NEW PRIME MINISTER.

Otago Witness, Issue 3611, 29 May 1923, Page 19

NEW PRIME MINISTER.

MR S. BALDWIN CHOSEN. LONDON, May 22. Tl:e party leaders have chosen Mr Stanley Baldwin as Prime Minister. Sir Robert Horne has agreed to become Chan cellor of the Exchequer. The consensus of opinion among the Unionists is that it is essential that the Prime Minister should be m the House of Commons, where the strongest opposition will be forthcoming, while in the House of Lords there will be practically no opposition. The Labourites are also of opinion that there would be no justification for appointing a member of the House of Lords as Prime Minister. Labour is now the recognised Opposition, and is without representation in the House of Lords, and it is believed that in the event of a peer having been chosen as Prime Minister the Labour Party would have used every political device to precipitate a dissolution. NEWSPAPER COMMENT. LORD CURZOX'S LOYALTY. LONDON, May 23. The Daily Express says: “Mr Baldwin led the House of Commons with marked ability, and we believe that he will rise to the height of great opportunity.” The Morning Pest declares: “ In waiv-' ing his personal claims Lord Curzon has set a notable example of loyalty to the higher interests. He has rendered t signal service to his party. It is a good augury that the appointment has been made obviously on the principle of the best man for the job.” The Daily Telegraph says : “ Mr Baldwin’s strongest _ point is * finance, which in these days is of paramount importance. \\ e still think Lord Curzon’s claims much the stronger, but no doubt he was gravely handicapped by beiim in the House of Lords. The feeling in favour of the Prime Minister being in the House of Commons was very strong among all political parties.’ The Daily Chronicle, wh.le commending Mr Baldwin's high character, affirms that Lord Curzon dropped, “ not because he sits in the Lords, but because the Conservative Party is ruled by tfc- > -iehards ’ who have a vendetta against him. The nominees of the ‘ Diehards ’ already run the party machine, and they now dictate precedences on the front bench. This is a dark prospect for the country.” The Westminster Gazette remarks: " That Mr Baldwin should have attained the Prime Ministership is a revelation of the deficiencies of his party. There is no evidence of any impression that he has yet made on the popular mind.” Lord Curzon’s health, though it has improved of late, was a big factor in the decision. Mr Baldwin has much in common with Mi Bonar Law. Both are transparently honest and direct in speech and manner, and both have marked business ability. Mr Baldwin is still in the middle fifties. During the negotiations preceding the selection Lord Stamfordham, the King's private secretary, consulted a number it influential politicians. He had art hour's talk with Lord Curzon before Mr Baldwan was asked to visit the Palace. The King returned to Aldershot in the evening. MR BALDWIN'S TASK. LONDON, May 23. The Ti.ties, in a leading article says: “There can be no criticism of His Majesty’s choice from any section of his people; nevertheless Mr Baldwin must face the fact that in Europe and in the

