BRITISH CELEBRITIES

Evening Post, Volume XCIII, Issue 128, 30 May 1917, Page 5

BRITISH CELEBRITIES

BRIEF SKETCHES

Brief sketches of leading celebrities in the Old Land were outlined yesterday by Mr. C. J. Parr, CM.G., who was the guest of the New Zealand Club at luncheon. Mr. C. E. Wheeler presided.

In the course of his rapid review, Mr. Parr mentioned Mr. John Diilon. He had, he said, never seen a speaker who had such voluminous notes. When he wanted to impress himself with particular force lie addressed himself to the Press Gallery, and did not trouble about tho rest of the House. When he had finished speaking the table for three feet round him was covered with notes. Mr Asquith would then rise, and thump the same table that Disraeli, Gladstone, and other celebrated men had thumped, and speak for an hour. He always wanted to know the reasons. "It was the argument of a great lawyer," said Mr. Parr. "I never heard such marvellous language—so clear iind so convincing." Mr. Parr added that Mr. Asquith was a great party tactician. This might be all right in peace time, but it was no good in times of storm and stress, and he (the speaker) was afraid the Empire was going to suffer owing to the manner in which the former Prime Minister had conducted t*ie first two years of the war

Referring to Sir Edward Carson, Mr. Parr said he was very surprised when he saw that gentleman sprawling over his seat in the House to learn his identity. On that occasion Sir • Edward spoke for ten minutes. He was sitting opposite a very charming young lady, and Mr. Parr asked who she. was. "The reply, in a loud voice, was, 'That's Sir Edward Carson's new wife.' "

Mr. Parr next spoke of Mr. A. J. Balfour, who, he said, had stated that since the beginning of the war a new British fleet had been created comparable in strength to. the whole German Navy. Mr. Parr added that he was greatly struck with the grim . determination of the British people "to see this thing through to the finish." Brief word-portraits of Sir William Robertson, General Joffre, and others completed' a,n interesting address.