MR. BONAR LAW.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 October 1922, Page 5

MR. BONAR LAW.

SKETCH OF HIS CAREER. “A Student of Politics,” in a character sketch in The Times of Mr. Bonar Law in 1920, found in his leadership of the Conservatives an illustration of the habit of the Party of finding its most eUccenpful leaders outside its own ranks. ‘•Mr. Bonar Law, though a genuine Conservative and attached to the Party in a sense in which Disraeli and Joseph Chamberlain never were, is still not native to it. . By comparison with Mr. Waiter Long, or even with Mr. Austen Chamberlain, he is the newest of men, and that in a Party which still likes to think of itself as one of the soil racy.” Mir. Bonar Law was born in New Brunswick in 1856, the son of the Rev. James Law, M.A. He was educated in Canada and Glasgow, and became a member of a Scottish iron merchant firm. 'Tie/ entered Parliament in the Khaki Election of 1900, and when the Tariff Reform controversy was joined he found himself in a temperature that exactly suited him. Mr. Chamberlain became a Tariff Reformer as it were by accident, because he was keen on Imperial union. Mr. Bonar Law sedms to have been bom one.” It was his ability in handling figures at this time that brought Mr. Bonar Law into prominence. He won the reputation for being the keenest man in the House of Commons in intricate argument. Mr. Balfour represented the spirit of the Conservative Party, which aimed chiefly at resisting change. The radical innovating spirit introduced by Disraeli, and strengthened by chamberlain. led eventually to Mr. Balfour's resigation of the leadership, and Mr. Bonar Law waa chosen aa his successor. He was chosen because he had fewer enemies than either Mr. Austen Chamberlain or Mr. Long. That was in 1911. Before the Unionist Party lost office, he held the position from 1902 to 1900 as Parliamentary Secretary of the Board of Trade; but he was not a leading man then, and his election as Unionist leader in 1911 was somewhat of a surprise. When the Coalition Government was formed in 1915, he became a member of it, first as Secretary of State for the Colonies (1916-16), then as Chancellor of the Exchequer (1916-18), and finally as Lord Privy Seal (1919-21). But his greatest work in this period was as a member of the War Cabinet (1919-21) and Leader of the House of Commons (1916-21). He became leader under the arrangement made to relieve the Prime Minister so far as possible of Parliamentary duties. He was compelled to resign in 1921 to avoid a complete breakdown in health. He returned to politics, but only as a private member. His attitude since then has indicated loyalty to Mr. Lloyd George, and, in view of the recent discussions, it is interesting to recall a prediction with which The Times character sketch concluded: “If and when the Conservative Party breaks away from Mr. Lloyd George, it will no longer be under the lead of Mr. Bonar Law; and should the Prime Minister, as so many expect, move to the Left in politics. Mr. Bonar Law will still be found at his side, faithful and loyal always.”