THE FIRST EARL BALDWIN

Press, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 26120, 24 May 1950, Page 7

THE FIRST EARL BALDWIN

Career as Prime Minister MR CHURCHILL’S TRIBUTE (Special Corresponaent N.Z.P.A.) (Rec. 9 p.m.) LONDON, May 23. A striking tribute to a former British Prime Minister, Earl Eaidwin, was paid by Mr Churchill when he insp» ted a memorial to his former leader at Astley, near Bewdiey, Earl Baldwin’s family scat. “In domestic politics. Stanley Baldwin was one of our most capable leaders for many generations." said Mr Churchill. “He loved England and in every part of our country he found men and women who recognised in him moods and qualities which they admired. He was the most formidable politician I have ever known in our public life. “He had a profound knowledge of the workings of the minds of the average man and woman, and a sincere desire to be helpful to them. If he shared some of their weaknesses he shared much of their calm, patient strength. He won. and kept for over 20 years, a steady measure of their confidence and goodwill. “In his administration from 1924 to 1929 he achieved two enduring triumphs. The firs! was the Pact’ ol Locarno in the making of which he earnestly sustained Sir Austen Chamberlain." This marked the highest point reached in the peaceful settlement of Europe between the two world wars. “The second was five years of steady improvement, judged by every test, in the standards of life, labour, and employment of the British people. There was nothing in our domestic life at the end of that period which in spite of the harsh interruption of the general strike, that was not markedly better at the end than at the beginning. “I had parted political companionship with him before he began his second long term of power. My difference arose about India. I hold to the views I then expressed, but I am content to leave history to judge, as ft unfolds over the years that are to come. “The British nation and a.l parties if! the state have endorsed Earl Baldwin’s views and the consequences that follow from them. No one who accepted his guidance then has the right to reproach his memory now. Second Administration “In his second administration, for the greater part of which he was not officially Prime Minister but wielded controlling power, he undoubtedly presided over the great recovery from the financial and economic collapse of 1931 and brought us back into steady, stable and constantly improving conditions of national life. A whole series of foreign and military events, with which he was not specially fitted to deal then broke in upon his conduct of home affairs. As I was his chief critic on these issues, and my words are on record. I have the right to declare here and now. that his courage and patriotism did not fail, although the tragic course of events belied his judg-

“Not all who now claim superior wisdom, foresaw what was approaching. Here. then, there is erected this simple monument to the virtues and services of a good Englishman who loved his country and faithfully sought an advance in the wellbeing of those whom it is now the fashion io call the ‘common people.’ but who were always dear to his heart. “As the years roll by and the perspective of history lengthens, and reduces so many of our disputes to their due proportion, there will be manv who will not pass this place without giving their respectful salute.”