regard to the present position of pre- | little advertised, service to the State. servatives in certain food stuffs. was It is no secret, and it is sufficient proof that he himseif had no ambition THE LATE PRIME MINISTER. for leadership, that when he was for *THE PRIME MINISTER AND FIRST the second time a Cabinet Minister, he LORD OF THE TREASURY (Mr. As- aspired, Sir, to be seated in your chair. QUITH, Fifeshire, E.): Mr. Speaker, many But though he had too modest an estimate of us, Sir, have come here fresh from the of himself to desire, and still less to seek, service in Westminster Abbey, where, the first place in the State, it fell to him, amidst the monuments and memories after years of much storm and stress of great men, the nation took its last by a title which no one disputed; and he farewell of all that was mortal in our filled it with an ever-growing recognition late Prime Minister. Sir, there is in all quarters of his unique qualifications. not a man whom I am addressing now What was the secret of the hold which who does not feel that our tribute to the in these later days he unquestionably dead would be incomplete if this House, had on the admiration and affection of which, by seniority, he was the father, of men of all parties and all creeds? and which for more than two years If, as I think was the case, he was one of he has led, were not to offer to his those men who require to be fully memory to-day its own special mark of known to be justly measured, may I not reverence and affection. I shall therefore, say that the more we knew him, both Sir, propose before I sit down that we followers and opponents, the more we should lay aside for to-day the urgent became aware that on the moral as on business which has brought us together, the intellectual side he had endowments, and that the House do at once adjourn rare in themselves, still rarer in their until to-morrow. It is within a few combination? For example, he months of forty years since Sir Henry singularly sensitive to human suffering Campbell-Bannerman took his seat in and wrong doing, delicate and even tender this Chamber. Mr. Gladstone had just in his sympathies, always disposed to entered upon his first Premiership in the despise victories won in any sphere plenitude of his powers and of his by mere brute force, an almost passionate authority. A new House, elected upon an lover of peace. And yet we have not extended suffrage, had brought to West- seen in our time a man of greater courage minster new men, new ideas-as some-courage not of the defiant or aggressive thought a new era. Among the new-type, but calm, patient, persistent, comers there were probably few, judged indomitable. Let me, Sir, recall another by the superficial tests which are common- apparent contrast in his nature. In ly applied, who seemed less obviously politics I think he may be fairly described destined than Mr. Campbell, as he then as an idealist in aim, and an optimist was, for ultimate leadership. There by temperament. Great causes appealed have been men who, in the cruel to him. He was not ashamed, even phrase of the ancient historian, were on the verge of old age, to see visions universally judged to be fit for the and to dream dreams. He had no highest place only until they attained misgivings as to the future of democracy. and held it. Our late Prime Minister He had a single-minded and unquenchbelonged to that rarer class whose fitness able faith in the unceasing progress for such a place, until they attain and the growing unity of mankind. and held it, is never adequately understood. It is true that he reached office much earlier in his Parliamentary career than is the case with most politicians. In successive Governments, at the War Office, at the Admiralty, at the Irish Office, and at the War Office again, he rendered devoted and admirable, if None the less, in the selection of means, in the daily work of tilling the political field, in the choice of this man or that for