MR. BONAR LAW

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLII, Issue XLII, 21 May 1923, Page 5

MR. BONAR LAW

A VERY SICK MAN

POSSIBILITY OF RESIGNATION

BY CABLE—PttBSS ASSOCIATION—COI'YUIGHT

LONDON, May 18

The visit to Paris of Sir Thomas Horder, a London specialist, to see Mr. Bonar Law was by a previous arrangement, and was not due to any sudden development. It is understood Sir T. Horder's examination revealed that while there has been some response to the treatment it did not come up to

expectations. la political circle* there is a renewal of specalation about Mr. Bonar Law and his early retirement from the Premiership. The Daily Chronicle's political writer says the Premier's friends say that although he looks better and keeps fairly well since his holiday, undue strain must be avoided. His early retirement is therefore expected, and it is anticipated it will tal*e place in July. The fact that rivalries among the Conservative leaders are becoming more apparent indicates that belief in the Premier's retirement is spreading.

. A successor is being discussed in political circles. Lord Curzon i (Secretary Foreign Affairs), and Mr. Stanley Baldwin (Chancellor of the Exchequer), are most prominently mentioned. Mr. Austen Chamberlain's followers maintain that there should be real reconstruction of the Government in the event of Mr. Boftar Law's retirement.

The Daily Express says Mr. Boajar Law intends to resign on arrival in London and take a long rest.

The Paris correspondent of the Daily Express states Mr. Bonar Law dined ■with a party of friends, including Sir L. C. Amery (First Lord of the- Admiralty) at the Hotel Crillon. It is understood further conferences with speoialists will take place almost immediately.

LONDON, May 20. j The \Premier unexpectedly arrived in liondon on Saturday afternoon, accompanied by his son. The usual crowd was awaiting the -train, but few saw the Premier step from his saloon, hurry to a motor car and drive straight to bis private residence at Onslow Gardens 3t is said he looked tired an.l ill. Sir T. Horder dined at Onslow Gardens and left at 11.45 p.m. He said he was quite unable to make any statement. It is understood Mr. Bonar Law went to his town house instead of his official residence in Downing Street by the special re-iuest of Sir T. Horder, who wishes him to continue a complete rest.' Mr. Stanley Baldwin, at the annual meeting of the Btwdley Conservative Association, said he desired to return taJLondon by an early train, so he replied to a vote of confidence in himself at the beginning instead of the end of the proceedings. ! The -Observer's Paris correspondent reports that three specialists saw Mr. Bonar Law before Sir T. Horder. They pronounced the malady from which the Premier is suffering as incurable, and urged immediate retirement from public duties. Lord Beaverbrook had several conversations wich Mr. Bonar Law at the Hotel Crillon. All who saw the Premier in Paris report he is a very sick man. I There is not the faintest indication from any source of the Premier's intentions. He has intimated to his friends that he will not discuss his- condition, • and Sir T. Horder returned an absolute negatire to all requests for information. Mr. Bonar Law may have returned to place his resignation in the hands of the King, but, on the other hand, he may be awaiting a final medical decision whether he should carry on longer. All that is promised is an announcement »s soon as possible. All who saw the Premier at Victoria station agree that he was noticeably tired, and he walked . along the platform with Sir F. Sykes j (his son-in-law) and Mr. Waterhouse, '• each holding an arm. The anxiety of the whole country is reflected in the Sunday newspapers which, without exception, express sym- j pathy and eulogise Mr. Bonar Law's services. Lord Beaverbrook, in an! article in the Sunday Express, gives the nearest approach to a hint, as a result of personal observations and conversations in Paris. This is his reference1, to the Premier's public exertions and private sorrows, Lord Beaverbrook adding : "Under these circumstances his '■ Premiership cannot be regarded as per-! manent, which in the ordinary sense is' something- coextensive in time with the! term of Parliament, or the endurance of his majority.'' The Observer says the political situation; is without precedent and the sequel may be of critical importance at Home n-nd abroad. It is preferable that Mr. Bonar Law should remain Premier until the possibilities of Unionist re-onion have been examined and brought to a conclusion one wa.y or the other. If he is compeiled to retire immediately the choice of a successor will lie between Lord Curzon ; Lord Derby, Lord Devonshire, Mr. S. Baldwin, and Lord Balfour. Lord Derby would have ■ a better chance at a general election tban any, but the best solution would be to bring Lord Balfour back as the head of a broad-minded administration. None would hesitate to serve under him.

The Sunday Times says there would be such inconvenience in Mr. Bonar Law remaining the head of the Government without directing it that this cannot seriously be considered. If the decision of the doctors is for a prolonged rest he should assuredly resign. Lord Curzon is the obvious successor.