HOW NOT TO BE A STATESMAN

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30348, 25 January 1964, Page 14

HOW NOT TO BE A STATESMAN

[By

WHIM WHAM)

Prime Ministers, and Presidents, Receiving grave Intelligence, Sometimes “cut short their Holidays.” The Crisis calls, the Man obeys. The urgent Business of the Nation Must come before mere Recreation. A Douglas-Home, a Holyoake, Alike may feel the unkind Stroke Of Fate, which brusquely supervenes Upon those bright Vacation Scenes. Both, as I’ve lately heard or read. Have laid their Pastimes by, and sped Back to their Capitals direct: The Occasions I don’t recollect, Although I should—You can’t expect Me to keep up with Everything In every Line I say or sing! In Statesmanship, there is a Sort Of System in this "cutting short,”: A Holiday, as Statesmen take It, Means Very Little till They break It. When THEY stop Fishing or What Not, The World’s aware the Issue’s hot, Or warming up! When THEY retreat Once more, to Beach or rural Seat, Contented to be kept in Touch By Under-Secretaries and Such, The Fishing’s not the less political— The Situation’s not so critical; Or, if It is, we’re to believe The Trumps are up the Statesman’s Sleeve . . . Sir, You’ll be glad to learn that I’m Not “cutting short’’ MY Leave this time! As Things, from Time to Time, get serious, The Statesman’s Duty is imperious— How serious do They have to get Before MY Holiday’s upset? Why, even this Weather’s not unseasonable Enough to make such Panic reasonable!