MR CHAMBERLAIN

Otago Witness, Issue 3148, 15 July 1914, Page 27

MR CHAMBERLAIN

SORROW IN BIRMINGHAM. LONDON, July 6. Birmingham is manifesting profound sorrow over Mr Chamberlain’s death. The service at the Unitarian Church was attended by the leading men of the Midland counties. , Tens of thousands of workers thronged the streets, spending their dinner hour in paying their last homage while the coffin was being removed to Keyhill Cemetery. Only the members of the family participated in the burial.

A memorial service was held at St. Margaret’s Church, Westminster. It was attended by the Speaker, Mr Asquith, and the members of the Cabinet. Lord Stamfordham represented the King, , and Mr Balfour and other leading politicians, Sir G. Reid, the Hon. T. Mackenzie, and uie Agents-general were among those present. On Mr Asquith’s motion the House of Commons adjourned, as a token of the debt they owed to Mr Chamberlain’s life and example. July I. Mr Asquith, in the House of Commons, said that Mr Chamberlain was a pioneer of a new generation. No statesman at any time surpassed him in confidence and courage. Mr Bonar Law said that there were two principles at the basis of Mr Chamberlain’s political action —a desire to improve the people’s condition, and 1 an almost aggressive national pride. Mr Balfour said that as Colonial Secretary- he had done the greatest work which had perhaps ever fallen to any single British statesman. He w r as a great idealist, and had an unconquerable soul. He was a great statesman, friend, and orator, and a great man. Tributes were also passed in the House of Lords. WELLINGTON, July 7. In the House of Kepresentatives to-day Mr Massey intimated that he had, onbearing of the death of Mr Joseph Chamberlain, sent a cablegram to Mrs Chamberlain condoling with her on the death of her distinguished husband, and had that day received a reply tendering the thanks of the family for the sympathy shown by the people of the dominion. On behalf of his side of the House Sir Joseph Ward endorsed the sentiments expressed in the Prime Minister’s cable message. He proceeded to eulogise the life and work of Mr Chamberlain, who he described as one of the greatest authorities on the subject of local government and on the wider subject of Imperialism,

and as one of the greatest of Englishmen. On the motion of the Prime Minister the cables were entered in the journals of the House.