Manawatu Herald. THURSDAY, MAY 12, 1898. Great Britain's Premier.

Manawatu Herald, 12 May 1898, Page 2

Manawatu Herald. THURSDAY, MAY 12, 1898. Great Britain's Premier.

The health of Lord Salisbury is of world-wide importance, and it is with much rejoicing that the tidings will be learnt that his holiday abroad has been of much benefit to him. It is almost impossible to conceive the enormous responsibilities that rest on the shoulders of the Premier of Great Britain, and troublesome as it always is, how terribly the burden must get when nations are at war. At these times a word used may be misconstructed which may impel hostilities being undertaken. When Lord Salisbury took over the Foreign Office, politicians of all shades of opinions acknowledged that the best hand in Britain was at the helm. It was felt that aa Lord Salisbury believes in England, in Englishmen, and the Empire they founded, he was the man who whilst upholding their rights would avoid war to the last minute, To show the feeling entertained by the Liberals for the Premier, Sir W. Harcourt speaking ! o h Liberal meeting at Bury brought a flfcmng party harangue to a close vmh tbe following glowing perora* tion in praise of Lord Salisbury's warning words as to the dangers of rampant Jingoism. After quoting a passage, he paid " These are solemn and weighty words. They are words of wisdom, words of warning. These are maxims which deserve to be emblazoned in letters three feet long, and hung up in every Primrose habitation, and committed to rote by the councillors, and the knights, and dames who labour to inflame the passions and embitter the controversies of nations. For my part I bave to say that so long as the Prime Minister has the wisdom and tbe courage to adhere to these principles he may confidently, count on the patriotio support of all men who are capable of comprehending what are the true interests of a worldwide dominion, and She real dignity of the British name!" Mr Morley at another meeting publicly expressed his, satisfaction that the control of the foreign affairs of England was in such steady and capable bands. On the eve of her departure for France the Marchioness of Salis bury received a letter from Mrs Gladstonp, in which solicitous inquiries were made both aa i to the health of herself and her illustrious husband. Mr Gladstone, it was added, was anxious to -assure Lord Salisbury that' he hoped his indisposition was' only of a passing character, and that he would soon be able to return to that public life which he had done so much to dignify. In one of his character sketches Mr Stead points out that some years ago, Mr Balfour, in answer to the question " Can you tell me one man, I dent care of what party, in Parliament or not of it, who habitually and naturally always thinks of his country first and only afterwards of bi3 party ?" said " I do know of one who always looks at things from the standpoint you describe.' •• You mean your unole ?" " Yes," said he, "I say it because it is a fact. He always looks at things in that way, and so far as I can remember, he has always done so." And Mr Stead thus adds, " And all who know the absolute truthfulness and philosophic detachment of mind <vhich characterise Mr Balfour must admit that no better testimony could be desired as to the justice of the great tribute which he paid to his chief (Lord Salisbury)." We must also remember that in his early days Lord Salisbury never expected to assume the title as he was a younger son, and in the forty's he travelled through New Zealand, stayed one night at Herrington, and for a time lived in a digger's log cabin at Ballarat. He has thus seen a side of the world mora thoroughly than it used to be seen, and though a conservative he has the trae belief in social improvement. In one of his first speeches he declared, " I am anxious to give my best assistance in forwarding those numerous measures tending to social and sanitary improvement and the amelioration of tbe condition of the labouring classes which are often passed by amid the mere din of party I politics, but on which the future prosperity of the country so largely depends." He is said to be ruthless in his sarcasms at the expense of those who go fearing all their days that unless they gain this or that vantage point we shall be beaten in the world's market?. He has faith in England, faith in Englishmen, faith in her Empire and these things are all sources of bis strength.