BRITISH LEADERS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 238, 8 October 1934, Page 5

BRITISH LEADERS.

THE NEXT ELECTION.

MR. BALDWIN'S "SIMPLICITY."

FUTURE OF MR. ELLIOT.

Intimate glimpses of prominent British politicians were given by Sir lan Fraser, M.P., in a speech before the members of the New Zealand Club in Wellington. Sir lan said it was not so easy to say what the people would do to-day were there an election. By-elections had been lost, but by-elections did not tell the whole of the story. His own feeling was that at the election which would take place in November of next year, or the May following, the Labour party would lack national leaders. Those possible were Mr. George Lansbury and Sir Stafford Cripps, but he did not think that Mr. Mac Donald, Lord Snowden or Mr. Thomas would then be national figures. "Mr. Lansbury is liked by all," said Sir lan Fraser. "But he is a sentimentalist, and I can hardly see him as a leader. Sir Stafford Cripps is too young. You have to be old or dead before you are known in England. Mr. Ramsay Mac Donald is a remarkable figure. He is an arresting personality, with a good-looking head and a fine voice. When the National Government was formed the situation was saved by by Baldwin, whose party was in the majority. Unquestionably Mr. Baldwin made a sacrifice for the good of the country he has served so well, as he could have claimed the leadership. Simon and Chamberlain. "Sir John Simon is different. People admire him, but are not affectionate toward him. It is much the same with Mr. Neville Chamberlain. No man is held in higher regard than Mr. Chamberlain, but lie inspires 110 warmth of feeling. On the contrary, everyone likes Mr. Baldwin. Whether it is his simplicity or his affectation of simplicity— for English people love being fooled—

I am unable to say, hut I have always thought him a wiser man than he would have others believe.

"Mr. Walter Elliot was a doctor and is our youngest Minister. I think he will go a long way in politics, but then I am a believer in planning, and lie is the leader of that line of thought. He is a most genial man. I once thought he might miss the bus through being too humorous—a fatal thing in polities. I think Mr. Elliot will retain a place in the councils of the nation for the next ten years. Winston Churchill. "Then there is Winston Churchill. I admire him tremendously for his personality, his keenness, and his willingness to risk his life, or his political life, for what he Relieves in. It is Mr. Churchill who has inspired the increase in the armed forces of the Crown. He believes in adequately strengthening our air forces to make it equal to that of any nation within striking distance by air, and the recent increase promised in the strength of the Navy is significant."