The Star. SATURDAY, JULY 29, 1916. A GREAT ENGLISHMAN.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 11763, 29 July 1916, Page 8

The Star. SATURDAY, JULY 29, 1916. A GREAT ENGLISHMAN.

During the last couple of years, in consequence of the almost daily occurrence of events of epoch-making importance, much has happened which has attracted little notice, but which in ft quieter age would have been widely discussed. Just as the war was opening Joseph Chamberlain, a man who for f t Quarter of'a century was a foremost figure in the political arena, died peacefully at his beloved Birmingham, his death passing almost unobserved by the general public. A few weeks ago another great Englishman, Lord St Aldwyn, passed to his rest almost unnoticed, although for many years he played no inconspicuous part in the political life of the country. Between Mr Chamberlain —a great opportunist, V&qso adherence to political faiths, traditions and dogmas was as unstable 8$ the waters of the ocean —and Ixird Bt Aldwyn, better known as Sir Michael

Hicks-Ceach, there was little or no resemblance, indeed, in many respects Uiev belonged to very distinct schools of thought. Sir Michael was the antithesis of the "ginger" politician, a ' sect that has been described as 'possessing courage without judgment, as he was rightly regarded as one of the "safest" statesmen of his time. f.Viig in later year 3 made him the 'aolid rock of Conservatism against the frTvrnghmg waters of Tory democracy.

'■ 'Dignified, aloof, unimpassioned, suspicious of change, of the most utter integrty, preferrng always the path of adjustment and compromse, and of dow bat sure progress, Sir ' Michael was A rare type of 6tateman. Ho was "torn in the purple, an Englishman of Englishmen, the roots of whose history entwined in the beginnings of the English people. The first baronet was one of the earliest members of the order when it was founded by James 1., and for centuries his ancestors had been 'Gloucestershire squires. When a youth b£ seventeen years he succeeded to the family title, and fifty-two years ago entered Parliament for Gloucestershire, and until his elevation to the House of Lords he held a seat in the Commons. Hd had been in the House but three years when Disraeli, no mean judge of character, singled him out as a promising recruit, and made him Under-Secretary for the Home Department- Shortly afterwards the Government went out of office, and during the next few years he sat in Opposition. In 1874 his party onoe more secured the verdict of the country, and in th© Conservative Ministry , which came into power Sir Michael was given the thorny portfolio of Chief Secretary for Ireland, a post which has wrecked a number of brilliant careers. 'But the new Chief was not dismayed, although he had opposed to him Charles Stewart Parnell, who somewhat resembled Sir Michael in his frigidity and determination, and who was about to fcring a new vigour and fierceness into the representation of Ireland's detoaixds.

The Chief Secretary entered the Cabinet in 1877, but very troublous times were at hand, especially in South Africa, ultimately leading to the unfortunate battle of Isandiwana', and to the odd spectacle of Sir Michael rebuking Sir Bartle Frere for precipitate action. In 1880 the Conservative JParty was ejected from office, to remain in opposition for five years. But frhen the Gladstone Government was beaten on a catch vote and Lord Salisbury was called to office, Sir Michael became Chancellor of the Exchequer and leader of the House. The Government was short lived, but after a few ' months in opposition the Home Rule split resulted in the Conservatives returning to power in 1886.. In the new Administration Sir Michael was successively Chief- Secretary for Ireland and Chancellor of tho Exchequer and leader of the House. - Party feeling ran high, and Sir Michael required all his i rigid self-control to restrain himself during the many stormy scenes. A shadow now began to pass over his fortunes, and he resigned his Irish portfolio, at last passing out of the Government for a short time, to return to the unimportant position of President of the Board of Trade. In 1895, OH the fall of Lord Rosebery, he once jioore beoame Chancellor of the Exchequer, and ere he retired produced seven "safe" Budgets'.

To some extent, though only to a Certain extent, it was the growing divergence of his views from those of the then ruling force in Unionist politics, particularly in regard to freetrade, which led him to resign. He bad won tho day some time before in the matter of preference for the colonies. In later years he was to show markedly his freetrad© sympathies, but he never came out openly on the side of the freetraders. Ho was too loyal a. party man for that. Popular is not the word that could ever be applied to "Black Michael." Tall, thin, dark, he had a reputation for fierceness of temper that was largely Undeserved. His black beard, white face and flashing eyes certainly did sot give him, an expression of benignity, but on the other hand his selfoontrol was complete. Sir Michael belonged- to that class—very important in the history of England—of landed country gentlemen who enter politics for the simple sufficient. reason that it is one of the duties attaching to their position. His chief qualifications for office were enormous industry, the exceptional and valuable gift of lucidity, and above all absolute integrity, and a high senso of personal Honour. He was of these who achieve high office, and descrredly, as much by character as by ability.