RETIRING PREMIER

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLII, Issue XLII, 22 May 1923, Page 5

RETIRING PREMIER

TRIBUTES FROM THE PRESS

BY GABLE—PSESS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT

LONDON, May 21

The newspapers, regardless of party 3>ay a tribute to the character and popularity of the retiring Premier.

The Daily Telegraph, after recalling -Mr Bonar Law's sagacity and simple, honest character, says: "The future of "the Conservative Party is inseparably Tjound up with the succession to the Some of the troubles of 4he present Cabinet are directly due to 3aek of unity within the party ranks. Whoever is chosen as the new Premier make it is his prime duty t(strengthen the administration by the inclusion of distinguished Conservative leaders still outside, otherwise we will =soon have a Labour Socialist Govern ment, with its policy of rank spoliation."

Lord Beaverbrook (the proprietor of the Daily Express), who spent the last fortnight with Mr Bonar Law, says the ox-Premier meant to recover and hold on, but he never contemplated a period like Chatham's last administration, in which the Prime Minister reigned, but «aid not govern. "When I joined him atr Aix-les-bains." writes Lord Beaverforook, "the will to recover was still there, but the effort had resulted in a xetrograde movement. His throat was worse, instead of better. We delayed some days, hoping the beautiful climateof Aix-les-bains would do him good, but Anally he had to go to Paris. Directly Mr Bonar Law heard the doctor's verdict he was firm in his determination to retire."

"His supreme gift of character did aiot fail him and lie forgot himself entirely," adds Lord Beaverbrook. "He Jelt it would be unfair to the nation to hold a great position when the body %vas exhausted. In the last Government "Mr Bonar Law did good work. His sanity arrested the irregular impulses of a brilliant but erratic genius, but lie worked in obscurity. The Coalition was doomed when ill-health compellecl hini to retire. " His dominating quality was judgment, and the magic which •enabled him to succeed lay in a cool brain and an honest heart.''

The Morniffg "Post says: "The King and the country have lost a Minister who can ill be spared, and one whom it will be difficult to replace." The l?ost considers Mr Baldwin the best rsuecessor.

The Daily Chronicle says: "Mr Bonar Law's illness and resignation ■create greater sympathy because lie never aroused the least personal animosity. He is one of the best loved men in Britain's political record. He owes his success to his moral worth, .anfl his record, in public life has assured him an honoured niche in -.. fame's •temple."

The Westminster Gazette regards the resignation as a serious disaster, ''• as

a, Government which has confidence in itself is much needed. Mr Bonar Law's retirement reveals the poverty of Con-

servatism." The Daily % Herald says: "We all learned to respect the ex-Premier's sterling qualities of honesty, courage, and devotion to duty, which every man values in an opponent. For a time tho tail will wag 'the dog, and the nation Tmll turn to Labour."

The Daily Mail says that Mr Bonar law will remain among the great figures ,in our history. His greatness came by his strength of character and nobility of disposition. The nation will praise him, because he was a fearless good man who did his best for the •country without thought of self. It ■will ndt "forget his kindliness, simplicity and .straightforwardness The ■deep human sympathy he showed so tofteu during the war made him so lovable.