OBITUARY.

Patea Mail, Volume XXXIX, 6 July 1914, Page 2

OBITUARY.

RIGHT HON, JOSEPH CHAMBERLAIN. Aged 78. The death is announced from England of the Rt. Hon Joseph Chamberlain. Mr Joseph Chamberlain, who was 78 years of age, was one of the best known men in the Empire. He rep-eseuted Birmingham West in the House of Commons from ISSS HU lastyeer, though paralysis bad kept him from (he Homo for several years Ho was Secretary of State for the Colonies frmi 1895 to 1903, and was recogmsed as one of England's foremost Unionist Ministers. Ho was in every sense of the word an Imperialist ond the latte r yea's of his Parli mientary life were devoted tv the promotion of Impend preference. In May, 1903, be propounded a scheme of fiscal reform, with which bis name will long be associated. It sharply divided the Unionist party, and has ever since been an overwheUuing topic in politics. Ho resigned office in September 1903, in order to prosecute this campaign with independence. On bis 70th birthday be had a striking pub’ic reception, and immediately afterwards the collapse of his health necessitated his temporary retirement from public life. Among' other measures ho was responsible for pissing wore the Bankruptcy Act and Patents Act, He secured tho acceptance of free education for the work!" g classes, and passed the Bill for assi tmg working people to purchase their own houses. Tie promt t d the Local Government Bill for tho counties, tho Allotments and Small Holdings Bill for agricultural labourers, and took a leading part iu giving compensation to workpeople for accidents suffered iu tho course of their employment.