BRITISH POLITICS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21926, 9 October 1934, Page 11

BRITISH POLITICS

LEADING PARTY MEN DIVERSE CHARACTERISTICS Impressions of several men who are prominent in politics in Britain yrfte j given by Sir lan Fraser, M.l\, in an ! address to the New Zealand Club in ' Wellington. Sir lan said that his feeling was that | at the next election in Britain, the I Labour Party would lack national lead- | <?rs. Those possible were Mr. George I Lansbury—the present Leader of the Oppos'ition—and Sir Stafford C'ripps, but he did not think that Mr. Ramsay Mac Donald, Lord Snowdcn or Mr. Thomas would then be national figures. "Mr. Lansbury is liked by all," said Sir lan. "But he is a sentimentalist, and I can hardly see him as a leader. Sir Stafford Cripps is too young. You liave ( to be old or dead before you are known in England. Mr. Ramsay MacDonald is a remarkable figure. He is an arresting personality, with a good-look- i ing head and a fine voice. When the j National Government was formed the situation was saved by Baldwin, whose party was in the majority. Unquestionably, Mr. Baldwin made a sacrifice for the good of the country he has served so well, as lie could have claimed the leadership. "Sir John Simon is different. People admire him, but are not affectionate ioward him. It is much the same with Mr. Neville Chamberlain. No man is held in higher regard than Mr. Chamberlain, but he inspires no warmth of feeling. On the contrary, everyone likes Mr. Baldwin. Whether it is his simplicity or his affectation of simplicity—for English people love being fooled—--1 am unable to say, but T have always thought him a wiser man than he would have others believe. "Mr. Walter Elliot was a doctor and is our youngest Minister. I think he will go a long way in politics, but then I am a believer in .planning, and he is the leader of that line of thought. He is a most genial man. I once thought he might 'miss the bus' through being too humorous —a fatal thing in politics, but I think he will retain a place in the councils of the nation for the next 10 years. "Then there is Winston Churchill. I admire him tremendously for his personality, his keenness, and his willingness to risk his life, or his political life, for what he believes in. It is Mr. Churchill who has inspired the increase in the armed forces of the Crown. He believes in adequately strengthening our air force to make it equal to that of any nation within striking distance by air. and the recent increase promised in the strength of the Navy is significant."