SIR MICHAEL HICKS-BEACH.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIII, Issue 166, 15 July 1902, Page 5

SIR MICHAEL HICKS-BEACH.

[One of the strongest members of the Conservative Government, but one about whom little is known, in the colonies, is tb,e retiring Chancellor of the Exchequer, Sir M. Hicks-Beach. Sir Michael has won for Irmse.f the special reputation of being an eminently "safe" financier. He has been regarded as safe all through his political career. He is the eldest son of the late Sir Michael Hicks HicksBeach, of Williamstrip Park, Gloucestershire, the eighth baronet, and he was born in Portugal-street, London, •in 1837. From Eton he was sent to Christ Church, Oxford (8.A.. ISSS; M.A., 1861; Hon. D.C.L., 1878). In July, ISG4, he was elected M.P. for East Gloucestershire. He was Parliamentary Secretary to the Poor LawBoard from February tiil IS6S, with the exception of a few weeks, during which he was Undersecretary for the Home Department. When tha Conservatives again came into offic/in February, 1874, Sir M. was appointed Chief Secretary for Ireland. On taking that office he was sworn on the Privy Council, and in 1877 he was admitted to a seat in the Cabinet. In February, 1878, he was nominated Secretary of State for the Colonies, in the place of Lord Carnarvon, who had resigned in consequence of a difference with his colleagues on the Eastern question. Sir M. Hicks-Beach <went out of office with his party in April, ISSO, and on the accession of Lord Salisbury to power was appointed Chancellor of the Exchequer, with the leadership o-f tke House of Commons, June, ISSS. This he held till Mr Gladstone's return to power. On the dissolution in ISB6 he was returned again for West Bristol, which he had previously represented, and accepted the office of Chief Secretary for Ireland, vacated by Mr John Morley. He resigned this office from ill-health, March, ISS7, and in February, 1888, was appointed President of the Board of Trade, and retained that office until August, IS<>2. In 1595 he again became Chancellor of the Exchequer. Sir Michael is a magistrate for Gloucestershire, and w r as for fourteen years captain in the Eoyal North Gloucestershire Militia.]