P.C. SECRETARY

Greymouth Evening Star, 29 August 1925, Page 5

P.C. SECRETARY

TELLS “STATE” SECRETS.

(Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.!

LONDON, Aug. 28. A sensation lias been caused through the publication of the memoirs of Sir Almeric Fitzroy, late clerk to the Privy Council. The newspapers stigmatise certain passages, referring to Royalties and living statesmen, as indiscretions and violations of the secrecy of office. Sir A. Fitzroy affirms that the King rebuffed a self-willed Minister for refusing to permit a battleship to be named “Oliver Cromwell.’’ On one occasion the King spoke to Sir llainai Greenwood (former Irish Secretary) very strongly for his slovenly way of doing business. On another occasion the King deprecated Lloyd oeciges| land campaign. Other stories in the book praise the King’s character, Lon Morley saying that he was “lull ol conscience,’’ and another characteiistic was his insistence on reading anonymous letters.

There are astonishing references to the late King Edward’s illness, and to his living for days on tonics and stimulants. King Edward once said he. was Salt in favour of taxing, whereon Mr C. T. Ritchie said: “His Majesty does not approve of taxing the poor? King Edward replied: “No—and 1

do not care who knows it.” Thereupon the Duke of Devonshire turned to Mr Balfour and said: “We must really get this on the. stump '.’’—meaning the platform. ~ . , Sir Almeric Fitzroy also alleged that a large fund was subscribed to enable Lord Birkenhead to accept the leadel ’' ship of the Tory Party in 1922, but Lord Birkenhead, on second thoughts, held aloof, and the money was returned to the subscribers. There are piquant stories of other public men, including Mr Churchill, Sir R. Horne, and Lord Beaverbrook.