OBITUARY

Hokitika Guardian, 20 March 1930, Page 6

OBITUARY

LOUD BALFOUR. Press Association. —By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.] LONDON, March 19. Earl Balfour, K.C., 0.M.., P-CL, F.R.S., is dead. He was 81 years of age. He held the otlice of Foreign Secretary, Dec.. 191(5, to Nov. 1919; First Lord of the Admiralty from May. 19Id, to Dec. 191(5; Prime Minister of England 1902-5. A grandson of the second Marquees of Salisbury, entered Parliament at the age of 2(5; private secretary to his uncle Lord Salisbury, 1878-80; acted with the “Fourth Party” in the 1880-5 Parliament; established his reputation as Chief Secretary for Ireland (1887-91); assumed the leadership of the Fnoinist Party in the House of Commons in 1892, and succeeded the late Lord Salisbury in the Premiership of 1902; a finished scholar, a brilliant debater, and a metaphysician ; President of tin* British Association 1904. Published “A Defence of Philosophic Doubt” 1 “The Foundations of Belief,” IF9 : delivered at Cambridge. 1998, a much discussed lecture on “Decadence.” Took indefinite line in Tariff Reform dispute, 190445, and lost his seat at Manchester in 1908 elect on, and sat for City of London 1993-22. Resigned Unionist Party Leadership. Nov., 8, 1911. Unveiled Francis Bacon statue, July 1912; spoke at Eugenics Congress. Spoke several times effectively in Parliament during 1912, and also on lion-controversial topics. As Gifford Lecturer, spoke at Glasgow on certain aspects of religious thought. Played lawn tennis with agility and success in the South of France m the spring of 1914. Served on Committee administering the Prince of Wales’s Fund. On the formation in May 1915 of a Coalition Government lie joined the Cabinet as First Lord of the Admiraltv. •The G* /lor of .Merit was conferred on him, June 1916. On the formation of the new ministry, Dec., 191(5, succeeded Lord Grey as Foreign Secretary. Visited F.S.A on a special mission in April. Became Lord President of the Council, Nov., 1919. His portrait was presented to Eton College University. Elected President rif the British Academy, ‘ July 1921. His important work at the Washington Conference added much to his reputation in 1922. He received Knighthood with the Order of the Carter in March 1922. In April an earldom was conferred on him. Delivered second series of Gifford lectures. Dec.. 1922. Joined Air Blaldviii’s Cabinet in April, 1925, succeeding the late Lord Cumin as President of the Council.

THE KING’S TRIBUTE

'Received this dnv at 9. a.raA

LONDON, March 19

Numerous tributes to Lord Balfour include tbe King’s message to Ids brother, Gerald: “Lord Balfour’s death will evoke throughout the Empire and from many parts of the world, a deep sorrow which the Queeh and myself fully share. It is a national loss olf a great statesman, the last of Queen Victoria’s Ministers. I shall trees we his memory as a lifelong friend, a great charming personality, and a wise, trusted counsellor.” Lord Balfour died at hi.s brother’s residence at Woking, in a room overlooking a garden where he spent many happy hours. Before his death he ordered that the blinds should not be pulled down. He asked for his valet, James Coletan, with whom be shook hands, saying: “ Good bye Jamas, thank you very much for all vou have donef for me.”

His brother, Gerald, succeeds to the title.