man with no previous experience of public office leapt from private

citizen to Prime Minister in one day. Doubtless in his intimate family circle there must have been some in the days, not long ago, when he was an obscure schoolmaster, who cherished in their hearts a belief that he whs destined for greatness, for he must always have .seemed something beyond the ordinary with his deep-set, searching eyes, his burning zeal for human progress. his magnificent face and physique, and lti.s fearless intellect. But ever, those who knew him best and loved him most can hardly have dared to hope that he would he more than the. leader of a movement, that he would prepare the ground for others to reap the harvest. And in the autumn of 1914 it must have seemed to the most .sanguine of his disciples that his star had waned anil would shortly

set Mr MacDonald is a man of commanding presence, a good speaker who lias, however, not reached his zenith, a. man of learning; above all. a man ol .simplicity of heart and humility ci spirit. It is impossible to say whether he lias the gift of statesmanship, but, adding to those other qualities sincerity, rectitude, and courage, he lias many of the attributes of a great'leader. Will he subdue bis unruly billowing and bind them to himself in aflect.on and discipline—ns Cromwell formed the Ironsides- by sheer personal domination ? lie has a task before him from whi< li a mail might be excused for flinching. If, to his other qualities experience brings a knowledge ol statecraft, lie will not prove unworthy of his high office.