"LULU" HARCOURT.

Auckland Star, Volume XLI, Issue 293, 10 December 1910, Page 9

"LULU" HARCOURT.

OTTR NEW COIiONIAI. SECRETARY. CHARACTER SKETCH. "MAN" WHOM ALL MEN SPEAK WELL OF." THE POLITE LETTER WRITER. (From Our Special Correspondent.) LONDON, November 5. The new Colonial Secretary, Mr "Lulu" Harcourt, is one of those men that all men speak well of. No doubt his nickname is significant, for one cannot imagine an unpopular man being known as "Lulu." Mr. Harcourt has not inherited all the ability of bis father, the late Sir William Harcourt, but, on the other hand, lie bus many qualities which have helped him along faster than outstanding intellectual gifts might have done unaided. He is, for instance, the personification of "suaviter in modo." His courtesy is overwhelming. He writes official letters that make you feel he is doing you the best turn that a good Samaritan ever did. He can decline a request in term.-, that will make the recipient really begin to feel he is under a deep obligation to Mr. Harcourt. His manner is as tactful as his letters; it is invariably pleasant, almost insinuating. His speeches are brightened by flashes of humour, which are always welcome, because there is no suspicion of spleen. His intellect is receptive rather than original, just as bis nature is sympathetic rather than forceful. He is a man of essentially modern ideas, and while unlikely to initiate far-reaching schemes himself, will listen sympathetically to any proposals that come to him from the Dominions. If he can possibly agree with them, he will hasten to do so; and if he cannot, lie will explain why so nicely that you will find it hard to bo angry with him. He will never be guilty of saving rude things about the door being "banged, barred, and bolted," as one of bis predecessors in office did. "TOUJOURS LA POLITESSE." It is true that he has had no colonial experience whatever; but, on the other hand, be may, I think, be trusted to do nothing that will cause irritation overseas. If he is still in office when the next Imperial Conference meets, tho colonial Premiers will, I am sure, be charmed with the personality of the Colonial Secretary. He will "receive them most politely," and disarm criticism when he disagrees by the conciliatory way in which be will explain why he is most reluctantly compelled to do so. Mr. Harcourt" comes to the Colonial Office from that of First Commissioner of His Majesty's Works. In this he was such a success that ho is acknowledged to be the most popular First Commissioner on record. His predecessors had been as inaccessible as the Czar of Russia, but Mr. Harcourt altered all that. He welcomed suggestions, and did everything he could to increase the popularity of the Koyal parks and buildings under his control. His marked artistic tastes found full scope in schemes for beautifying tho parks and saving ancient landmarks. Few Commissioners have done more than Mr. Harcourt to promote the comfort of members of Parliament—perhaps that is why he is so popular at Westminster. He evolved a new method of taking divisions in the House of Commons, and bis concern for the artistic side of Parliamentary life is shown by his action in securing the six historic panels painted by Mr. Cadogan Cowpor, A.R.A.. which have been placed in position in the East Corridor at Westminster within the past few weeks. HIS RAPID RISE. Before he entered Parliament Mr. Harcourt acted for many years as private secretary to his distinguished father, and there are few men who know more of the inner history of the politics of the last two decades. Never, it has.often been been said, had any statesman a better private secretary than Sir Wm. Harcourt found in bis son; never were memory and knowledge more singularly blended. "Lulu" rendered invaluable help in tho prolonged struggle over the famous Budget in which Sir Win. expended the Death Duties in this country. Since entering Parliament himself, the new Colonial Secretary's rise has been extremely rapid. It is only four yeara since he made his maiden speech, and now he is at the head of one of the great departments of State. On bis first entrance to tlie Hou.so lie did not attempt, as many young members do, to put himself in the forefront of debate. Indeed, he had been a member for two years, and had been First Commisisowr for some months, before he made his maiden speech in the presentation of a bill. This fact wae in itself almost unparalleled. Undoubtedly Mr. Harcourt must have been greatly indebted to influence for the post to which he succeeded before ever he "had opened his mouth in Parliament. Famil}' prestige is the master key to many doors. But having got his chance in this lucky manner he certainly proved himself able to take advantage of it. His manner and method in his maiden speech won high praises from members of all parties, and he at once found himself enrolled in the ranks of those who attract and hold a House during the dinner hour. Mr. Harcourt has the reputation of being an uncompromising Radical, and a vigorous champion in the Cabinet in the causes espoused by Mr. Lloyd-George and Mr. Churchill. It is quite possible that his transference to the Colonial Office is in the nature of a temporary appointment, for there is little doubt that the Government have in view tho division of the Colonial Office into two departments, as urged by Mr. Deakin at ■the last Imperial Conference. One De-; partment will deal with Dominion affairs, and the other with the business of the Orown colonies. When this step is taken—probably before the next Confer-, ence meets—there may be a rearrange-1 ment of portfolios. Whether Mr. Har-J court gets the control of the Dominions Department will doubtless depend on how he shapes in the next few months. PRAISE FROM OPPONENTS. At their 'beautiful home, Nuneham Park, so delightfully situated on the banks of the Thames, a few miles from Oxford, Mr. and Mrs. Harcourt had the honour of entertaining the late King. Mrs. Harcourt, who is an American lady, and a charming hostess, is the only daughter of the late Mr. W. H. Burns, of New York, and North Mymms Park.' I The criticism of his political opponents upon the promotion of the new Colonial Secretary will be more interesting to: your readers than that of his friends. 1 Take the Unionist "Morning Post" for| example:— | "Mr. Harcourt unites with a keen prac-j tiea! mind a fine artistic perception—and |

■thus it is that he has pleased, •whether it be in the intricate details of expediting divisions in the House of Commons or in arranging for mural paintings in the Palace of Westminster. The width of his sympathies and his accessibility to "men of all parties and sections of opinion make it almost certain that h-fc will 'be as popular a Colonial Secretary as he hae been a First Commissioner of Works." *, To this let mc add what the "Pall Mall Gazette," another political opponent, has to say of Mr. Harcourt as Colonial Secretary : —• "He shares the gifts of tact and diplomacy with his successor, whose rapid acquisition of status in the House of Commons is a tribute to the subtle, but ever-demonstrated, iniluence of personality. Mr. Harcourt is unfortunately in very poor accord with tlie genius of Imperialism, nnd will find himself talking a different language and thinking a different philosophy from the representatives of the Dominions with whom he, will have to transact business should lie be in office next summer. At the same tim-e he may be trusted not to go out of his way to Ilout the sentiment of the Empire with the nonchalance displayed ;by some of his colleagues on the occasion. !of the. last Conference. In domestic ! politics the new Colonial Secretary lu..s j the gift of leadership, and may probatfly go further than certuni members of liis I own school whose cliariot-whwls make a louder clatter upon the pavement. The present changes illustrate once more the fact that the Ministerial party is well off for personal ability."