THE EARLIER LLOYD GEORGE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23796, 1 May 1939, Page 10

THE EARLIER LLOYD GEORGE

Many years ago. aftter a conversation with Mr Lloyd George. I recorded that while I was speaking to him in English he seemed to be thinking to himself in Welsh, and that I had gi'eat difficulty in finding the point of contact between what he was thinking and what I was trying to say (writes Mr J. A. Spender of the pre-war Lloyd George). This. I still think, was a large part of the truth and the explanation of much of the trouble that followed. His ideas of politics were impressionist, opportunist, dramalic, even histrionic, whereas English Liberals thought in terms of creed and principle. To them it seemed almost impossible at times to make sense of his variegated and seemingly inconsistent Qualities, his impetuosity and his coolness, his violent platform manners, his skill and politeness m private, his merciless attacks on opponents, his confidence in his capacity to dissolve their opposition by persuasive talk, if he could sit round a table with them out of reach of reporters. These habits of mind led him at times into great difficulties, but there is no doubt about the services that he rendered to the Liberal Party between 1906 and 1914. He and Asquith seemed to be exactly me kind of combination the times needed —Asquith keeping the compass true. Lloyd George imparting “drive and bringing new Ideas.