MR. BALDWIN'S OFFICE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22629, 18 January 1937, Page 8

MR. BALDWIN'S OFFICE

It is strongly suggested in London that Mr. Baldwin will not retire from office immediately after the coronation. If he continues to carry its burdens a little longer—until the autumn session of Parliament is the ! forecast —it will be another instance of putting duty before inclination : for his desire to be relieved from the strain of his present position has been clearly enough expressed. A vast majority of the British people, wherever they may live, will be well content to see him carry on as long as he feels it to be possible. In the heat and strain of the great crisis through which the Empire passed little more than a month ago, it was generally realised and widely agreed that to have had a man of Mr. Baldwin's calibre handling affairs of such moment was more than fortunate : it was providential. If ever there was a time when stability of character, and the force of a quiet but rock-like personality outshone brilliance or finesse or any other qualities that might in other circumstances have made a braver showing, it was then; if ever there was a man who brought these attributes to the service of a nation and an Empire it was Mr. Baldwin. These things were appreciated at the moment, and were acknowledged. A longer time, with its opportunity for more careful appraisal, has only deepened the fooling which the Prime Minister's bearing, in some of the most difficult days a British Prime Minister has known, aroused. Mr. Baldwin has had his critics and his detractors. No man in his position could escape them. Some of the blows aimed at him have struck home, for in his long tenure of office he lias necessarily laid himself open to attack. Yet his least generous opponent should bo ready to admit that in recent days he crowned his reputation as a Prime Minister who did not fail the nation when courage and forthrightness and endurance were demanded.