A. J. BALFOUR

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10474, 10 November 1911, Page 5

A. J. BALFOUR

CABLE NEWS

United Press Association — By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.

HIS DRAMATIC RETIREMENT

A PATHETIC SPEECH.

((Received. Last Nigjhit, 8.55 o'clock.) LONDON, November 9.

A meeting of about forty bankers and merchants of London was suddenly callled.

(Nobody wa<s aware of the reason for the sudden call until the Right Hon. A. J. BaTfour made his dramatic and unexpected statement.

The -statement was mla.de with evident emotion.

The Leader of the Opposition referred to the ever-increasing strain ' of political life, iie said that if the fortunes of the Unionist Party rose, he would no longer Inure the vigour, tto control a Ministry. He had been for thirty-eigflit years in Parliament, and leader of the Unionist Party for twenty years, of which period he had been, fbr ten years leaden- of the whole House. This'was a longer tenure than that of Minister since the days of Fitt. Only four or five of the Unionist • member* of the House of Commons had ever worked under another leader. The increasing strain was due to tlie Government' expecting the House of Commons to eit for ten or eleven, months in the year. He feared that there would he an increasing difficiulty in finding meai with "the adequate leisure for the po'sition, and, who were prepared to undergo the great toils now attaching to politics. Probably the, country w,as nearer to entrusting its affairs to thtose who, fbr quite worthy, but, on the wfhole, less satisfactory reasons, were prepared to work the political • ine merely as professional politicians. He believed that the present time was the best fbir relinquishing the leadership of the Party. The session was non-contentious; but Home Rule and, Disestablishment were ahead. Before the end of nexit sesis'Jon, there migiht be a general ejection, and he felt that it was wrong that his successor should not have an interval in wjhicili to prepare flew- the fig/hit.-Continuing,-Mr Balfour said: "Nobjody should take a gjloomfv view of the Party's prospects. We are on the upward grade.' Critics . and gnircifbdeiris are like microbes. When strength is recovered, the microbe resumes, its* proper place and becomes comparatively innocuous. The Government has lived on electoral . bribes,' for 'six years, and is now lapsing into the old Radicail practice of destroying institutions and jerrymandering. Tlhere are signs of a steadily-crowing disgust among >.,tlle better classes of thevpopulation. This wil be an. inestimable advantage to my successor. Personally, I bare desired to leave a position of heavy resgran nihility before I. suffered the ,mbsi£ insidious of. al diseases—intellectual petrification, wfliinh makes a veteran less able to deal, with new problem's withYv" freshnessand elasticity ,than a younger man. I am vain enouglli to hope that, I have not reached that stage, but I' am a miserable mian. The margin is fine. I hope still to have years of , activity to devote." not only to the party, but to the country. Such services, However, must not impose the present strain."' The meeting received the ah- ■ nouncemen.t with regretful silence.

Afterwards a resolutionwas carVied, expressing satisfaction th/at Mir Balfour intended remaining a oneonber for. the OLty.

MR BALFOUR'S SUCCESSOR.

TO BE OHfISEN BY BALLOT,

(Received Last Night, 11.20 o'clock!) / LONDON, November 9..; '* M)r Balfour onsy attemdetl the House of dominions' on two occasions during the autumn session. : It . is understood' that his doctors' have forbidden hiini' to accept a position of responsibility in any future Administration.

A meeting of Unionist members of the House of Commons' will be held at the Carlton Club on Mondiay. • ',, ~ It s understoodt that a leader foi# £he House of Qonuwons wall be chosl- - by ballot, th'e leadership of the Party remaining in abeyance. ' The general, opinion is that the choice lies between Mir W. H. Long j and Mr Austen Chamberlain, but it' is possible tlilat Mr Bbrnir Law mfay l>e chosen as a com]promise. lit is generally believed that the recent attacks delayed than hurried Mr Balfour's, resignation. The Halsbury Club" on Monday passed a resolution tendering ' Mr Balfour Lord Lansclowne's assurance of loyal support. The newspapers of all parties oontain appreciations of Mi 1 Balfour's inteHlieetual and moral qualities. The Unionists generally refrain Jirom comhventing on the subject of a siucces&or.

'The Standard, asks, ,if the decision is irrevocable. The Dlailly News sayis tltere are many aspirants for the leader's cloak, but none will wear it with Mr Balfour's grace and ■ authority. TBie .Clhiroinide qui est ions wihether the hounding out of Mir Balrffour will Wave the effect of ooiisiiflidating the Unionists.

Tllie Times says, thai the resignation wall be received wiith. little surprise. Very great and genuine sorrow wiill be felt by an overwihelmang majority. Mr Balfour's decision tnay betaken us irrevocable. He wias. not harrassed into resignation, but waited until the mjutiaious> spirit in his Party hod almost disappeared. Tli'e choice of a successor lies between Mi* Austen Chamberlain, Mr liong, Mr Bbnar Law, and Mr Carson.