some particular task, he showed not only that practical shrewdness which came to him from his Scottish ancestors, but the outlook, the detachment, the insight of a cultured citizen of the world. SIR ALFRED THOMAS (Glamorganshire, E.) I beg on behalf of the Welsh Members to express the profound regret with which we heard of the passing away of the late Prime Minister. As one who keenly sympathised with small nationalities we are under a lasting debt of gratitude to his memory. His life was a noble example of a high-minded Christian gentleman, and we can all say, as John Bright said of Cobden, "I little knew how much I loved him until I found I had lost him." say a word upon the Irish Resolution. I say, to understand our proposals, in We honoured him and loved him, and order that something might be done to regret his death as one of the greatest and alleviate the vast amount of suffering heaviest losses that our people and our which the poorer of the working classes country ever sustained. so constantly experience; and in this way his readiness sympathetically to consider the views of my colleagues and myself endeared him in an unmistakable way to every member of the Labour Party. There always stands out in association with his life one event which especially appeals, not only to those of us who have the honour to represent in a very direct sense organised labour in this House, but also to organised labour throughout the whole country. That particular chapter in his life was in those dark days when there was a minority in this country who felt that the experience we were going through in South Africa was not, as the majority, in their opinion probably rightly, thought, fully justified. Organised labour held the opinion that the experience was not justified, and he whose loss we mourn to-day was at MR. ARTHUR HENDERSON (Durham, Barnard Castle): In associating my friends and myself with the magnificent tribute that has been paid to the late Prime Minister, I am sure that, though my words are few, the expressions I make use of will nevertheless be accepted as perfectly sincere. We are the youngest Party in this House, and yet we have been here during the whole of the time that the late Prime Minister presided in his high position over our Parliamentary destinies. Though our experience of him has been short, it was sufficiently long to endear him, I will venture to say, more than any other politician in this country to every member of the Labour Party. The more we got to know in our official position of the late Prime Minister the more we were led to realise that he possessed a very great heart for the poor of this country. He recognised the social wrongs under which the poor are compelled to live, and he was anxious, either by the methods which he and his party desired to put forward for redressing those wrongs or by understanding the proposals which we put forward in the name of the poor-proposals oft-times. of a different character from those which he himself put forward-he was anxious, the head of a small minority in the country who shared with organised labour that opinion, and, though that opinion was repudiated, scorned, and scoffed at, and though nicknames were applied to us and opprobrium thrown at us, we always rejoice to think that he maintained his position in this House and the country with a fidelity to his convictions that gave him a position in the hearts of organised workers in this country second to that of no other statesman. The loss we mourn to-day is nowhere more keenly felt than in the ranks of the Parliamentary Labour Party, and again I say I hope my words will be accepted as perfectly sincere. Speech indicates revision by the Member. An Asterisk (*) at the commencement of a BILL. PRIVATE BILLS [LORDS] (STANDING COAL MINES (EIGHT HOURS) (No. 2) ORDERS NOT PREVIOUSLY INQUIRED INTO COMPLIED WITH). Fetitions in favour: From Alfreton; Mr. SPEAKER laid upon the Table Ashgate; Aspatria; Baggraw; BalsReport from one