Mr Balfour Resigns.

Manawatu Times, Volume LXV, Issue 1459, 10 November 1911, Page 5

Mr Balfour Resigns.

LEADERSHIP OP THE OPPOSITION. A BOMBSHELL.IN THE UNIONIST UAMP. (Press Asaooiation— By Tolegrapb.Copyrifjhtl. Loudon, Yesterday. Mr Balfour has resigned tlio 'leadership of tho Un'ionists oil health, grounds. Mr Balfour announced his resignation at a hurriedly-convened meeting of tho London Conservative Association's executive. He explained that while he would retain his seat, he desired relief from the increasing strain of the leadership. A younger leader was required, more capable of adapting himself to the new problems which were perpetually arising. His strength was unequal to cope with the coming crisis. His medical advisers had opposed his participation in the Home Rule campaign. Mr Balfour's resignation fell as a bombshell in the Unionist camp, especially as he had carefully concealed any impatience at the recent attacks on his leadership, and the Halsbury Club had even passed a resolution supporting his and Lord Lansdowne's leadership in the coming struggle. After 38 Years' Service. MR BALFOUK'S POLITICAL SWAN SONG. FUTURE PKOSPEUTS OF THE PARTY. THE ERA OF THE PROFESSIONAL POLITICIAN. LoD<lnn, Lust Night. Tliobb present at the meeting comprised about forty bankers and merchants, Who were ant n.ware of tlm reason of the sudden call until Mr Balfour's dramatic and nnexpected statement With evident emotion ha referred to the ever inorenßiim strain of political life, and if the fortunfs of his party rose he would uo longer have the vigor to conduct the Ministry. He had bean, thirty-light Tears in Parliament, and had beau leader ot the Unirnist party.for twmty years, whereof for ten he was'lea-ier of the whole Hous\ longer than any Minister since Pitt. Only four or five Unionist members liai ever worked under another leader. The increasing strain was due to the Government expecting the House of .Commons to sit for ten or elevm months, and he feared it would be increasingly difficult to find men with aaV qnate.leisure for the position who i wonld be prepared to undergo, the great toils now attaching to politics. § Probably the country was nearer entrusting her affairs to fchosß who for quite worthy, but on the whole less satisfactory reasons, were pre* pared to work the political machine. He believed the present wbs the best time to relinquish the leadership.

The present session had been noncontentions, bnt Home Rule and Welsh disestablishment were ahead, and before the end of next session there might be a general election, and it would.be wrong that his successor should not have an interval to, prepare tor the fight.

None should take a gloomy view of the party prospects. We were on bq opward grade, and critics and grumblers were like microbes, when a mau's strength recovered the raiorobe resumes his proper place and bacomes'oompsrßtlvely innocuous. The Government iiad lived on electoral bribes far six years, and was now lapsiug into the old Radical praotioe of destroying institutions and jerry mandering. There were Bißns of steadily growing disgust among the better clasps of the population, and this would b9 an inestimable advantage ti his snccessor. Presonally.'he desired to leave the position of heavy reFponsibility before he suffered tint most insidious , of all diseases, intellectual fetrificaI tion, which made the veteran less able to deal with new problems with freshness and elasticity than a younger man. He wrs vain enough to hope that he had not ranched that' s'age bathe rnn the margin flue. He hoped still to have years rt activitv to devote, ir>fc onlr to his partv, but tn the country. Such services, however, would not impose the present strains. The meeting received the announce mpiit in reeretfnl sile"C9, and afterWRris p"S"ied r resolution of sat'sfaction that Mr.Biltour wfs renisinirg a membor for the city,

POSSIBLE SUCCESSORS,

DECISION TO REMAIN IN ABEYANOB.

Received November 9, 11.20 p.m. Loudon. La*t Night. Mr Balfour onlv attended the Horse of Commons on two occasions in the antnmn session, and it is understood his doctor had forbidden him to accept a posltun of respi risibility in the future administration. A meeting 0 f Uuirn'st members of Parliament will be held at the Callton Olnb on Monday, when it is anlerstood the uew leader in the House of Commons will be chosen by ballot. The leadership of the party remaining in abeyance.

The general opinion is that the choice li«s bet tfeen Rt. Hon. W. Lung and Mr Austen Chamberlain, but it is possible Mr Bouar Law will be the compromise.

It is believed that recnt attacks delaved rather than hurried Mr Balfqnr's rcsienatioD. The Hahbury Olnh on Monday passed a resolution tendering Mr Balfour cud Lord Lausdowne assurance of loyal support.