CITIZENS’ LUNCH CLUB.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 252, 21 September 1940, Page 3

CITIZENS’ LUNCH CLUB.

Interesting details of the life of Mr Lloyd George, Britain’s great Prime Minister of the last war, were given by Mr H. Grinstead in an address to tho Citizens’ Lunch Club yesterday. The speaker dealt with the early life in "Wales of 'Mr Lloyd George and its influence on liis future outlook. He spoke of the early political life of the young Welsh lawyer, and his criticism of Lord Balfour, and of Joseph Chamberlain at the time of the Boer War. Eventually Mr Lloyd George became President of the Board of Trade and subsequently Chancellor of the Exchequer. He brought in old-age pensions, and then his Insurance Bill, on the lines of New Zealand’s social security legislation, both in the face of considerable opposition. Mr Grinstead related various anecdotes of Mr Lloyd George’s political career, and gave an illustration of his oratorical style. Particular reference was made to the statesman’s humanitarian work and instincts, which were always to the fore in him. When the Great War came" Mr Lloyd George became Minister of Munitions —the. real start of his career to the office of Premier. The great principle which he enunciated was that social reform without Christian ethics was of no value. Mr Grinstead was thanked on the motion of the chairman (Mr H. I. Christensen). Visitors were Messrs C. Carr and J. B. Gerrand (Palmerston North) and W. J. Simpson (Wellington). The chairman stated that by encouraging another member to attend with him every person present would help his fellow-men to maintain that spirit of confidence and good cheer which was an essential factor in victory and an inspiration to every speaker.