dominions he still has his reputation to make, and that in both directions the immediate problems call for the highest qualities of wisdom and resolution. it remains for him to acquire—as we are sure he will—the unquesti >ued right to speak with the voice of the nation. It would probably be true to say that Ue was the obvious heir of Mr lionar Law, which largely explains the strong public sentiment in his favour. It is impossible to refrain from paying a tribute of sympathy to Lord Curzon. His natural claim to the succession was unquestionably over-ruled by the fact that he is a peer.” FRENCH PRESS OPINION. PARIS, May 23. Tlie Echo de Paris says: “We have cause to believe that Mr Baldwin will follow Mr Bonar Law's policy cf prudent waiting in regard to the Ruhr.” The Petit Parisien remarks: “Mr Baldwin’s acts show that he is not disposed to grant favours to Russia. He not less than Mr Bonar Law is disposed toward an alliance with France.” Mr Baldwin telegraphed to M. Poincare: “I have the sincerest hope for the continuance of the cordial relationship and the maintenance of the Entente, which is a common objective of the twe Governments.” M. Poincare replied : “I can renew the assurance that the French Government will collaborate heartily with you in sup port of the development of a friendly re lationship and an alliance between our countries.” May _ 24. L’CEuvre welcomes Lord Curzon’s reappointment, and says: “The news will be more welcome to the French public than to the diplomatists, as the former knows that Lord Curzon is a very sincere friend of France.” SIR R HORNE DENIES ACCEPTANCE LONDON, Mav 23. Sir Robert Horne denies that he has accepted the Chancellorship of the Exchequer. Lord Derby will remain at the War Office, Lord Curzon at the Foreign Office, and Sir Samuel Hoare at the Air (Iftice. Sir Robert Horne, speaking at Glasgow, stated: “For a time at least- I have turned my back on any prospect of office in any Ministry.” MR LLOYD GEORGE’S VIEWS. LONDON, May 23. Mr Lloyd George, speaking at Lianfair feohan, expressed his regret at Mr Bonar Law’s retirement. He said : “I am a personal friend of Mr Bonar Law, who loyally supported me during the war. 1 have more confidence in the late Prime Minister’s restraining sagacity than in his driving capacity. 1 have not the same assurance for the future, now that Mr Bonar law has resigned. His colleagues do not inspire me with confidence. Two reasons prevented me from opposing Mr Bonar Law's Government without discrimination —first, personal friendship for a loyal friend; secondly, the serious condition of the world at present, when to embarrass the Government would be unpatriotic. We must not hurl marlinspikes at the steersman of the ship oi State. The consideration which I have extended to Mr Bonar Law will not necessarily be extended to the next Government, which has no mandate from the electors. My hopes for the future lie in the union of the Liberal Party. A united Liberal Party could save the world, but reunion can only come from the abandonment of personal rancor.” NO CHANGE FOR THE BETTER. LONDON, May 24. The Morning Post’s Berlin correspondent says:—“The universal feeling is that it is vain to hope that the change in the British Prime Ministership will mean any advantage to Germany. There is no ‘prospect of Great Britain altering her view in connection with the Ruhr occupation. ’ The Borsenzeitung says: “Germany can expect nothing from England, which is thoroughly entangled in the net of the Versailles Treaty." The paper expresses the hope that as Mr Baldwin is closely associated with the business and banking worlds he will act in accordance with the logic and necessities of the economic world. Mr Baldwin, in a message to Mrs Philipson, a candidate for the Berwick-on-Tweed seat, rendered vacant through the unseating of her husband, said : “It is clearly my duty to carry out the sound and wise policy laid down at the general election by Mr Bonar Law. That policy was confirmed by the country’s verdict. Your return will encourage me to go forward with my task.” CHANCELLOR OF DUCHY OF LANCASTER, * LONDON, May 24. Lord Robert Cecil has accepted the Chancellorship of the Duchy of Lancaster. It is probable that Mr Baldwin will retain charge of the Exchequer until his Budget is disposed of, after which it is hoped that Sir Robert Home will reconsider the definite offer made to him to become Chancellor. CHANGES IN THE MINISTRY. LONDON, May 25. Tt is officially announced that Mr Baldwin will combine the Premiership with the post of Chancellor of the Exchequer. Lord Robert Cecil becomes Lord Privy Seal. Lord Salisbury becomes Lord President of the Council. The Post-master-generalship is vacant. The remainder of the Ministry is practically unchanged. Mr M'Kenna will take over the Exchequer when he has recovered from his illness.

May 26. The official list of Mr Baldwin's Ministry was issued last night. The most notable change was that Mr M ! Kenna was invited to take over the Exchequer, but could not accept immediately as he is still recovering from serious illness. He is expected to assume office two or three months hence. The main offices are unchanged. Sir \V. Joynson Hicks becomes Financial Secretary to the Treasury. There are some reshuffles among the minor offices. May 27. The Prime Minister, Air Stanley Baldwin, had a conference with Mr Austen Chamberlain lasting for two hours at Chequers. The Sunday Express understands that Air Chamberlain was offered the Ambassador-ship at Washington, but declined. He had declined a similar proposal through Lord Curzon during the Bonar Law administration. Mr Baldwin has followed Mr Lloyd George’s example in having a woman secretary, Aliss Weston, who, during the war, was secretary to the Chancellor of the. Exchequer. THE NEW LEADER. Air Stanley Baldwin was bom on August 3, 1567, and has represented the Bnwdiey Division of Worcestershire in the House of Commons as a Conservative since 1803. In 1917 he acted as private secretary to Air Bonar Law. He was appointed President of the Board of Trade in 1921 in the Coalition Government, and prior to his admission to the Cabinet he was financial Secretary to the Treasury. After the return of the Conservative Party to power in November of last year he became Chancellor of the Exchequer. One of the chief qualities in the now Prime Minister (says a writer in the Daily Mail) is his uncompromising English, no.». He estimates things primarily and almost wholly from an English standpoint. Indeed, it is a habit of mind with him; so much so that, in answer to a supplementary question m the House of Uommons with regard to the fluctuations of sterling in relation to American currency, he instinctively replied: “It is the dollar that fluctuates, not the pound.” He has little patience with internationalism in the sense of wider world citizenship; if you were to ask his secret thought as to the development of the League of Nations you would probably learn that he was all for a league in which the whole woild came into the British Empire; but that he was inclined to look down upon States that the Almighty had neglected to bless with the benefits of British rule and therefore a little sceptical of the good to be achieved by consulting with other Powers (except America) for the purpose of solving world problems. On the other hand, it would be quite false to suppose that he has any Imperialist ambitions.. or even the desire unduly to press the British point of view on other States. His aim in foreign policy would proba.blv be good-natured tolerance of other peoples, and as few' dealings with them as possible. For the rest he has a good deal in common with the best type of English soldier He can make up his mind quickly and stick to his decision when it has been reached. While not seeking it out, he is not afraid of responsibility. He has prodigious faith in himself; and therefore, when he has tested them, he is willing to trust his subordinates. On the other hand, though gifted with foresight, he is wanting in the higher faculties of imagination and vision. It is doubtful whether he has the time or the inclination to dream. ■