SNOWDENS AT HOME.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20384, 12 October 1929, Page 2 (Supplement)

SNOWDENS AT HOME.

PLAIN-LIVING HOUSEHOLD.

CHANCELLOR'S JAM TARTS

I3HAVE AND HELPFUL WIFE,

Mr. Philip Snowden, iho Chancellor of the Exchequer, and his wifo have lately been among (ho mojfc talked-of figures in JJritain. They wero playing iho central rolo in tho recent War Debts Conference drama at tho Hague. Yet how many people, remarks a correspondent of tho Sunday Express, know the intimate history of this frail, brilliant little man, and tho part played by a proud, bravo wifo, who hails from Yorkshire?

Mrs. Philip Snowden made a notable romark at The Hague Conference. It was this: "If you think my husband's firmness is bluff, you do not know a Yorkshireman." That remark, which has been quoted all over Europe—all over tho world—shows a great woman in her Irue colours,

Mr. Snowden would bo the first- man in Britain to testify to tho greatness of wives in general—because of his own wifo. When he was twenty-two vears old ho had cn accident on a bicycle tiiat mado him a cripple for life. His present ability to stand tho great strain of a political career was made possible for him by twenty years of ceaseless thought for him, of loving care for his physical welfare on

the part of his wife, who gave up her own career to share his. Mrs. Snowden is tall, rather sturdily built. The Snowdens' home, Eden Lodge, near Farnham, in Surrey, reflects her personality in every room. Everywhere there are photographs. On tho study mantelpiece there is a picture of Mrs. Snowden, which dominates the room. Beside it is a picture of Siegfried Sassoon, tho poet. The walls arc lined with books. Everywhere in Mr. Snowden's study there are little photographs of his wife, snapshots and pictures at one time of her lifo or another, to support that noble picture that seems to brood over tho room. In this study Mrs. Snowden has played the part of her husband's secretary, typed his letters, taken down his dictation, just as she has thought out his meals and ordered them in the kitchen at tho back of tho house.

Tho drawing room is Mrs. Snowden's room. It is full of books. Like those in the study, hundreds of them are political. Hero is 'more poetry, and many modern novels. It. is in this room that she keeps the shelves of music that aro tho collection of her lifetime; a piano that is her greatest pleasure. The _ dominant noto in Mrs. Snowden's room is two autographed photographs of tho King and Queen. It is a plain-living household at Edon Ivodge. Mr. Philip Snowdcn is a world figure, but within these walls lie is known as a man with the plainest tastes

in food and drink, whose favourito treat is " open jam tart," of which he has been known to eat " nearly a whole one " by himself, to tho joy of tho cook who made it, for Air. Snowden is greatly loved by his small menage. Tho neighbourhood sees little of tho Snowden's, but Mr. Lloyd George lives only a few miles away, and visits are constantly exchanged between tho two families.

There is a story that, during Mr. Snowden's first tenure of control of tho Exchequer in 1924, a notable visitor sought ail interview with him. " I am afraid you cannot see them to-day," said a tactful secretary. " They aro busy preparing tho Budget." "Oil, and who may they bo?" inquirod the visitor. •" Why, Mr. and Mrs. Snowden,"- was the reply.