IN RETROSPECT

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 71, Issue 220, 17 September 1928, Page 8

IN RETROSPECT

THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT. 4< l rejoice to think that when you reach 80, while there are painful recollections and sad memories of great losses, there is also the remembrance of new friends, and not only of new friends, but of the immortality of institutions to which you have belonged and on which your most laborious and most loyal hours have been spent,” said Lord Balfour in a speech on his birthday.

He mentioned that, with the exception of two or three weeks, he had never been out of the historic Chambers of either the Commons or the Lords since 1874. “I feci that of this 80 years of life by far the largest part of my time, energies, hopes, strivings, and, in so far as they exist, of my ambitions, have been spent within these walls. I have never for a moment failed in my loyalty to Parliament, however that Parliament was constituted. Parliament is the centre of the British Empire. It is the responsibility of the members of Parliament, to whatever party they belong, to see that the tradition which has insensibly grown up, which is not a product of this or that constitution-monger, but is a result of the unthought-out efforts for the public, good of the various constituent individuals who, from generation to generation, had the conduct of public affairs, is continued. It is their action which has made Great Britain what it is, and has founded all over the world institutions modelled upon ours, and showing Hint, whether the British Constitution be or be not the best constitution in the world for all kinds find sorts of men, it is undoubtedly the best constitution for people of British origin, British tradition, British hopes, and British ideals. That is why I am consoled by the gradual rising of new generations as old generations vanish. 1 am 80. I cannot take much more part in public affairs, but I rejoice to think 1 see growing up younger generations, one by one, who instinctively follow the great example of their forefathers, and are predestined with undiminished lustre to carry to future ages the glories of the British Empire. ”