MR LLOYD GEORGE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17215, 18 January 1918, Page 6

MR LLOYD GEORGE

A WONDERFUL PERSONALITY. LECTURE BY PROFESSOR MAXWELLWALKER. Professor Maxwell Walker, of Awkland University, addressed a largo audience in tin; Burns J Loll last evening on the life of Mr Lloyd George, tho leoturo being , in aid of the Bowlers' Patriotic Fund. It was soon evident that tho speaker had given eloso stu'ly to tho characteristics an<l Jif« history of Mr Lloyd Goorge ; and his lecture was on absorbing study of a groat and interesting jwrsonality who has risen by shoor force of merit to a dominating position in British pi>liti(B, and who, by the splendid courage revealed hi his oratory >*inoe the war began, has strucik a high note of patriotism that has won him universal admiration. Hitherto raorfi of tho people in DniKxlin have drawn their knowledge of the British Prime Minister from his declarations in the press— declarations that have rescinded throughout the world, and that have given utterance to the national mind in unmistakable terms a,nd in memorable phrases. But it remained for Professo/ Walker to place be-foi-o them a more intimate picture of his wonderful personality, his democratic idealism, Iris great fighting qualities, and his intense sympathy with the poor iiod the oppressed-

At tlio outset the, speaker referral to tlio difficulty of giving a resume of tho career of a irmn who was still living owing to the lack of perspective. Nevertheless, it had framed worth while to him to dovoto some study to tho career of this great statesman and loader of men who had won the admiration of the whole world, and to follow him through tho various steps in his progress to' try and discover the causes that had led him- to tho proud 'position of pre--emin-enco ho occupied to-day. Professor Walker then devoted a good , deal of attention to the early life of Mr Lloyd George, dealing fairly fully -with his 'upbringing and his school life, and paying a higli tribute to tho part played by his uncle Richo.rd in acting not only as a father to tho fatherless, but in moulding tho character of his now-famous nephew. In 1884 Mr Lloyd George passed his final law examination, and within a very short space of time ho acquired an extensive practice. Even in tbeso early days the essential fighting qualities of tho man showed themselves, and the speaker recounted many interesting anecdote-..? to illustrate this trait in his character, and also to demonstrate his quickness m repartee. In 1886 a political career was first suggested, to him, and on entering the House- of Commons a year or two later, after a particularly close contest, ho proclaimed himself a Welsh Nationalist first and Literal afterwards. His early days in the Honeo wero marked by a record of steady progress, and politics speedily became his ruling passion. Ho ma do a long series of attacks against his former idol, Mr Joseph Chamberlain, and fought the battlo for the disestablishment of tho Welsh Cliurch with great vigour both in tho House and in tho country. Professor Walker devoted some consideration to Mr Lloyd George's attitude towards war in general, and tho Boer war in particular, an attitudo that at the time made him tho best-hated man in England, but ultimately made his reputation and earned his position as a Cabinet Minister on the return of tho Liberal Party to power. The three questions he asked himself when the Transvaal war broke out were—(l) Are we fighting to defend our possessions? (2) Aro we fighting for some great question of principle? And (3), are we fighting to protect the weak? Rightly or wrongly, ho felt bound to answer each of these in the negative, and as he had always had tho courage of his convictions, he stood by his decision. The lecturer passed on to refer to tho work of Mr Lloyd George as President of the Board of Trade, as Chancellor of the Exchequer, and dealt in considerable detail with tho great social welfare Budget of 1909, inaugurating the struggle with the House of Lords and the placing of the burdens of taxation on tho light shoulders. He also touched upon his association with Mr Asquith in the Oldago Pension Bill, tho National Insurance Bill, and other beneficent legislation. Referring to his attitude to tlio war in 1914, it was shown that he was consistent with the principles he had first laid down regarding war; and on asking himself the snme three questions that he had asked in 1899 he was able to reply in tho affirmative to each one, whereupon ho threw himself heart and soul into the- 'war. Ho hated war as.war, but lie had the strongest of all beliefs that tho British nation and tho Allies were engaged in a righteous cause, and wero seeking to smash that baneful cult known as Prussian militarism. Professor Walker briefly described his work as Minister of Munitions and as War Minister, and characterised his unseating of Mr with whom he had grown dissatisfied, as one of the most courageous things ho had over done. Ho faced tho situation, and when the air cleared the nation was glad +o soo at tho helm a pilot in whom it had confidence. Brief references followed to much that i\lr Lloyd George had said and dono since he took over the reins of office, aDd to the firm and masterly manner in which he has guided the affairs of tiio nation during a trying and critical period. "While ho lives," concluded Professor Walker, "wo can truly say England is not dead and the old British spirit is still alive in British hearts, and personality is still a dominant factor in critical situations. In history his name will stand as one of the few really great men, and ho will take his place by tho side of Pitt, who at an earner period saved his country from ruin. The nation will bless his namo and the world as a whole will bo a better place because this man has lived."

The above is merely an outline of a very fino address, to which added interest was lent by the recital of many personal anecdotes and numerous quotations from Mr Lloyd George's famous speeches, while miiny other matters were also touched upon. Tlio audience showed intense interest throughout, and the lecturer was frequently interrupted —not always quite opportunely--"-with loud applause.- At the close of the address the lecturer was accorded a very hearty vote of thanks by acclamation, on the motion of the Mayor (Mr J. J. Clark), who occupied the chair.

During an interval songs were simg by Miss A. Mills and Mr E. J. Hill, and in both instances encores were emphatically demanded. The proceedings terminated, as they began, with the singing of the National Anthem.