DEAD STATESMAN

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 386, 18 March 1937, Page 5

DEAD STATESMAN

WARM PRESS TRIBUTES SIR A. CHAMBERLAIN. Hushed House of Commons Press Association —Copyright. Received 10.50 a.m. London, March 17. In the House of Commons today, crowded and hushed, with ouly one seat vacant, which Sir Austen Chamberlain used to occupy, Mr. Stanley Baldwin and others paid tribute to the dead statesman. Mr. Neville Chamberlain, instead of sitting on the Government bench, listened from the shadow of the Speaker’s chair. The entire British Press, including the Daily Herald, paid warm tribute to Sir Austen Chamberlain.

The Daily Herald says: “He was always open to conviction and had the courage to change his mind.”

The French Press and French statesmen vied in praising him. This is In contrast with Germany, where the Foreign Office spokesman declared that he failed to understand Germany’s needs.

The German newspapers similarly are cool, declaring that he was a bib ter opponent of the new Reich.

The news of Sir Austen Chamberlain’s death was received with sincere regret throughout Italy.

CHARACTER SKETCH. . Early Days in Parliament. "Those who have followed t lie juiidget debates in the House as I hard' done will know that the two chiaL fighters on the Unionist side are Mr. Balfour and Mr. Chamberlain,” states a writer in appreciation of Sir Austeit in hie l dlays in oppositition. “They will know, too, that while Mr. Balfour is engaging the members of the Government with his inistnitable rapier play, polished and deadly, Austen Chamberlain is coming to lose qua? ters, hour by hour, with bro. dsworj and battle-axe, malting opportunit'er tor attack, delivering merciless ’blow giving no quarter, and receiving none. He is a hand-to-hand light i ' rouses the enthu~ia-.in of his fol: ers. In the present strenuous parliamentary days' and nights the Unionists, packed on the benches behind, cheer whenever Mr. Chamber lain springs to the table with sharpedged words.

"Picture a tall.'bryls’’man of forty-fiifive, with a rither long, cloan-shaven face, unemotional eyes, and brown hair brushed up and back from, the forehjead in a neat way. Which somehow suggests the wellgroomed schoolboy. Add to file picture the eye-glass, with its descending cord bulging out like a bow, and a frock-coat, always the model of correctness and. elegance, and you have some of the externals of Austen Chamberlain in the House of Commons.

“He enters from behind the Speak tr’s chair with a swinging strid which tells of the fact that he hcome to work and not to play. He thrusts himself down. on the Opposition front bench with a decisive air which lets you know tWat he means business. He seizes the order paper of the day, examines it minutely, secures from the table in front of him a large envelope on which to make notes, takes a pencil from bis pocket, and is prepared for anything.. He keeps his back very straight, for it is always difficult for him to lounge. His Maiden Speech.

"After Rugby and Trinity College, Camibrifige, Austen CWamberlain completed his education in Germany and France, and came home again to become the private secretary of his father, soon to be at the zenith of his power. As a young man of twent; nine he 'Was elected Unionist member for East Worcestershire. It was in the following year thlat he made his maiden speech in the House ot Commons, and among those who listened to it was Mr. Gladstone. Prime Minister of the day, between whom and Mr. Joseph Chamberlain there had now risen the keenest political antagonism. On the very subject that had separated the two statesmen —namely, Home Rule—Austen Chamberlain made his maiden speech. Mr. Gladstone, with that fine courtesy which always distinguished hjm, promptly offered his congratulations. “It was a speech,” he said, “that must havo been dear and refreshing to a father’s heart.” Those who witnessed the scene day that Joseph Chamberlain was visibly mov d by the gen erous Words of his old chief, and It goes without saying that Austen Chamberlain has never forgottc" them.

"That is one side of Austen CL berlain. Away from the are’ of politics you will find another. II

has been described in print as ? rather solemn young, man. You will

look In vain for solemnity when you me t him in private life. You will find that his eyes have a soft,, little smile, that his voice can be gently humorous, and that there arc other things for him beridts politics."*