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Northern Advocate, 6 December 1916, Page 3

The Rt. Hon. H. H. Asquith, K.C., Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury, succeeded the late Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman in April, 1908, and is in his 61th year. He is a Yorkshireman by birth. After taking an educational course at the City of London School he went with a scholarship to Balliol; followed up a brilliant career at Oxford by making an enviable reputation at the Bar; entered Parliament in 1886; relinquished a fine practice when appointed Home Secretary in 1592; afterwards he returned to the Bar. Made vigorous at. tacks on Mr Chamberlain's policy, 1903-5; Chancellor of the Exchequer, 1905-8; introduced Old Age Pensions and the Licensing Bill, 190S; has by general consent displayed his intellectual powers to great effect in the leadership of the House. When receiving the hon. Oxford degree D.C.L. he was presented as "a distinguished alumnus of Oxford, and a powerful advocate. But as a politician, even more, if possible, than an advocate, he

had proved his distinction, having been select-ed while still quite young j by Mr Gladstone —that prince among statesmen—for one of the high offices of State"; Lord Rector of Glasgow University, 11105; Lord Rector of Aberdeen, 1908; Elder Brother, Trinity House, 1009. Succeeded in forcing through both Houses, despite the most strenuous opposition, the Parliament Bill of 1911, abolishing the veto of the House of Lords; introduced Home Rule Bill, 1912. Celebrated the completion of six years as Premier in April, 1914. Presented with the? freedom of Morley, his native placa. Offered in March, 1914, certain suggestions on the Home Rule question, after private "conversations" with Mr Bonar Law. Became Secretary for War, "for a time at any rate," at the end of March, and was returned unopposed for East Fife. Was succeeded at the War Office by Earl Kitchener. Forme-' in May, 1915, a Coalition Government, retaining the Premiership.