CZECH STATESMAN.

Manawatu Standard, Volume L, Issue 88, 11 March 1930, Page 7

CZECH STATESMAN.

PRESIDENT MASARYIC. (British Official Wireless). RUGBY, March 10. Innumerable tributes to President Masaryk, of Czeclio-Slovakia, on the occasion of the 80th birthday of the great statesman and patriot, have appeared in tho English Press during the last few - days, and last night the event was celebrated in London at a dinner of the Czech Society ot Great Britain, over which Sir Samuel Hoare, Minister in the late Conservative Government, presided. The foreign Secretary, Mr Arthur Henderson, and tile American and French Ambassadors were among the speakers who paid tributes to the life and work of President Masaryk, and messages eloquent of his greatness were received from, amongst others, the Prime Minister. Mr Ramsay MacDonald, and two ex-Prime Ministers, Mr Stanley Baldwin and Mr Lloyd George.

Thomas Masaryk was born in a small Moravian town, bis father being a coachman on ono of tho Imperial Austrian estates. After being taught at a small Czech school his parents decided to mako him a teacher, but ho actually became first a locksmith's apprentice and then a blacksmith. Somo years later, however, he took up teaching, and after many vicissitudes, duo to his rather rebellious spirit, he became Czech Professor at Prague University. Tho professor roused considerable controversy by somo of his books, and he got into hot water by criticising tho national programme and denouncing tho national leaders. The Archbishop of Prague tried to got Masaryk exiled for undermining religion, and the Austrian authorities hated him because he had disclosed certain forged documents in connection with Austria’s annexation policy. Masaryk’s sound philosophy and statesmanship brought him to the front, however, and he lias contributed much to the progress of his loved Republic, of which he has twice boon elected President.