The N.Z. Times WEDNESDAY, APRIL 8, 1908. BANNERMAN AND ASQUITH.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 6489, 8 April 1908, Page 4

The N.Z. Times

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 8, 1908. BANNERMAN AND ASQUITH.

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Some years ago there was feud in the ranks of the Liberals., Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman was regarded as loader prospective by one section in the event of the retirement of Sir W. Vernon Haroourt, and Lord Rosebery was held up by another as the only possible chief under any circumstances. Mr Morley was the idol of another section, and there wore some hopes somewhere that the son of a great sire might come out in the footprints left by his elder on the sands of time. From these causes there was much confusion, and the fact that thero were many younger aspirants of talent and ambition, and ideas brooking no delay, made the situation none the metre hopeful. But in 1899 Sir H. CampbellBannerman was chosen as leader, and all went gaily from that moment. Subsequently—in 1903 if our memory does not play ns false—Lord Rosebery had another “cut in,” and his plans were helped considerably by events of which the Boer war and the fiscal controversy were the most confusing to tie ranks of the party, But once again the practical successor of Mr Gladstone was acclaimed, and triumphed over all rivals with a unanimous party at his back in the House of Commons.

When the Conservative Government fell, it was a settled conviction that Sir Henry Oampbell-Banncrtnqn would ho sent for, and eairiy in December of that year—l9os—King Edward summoned him as the only possible Prime Minister under the circumstanceeThe choice was ratified by the constituencies in the following year at; the general election which sent the Liberals to power with an enormous majority. One has to realise that this personality which made that history has now retired. The loss is, however, not so irreparable as if the late chief had gone over to the majority. His; tact, skill, and rare power of reading • a situation will still bo at the disposal of his friends. The fact will mitigate' bis leas, ( There may be another fact to_work in the same direction. It depends on the goodwill and abilities of Mr Asquith, who ha» succeeded to ih*. vacant leadership. Hitherto Mr Asquith baa been mors remarkable for; dewteuotfne eritisiaMi than for fluna*ru»j tire worts: sa, iadeedi is Irsqtuntty 1

the case with men who hare mastered ■ theory, hut have little experience of ■ practice, so that they are more familiar ' with difficulties than with the ending of them hy resolute opposition. However, he has with him Lloyd-George and Augustine Birroll, who have done great things already, and John Bums, whose experience and practical wisdom axe great, who has all his life been opposing difficulties to end them, and Morley, who holds India splendidly, and Churchill, so eager for work- The facts with which these men axe familiar will furnish material for the unrivalled Parliamentary eloquence of the lawyer at the head of the Goveimment who has arisen by that eloquence to his present position. It is interesting to remember that he first used it as E-useell’s junior on the Parnell Commission. Moreover, as Chancellor of the Exchequer, the new Prime Minister has won golden opinions from all sides of the House; and there is no stauncher defender of the free-tradb position than he, unless i’ he his strenuous colleague, Mx LloydGeorge. About Ireland the chief does not see quite eye-to-eye with his brilliant subordinate, who has just overwhelmed the talents of the “ distressful country” with an unexpectedly welcome University Bill. Neither does ho see as far as his late chief, who was Irish Secretary during the memorable period of the Home Rule Bill that passed through the House of Commons. That hatchet, however, was buried long ago, and we may suppose that the man who learned tact while working at the disestablishment of the "Welsh Church will now have enough of it to steer his added sense of responsibility clear 'of at least obvious trouble. Labour likes him for his levelheadedness, sense of justice, and fairplay, and large sympathy, qualities which he displayed during the troubles of 1903. On the whole, then, there seems no reason to fear anything untoward, at least not for the present, from the change that has taken place, no matter how much that change is regrettable.