Sir Wilfrid Laurier.

Levin Daily Chronicle, 23 October 1917, Page 4

Sir Wilfrid Laurier.

It is announced by cable that Sir Wilfrid Laurier has definitely resigned the leadership of the Canadian Liberal party and Mr Frank Carvell is mentioned as his probable successor. Sir Wilfrid has long been a striking figure in the politics of the great Dominion. Writing in the 'Toronto Globe,' Lindsay Crawford says of him, after a strenuous debate in the Canadian House: "In an assembly of jaded men, Sir Wilfrid Laurier did not exhibit the slightest sign of the nervous strain that much younger members displayed after the recent naval debates. His clear eye stately carriage, firmly-compressed lips' and general demeanor revealed the born leader of men, and in any gathering he would stand out in picturesque relief from those around him like a Saul among his fellows. His dignified and courtly bearing as lie walks to his seat is that of the French Empire period. He looks every inch the type of a statesman and a leader that appeals to the imagination of a people. His great strength as a leader lies in liis personal charm of manner. Like the late Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman, the Liberal Premier who preceded Mr Asquith in office, between Sir Wilfrid and his followers there subsist the most intimate relations. To see him flir from seat to seat for a quiet chat with some Liberal member is to' discover one source of his marvellous hold on the affection of the Liberal rank and iile. When not enagaged in debate or in conversation with his colleagues, Sir Wilfrid generally spends his time reading. There are three books that have a singular fascination for him. Those are the Authorised Version of the Bible, Shakespeare's plays, and the Encyclopaedia. Like all great orators. Sir Wilfrid draws freely from the Bible for illustrations, and his speeches are replete with passages whose imagery suggests the sublime resource of their inspiration. Illie stands in a class by himself as a parliamentarian. His catholicity of outlook and abounding charity, his firm hand and clear eye, his ability to measure and to seize the psychological moment to press home the attack as well as his consummate skill as a tactician, were never seen to greater advantage than during the recent naval controversy. There is no figure in public life in Canada, to-day that st'i's the imagination of the people as that of the Leader of the Opposition at Ottawa."