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Hokitika Guardian, 22 March 1930, Page 4

Tiif, passing of Lord Balfour closes an : vc* 11 l I til life and severs a final link -'itlt the Victorian political era, with, which so.many great names are associated. The tributes to Lord Balfour extol him as a great personality, and second only to Gladstone, which is high traise indeed seeing that there were also Disraeli and Salisbury to consider. Balfour had a great life work, and served his country so impersonally. He had retired from office when the Great War came, but that was a time for the wisest counsels, and he was recalled to service. Tie moved about wonderfully for his years, lie was a special representative to the United States to assist in impressing the English-speak-ing race of its common liability with Britain is seeing war brought to a con-

clusion which would he safe for democracy. Tlis work was no less activeafter the War. and again he was trusted on special missions. In his earlier political life he naturally had his foes, and his connection witli JreI land is memorable in history. But history also justifies his policy which was timed to give the distressful country the prosperity it is now accuniuhiting. though prejudice blinded so many Irishmen (well meaning, no doubil to the real aim and iiUention of the British Government. Balfour oocsexsod a wonderful mind, remarkable for its philosophy, and the libraries are to-dav richer for inanv of his written words embalmed in valuable publications destined to lie come classics. Tie lias lived to a ripe age. and has lived down the prejudice political missions a.roused against him in the past. As the last great man of the \iclorinn ora ho was indeed a notable tyr>o. and one who was an as'-oi in t lie nation and Einnlre, The noble earl was a man .of (list iir live parts, a"d his was a life of remlv sendee for j his ceiinlrv. A great tribute lias been j accoirded him l>v the universal peril of | nraixp for all bis works. Men of all shades of on in ion have been stirred to express the highest sentiments in relation to the life and work* of the dead si a | e-'-ma ii who was so t vnicaHv

English. From the King downwards

mo expressions carry the highest eulogies of a life well served, and a record o. action beyond reproach. Now that lie lia-s passed in the fullness of years, no achievement could he greater than I hat. to win the enduring appro iation and affection of those with whom and for whom he gave a lifetime’s service.