BALFOUR’S LAST HOUR

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 927, 21 March 1930, Page 11

BALFOUR’S LAST HOUR

SOOTHED BY AIRS FROM MUSIC MASTERS TRIBUTES TO DEAD EARL United P.A.—By Telegraph—Copyright LONDON. Thursday. Lord Balfour's last hours were soothed by the music of a piano and violin outside the door. Distinguished amateurs played the dying man's favourite melodies from Bach and Beethoven, and particularly Handel's '■Largo." The late earl himself was a brilliant pianist. Often when he was Prime ! Minister and was unable to sleep at his official residence, No. 10 Downing Street, he arose and played quietly through the dark hours. His last resting place at Whittinge- j hame, in Haddingtonshire, Scotland, will be beside his mother's grave, under a tall beech tree in a little wood. A memorial service will be held iu Westminster Abbey on Saturday at the time of the funeral. • Mr. H. L. Stimson, United States Secretary of State, today paid a high tribute to Lord Balfour’s great contribution to the cause of naval disarmament at the Washington Conference. Mr. Lloyd George said: I had the deepest and warmest affection for Lord Balfour. We were associated at some of the moSt troublous times that ever befell the British Empire. No man could have had a more courageous or a nobler colleague in time of difficulty and stress. But the most touching tribute was made by the dead earl’s valet, James Coleman, who said: "He was the serenest man I ever saw. In 30 years’ association with him I never saw him ruffled. He never said an angry word, nor one that betrayed an unworthy thought.” REMEMBERED IN N.Z. WELLINGTON, Today. Lord Bledisloe has sent the following message in connection with the death of Lord Balfour. The Government and people of New Zealand have learned with profound regret of the death of that eminent statesman, Earl Balfour, whose long career of public service, devotion to the general welfare and outstanding contributions to Imperial interests are recognised in New Zealand no less than in the United Kingdom. The Prime Minister would be grateful if the relatives could be informed that the people of New Zealand look upon his passing as a grievous loss to the Empire. JEWS’ APPRECIATION

The name of the Earl of Balfour was regarded by Jews throughout the world with feelings o'f reverence and affection. In a cabled message which was sent yesterday by the Rev. S. A. Goldstein, president of the Auckland Zionist Society, to Dr. C. Weizmann, president of the Zionist organisation, London, Dr. Weizmann was asked to convey to the relatives of the late earl the deepest sympathy of New Zealand Zionists, who mourned the loss of the noblest advocate of the cause of Zionism, and the greatest friend of the Jewish people. A memorial service will be-held in the synagogue on Monday evening, under the joint auspices of the Auckland Zionist Society and the Auckland Women’s Zionist Society. In an interview at Dunedin, Sir James Allen paid a very high tribute Lord Balfour’s personal and statesmanlike qualities, and referred with appreciation to his work in connection with the League of Nations. “I know of no other man who, in my judgment, signifies so clearly to me the finest type of English gentleman,” said Sir James. “He was strong in character, full of kindliness, and he made one feel at home with him the moment one met him. Always he was sociable, and quite unaffected.”