Birkenhead Bites!

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 270, 4 February 1928, Page 8

Birkenhead Bites!

Young Oxford Liberals Provoke Tory Leader (Written for THE SUN). IT is a rule of the Oxford Union Debating Society that office be held for one term only, and the presidential chair is awarded by popular vote after a debate in which the rival candidates all speak. The subject this term was “That this house has no confidence in his Majesty’s Government. The contestants were ft. T. D. Acland (Balliol), ex-librarian; D. M. Foot (Balliol), treasurer; Aubrey Herbert (University), all of whom are Liberals, and Q. McGarel Hogg ( Christchurch), the son of the Attorney-General and an ardent young advocate of the existing administration.

On these occasions it is usual to invite a prominent political figure to take part in the debate, and in this case it svas the Rt. Hon. the Earl of Birkenhead. Secretary of State for India, and an ex-president of the union. The hall was packed to the doors long before the appointed hour. At last the official party took their seats at the head of the room. The customary procedure after the minutes are confirmed is for the librarian to read to the House his weekly list of proposed books. It is quite a for-

At this juncture the Secretary of State for India rose to his feet in no pleasant mood and said. “It may assist the speaker, Mr. President, if I tell him that his story, which has been current for so long, is nothing but a stupid and foolish invention.” Foot bowed deeply, and in the most soothing tones replied, “I am sorry, sir! I thought better of the noble lord.” This subtly insolent repartee was too much for the gravity of the House, and pandemonium ensued for some time. Fierce Invective At a late hour Lord Birkenhead rose, and for 25 minutes treated the assembly to that biting sarcasm and fierce invective which has characterised all his fighting speeches since his famous maiden effort in 1906, when he rallied the shattered forces of his party in the House of Commons. He said; “If I had no other motive in coming here, I would have accounted it worth while to lpive made the acquaintance of these three Liberal gentlemen, so fully equipped with ideas, so full of self-confidence, and so uneconomic in their conception of time. “I felt as I listened to their speeches as If I were wandering in some old museum.” Referring to the dramatic incident some time before, he continued; “It is a typically Liberal joke. To begin with, it is a lie; secondly, it isn’t funny; and thirdly, it is calculated to give offence. It is not myself or my own position that I am considering; but think of Sir John Simon! What will he say when he is told that a Liberal here, an honest man, has actually accused him of having tossed a coin to determine to what party he belongs? Reward for Audacity So much attention did the speaker devote to annihilating his youthful opponents that he had left himself but little time in which to deliver a constructive defence of the Government. Referring to the optional clause, he said: “I know of no party in this State which, by its responsible leaders, will declare that it is prepared to accept arbitration in every need and upon every topic. I certainly will never subscribe to such a policy, nor will anyone who has ever read with the least intelligent care the history of this country, the commitments of this country, the obligations and implications of this Empire.” So ended a most enjoyable and instructive evening. Despite the strength of the Socialist and Liberal Parties in "the home of lost causes” the motion failed by 361 votes to 313, and perhaps as a reward for his audacity D. M. Foot was elected president for the following term. A. L. HASLAM. Oxford.

mal matter and seldom excites much attention. However, on this occasion, the librarian stepped forward solemnly to the dispatch box and proceeded to read; Psmith the Journalist (P. G. Wodehouse). Furneaux’s Translations of Tacitus. A Conservative Policy (to replace lost copy). The Wreck of the Birkenhead (a lament). The noble earl joined in the merriment, and the debate started off with everyone in high good humour. Baiting the Tiger Unfortunately this happy atmosphere was quickly dispelled. The first speaker was right off form, perhaps a little overwhelmed, and the distinguished ex-president’s audible comments were hardly encouraging. Matters became really exciting when D. M. Foot proceeded to attack the Government. He began by telling the old story that when Sir John Simon and Lord Birkenhead (then F. E. Smith) were undergraduates at Wadham College, they tossed a coin to determine their' future political allegiance, since one party was not large enough to hold them both. “And,” the speaker concluded, “I am told that Lord Birkenhead lost the toss.”