The Daily News. MONDAY, JULY 6, 1914. THE LATE MR. JOSEPH CHAMBERLAIN.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 39, 6 July 1914, Page 4

The Daily News. MONDAY, JULY 6, 1914. THE LATE MR. JOSEPH CHAMBERLAIN.

The removal by the hand of Deatli of such a prominent figure - in British politics as the Right Hon. Joseph Chamberlain is an event of more than ordinary import. To understand and appreciate at their true value the many peon tiaritiea and leading oJiaracteristiCH of the deceased politician's life it is necessary to hear in mind that he develop" 1 into a prominent politician by force ot circumstances, and not by heredity or through those avenues of learning Mid apprenticeship through which so many English statesmen pass on their way to the attainment of Cabinet rank. H must bo remembered that he graduated in the municipal arena at Birmingham at a time when Radicalism was tho "force majeure" in that city, where his brilliant and active mind soon placed him head and shoulders above his Allows. To bo regarded as a genius or moro tlian ordinary tranacendancy i» business and municipal affairs ia somewhat of a handicap to any man on the high road to political success, bat against this must be placed Mt. Chamberlain's extraordinary personality, directness of method, indomitable will power and absolute assurance. Starting his political career as a thorough Radical as Radicalism was then understood, it was not long before he gravitated to Liberalism, and became a member of Air. Gladstone's Ministry. No greater contrast ever existed Detween two ministers than in the case of these two remarkable men, and it redounds to Mr. Chamberlain's credit that he so loyally co-operated with his chief up to the time "when the Home Rule policy caused a severance between Mr. Chamberlain and tho Liberal party, whom he subsequently fought with all his might and main, his keen, incisive speeches proving most damaging to his erstwhile colleagues. Then the one-time Radical joined forces with the Conservative, or, as they called themselves, the Unionists, and again took Cabinet rank, this time as Colonial Secretary. It was wuile holding that portfolio that the aims and ideals of the oversea dominions were first brought into sympathetic touch with the Colonial Office, and the foundation was then laid of that closer boad of union between the Motherland aud the dominions which had led to stun satisfactory results. There are many good records of sterling, useful work accomplished by Mr. Chamberlain, but we cannot forget that he helped to wreck r the party which brought him into prominence, and that he practically blocked the Unionists, who were in a mannor forced to include him in their Cabinet, from returning to power, owing to hla launching a fiscal policy that meant t'le reversion to the protectionist principles which were thought to have been buried years before. What the bistoriam will say about such a career as that of Mr. Chamberlain is difficult to foretell, tin [ will be faced with tho fact that am exceptionally brilliant politician starts life as a Radical and free-trader, p*3sv,j through the phase of Conservatism, and emerges a pronounced Protectionist a.i'l Imperialist. Notwithstanding all iij defects, his name will long be remembered as one of the outstanding gianta of English politics that graced the latter half of last century. We can pay high tribute to his brilliant gifts, and yet feel that they might have accoin- * plished more had they been used dili'erently. Possibly it was the irony ot fate that dominated his career. At all events, Mr. Chamberlain wan a striking figure in English and Imperial politics-, and the world is the poorer now that ha has passed to the Great beyond.

THE LICENSING QUESTION. The Government is being bonibardei from all sides in connection with the licensing question. First, the no-license advocates, strong in numbers «.nd representative in character, invade the precincts of Parliament and ask for tli> modification or removal of the present three-fifths handicap at the poll. The Prime Minister is very courteous and very non-committal. Then hot on the trail of the Prohibitionists come Tiia Trade, strong in their forces, gathered from all parts of the Dominion, and vehement in their representations to retain the three-lifths majority, provide i'er seven instead of four yeara' grace in the event of the carrying ot national prohibition, and to arrange for the necessary re-adjustment of tax::iii>!\

The Prime Minister is ugaiu quite sauvo ;'.nil complimentary: Fair play, lie bay:;, will be given to all Hides. 'Die Government will treat this great question as a non-party one. He will give the people, through their representatives m IVi'liament, an opportunity ol' expressing any opinion or suggesting any amendments or improvements they may deem advisable. This is all Tory diplomatic and very politician-like, hut whether it will satisfy the two great parties ■ remains to be iiwj. It all depends upon the shape of the proposed legislation. Clearly, they both cannot he satisfied. Hut these two parties, the Prohibitionists and The Trade, are not K'oing to have tilings all their own way. The Moderates, th.' unobtrusive party, that is .supposed to determine all licensing polls, is at last going to raise its voice, and claim a hearing in the. settling of the question. ' r . too, propose* to mai'di mi r.-iril.-mcnt, and show : is

sir -le.lh t" and urge its eluims upf.fl the legislators. It is satisfied, according to the telegrams, that the matters "should no longer he left to the two ex-

tremes. • :,;.' iniltr-nced by apparent prejudice, and the others by personal advantage." It claims that a "«alai

judgment should be brought to bear up ou the subject in the interests of the b whole community." This party is apprehensive of the results attending the d carrying of Dominion No-license, but g at the sams time feels that there ig li considerable room for improvement in d the system under which the manufar"- j turo and sale of alcoholic beverages 'u " : at present conducted. No doubt, when a . the deputation waits upon the Govern- " . ment, we shall be informed of its idens r for the improvement of the system. . Maybe, it will put forward the proposal I . to make State control an issue at the a f poll. At present, the extremists will ! . have nothing to with State control in \ I any shape or form. The Prohibition- f \ ista desire to sweep liquor from the ! r country absolutely; The Trade natural- J I ly prefer to sit tight and object to State ,; , interference with their business. But id >' r it wise to leave the decision altogetln r * t to these parties,? Should not the views j 1 of the .moderate section be considered? i i At present, it simply has to say yea or' '' j nay to the issues of local and national op- l 3 tion, when it may have sympathy with 1 neither course. Our legislators seem - afraid, in the face of the legions ol t Prohibitionists on the one side and the i powerful Trade interests on the othe:, - to grapple with the question in a prac- j 8 tical, statesmanlike manner. They u.-e t shy of this, as of other questions that 1 - are looming large in the public eye at I - the moment and which call for the dis--1 play of backbone anu courage, but they 1 are being made to face them by sheer \ • force of public opinion. The result will ■> be watched with considerable interest. ( » 1