LATE CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 105, 24 April 1908, Page 2

LATE CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN.

A PEACEFUL END. London, April 22. Sir H. Ciunpbell-Bannermau was only partially conscious throughout the night ami (lied jwacefully, but rather suddenly, * at 0.15 in the morning in the presence ol' a niece and the doctor. The King and Mr. As(|uilh were immediately informed. ; ' ' There lias been a stream of callers at Downing Street, It is understood he will lie buried at Belmont, Scotland. Mr. Lloyd-George, speaking at Manchester, eulogised Sir Henry as a great public figure, and the most lovable and bravest politician he had ever met. Irelaud had lost her truest -friend, and •Ljjvry section of the Empire was siffiilai^^creaved. A PUJCKyN«L l ' lea S ant ; TRIBUTES FROM OPPONENTS. ' CONTINENTAL ENCOMIUMS. Received April 23, 11.20 p.m. ' London, April 23. Dr. Burnet, who attended Sir H. • Campbell-Baiiuennan, in an interview f said the deceased statesman was a most plucky and pleasant patient. He manifested, when awaro he was dying, the greatest fortitude. It was about that time that he resigned the Premiership, Messrs. Ruiieiman, C. F. Masterman, and oblier Liberal members, in the course of speeches on Wednesday evening, hastened to acknowledge some most genuine and generous tributes to' Sir H. Campbell-Bannerman from pbliticaf opponents.

A. Henderson, a Labour member, Speaking at York, said Sir H. CampbellBannernian was one of the Labour Party's most sincere friends. German, French, and Italian newspapers describe Sir 11. Campbell-Banner-man as a great idealist and a lover of peace.

UNANIMOUS EXPRESSIONS OF ESTEEM.

Received April 23, 11.30 p.m. London, April 23. oir H, Campbell-Bannerman's death was received with great son<ow throughout the kingdom. Messages of oonui.leuoe were gent ftt.ii! King Edward, the Prince of Wales, Mr. Balfour, the leaders of all parties, Lord Mayors, pub. lie bodies, sovereigns of other countries, ami colonial ana foreign Governments. •Hags were lowered on many public buildings. r

Ihe Press tributes are unanimous in expressions of general affection and esteem, due to tlife simplicity o-f character, self-abnegation, and loyal persevtering service to the State of deceased. rite first part of the funeral service mil be conducted at Westminster Abbey at noon oh Monday, and the burial will take place at Meigle ou Tuesday. I lie Daily Mail's Copenhagen correspondent reports that King Edward remarked t,liat Sir H. Campbell-Banner-man was a faithful servant to the coonitry. "I am truly sorry lie has gone," said the King. Hie Times says that in djscu&ion& on coming stormy questions in Parliament we may mss's Sir H. OampbellBannennau's pacific, tactful presence and cheery common sense. The Chronicle emphasises liis sincerity, many triumphs, and tact. rile Daily News prtiisfls his transparent honesty. The Daily Telegraph comments on the late Prime Minister's candour and consistency.

The Standard says lie always played' with the carils an the table.

The Daily Mail and Morning Post* eulogise liis keeping foreign affairs, inula, and tlie Army and Navy on national lines, outside party controversy.

The deceased statesman was bom on September 7th, 183G, being the youngest sou of tlie late Sir James Campbell, of Stracathiv, Forfarshire. lie assumed the additional name under tine will of his maternal uncle,. the late Henry Banlieimau, of Huutou Court, Kent. Sir Henry Cainpbell-Biinnerman, who resigned the Prime Ministership at the beginning of the mouth, had held that oilice iur two years and u quarter, having been sworn in in December, 1005, on the resignation of the Balfour liient. His health had been precarious ever since. Following upon a political speech at Bristol in November, 1007, lie. had a lieart seizure, and an attack of tue prevailing epidemic of influenza at the commencement of February of the present year accentuated his weakness. Sir Henry had held oltiee in every Liberal Government since 1871, climbing up the Ministerial ladder from Under-Sec-retaryship to the Secretary of State for War in 1880 and 181)2, and being in tli© wilderness of opposition with his colleagues from 1895 to 1005. Tie death af his wife in September, 1808, was a great blow to him. He was. the father of the Hbuse of Commons, having represented Stirling district sinw 1808. When as a young man Mr. Campbell, aa he then was, entered the House ho had no particular ambitious, and for three ycarfe was content to be an almost silent member of his party. He was not by naturfe ambitious or energetic, but Mr. Gladstone, who wan a keen judge) of character, discovered beneath his ap. parently indolent manner those qualities that were destined to make liiin so preeminent a figure ill the Liberal party. When Mr, Gladstone made Mr. Campbell Financial Secretary to t'he War Office in 1871 tlfie latter had the great advantage of serving under one who haa been termed the greatest War Minister l of modern times, Mr. O&rdwell, and he assisted in bringing about the reformation of the army oil a system that hits since become famous. Tie experience; was invaluable, and when later Mr.

Henry Campbeli-Bimnernwu, as he liad!

now becomo, in hi B turn rose to be War Minister, his administration was marked by great success. His official record is as follows: —Financial Secretary to the AYar Office, 1871-4 and 1880-2; Secretary to the Admiralty, 1882-4; Chief Secrttiiry for Ireland, 1884-5; Secitetary for War, 188G, 1892-5; Prime Miniate l ", 1005-7.

, Sir Henry Canipbell-Banneriuan was ; not a zealot, but a man of sound sense and strong convictions, who was willing to give a lifetime's service to, the liberal party, but was too honest to hide! his own opinion when faced with a' policy that he believed to' be wrimg. But so acute did tlie situation become that he felt bound to summon a meeting of tfe party in July, 1901, at which he frankly demanded an expression of confidence. His protest against the cabals that, were lindertninilig his authority proved in a measure successful, and in the House and in, the- country the new loader made steady h™dway. He conquered the House of Commons; he won the country to his side; and finally even; reduced the Tory press to a semblance of courtesy. Thus he reached the, position of Prime Minister byfoweof cimractter and native , grit. It came to Mm unsought for, foe he had never played for his own hatld, and it eaniV to hint as tho reward of yenrs of patient endurance and the s'ac-, jflftOfTliSStaal comfort and ease. Hi#' long twiiiiiiigiitilite lijin one of the mosfc po'liwlied )ind in, the House, while his statesmanlfe-<jW<litiesi anil his iinperturlrable good humorsfclpi liim in grind stead as Prime Minister leader of the Uiouse of Commons.