The Truth About Lloyd George.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 4, Issue 90, 1 October 1915, Page 4 (Supplement)

The Truth About Lloyd George.

HUMAN SIDE OF THE MINISTER OF MUNITIONS.

Born in Manchester, January 17th

1363. Educated by his uncle and at Llanystumdwy village school. Set up in practice as a solicitor at Criccieth at the age of twenty-one,

1884. Married only daughter of Richard Owen, Criccieth, January 24th,

1888. M.P. for Carnarvon in 1890. Maiden speech in House of Cfmrnons, June 13th, 1890. President of Board of Trade. 1905-N. Chancellor of the Exchequer. 1908-L1 Minister of Munitions, June, 1915.

In all his ways Mr. Lloyd George ?s very human. To give a little example. Hearing Mrs. Lloyd George telephoning for one of the maids to go from Downing Street to Walton Heath, he at once said, "I should let her stay at Downing Street to-night. This is the girl's night off. I expect she will want to meet her sweetheart. It would be a pity to disappoint them." Not only is Mr. Lloyd George very human, but in his own home he is one of the most domesticated of men. But there is one task he does not like, and that is carving. Mrs. Lloyd George usually carves, and when she is away her husband's performances with the carv-ing-knife are the subject of much amusement in the family circle. No one, however, enjoys the fun more than Mr. Lloyd George himself. Incidentally, it might be mentioned that on Sunday afternoons he always has a special dish —an apple pasty or turnover—prepared for his ten-

Owing to his shortness in stature many people think that Mr. Lloyd George is a 6mall man and lacking in physical power. This, however, is quite a mistake. The truth is that Mr. Lloyd George, who weighs thirteen and a half stone, is a very sturdy, powerful person, with a wonderful physique and nervous system. He has a great gift of sleep. When he is tired he will go into a room,lock the door, lie down, pull a shawl over himself and go to sleep for half an hour. When he awakes he is as fresh as a new pin. Being by profession a solicitor, it is scarcely surprising to learn that Mr. Lloyd George takes a keen interest in criminal cases. He will follow the evidence of a big murder trial very closely, and will afterwards describe to you, in course of conversation, what questions he would have put to the witnesses and what verdict he would have given if he had been on the jury. He is a great reader of newspapers. Very little escapes him, from foreign news to breach of promise cases, while in regard to books he loves most historical novels. Mr. Lloyd George is a great philosopher and has carefully thought out most of the problems of life, placing courage above all other virtues. Sometimes, he says, patience is the highest form of courage. He is generous in his tributes even to political enemies, and it is curious to recall, in the light of after events, what he said of Mr. Winston Churchill during the Boer War, when they were politically opposed. " Last week," he said, in a speech at the time, "there, was a very interesting speech delivered by a brilliant young 'lory member, Mr. Winston Churchill. There is no greater admirer of his talents, I assure you, than the individual who is now addressing you, and many a chat have we had about the situation. Wo do,not always agree, but at the same time we do not black each other's eyes. We know too well that it is not the way to settle disputes, and we do not take each other by the scruff of the-neck and fling each other down stairs."

Possessing the Welshman's natural love of music. Mr. Lloyd George rarely misses an opportunity of going to hear an oratorio. But nothing seems to please him better than to spend an hour singing Welsh hymns, accompanied by his daughter Olwen on the piano. When ho lias finished one of his favourites he will usually say, " That is a splendid old hymn; now let us have so-and-so." Furthermore, everyone present must join in the hymn, and those who cannot sing Welsh have to do their best in a foreign language. Theatricals as well as music interest the Minister of Munitions, for he himrelf is a born actor and mimic. When he returned from a recent trip to Wales he gave a most graphic description of the manner in which the various types of soldiers —the collier, farm labourer, mechanic, shop assistant, etc. —marched, finishing up, however, with the appropriate observation. "But they wdl all bayonet the Germans the same way. They are all actuated by the same marvellous 6pirit." His friendship is coveted by those who know the human character of Mr. Lloyd George. Notwithstanding his great success, he has changed very little in his manner or his friendships. He is just the 6ame unassuming person that he was when he came to the City every day to attend his little office near the Mansion House. He will walk miles to hear a good sermon, and greatly enjoys a choice cigar.