THE FRENCH PREMIER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 11986, 7 June 1902, Page 5

THE FRENCH PREMIER.

M. WALDECK-ROUSSEAU'S i FAREWELL LETTER. 0 iiy Telegraph.—Press Association*.—Copyright. Pakis, June 5. M. Waldeck-Rousseau, the French Premier, in a farewell lecher to President Loubet, says that since public order has been restored and the Republic has emerged from the elections stronger than ever, lie will be able to resign his office in obedience to the dictates of health. The declared intention of M. WaldockRousseau to resign his position as head of the French Ministry just after a general election, which has given his Government, a fresh lease of power, will not surprise those who know that statesman. It is 23 years since lie first entered the Chamber of Representatives, which he has done so much to adorn by his eloquence and to elevate by the dignity of his conduct, the rectitude of his character and the patriotism of his principles. Gambetta chose him for his Minister of the Interior in November, 1881, and lie filled the same office under Jules Ferry in 1883; and on both occasions he distinguished himself by his assiduity, activity and avowed hostility to the malpractices of professional, politicians. He has succeeded in establishing a powerful influence in the French Chamber, and now, after three years of severe labour as the head of the Ministry ; after defeating the Nationalist party, consolidating that of the Republic and placing the internal and external policy of Franco upon what he believes to be a firm and durable basis, he has made up his mind to retire from office, it can well be believed that he will do so without regret. So far as his own personal interests have been concerned, they must have suffered considerably by his service of his country. 11 eminence as an advocate would always ensure him an income greatly in excess of his political emoluments. M. Waldook-Reusieau belongs to a comparatively new school of statesmen, comprised chiefly of country members of the Legislature. Formerly Paris was France. If the capital took snuff the provinces sneered. If the workmen in the Faubourg St. Antoine threw tip a few barricades and overturned a dynasty, the departments acquiesced. This state of things has passed or is passing way. More than ever, perhaps, is the conduct of public affairs in France falling into the hands of men who have been country born and bred, as it did into those of Presidents Thiers, Macmahon, Jules Grevy, Sadi Carnot and l/oubet, while Gambetta, Jules Ferry, Jules Simon, Jules Favre, Waldeck-Rousseau and many another prominent publicist in France have hailed from the provinces. And behind them is a powerful backing of public opinion, which is acting in the direction of decentralisation. It says, in effect, the nation shall control the national destinies. They shall not be the playthings of the Parisian protelariat. M. Waldeck-Rousseau belongs to this large and influential country party, and the results of the last general election, in which Paris proved to be one of the strongholds of his opponent, while the provinces gave him such a splendid majority, showed very clearly the cleavage between certain quarters of the capital and the nation in general. ,