MR BALFOUR.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 3528, 30 May 1905, Page 2

MR BALFOUR.

The principal figure in the comedy performed last week within the sacred precincts of the British House of Commons, Mr Balfour, Prime Minister of Great Britain, is a man of many-sided qualities. A writer in the “ Contemporary Review,” says he is one of the “ most unconcerned and calmest of men living, and whilst political opponenis are thundering off political guns he will be looking through departmental papers or talking to a confrere with an air of supreme nonchalancy. All writers agree that he is a tactician and leader of the first order and this is borne out by the way he kept his party during the Boer war and the secession of strong Ministers from his Cabinet. Strange as it may seem, many English political stars loose their ascendency when administering Irish political affairs. Mr Balfour came into the political horizon as Secretary for Ireland in the Salisbury Government. When his uncle (Lord Salisbury) intimated that the delicate Mr Balfour would take charge of Irish affairs in the House, everyone except Lord Salisbury prognosticated that he would be worried into his grave within three weeks. Instead, he became robust in his new sphere.” Indifference to the bitterest attacks was the weapon of defence that caused the disarmament of his political foes, and the failure of the Opposition to draw from the Premier a decided pronouncement on the fiscal question, added to his quiet unconcern in leaving Mr Lyttelton to reply to Sir Henry CampbellBannerman, was the proverbial calm that led to last week’s storm at Westminster.