The Colonial Under Secretary.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 8189, 15 May 1906, Page 2

The Colonial Under Secretary.

.— — LONDON. March 23.

Mr Winston Churchill is showing extraordinary facility in what may bo calicd the histrionics of Parliamentary speaking. When developing ono of his dramatic frenzies ho whisKH his coat tails, glares across the floor at his opponents, banps the brass bound box thoughtfully placed by somebody nn the centre tablo for that form of emphasis, and then, on clinching his point, suddenly makes a couple of swift backward strides and tlinga himself into his a3ftt —indignantly or triumphantly, according to the demands of the occasion. That ia one favorite stylo of performance. Another is his Turveydrop manner, which Mr Chamberlain has ridicule i in an amusing letter to the press. Of the two hit Churchill clearly prefers the dramatic and aggressive. His personal feeling against the Tories, who practically cast him off when he resented their, failure to appreciate his qualifications for office is very marked. His placid chief being safely out of i he way as a member of the House of Lords, he has contrived, as everybody had anticipated, to give his Under-Scc-retnryslnp au exaggerated importance, and m this way to compel the attention formerly denied to him by the leaders of the late Government. The quiet irony of Mr Balfour only stimulates him. His abnormal self assurance and vanity arc proof against it as a rule ; it is only Mr Chamberlain, with his habit of vigorous frontal attack and skill in ridicule, who penetrates bis armor and enrages him. The young Minister began his career in the Govern merit with an avowed intention of keeping an eye on the ex-Colonial Secretary, lie had hoped that it would prove an amusing and improving exercise. He ia finding it otherwise; Mr Chamberlain knows the Colonial Ofiiea too well, in addition to being a formidable debater. There is a general impression in political circles that Mr Churchill is not destined to have a long official existence. Nor would it surprise anyono much if his health should break down. There is an hysterical taint in his temperament, partly hereditary, and he is living at a high pressure which cannot last.