of the Examiners of over; Bandeath; Banknock; BannockPetitions for Private Bills, That, in the burn; Barlborough; Batonriff; Bedcase of the following Bills, originating minster; Bellshill; Bogfield; Bonds in the Lords, and referred on the First Main; Braysdown; Bredbury; BrodsReading thereof, the Standing Orders worth; Burradon; Cadeby; Carmyle; not previously inquired into, and which Cæpontbren; Cawdor; Chevington; are applicable thereto, have been com- Church; Cilwern; Clay Cross (two); plied with, viz. :-St. Marylebone Bor- Craigreak; Creswell; Cross Hands; ough Council (Superannuation) Bill Bill Cwmteg; Dailly; Daldowie; Dalzill; [Lords]; Cardiff Railway Bill [Lords]; Denny; Denny Wanhead; Dronfield; Argentine North-Eastern Railway Bill Duffryn; Dunkerton; East Holywell; [Lords]; Skegness Urban District Council East Plean; Eckington; Espieside; Bill [Lords]. Foxcote; Gelly Ceedrim; Glangarnant; Ordered, That the Bills be read a Glaswell; Gorsygarnant; Grangesecond time. Blaydon and Ryton Water (Transfer) Bill (King's Consent signified).-Bill read the third time, and passed. Knott End Railway Bill; Louth and East Coast Railway (Transfer) Bill.Read the third time, and passed. VOL. CLXXXVII. [FOURTH SERIES.] mouth; Grassmoor (two); Greystonlea; Halton Hartford; Hasland; Heddon; Hipthorne Lane; Holytown; Howmuir; Kenmuir; Kenmuirhill; Killamarsh; Kilsyth; Kirkwood; Langwith; Leven; Ludlows; Markham ; Middle Pit; Morningside; Motherwell (two); North Motherwell; North Seaton; Old Avenue; Oldham; Oxcroft; Palace; 2 Q Pantyffynnon; Parkhead; Park House; Bristol; Burghfield; Burley; Burnley; Pentremawr; Pilsley; Pleasley; Pol- Byfield; Caerphilly; Campbeltown; maise; Ponthenry; Poynton; Quarter Cardiff; Chasetown; Chesterfield; Denny; Radcliffe; Redding; Renishaw Colne; Cornwall; Curdworth; Dover Park; Rhos; Salsburgh; Seghill; (two); Dundry; Eccleshall (three); Seymour; Shankhouse; Shettleston; Erdington; Garforth; Gloucester; Shieldhill; Shireoaks; Shotts; Slaman- Gosport; Halifax (thirteen); Handsnan; Southgate; Spinkhill; Staveley; worth; Hanham; Heeley (two); Hurst Thankerton n; Tupton; Uddingston; Green; Llanelly; Luxborough; MaesWaleswood; Warsop Main ; Wells teg; Minworth (two); Mortimer; Way; Wernos; West Kiveton; Whittington Moor: Whitwell; Williamthorpe; Woodhall; and Writhlington; to lie upon the Table. DAIRIES (SCOTLAND) BILL. Petition of the Royal Sanitary Institute, in favour; to lie upon the Table. ELEMENTARY EDUCATION (ENGLAND Petition from Wood Ditton, against; to lie upon the Table. From Camber Newbury; North Shields; Otley (four); MR. W. E. HARVEY (Derbyshire, ELEMENTARY EDUCATION (ENGLAND N.E.) presented a petition against the AND WALES) BILL. Bill, which, he said, purported to come Petitions in favour; from 1,300 inhabitants of North-East well; Colwyn Bay; Cramlington; Derbyshire, but on examination he Easton; East Stratton; Frome; found that the signatories hailed from Plymouth; Rhayader; Talybont; Birmingham, London, Sittingbourne, and Torquay; to lie upon the Table. West Hartlepool, Doncaster, Burton-on- MR. JOHN WARD (Stoke-on-Trent): Is it possible for a Member to move the rejection of a petition which purports to be signed by people in à certain locality, but which bears the signatures. of people residing in all parts of the country? *MR. SPEAKER: A man may have two residences. LICENSING BILL. Petitions for alteration: From Batter Petition from Edinburgh and Leith, sea ; Benwell; Gosport; Guiseley; against; to lie upon the Table. Islington; Newcastle-on-Tyne; South LICENSED PREMISES (EXCLUSION OF School Union; and Yeadon; to lie upon CHILDREN). Petition from Mortimer, for legislation to lie upon the Table. LICENSING BILL. Petitions against: From Accrington; Aston; Aylesbury; Bath (two); Berke the Table. LICENSING BILL. Petitions in favour: From Aberdeen (eight); Aberforth; Abermeurig; Aberystwyth (eight); Airdrie; Airth; Aitkenhead (two); Allonby (two); Ardwick; Askam-in-Furness; Aspatrit (three); Houghton