DEATH OF EX-PRIME MINISTER.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9071, 23 April 1908, Page 5

DEATH OF EX-PRIME MINISTER.

Received April 23, 12.7 a.m. LONDON, April 22 ; The death is an'iounced of Sir Henry Cninpbell Bannerman, exPrime Minister.

. The late Right Hon. Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman was a son of the late Sir J. Campbell, and was born in 1836. In 1872 he as3umed the additional surname of Bannermait, under the will of his maternal uncle, the late Mr H. Bannerman. The deceased ex-Premier sat for Stirling Burghs since 1868. He was Financial Secretary to the War Office in 1871-74 and 1880-82; Secretary to the Admiralty 1882-84; Chief Secretary for Ireland 1884-85; Secretary for War 1886 and 1892-95. He was chosen leader of the liberal Opposition in succession of Sir William Harcourt in February, 1899. Notwithstanding the differences between Liberal Imperialists and other Liberals over the Boer War, a unanimous vote of confidence in Sir H. Canipbell-Bannerman's leadership was carried at a moetirg of the Liberal party held at th<* Reform Club, in July 1901. In 1902 a passage of Words took place between him and Lord Rosbery over the doctrine of the "clean slate" in regard to the Irish question'and other public ques-r tions, and the Liberal League was formed. Sir Henry, however, again received the solid support of the Liberal party in the House in 1903, 1904 and 1905 in opposing the Education and Licensing Acts, Mr Chamberlain's Fiscal policy, and the Government's action with regard to Licensing and to Chinese Labour in South Africa. On the resignation of the Balfour Administration in December 1905, he was summoned by the j King and formed a Liberal Cabinet, . himself becoming First Lord of the Treasury and Prime Minister; the t general election which followed gave him a tremendous majority. Lady Campbell-Bannerman, who was a daughter of the late General Sir Charles Bruce, K.C.8., died at Marienbad, on August 80th, 1906. About November last the late Sir Henry was taken ill with influenza. Heart trouble ensued, and ever since then there appeared little hope of his recovery. He retired from the Premiership on the sth instant.