THE MEMOIRS

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11436, 5 February 1923, Page 6

THE MEMOIRS

“I RETIRED A POOR MAN.” CONTRACT CANCELLED. Mr Lloyd George arranged with the “New York Times” and the “Chicago Tribune” to permit tire publication of his memoirs in serial form. The amount to be paid him was £40,000, and it was to be given to charity. The “Washington Herald,” one of the Hcarst papers, throws light on the reason for tho cancellation of the contract as follows: Last Saturday the United States

Senate, by a unanimous vote, decided to embody in the Congressional Record the history of the dispute leading to the cancellation, as told by the “New York Times.” This stated that, as originally arranged, half of the work was to be de. livered by January Ist .next, and the remainder as quickly as possible. To meet the “contingency of Mr Lloyd George’s long continuance in office,” this arrangement was altered, and two years was allowed for the completion of the work. ARTICLES ON CURRENT TOPICS. On November 23rd, however, the two American newspapers were surprised to learn that the ex-Premier—he fell on the 16th, a week earlier —was about to enter on a contract with an American syndicate to write weekly and fortnightly articles on current topics for a 1 period that would overlap the time in which the memoirs were to be written. Strong protest was made by cable. Mr Lloyd George’s view was that ho had not violated his contract, either in the letter or the spirit. The two newspapers thereupon began an action in the High Court in London on the 13th inst., asking for an injunction, and next day the cancellation of the memoir contract was arranged. Mr Lloyd George • agreed to return the £4OOC> paid in advance, less part of the commission paid to his agent. MEANS OF LIVELIHOOD. In a letter which he wrote to the “New York Times” on December Ist, Mr Lloyd George wrote: “Apart from my memoirs, I always Intended to write os soon as I left office. I have my living to earn. After years in office I have retired a poor man, and it is absolutely imperative that I should turn to writing as a means of livelihood ”