MR. CHAMBERLAIN AT BIRMINGHAM,

Evening Post, Volume LXXXII, Issue 50, 28 August 1911, Page 8

MR. CHAMBERLAIN AT BIRMINGHAM,

" • • nn .*,,+ -r-rn... OVERSEA COMPLIMENTS. (ffom Our Own Correspondent.) , 4 LONDON, 14th July. A pleapanls little incident of the Prime iMiniater'd last week ia England occurred in connection with the visit to Birming'hanij where Sir Joseph'Wai'd on Saturday received the honour of the University's Doctorate. Ifc was degree day, and at the same time the birthday of the founder and Chancellor of the University (Mr. Chamfcerlftifl), and the Convocation sent its eftflgrutulations to Highbury, where Mr, and Mrs. Chafribertain were at the time. Birmingham is a naw and modern technical university, so it is not considered wise to deliver the orakionii in Latin, and Sir Oliver Lodge made a modern speech in English. He regretted that Mr, Fisher had declined the proffered honour, and that both Sif Wilfrid Laorier and General Botha had had to fetttrti to their homes, ,btife rejoined to welcome the representative of the Hioet distant possession of our Crown, fch-j very antipedftß of the British Isles where the people held undisputed sway, and women took aft equal share in •all offices. Sir Joseph, in his reply, asked that to*he congratulations of the congregation might be added a message on behalf of the people of New Zealand wishing Mr. Chamberlain many happy returns of the day. (Loud apolauae.) They in New Zealand recognised the distinguished career of the Chancellor of the University, and sympathised sincerely with him in Jus protracted illness, It would be a great flatisf action to the people of Nsw Zealand that, he had received that honour from a university ot which Mr. Chamberlain was the- distinguished head. - A VISIT %0 HIGHBURY. In the afternoon a select few of the vititpra paid a visit to Mr. Chamberlain's residence tit Highbury, for the purpose or offerirtg their congratulations in person., Sif Joseph and Lady Ward wefe aeedWbttnied by Mlee Ward, Mrs. Seddon, Aim Miss Seddofi, all of whom value very much the opportunity of meeting the prophet, of tariff reform. Owing to the obvious , difficulty which Mr. Chamberlain psperisneed iti speaking, Sir Joseph Ward was thn only one of the party who flamed on any conversation with him. Sti' .Joseph tells me that Mr. Chamberlain s intellect, is undoubtedly m bright ag M'ef. His lJltiess has affected his power 1 ' r e .T^cttlates with great, difficulty, rt«d with some appearance of pain, and hia hirers have to listen very attentively to follow hi* remarks. Sir 'Joseph wtt9 delighted to find how ke*n an interest. Mr. Chnmberlain "still takes in N"W Zealand. As <m a previous occasion, ha pxprewed his ad/tiiratkm of the- country and of the laws whteh it, ha<t parsed— ißWft which hi consider* in tnsttiy respect* hotter than those of any other country. Gkhef aierabers the patiy wofo much »hooked to observe the great change in Mr". Chanißcrlaiii's appes ranee emco fhey Uib saw him. , ... Onn of the htt telegrams received by Sir Joseph Wdfd before hi? departure f.tm',a!iie<.! the thank* of Mr. Chamberlain (fir the mepwgo which he sent pa bahalf fit Hdn Zealand,,