Poverty Bay Herald PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING GISBORNE, MONDAY, MAY 31, 1937. LEADERSHIP IN BRITAIN

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19338, 31 May 1937, Page 4

Poverty Bay Herald PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING GISBORNE, MONDAY, MAY 31, 1937. LEADERSHIP IN BRITAIN

The resignation of Mr. Baldwin and his succession bv Mr. Chamberlain aie

event* of international importance, and there will he not m little anxiety ;is to the possible reactions from the change in British leadership. Mr. Baldwin makes hi.s exit al. the height ol' his career, not as a defeated politi-

cian, but as a statesman who commanded the respect and esteem of all sections of the community, am! who. in many ways, typified all that was best in British political life. Bis was no spectacular rise to fame; he had already reached middle age when he succeeded his father in the House of Commons, and it took him nine years to make live speeches. To those with whom he was closest in contact, however, his many high gifts were apparent, and in slow stages he assumed increasing responsibilities until finally he became, to the surprise ot many, Prime Minister, a. position which he held on three occasions. Mi - . Baldwin has been anything but spectacular in hi.s public life. It might even lie said that he was lacking in tire and inspiration, but above all he possessed character. His honesty and sincerity were unquestioned. The attitude of the public, towards him might well be described by the simple phrase, "solid and safe," for he was trusted implicitly and inspired confidence to a degree thai has seldom been so widely reposed in any man. it was to him that the people looked in more than one crisis, and they never looked in vain. In particular, his handling of the constitutional crisis of a few months ago will go down in history as one of the out-

standing pieces of statesmanship in the life of the nation. Mr. Baldwin

goes into retirement, lo the seclusion of private life, with the good wishes of all and with the knowledge that he has served his country faithfully and well, leaving behind him a record of which any one. might well be proud. To follow in the footsteps of such a leader is no easy task. Mr- Cham-

berlain takes up the burden of leadership under conditions that are far from simple and straightforward, but it, cannot be denied that he assumes his heavy responsibilities well equipped for the work that lies ahead. Indeed, it might be said that while Mr. Baaldwin was the ideal man for consolidating the nation during the period of reconstruction and stabilisation, Mr. Chamberlain is essentially the type that is required for handling the uituation that confronts the

nation ami the world today. He has more driving force than Mr. Baldwin, is more vigorous, more, outspoken, and more active, hut it. if precisely these qualities that arc demanded by the present situation and by the people whom he is called upon to lead. It may be true that Mr. Chamberlain lacks that great personal appeal which Mr. Baldwin made to the masses, but in .some respects, at least, he hits .shown evidence of radicalism, and he shines with his former loader a deep sympathy with the •'under dog." He entered Parliament even later in life than Mr. Bald win, but he took with him to the House of Comons a wide knowledge and experience of.public activities and had already proved himself a capable administrator and sound business man, apart altogether from the political tradition that has long been associated' with the name of Chamberlain. Within four years he entered the Cabinet, and except when Labour was in office lias held a seat cvei since. As Chancellor of the Exchequer, in particular, he has proved his ability, and in recent years he has been so much the dominant figure in British politics that it was inevitable that he should be selected as Mr. Baldwin's successor.

The change of leadership may not involve any immediate drastic-ehanget-in British policy, since Mr. Chamberlain has long been chairman of the most important Cabinet, committees and, consequently, has made his influence felt in the framing of past measures. It is almost certain, however, that various aspects of policy will take on a more pronounced tone. Mr. Baldwin was a remarkable tactician; he was able, as few other men, to effect compromises and to avoid contentious issues, and each of his terms of office required such a seemingly negative attitude. Mr. Chamberlain, although never lacking in tact, will be far less intolerant of inaction and will display much more boldness. He may, indeed, provide that fire and inspiration which sonic of his younger followers have been sc insistently demanding; may substitute i positive active policy for a negative passive one. There is no reason 1o suppose, however, that there will be any departure from the principle of a National Government, for despite .his less compromising nature the new Prime Minister'is broad-mind-ed to a degree and amenable to the social and industrial changes which to-day are so much a part of the political life of most, countries. In the international sphere, Mr. Chamberlain's assumption of office Mill perhaps, be less welcome, for he is far less likely than Mr. Baldwin to tolerate the truculent attitude of some other nations. Here, again, it is :. case of the right man at the right time. In Mr. Baldwin's period Britain could not afford, perhaps, to take n strong stand; now she i.s in a posi ion to do so, and has as her leader a man who will not hesitate 1o make his word and his actions felt. In future, British foreign policy is like ly !o be more definite and emphatic and the effect will be awaited with interest. In general, however, there is no reason to suppose that the change in leadership will do anything to prejudice the wonderful recovery i hat has been apparent in Britain or to detract from her restorer] prestige and influence in world affairs.