THE EARL OF BIRKENHEAD.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21145, 1 October 1930, Page 7

THE EARL OF BIRKENHEAD.

Lord Birkenhead, the first earl of the title, was Lord Chancellor in the Coalition Government from 'January, 1919, to 'Ofctober, 1922. He had reached the highest legal office at the comparatively early, age of 40 after a brilliant, versatile and,- in -some features, a romantic career. • As “ Keeper of the King’s Conscience” he enjoyed the magnificence of the office. The former “ Galloper'" F. El Smith had at last mounted a high horse and rode it well. It was his tongue that put him there. He was a fluent’ speaker with sharp phrases that slash and cut : opponents. Nor did he care overmuch whether or not the wounds heal. Early in life he was left to make his own way in the world, and he made it ruthlessly,. His nearest rival at Wadham College, Oxford, was his present keen competitor in law and politics. Sir John Simon. .In Court and Commons they have had many brisk contests. When. at Oxford Mr Smith was literally the talk of the place. He was an audacious debater at 'the Union, and, as its president, reestablished its former glories. Ho crowned his academic career with a, Fellowship. At the same time he cultivated a taste for horses and eager galloping. In politics he galloped all the way to a high place. In 1880 he was called to the Bar, and settled in practice at Liverpool. He entered Parliament in 1006 as Conservative member for the Walton division of Liverpool and retained the seat for 13 years. On the campaign platform he was as magnetic an attraction as Sir Harry Lauder. His “ maiden 51 speech in the House of Com mens convinced the ,Liberals that a new terror had arisen ,against them. • The biggest men were his game, and he found greatest delight in harrying Mr Lloyd George and Mr Asquith. When the world war broke out he acted as a time as press censor tad then as narrntive writer to the Indian Contihgent. He returned to London with the rank of major, in 1915, and was offered the Solicitor-generalship by Mr Asquith. It was not quite good enough for his ambition, and a few months later he accepted the position of Attorney-general. A knighthood and then a baronetcy followed, the latter honour being in recogmtion of his services to the State on a special mission' to the United States, He was Secretary, of State for India from 1924 to 1928. He forsook politics for business iq 1928, and became a director of Imperial Chemistry, Ltd., and chairman of Greater London and Counties’ Trust, Ltd.