PRIMATE RETIRES

Hokitika Guardian, 7 November 1928, Page 3

PRIMATE RETIRES

ON ACCOUNT OF AGE. DR DAVIDSON’S REASONS. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, Nov. 3. General satisfaction at the conferment by the King of a barony-' upon the Archbishop of Canterbury is reHectetl in to-day’s Press comment. The honour is obviously intended to.ensure that, after the Archbishop’s retirement this month, the country and the-House uf Lords will still retain his services as a, distinguished- statesman of long experience.

The fact that this has been achieved by tiie conferment of a barony, which is the 1 west- rank carrying with it a seat in the second Chamber, is general.y attributed to the expressed desire of the Archbishop himself. He has no heir to inherit the title. Although he already has a title, being a Knight'of the Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order, Dr Davidson has never used the prefix Sir, or Mrs Davidson that of Lady. - The Archbishop, in a recent speech, disposed emphatically of the suggestion • made in some quarters that he was resigning on account of the recent events in Parliament. The true reason, ho stated, was as-follows: “I do not believe. ns a man who has almost reached 81. years of age, that I am adequately fit and have! the vigour required to carry on day and night the duties that belong to the office. I do not pr doss’-to be a completely worn out man, or either mentally or physically incapable of tackling any particular task; but T am no longer as fit] as I was some years ago to carry out duties which are. of such an onerous,,-persist- * cut and exacting sort.. It is forrthat reason alone that I resigned mv- office into younger hands. I think I have done the right thing, for leadership'Of Mm Church's and the nation’s affairs should not be in the hands of. mOn who are too old.” t : A national tribute to Dr Davidson is to be paid on his retirement,-when a 'fund subscribed from every port of Britain and the Empire is to be handed over to him. He will deliver his farewell sermon in Canterbury Cathedral to-morrow night, which will he relayed by all the - stations of the British Broadcasting Corporation. His successor will be Dr Cosmo Gordon Lang, whose. Archbishopric of York is to l>e filled by Dr Temple, the present Bishop of Manchester.