IN HARNESS AGAIN

Wairarapa Age, 4 July 1936, Page 5

IN HARNESS AGAIN

MR. BALDWIN IN HAPPY MOOD. WILL RESIGN WHEN HE THINKS FIT. MEANS TO DO BEST HE CAN TILL THE END. LONDON, July 2. Noth withstanding the ‘‘Daily Mail’s” continued prominence to the story that the Prime Minister wishes to retire within the next six weeks, which ‘‘The Times” describes as fantastic, Mr. Baldwin reappeared in the House of Commons this afternoon much improved a result of his rest. He was ' loudly cheered as he took his seat. As a counterblast to the campaign suggesting that he is retiring, it is asserted that his Cabinet colleagues are insisting that Mr. Baldwin shall spare himself, attending the House only twice a week, and it is declared that he will be thoroughly rejuvenated during the summer recess holiday. Attending the centenary dinner of the City of London Conservative Association, Mr. Baldwin, sat back smiling, puffing his pipe as the chairman, toasting him amid applause, expressed pleasure at the Premier’s presence after his short holiday. Mr. Baldwin recalled that Mr. Disraeli and Mr. Gladstone, living in an age of comparative leisure, could have gone for long holidays without provoking comment. ‘‘l have been in office more or less for over 18 years and am getting rather tired,” he said. ‘‘l have not been sleeping too well, and took the liberty of absenting myself for three days, during which I learned that there had been a procession of doctors to Chequers, that the telephone wires were fusing with requests that I should return to London, and also that I was breaking up, and that my resignation was imminent. There is not a word of truth in these statements. I will retire when I think fit. The moment I feel incapable of sub* taining the burden I shall be prepared to pass it on. (Cries of ‘‘Not until after the Coronation”). I will be no light judge of the requirements of the position, but it is for me to decide without dictation.”

Mr. Baldwin recalled the words of Abraham Lincoln, whom he described as . having been subjected to no less criticism than himself, and said he minded it just about as much. ‘‘l do the very best I can, and mean to keep doing it until the end,” he said. ‘‘lf the end brings me out right, what is said against me will not amount to anything, but if the end brings me out wrong, ten angels swearing that I am right will make no difference. ”

GERMAN AIR ARM. PRIME MINISTER EXPLAINS. LONDON, July 2. Replying to Mr. T. Johnston (Labour) in the House of Commons, the Prime Minister denied that there is any difference between himself and the Air Ministry on earlier estimates of the rate of German aerial expansion being falsified by the subsequent acceleration, which was greater than was anticipates- There was no foundation for the supposition that he disregarded his advisers’ warning in 1934. In saying that they had misled him he did not intend ‘ to make a reflection on any department or individual.