NOTED STATESMAN DEAD

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 147, 18 March 1937, Page 11

NOTED STATESMAN DEAD

Sir Austen Chamberlain

END OF LONG CAREER IN POLITICS

Glowing Tributes Paid

By Telegraph.—Press Assn. —Copyright.

London. March 16

Sir Austen Chamberlain, K.G., P.C., Conservative member of Parliament for Birmingham West since 1914, died at 9.12 p.m. to-day. He was in his seventyfourth year. Sir Austen’s death was entirely unexpected, and it is only now learned that he had been confined to his London residence for a few days with lumbago which was not’ regarded as serious. He seemed to bo better to-day, and in the evening started to go downstairs to

the library when he had a heart attack and died in a few minutes without regaining consciousness. The news of his death has been received witli grief by members of the House of Commons and attendants, among all of whom he was most popular. Mr. David Lloyd George, when told the news, said: “Sir Austen Chamberlain was the most upright and most straightforward man I had ever met.” The Leader of the Labour Party, Mr. C. R. Attlee, said: “We have lost a great Parliamentarian and a very great gentleman.”

MANY POSTS HELD Character Sketch of Sir Austen Chamberlain Joseph Austen Chamberlain, K.G., P.C., Conservative member of the House of Commons for Birmingham West since 1914, was born ou October 16, 1863, the eldest son of the into Joseph Chamberlain. Educated at Rugby and Trinity College, Cambridge, he was an honorary D.C.L. of Oxford, and an honorary LL.D, of London, Birmingham, Cambridge, Sheffield, Glasgow, Toronto and Lyon. In 1895 and 1990 he was Civil Lord of the Admiralty, Financial Secretary to the Treasury from 1960 to 1902, PostmasterGeneral from 1902 to 1903, Chancellor of the Exchequer from 1903 to 1906, Chairman of the Royal Commission on Indian Finance and Currency in 1913, and Secretary of State for India from 19.15 to 1917. He became a member of the War Cabinet in April, 1918, was Chancellor of the Exchequer from January, 1919. to 1921. Lord Privy Seal and Leader of (he House of Commons from 1921 to 1922, Secretary of Slate for Foreign Affairs from November. 1924. to June, 1929, and First Lord of the Admiralty in tlie National Government from August to October, .1931.

Sir Austen was Unionist member for East Worcestershire from 1592 lo 1914. Lord Rector of Glasgow University from 1925 to 1928, Chancellor of Reading University since 1935, and chairman of the governing body of Rugby School in 1932. Broad-sword ami Battle-axe. "Those who have followed the Budget debates in the House as I have done will know that the two chief lighters on the Unionist side are Mr. Balfour and .Mr. Chamberlain,” states a writer in appreciation of Sir Austen in his days in opposition. "They will know, too, that while Mr. Balfour is engaging the mem-, bers of the Government with his inimitable rapier play, polished and deadly, Austen Chamberlain is coining to close quarters, hour by hour, with broad-sword and battle-axe, making opportunities for attack, delivering merciless blows, giving no quarter, and receiving none. He is a hand-to-hand fighter who rouses the enthusiasm of his followers. In the present strenuous parliamentary days and nights the Unionists, packed on the benches behind, cheer whenever Mr. Chamberlain springs to the table with sharp-edged words. “I’icture a tall, boyish-looking man of forty-five, with a rather long, cleanshaven face, unemotional eyes, and brown hair brushed up and back from the forehead in a neat way, which somehow suggests the well groomed schoolboy. Add to the picture the eye-glass, with its descending cord bulging out like a bow, and a frock-coat, always the model of correctness and elegance, and you have some of the externals of Austen Chamberlain in the House of Commons. His frockcoat lias been described as "a dream,’ but despite that fact Mr. Chamberlain inevitably gives the impression of a business man, very practical, and above all things thorough and uncompromising. •‘He enters from behind the Speakers chair with a swinging stride which tells of the fact that he has come to the House to work and not to play. He thrusts himself down on the Opposition front bench with a decisive air which lets you know that he means business. He seizes the order paper of the day. examines it minutely, secures from the table in front of him a large envelope on which to make notes, takes a pencil from his pocket, and is prepared for anything. He keeps his back very straight, for it is always difficult for him to lounge. ‘•Moreover when he is standing to speak it is one of his little mannerisms to keep his head well back and to continue fiercely squaring his shoulders as with his pleasant voice lie hurls his arguments at the Government. Onee in a way ho will bend forward and. with his elliows on the dispatch box anil his Ungers widely extended, will gesticulate gently as he tries to Hiako the Government see tlie unreasonableness! of their attitude. His Maiden Speech. “After Rugby and Trinity College. Cambridge. Austen Chamberlain completed bis education in Germany nnd France, and came home again to become the private secretary of his father, soon to be at the zenith of his power. As a young man of twenty-nine lie was elected Unionist member for Ens’t Worcestershire. It was in the following year that he made his maiden speech in the House of Commons, and among those who listened to it was Mr. Gladstone. Prime Mhvster of tlie day. between whom and Mr. Jo-’eph Chamberlain there had now risen the keenest political niitngon ism. <ln tin* very subject that had sopai*tited the two statesmen- namely. Home Rule—Austen Chamberlain made his maiden speech. Mr. Gladstone, with tiiat

Gue courtesy which always distinguished him, promptly offered his congratulation*. "It was a speech,’ lie said, "that must have been dear and refreshing to a father's heart.” Those who witnessed the scene say that Joseph Chamberlain was visibly moved by tin* generous words of his old chief, ami it goes without saying that Austen Chamberlain has never forgotten them. “That is one side of Austen Chamberlain. Awav from tin* arena of polities you will find another. He has been described in print as a rather solemn young man. You will look in. vain for solemnity when you meet him in private life. You will find that his eyes have n soft, little smile, that his voice can be gently humorous, ami that there are other things for him besides politics’. longer is he the gladiator. You will find that literature ami art are among his interests. Perchance his talk will be <»f etchings of which he has some excellent example'-. Or it may be that this keen political lighter will be turned into a very human man. who with favourite briar in mouth will chat delightfully about “the gentle Elia.” wlio’o volumes lie upon his writing-table.’*