PRIME MINISTERS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17537, 14 May 1925, Page 6

PRIME MINISTERS.

LONGEST TERMS OF OFFICE. FROM WALPOLE DOWNWARDS. Air Alassey. who was the only one of the many “war ” Prime Ministers to hold office until the present year, has had a distinguished career as a Government leader. His record of nearly thirteen years as Prime .Minister—a period that embraced the whole of t lie war years, as well as the strenuous years following the cessation of the great world struggle is a notable one. In the long line of Prime Ministers oF Great Britain and her overseas Dcminionszfrom the days of "Walpole until the present time—the number who have reached double figures in <• minimus terms of years may be counted on one’s Great Britain has supplied only three men who have hold office as Prim© AI mister continuously for ten vears or upwards. Sir Robert Walpole, the first man to bear the title in England, stands at the bead of the list with 21 years. William Pitt, the younger, is next with seventeen years, and Lord Liverpool, who wns in office when Waterloo was fought. is third with fifteen years, bis term being completed in 1827. or almost a hundred years ago. The present Earl of Oxford. who. as Air Asquith held office for eight years, is the fourth on the British list of unbroken terms. The political history of the Dominions ''implies five long terms. AY hat is believed to have been the longest Premiership in British history is that of the Hon G. H. Murray, who was Liberal Premier of Nova Scotia, a province of Canada, from July. 180(1 until his resignation in January. 1923. a total of 26* years. The late Sir Wilfrid Lnurier was Prime Minister of Canada for 15 continuous years. Air Seddon bold office in Now Zealand tor 13 vears and 1() days and In* has been closely followed by Mr Massey, whose term totalled 12 years and ten months. ! lie late General Botha, in the successive positions of Premier of the Transvaal and first Prime Minis :cr of the South African Union, was in office for I t years, the latter position being held by him for eleven years.

EVENTS IN LONG CAREER. Following is a summary of important events in Mr Massey's career: Born at Kmavady, County Berry, March 26, 1856. Arrived at Auckland, December 11. 1870. In the service cf Mr John Grigg-. Long;. beach. Canterbury, 1873-6. Returned to Auckland, and commenced farming - and threshing-mill business on his own account. 1876-7. Married Miss Christina Paul. April 5, 1882. First President of the Mange re Farmers* CUrb, IS9O. January 24. 1891. is try n* the death'of Mr Bailance), May 1, 1893. Contested the Franklin seat, general election. November 28. 1893. and was defeated by Major Karris. Elected member for Waltemata (by-Farlia-ment. fthe’ twelfth) on Its opening, June 21. 1894. Elected member for Franklin Tor the first time, December 4. 1896. Leader of the Opposition from September. 11. 1903. 63 Joseph Ward's Ministry formed, August 6, 1906. Oppopition adopts the title, “ Reform Party.” 1904. Presentation to Mr Massey as Leader of the Opposition of a national testimonial in the form of a grandfather clock and purse of 1000 guineas, made at Auckland. Augurt 20. 1909. Resignation of the Ward Ministry, March 28. 1912. Appointed Prsmier in succession to Sir Thomas Mackenzie, July 10. 1912. Massey became Prime Minister, July Appointed a Privy Councillor. January 1. 1914. Formation of the National (War) Ministry. with Mr Massey as Prime Minister, August- G. 1915. to Britain, to attend Imperial Conference. August 24, 1915; returned June 25, 1917. Departure to attend Imperial War Cabinet and Conference. May 2, 1918; returned October 12, 1918. Departure to attend Peace Conference, Signed the "Versailles Treaty on behalf of New Zealand, June 28, 1919. Offer of Peerage declined, 1919. Returned from Peace Conference, arriving at Auckland, August 5, 1919. r ° r *a«on t o?CoaliSo S n)rAugust 25° 1919. Departure from Auckland to attend returned September’ 3of *1921.’ Auckland citizens’ presentation to Mv and Mrs Massey. May 24. 1923. Departure from Wellington to attend Imperial Conference. August 28, 1923; returned January 34. 1524. Installed as Grand Master of New Zealand Freemasons, November 2S, 192.4. FIRST OFFICIAL PLEDGE. “OUR HIGHEST AMBITION.” Throughout his long career. no one soy’s devotion to the service ol New Zealand. Wholly cliaraelerisl ie ol him made on the first appearance ol his Ministry in the House of Representatives on’ July JO. 1012. In a tew sentences. lie expounded the spirit *>| his policy desire and sincere hope am! I speak not only tor the Ministry, but als for those who support the Ministry is that whether our term of office be long or whether it he short, and no man can say at the present moment, our highest ambition is that the people of tin’s Dominion will be able to say tlia; we did our best to live up to the high positions we at present occupy, and that, when we have gone, we left the country better than wo found it."