PIQUANT STORIES.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 29 August 1925, Page 5

PIQUANT STORIES.

IN THE LIVES OF THE GREAT. ROYALTY AND POLITICIANS. BY CABLE—PRESS ASSOCIATION LONDON, Aug. 28. ’ A sensation, has been caused through the publication of the- memoirs of Sir Almeric Fitzroy, late clerk of the Privy Council. The newspapers stigmatise passages referring to Royalties and living statesmen a® -an indiscretion and violations of the secrecy of office. Sir Almerie Fitzroy affirms that the King rebuffed a self-willed Minister by refusing to permit a battleship to be named Oliver Cromwell. On one occasion he spoke- to Sir -Hamar Greenwood very strongly for his slovenly way of doing business. On another occasion he deprecated Mr Lloyd George’s land campaign. Other stories praise the King’s character, Lord Morley saying that he was full of conscience. Another characteristic was his insistence on reading anonymous letters. There are astonishing references to King Edward’s illness, and his living for days on tonics and stimulants. King Edward, once said he was all in favour of taxing the rich, upon which it was asked: “His- Majesty does not approve of taxing the poor?” King Edward replied: “No, and I do not care who knows it,” upon which the Duke of Devonshire turned to Lord Balfour and said: “We must really get this man on the stump” (meaning the platform). Sir Almeric alleged that a large fund was subscribed to enable Lord Birkenhead to accept the leadership 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 Winston Churchill, -Sir Robert Horne and Lord Beaverbroolc.