IN SAFE HANDS

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 12864, 19 May 1936, Page 4

IN SAFE HANDS

FATE OF THE EMPIRE

MR D. HEBENTON’S VIEWS

BRITISH STATESMEN BOTH CAPABLE AND SINCERE

In the course of an interesting address to Rotariaris,. yesterday, Mr D. Ilebenton expressed the viewpoint that, despite all the criticism to which Britain’s political leaders were subjected, the people Si. of the Empire could rest assured that their affairo were in safe hands. Rotarian I. Quigley was the chairman for the day.

Mr. Ilebenton, ( in opening, referred to the strenuous t/iuics through which the world was, at present passing. In particular, Britain s statesmen were faced with tremendous problems. They were, however, proving faithful to their pledge to support collective security, and refused to be misguided/ by their warmongering. critics. Many people in the Dominions had, perhaps, quite a wrong impression of the average Englishman and, therefore, were likely to. form erroneous ideas as to the class of man at the head, of affairs at Home. In the world of caricature, as represented by Ralph Lynn, and m the. Pterary sphere, as represented by Wedehouse. the Englishman wws depicted as of the assininc type, affected and aloof. But he could assure his hearers that Empire affairs wore in the hands, of a very dlferent type of Britisher.

VETERANS NOT .ALWAYS I.M PRESS! VE

Proceeding, Mr Ilebenton said that, in 1959, when he happened to bo Jn England, he had had the good fortunate to hear and meet a number of prominent British statesmen. On the occasion oil a visit to the House of Commons! it had fallen to his. lot to hear both Mr Lloyd George and Mr Winston Chu’chill. Frankly.. he had keen keenly disappointed on account of their nervousness and hesitancy of -speech. His friends, however, had told, him that he would not hear, either of them at h’s best unless they spoke for over half an hour because it took them that long to get wound up. It.' was his ill-luck to be present when they spoke fo 1 -’ less than half an hour. (Laughter). He had. however, heard some, good speeches, especially those of Mr Maxton and cV Mis Margmet Bondfield. Th'ci statesman who had interested him most was Viscount BrenfQorrl (then Sir 'William JoynsonHiefes) who was, at the time, greatly in the limelight on account of the firm stand that he had taken against the Russian firm of Arc-os Ltd., which had established itself in London. On another occasion, lie had beard a. debate between Sir William and Mr “Jimmie” Thomas m Ihe presence of an audience nuir.bedug 7000. Wh'at he admired most about Sir William wasi that he knew what lie was talking about and that l.e was not at all afraid to say what he meant. Another British talesman h.- had met was Mr. L. S. .Valery who. some years back, had paid a visit to the Domiirons. Especially was he delighted with their m-niVlty which was a mark of the’r rt-ong personalities. This* fine trait in ’.fie well-bred Englishman had impres-id him when on another occasion he had bccii in a- group and) some of their number had been twitting one gentleman as to what ' wete his horse’s prospects in a pending big ib.ee. The person addressed, he afterwards learned .was a member of the Peerage and a keen patron. of the Turf. Tie had. been just as free andj nice about giving Ids friends » “tip” as Rotarian Tolcrton always was when he was asked what chance one of his horses lied. (Laughter).

A “LIVE WIRE” MINISTER FOR AIR

Mr .Rebellion went on to suv that he had. paid special attention to the speeches and the- doings of some of the younger British statesmen. In partial!nr. he had wished: to meet Sir Philip Cunliffe-Listcr (now Viscount S win ton) who was then- President of the Board of Thule, and his request had licen granted. When, lie reached Sir Phillip’s office, he had been most courteously received by bis secretary. On entering the room, lie sow Fir Phillip sitting at the far end. There was a walk of about 20 yards ahead, for him. which he. might well have dreaded, because it gave. Sir Phillip a good chance of summing up any /'Visitor before he could reach him. Sir Phillip had, however, risen as lie had entered and had come forward to meet him. To his surprise, Sir Phillip had extended both hands and had greeted him most- warmly. Sir Phillip was of fine physique and presence and vigorous in every movement. What was more he knew quite a lot about New Zealand and lie (th.e speaker) knew lie was right when lie prophesied to- himself that, some day, lie would occupy ! a- very Infill position at Home. To-day. as Viscount Swinlon, he was Secretary for State for Air and had a great responsibility in re-organising land strengthening Britain’s air defences.

MR. BALDWIN’S DOMINATING) PERSONALITY

Continuing, Air Hebent-on said that Mr Anthony Eden, could not fail to impress anybody by his energy and earnestness. It was also «. great pleasure to hear Air Baldwin. On the first occasion, Air Baldwin was attending a cricket fete at- Worcester. There lie appeared in the role he liked best—that of a country gentleman and with grace and ease lie had moved amid the throng. He. had heard Air Baldwin best when lie was addressing, in hist usual cultured manner, a, crowd of 10,000 at the Albert Hall. Such was the dominance of his personality that he was able to hold his huge audience "in the hollow of his hand”. Without adopting flights of oratory, Air Baldwin had made his every word tell. Absolute sincerity was Air Baldwin’s outstanding characteristic. In conclusion, Air Ilebenton said that he knew that his Rotarian friends ; in Gisborne were, all proud to be Britishers. . They should be proud to know that Britain was playing such a .big part in world affairs. He could assure- them that) the men at the head of. affairs.; in London ■/fully mOiiTod'.their confidence. Th-esrf

men held in their hands • not . only the destiny of the British Empire, but, in large measure, the destiny of the whole world. (Loud applause.) Moving a hearty vote of thanks to Mr Ilebenton fo-* tiia interesting address, Rotarian Forster mentioned that all their guest’s Rotarian friends would be sorry to learn that he was about to remove- his residence to Wellington but would wish him the best of luck. (Applause). In reply. Mr Ilebenton said that ha would always have a warm spot in his heart tor Poverty Bay. From tune to time he would re-visit Gisborne and would he delighted to renew old acquaintances.