le Spring; Howden (two); Aspull; Aston (three); Avon- le Wear; Hoylake; Huntingdon (two); bridge (two); Auchtermuchty; Ayr Hurlford; Hyde; Ilkeston; Ilkley; (two); Baillieston; Bampton; Banff; Inverkip; Ipswich; Irlam's o' th' Banton; Barnsbury (two); Barnton Heights; Irvine (two); Isleworth ; (two); Barrington; Bath; Battersea Kelso (two); Kennoway; Kiddermin(two); Beckenham; Beeston; Bellshill ster (two); Kilbarchan; Kilmarnock ; (two); Berth; Berwick-on-Tweed; Kingarth; Kingsbridge; King's Norton; Bedminster; Biggleswade; Bingley; Kirkby-in-Furness; Kirkoswald; LamBirnhead; Birmingham (four); Bishop- peter (three); Landrake; Langharne ; ton; Blackpool; Blochairn; Bodmin; Lanivet; Larbert; Leeds; Leicester; Bollington (two); Bon Accord; Bon- Letchworth; Leven; Linton; Lisnington; Bonnybridge (two); Boston; keard (eleven); Liverpool; Llanarmon Bow; Bradwell; Brannel; Bridford; (two) ; Llanarth (two); LlanbadarnBridgend; Bridge of Weir; Bridgeton fawr; Llanbister; Llandrindod Wells; (two); Brislington (two); Bristol (four); Llandynan; Llangwyryfon; LlanrhyBrixton; Brockley; Bromley; Brough- sted; Llantarnam; Lledrod; London ton; Bryngwenith; Bugle; Bugsworth; (two); Long Eaton (two); Longtown; Burbage; Burgh; Burley-in-Wharfdale; Looe; Loth; Lower Weston; Lytham; Burnham; Bury (two); Camberwell Maesteg (two); Mapperley; Maybole; (two); Camblesforth; Cambusbarron; Meersbrook; Melksham ; Merse and Camelon; Campbeltown; Campsie; Teviotdale; Mevagissey (four); MiddleCardigan; Carlton; Carmunock; ton in Teesdale (two); Mid Radnor; Carmyle; Carntyne ; Carrickfergus; Millport (two); Milngavil (two); MinCatrine; Chalfont St. Giles; Chapel- ster; Mold; Moniaive; Moorwater; knowe and Gretna; Chryston (two); Moss Side; Motherwell (four); Mottram; Cinderford; Clapham ; Clavering; Moulton; Nantymoel (five); Nebo; Cleland; Clevedon; Clydebank; Coat- Neston; Netherton; New Brighton bridge (four); Coleford; Colmonell; (two); Newburgh; Newbury; NewColwyn Bay (two); Cramlington; castle-on-Tyne (six); New Cummock; Crossford-by-Carlake; Cupar; Custom Newport (Fife); Newport (Mon.) (two); House; Cwmystwyth; Dalton; Dalton- Newport Pagnell (two); Newquay; in-Furness; Darlington (two); Dawley; New Stevenston; Newton on Ayr; Denny (two); Deskford; Dihewyd; Nitshills; Northampton (four); North Disley; Dolan ; Drax ; Dronfield; Cornwall; North Kensington (three); Dulverton (two); Dundee (two); Duni- North Seaton; North Shields (six); pace; Dunoon; East Morton; Easton; Old Bolinbroke; Oldham; Oreston; East Stratton; Ecclefechan; Egremont; Otley (two); Oxford Street; Elburton; Ellesmere Port; Elm Park; Station; i Peak Forrest; Peasedown; Eltringham; Evenwood; Eskdale Muir; Peckham; Pegmouth; Pegswood; Exeter (five); Fairfield; Falkirk (two); Pelynt; Pendleton (four); Penybont Fareham (four); Farnborough; Faver- (two); Penygraig; Pitsford; Plymouth sham (three); Finnart; Fordyce; (three); Polperro; Ponteland; PontyFormby (three); Fourstones; Fowey; berim; Port Glasgow ; Portscatho; Frome (three); Frosterley; Garston; Poynton; Prestwick; Queenzieburn; Gartmore; Gee Cross; Gibeon Mydrim; Rainford; Girvan (three); Glasgow (eighteen); Retford ; Glenboig; Gloucester (four); Glynar- Rothesay (seven); Rothiemay; Ruabon then; Gore; Gosport (three); Grange- (three); Rusholme; St. Albans; St mouth (two); Grange over Sands; Anns; St. Austell; St. Blazey; St. Grantown on Spey; Grassmoor; Great Columb; St. Dennis; St. Clears; St. Sanghall; Greenock (eleven); Guiseley; Haggs; Hamilton (two); Hammersmith <(two); Harthill; Hatherden (two); Haydon Bridge; Hedge End; Heeley; Henshaw; Hereford; Hexham; Highbury; Higher Ardwick; High Peak; Hilmacolm; Hirst; Holt; Hornsey Southport ; Par Rennington; Renwick; Rhayader; Roche (two); Margarets on Thames; Salford (three); Seacombe (four); Seaton Delaval (three); Seaton Hirst; Seghill (two); Shankhouse; Shaw; Sheerness (six); Sheffield (five); Shettleston (two); Sittingbourne; Spilsby (two); Southbourne; South Shields and Tyne |