MINISTER NEWSBOY

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 125, 29 May 1930, Page 26

MINISTER NEWSBOY

Twenty years ago Fred Montague was, in the .words he- used to me last night, "on his uppers" (writes the lobby .correspondent of the London "Daily Herald"). To-day Mr. Fred Montague, M.P., Under-Secretary for Air, introduces the i. Air Estimates in the House of Commons. "I had nothing in the world in those days," he said; "often no food, not even any prospects." I asked about his early days. "I have only the haziest "recollections about my school-, days," he replied. . "Perhaps I went to an elementary school in tho days of the London School Board, but I don't j remember it. All I recall is going to a dame-school in Battersea for a time." Where, I asked, did Mr. Montague get his knowledge of men and things? "I sold,-newspapers on London streets in 1859," he replied. "I was then 12 years old.; I well remember the contents .bills-auout Mrs. Maybrick, the poisoner, being sentenced to death, Sho was afterwards -reprieved. I had a regular, pitch.in Fleet Street. I used to' make 9s a week at that job. After that I became a bookstall boy. That was Where I got my education. When the rush hour was over I used to read everything that came on to my bookstail at Aldgate Station on the Underground. As recently as 1911 Mr. Montague, was selling ointment at London street corners. To-da.y he is one of tho successes among Mr. MacDpnald'a Minsters,