MR BONAR LAW

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18198, 19 March 1921, Page 9

MR BONAR LAW

RETIREMENT FROM POLITICS. ILL-HEALTH THE CAUSE. Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, March 17. In the House of Commons, Mr Lloyd George announced the resignation of Mr Bonar Law as Leader of the House, on the ground of continued il-health. The Prime Minister announced Mr Bonar Law’s retirement from the Cabinet with emotion? He said that Mr Bonar Law, in writing to him, said he regretted that the strain of the last few years had compelled him to relinquish his political work. His medical advisers warned him that his physical condition was such that unless he took a long rest a complete breakdown was inevitable; therefore _he had no choice but to abandon political life. Mr Asquith said those who had been his political antagonists would agree that, though Mr Bonar Law gave a hard blow, it never left any rancor behind. They entertained' for" him an - affectionate memory, and hoped for his restoration and re-entry into the fighting ranks. Mr J. R. Clynes also paid a tribute on behalf of Labour. Mr Bonar Law will go to the Continfent next week for a complete rest. The Unionist Party will meet on Monday to elect a leader.—A. and N.Z. Cable. LEADERSHIP OF THE HOUSE. QUESTION’OF A SUCCESSOR. LONDON, March 17. (Received March 18, at 5.5 p.m. Mr Bonar Law is suffering blood pressure, and must rest at least for three months. The question of a‘ in the Leadership of the House is most difficult of solution. Mr Austen Chamberlain is not in robust health, and if he accepts he will resign the Chancellorship of the Exchequer, Sir Robert S. Home (President of the Board of Trade) or Sir L. Worthington Evans (Minister without, portfolio) becoming Chancellor. Mr Lloyd George’, addressing the Coalition Liberals at the 1920 Club, said Mr Bonar Law’s retirement was only temporary. The doctors said rest would restore him to health and to his political labours.—A. and N.Z. Cable. Mr Andrew Bonar Law was born at New Brunswick in 1853, his father being the Rev. James Law. He was educated at New Brunswick and at the High School, Glasgow, where he entered business and became a member of the firm of William Kidston and Sons, and William Jacks and Co., both firms being Glasgow iron merchants. Ho first entered Parliament in 1900. He was - appointed Leader of the Opposition in the House, of Commons in 1911, in succession to Mr Balfour. Under the Coaliti'on Government ho was successively Secretary of State for the Colonies and Chancellor of the Exchequer. He was a member of the War Cabinet, and has been Leader of the House since 1916. His particular office is Lord Privy Seal. In discussing Mr Bonar Law’s characteristics “A. Student of Politics” in The Times said: It is sometimes regarded as one of the paradoxes t>f politics that Mr Bonar Law, who oame into power in the political crisis oaufid by Mr Lloyd George’s turbulent period as second-in-com-mand under _Mr Asquith, should now be his closest friend. In reality the two have a great .deal in common, even apart from the immediate programme of the Coalition Party. Both represent in their old parties the Radical disruptive spirit; both were rebels against the passive distinction and sterile humanities of their old chiefs; both' had outgrown the old party formulae, and neither would ever have been happy in the strait-waistcoat of the old two-party sysMr Lloyd George never was a Gladstonian Home Ruler, never a * Cobdenite Liberal. Similarly for Mr Bonar Law a great part of Conservatism is a dosed book. Even when they differ they are complements, the opposities that attract. To an impressionist like Mr Lloyd George the pre-Raphaelite argumentation of Mr Bonar Law is invaluable in a Leader of the House. Invaluable, too, . are the simple honesty of Mr Bonar Law's' character, his directness, and his unswerving loyalty. Mr Lloyd George has done much for the politics of his lieutenant; ' whether Mr Bonar Law can do aa much in return depends on which set of views of the Coalition ultimately leavens the lump. But one may hazard a prediction. If and when the Conservative -Party breaks away from Mr Lloyd George it will no longer be under the lead of Mr Bonar Law; -and should the Prime Minister, as so many expect, move to the Left in politics, Mr Bonar Law will still be found at his side faithful and always. , .