LATE EARL BALOUR

Hokitika Guardian, 20 March 1930, Page 5

LATE EARL BALOUR

STIRRING TRIBUTES,

(British Official Wireless.)

(Received this dav at II a.m.) RUGBY, March 19

Both Houses .of Parliament adjourned to-day as a mark of esteem for Lord Balfour's memory, no business -Being done in the House of Commons.

Tim Prime Minister said: “I am sure the whole. House will grieve to know that Lord Balfour died this morning and I feel perfectly certain the House would wish to pay its respect to himself and to do homage to his memory by adjourning at once.” He moved the adjournment, adding, that, to-morrow he would take steps so that expression might be given' to the tributes, that all sides of the House would like to pay. Hie Conservative Leader, Mr Baldwin, said he was convinced the Prime Minister had moved a resolution which would be in accord with sympathy and sentiments of the whole House. Sir Herbert Samuel, for the Liberals, associated himself with the motion.

The motion was put and the House signified its assent by rising. Tributes to the deceased Conservative statesman from leading men in all parties are published in' the press. Among the Conservatives, Sir Austafu Chamberlain declares that in Lord Balfour the nation had lost the finest mind that has been given to polities in our generation, Mr Churchill says Lord Balfour wa9 the greatest member of the House of Commons since Mr Gladstone. The earlier part of his political work was intermingled with party controversy but bis principal actions were national, and command the gratitude pf all. Liberal and Labour members speak of Balfour’s charming personality which endears him, even to a bitter opposition. Mr J.' R. dynes, -Home Secretary, says: “1 do not think Lord Balfour lia fi left a single enemy. He has the restraint of a . philosophic mind and though subtle was sincere in a higher degree than other men. He combined power with charm and had an ability of mind rarely surpassed in the House of Commons.”. ■

Messages have been received from a number of foreign Governments conveying condolences. From. Jerusalem it is stated that the grief over . Lord Balfour’s death is nei'haps nowhere more widespread and genuine than in Palestine among tlie Jews, for whom the memory of the British statesman, who signed. his name to the British War Oalbinet’s declaration favouring a Jewish national home, will for ever remain green, no matter how the practical aspects of Zionism work out. UUe Jewish ’Agency and Jewish National Council met to find a suitable form ! n which to ‘ express their sense of the loss of Jewish, people. Lord Balfour will be buried on his estate at Whittingham, in Scotland, on Saturday, when a memorial service will also be held in Westminster Abbey.

There now remain only two exPrime Ministers, Mr Lloyd George and Mr Baldwin.