STANLEY BALDWIN-British Premier

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 382, 13 March 1937, Page 3

STANLEY BALDWIN-British Premier

Leaders Of World Affairs

“Mr Baldwin has the Englishman genius for appearing an amateur in a game in which, in fact, he is a tuiperb professional.” Harold J. LaSki. Not only is Stanley Baldwin The most striking of contemporary democratic politicians; he is also a perfect example of the triumph of character. Little over a decade ago when he first became Prime Minister, he was so little known that some of the leading men in his own party even had to confess that they did not know him by sight. It has never been suggested of the Prime Minister that he is a first rate intellectual, nor that he Is strikingly clever. He is, however, a cultured gentleman. Certainly no-one has accused him of being over energetic elective. He is just a great big sbber, ’-solid Englishman. Never yet has anyone teen him excited, nor is anyone likely to do so. He is a man oT long silences, and he speaks only ; when the occasion demands speech. Only when there is a crisis' does he give of his best. It has been said that his spiritual home is the “last ditch.” The secret of hie power lies in just this —the people trust him. He invites confidence. He is the embodiment of solidity. But he is a great deal more than a typical John Bull. Like so many leading statesmen, notably Ramsay Macdonald, he has? something of the mystic in his make-up. Rather than reason logically to his decisions, he gropes intuitively towards them; but when his mind is fairly made up he is. unshakable in his determination. Descended from Puritan stock, Baldwin has an inner faith and deeply religious motives. His life-partner has always exercised" a det.p influence upon him. On at least one occasion during his political life, it Was his wife’s advice that altered a major decision he had made. Tjte Rothermere and Beaverbrook Press was carrying on a campaign to hound him from the leadership of his party and from the Premiership. So much malice and venom were being poured

(Written for the ‘Central Press’ by W.J.H.)

into the inspired vituperations of the Press Lords that Baldwin fell - Him-

self unable to bear up against the attacks and he determined to resign. It was his wife who persuaded him to remain in office.

As a party leader, Baid v.'in has definite limitations. Often he re-

mains silent when sipeech would be the better course. He allows discrediting and damaging criticisms of his government and himself to pass unchallenged when swift rebuke would prevent the accumulation of evil rumours. It has been that he is temperamentally too lazy to take notice of things, which should demand his attention.

Of one thing We miay be certain. In the general course of events he is little troubled by criticism. Often he hardly heeds it. It is commonly believed that he never reads the newspapers. His- favourite reading includes some of the Greek classics. He walks a little, but otherwise he’ takes no exercise. He smokes a pipe from his large collection which constantly grows larger as friends and well-wishers make him a present—of another pipe! Caricaturists.- always have him smoking a pipe, .which has, in the course of the years, become the symbol of his personality. Baldwin has publicly stated that he seems destined to suffer disloyalty. He has, like most public figures been the subject of many very bitter attacks both in Parliament and in the Press. His son Oliver, who early became 'a vigorous Socialist, is also something of a political grief to him.

When properly aroused BaldwTlt invariably crushes his enemies, but it takes a great deal to arouse him. He moves slowly, but it did not take him long to replace Sir John Simon as Foreign Secretary, or to accept Sir Samuel Hoare’s resignation when the latter made his infamous -pact with M. Laval for the parcelling out of Abysinnia.

He dislikes cant infinitely, and flowery phrases are anathema, but he uses them himself all the same. By nature he is hardly a fighting man. He- prefers- agreement to disagreement, but the Quaker strain in his nature would lead him to the stake before he -would give up a principle.; Baldwin makes no rash promises. When he dpes make a promise lie is sure of being able to fulfil it. He is extretoely generous both, jvith his own money and with his. services. He is wonderfully loyal. Never once when Ramsay Macdonald headed the Coalition Government did he obtrude his own feelings or wishes, in spite of the fact that he easily commanded the majority of the Cabinet. His political discernment is vivid; he is one of the shrewdest politicians alive. He is capable of epoch-making oratory when there is a. grand occasion. When Hitler rose- to power, Baldwin thrilled both the Commons and the Empire with a speech which included the assertion that “Britain’s frontiers ; begin at the Rhine.” Now, just beyond the three score years and ten allotted by the Psalmist Stanley Baldwin intends to retire this year, probably just after the Coronation. Three times Premier, he has been in office longer than any modern statesman since Gladstone. If his policy has been lacking comprehensiveness and the qualities of the picturesque, it must at least be admitted that he las- led the nation by sound methods md safe roads back to greater happiness and prosperity. He has failed to solve unemployment, but that terrible disease will ever remain with us- until the present system passes av.'ay. He reached what will probably remain : the highest pinnacle of his prestige 1 art December, when hehandled the constitutional crisis of the late King’s abdication with consummate Skill. That alone would be a substantial monument to the Premier's statesmanship. Baldwin is by no means the “very ordinary man” that he pretends to -be. He h-as done much that will endear him to the British peoples', and he Will retire genuine regret from people of many this year amidst expressions- of different classes and creeds.

There is nothing of the hail-fellow 1 - well-met about the British Premier,