EARL OF BIRKENHEAD

Otago Witness, Issue 3995, 7 October 1930, Page 56

EARL OF BIRKENHEAD

DEATH ANNOUNCED.

“A BRILLIANT MIND.”

LONDON, September 30. The death of the Earl of Birkenhead is announced.

The newspapers give lengthy attention to his extraordinary career from humble beginnings to the highest offices in the country. Equally remarkable are the tributes from the leaders of all branches of life, those belonging to different political schools being in no way lacking in their expressions of generous and sincere regard for his outstanding capabilities. Examples of the numerous tributes are as follow: —

Mr Lloyd George: “ There was no more brilliant mind consecrated to the service of the State in this generation His unquenchable courage was of the highest order, and he exercised superb judgment.” Lord Hewart (Lord Chief Justice) : ” The country has lost a most distin guished statesman and lawyer.” Mr Winston Churchill: "He was a most loyal, faithful, and valiant friend. His intellectual independence and know ledge of all grave issues pending make his death a national impoverishment.” Mr Ramsay MacDonald says: “He was a truly wonderful man. with an intellectual capacity equalled by his deft command in debate of every weapon of both offence and defence.”

Mr J. R. dynes (Home Secretary) . “ lie was a dangerous and damaging political opponent. Admiration for Lis extraordinary gifts submerged the lee-l-ing of hostility which his combative qualities usually provoked.” Lord Reading: “He was one of the most striking and powerful personalities of our time." Sir John Simon: “He was a striking combination of bodily and intellectual vigour, with amazing gifts of phrase, repartee, audacity, and resource in discussion.”

All the newspapers devote lengthy reviews to his life and work, together with special articles thereon.

His Majesty, in a message to Lady Birkenhead, says: “The Queen and myself assure you and your children of our true sympathy. Lord Birkenhead’s death will greatly be regretted. I shall ever gratefully remember his distinguished services in the highest offices of State.”

Numerous other tributes are paid by the Earl of Birkenhead’s political friends and opponents.

PRESS REVIEWS CRITICAL.

LONDON, October 1.

The press is generally more critical in their reviews of the Earl of Birkenhead’s career than the politicians are. The Tinies says: “The true valuation oi his career and its ideals will long be In dispute, but no figure in his day was more real to the mass of his contemporaries.”

The Daily Express says: “To those who urge that he made mistakes and had his failings we can answer ‘ Yes,’ and ask ’ Who is without them?’ At the same time he was a great fighter, a great patriot, a great Lord Chancellor and a great friend.”

The Morning Post, while paying a tribute to his services to the State, ays: “ The wonder is not that he achieved so much, but that with such brilliant talents and great opportunities he had not achieved more. It is impossible to say that he anywhere left his mark upon his age.” The Daily Herald, under the heading

" Birkenhead His Worst Enemy,” publishes an article by Mr Harold Laski, which says: “No one ever doubted ins great intellectual power. He was an admirable judge, a brilliant debater, and s skilled negotiator, but he had grave faults both of character and temper. He enjoyed playing th< part of a reckless adventurer.”

The Daily Telegraph says: " The Lord Chancellorship offered the Earl of Birkenhead a chance, which he took superbly, of leaving a great name to be admired by lawyers. It denied him an even superior prize—namely, the leadership of the Conservative Party.” The body has been removed from the residence in Grosvenor Gardens to Gray’s Inn Chapel, where it will remain until the funeral on Saturday at Charlton, near Banbury, whore he had a country residence. LONDON’S LAST TRIBUTE. MEMORIAL SERVICE HELD. LONDON, October 3. London paid its last tribute to the Earl of Birkenhead at Gray’s Inn Chapel, where a memorial service was held before /the body was taken to Golder’s Green for cremation. A distinguished company of lawyers, friends, Lady Birkenhead, her daughters and son stood beside the coffin.

A statement issued on behalf of the countess says she has been greatly touched by the number of all classes especially the poorer ones, who have passed the bier, and she is most anxious that they should attend the Abbey memorial service, for which there will be no tickets.

Lord Birkenhead, the first earl of the title, was Lord Chancellor in the Coalition Government from January, to October, 1922. He had reached

the highest legal office at the coinpara-, tively early age of 46 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. E. 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 healed. 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. He 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 1889 he was called to the Bar, and settled in practice at Liverpool. He entered*Parliament in 1906 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 ” speech in the House of Com nions 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 and then as narrative writer to the Indian Contingent. 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 recognition 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 in 1928, and became a director of Imperial Chemistry, Ltd., and chairman of Greater London and Counties’ Trust, Ltd.