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Hokitika Guardian, 28 August 1928, Page 2

It is reported of Richard Burden Haldane, whose death was announced last week, that in the course of a long and learned • address to an English Court on a doctrinal question he was stopped by the president. “Do you understand yourself what you are arguing, Mr Haldane? lam sure the Court does not.” The anecdote helps to explain why Lord Haldane was never a figure popular with the nation. Tie bad the profound philsophic mind, and he wore his learning publicly. His career, however, was one of high distinction, marked not only by valuable contributions to the thought of the time, but by varied service in high office to the nation and the Empire. Few men of his time did so much for the intellectual life of Britain both in the realm of pure thought and in the domain of education. He was a member of the Liberal Cabinet formed in IflOo, which contained such an astonishing array of talent, and for six years lie directed the War Office. The ablest- War .Minister since Cardwell, perhaps the- ablest in Britain’s modern history, lie reorganised the army, establishing the Territorials and preparing ail expeditionary force for service overseas, It wn-s chiefly due to his foresight and organising ability that when the crisis came Britain was able to throw a highly efficient army quickly into Franco. Eminent soldiers who reaped where be bad sown, beaded -by Haig himself, paid warm tributes to his work at the War Office. During the war, partly beeaii-e lie was steeped in German philosophy and had acknowledged Germany as his ‘‘spiritual home,” lie was a victim of war passion. When the Coalition was formed the Conservatives insisted upon bis exclusion. It- is a discreditable chapter to look back upon, especially as the lapse of time lias brought the value of his services as Minister of War more clearly into relief. If a testimonial to Lord Haldane were required, concludes a contemporary, von Tvluck. who has generously acknowledged the part played by the British army in smashing his plan, would no doubt lie happy to supply it.