LLOYD-CEORGIAM RIDICULE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2731, 9 February 1910, Page 2

LLOYD-CEORGIAM RIDICULE.

CHANCELLOR’S OPINION OF SOME PEERS.

LONDON, Dee. 24

It will give you an idea of the extent to which personalities have entered into- the British election campaign if I produce from Mr. Lloyd-George’s speech at Llanelly this week his free opinions, freely expressed, regarding a quartette of Peers. No speaker, in the country lias a sharper tongue than the Chancellor of the Exchequer, or a greater facility for turning the laugh against his opponents. The Llanelly speech in question has been solemnly denounced by the Unionist papers as an outpouring of vile abuse, but I think you will agree that it is not abuse, but ridicule, a v ery different thing. Unlike some of his critics, Air. Lloyd-George does not lose liis temper. And if lie did, it would not be for want of provocation. Those who deprecate the spectacle of a Chancellor of the Exchequer indulging in personalities on the platform should at least make for the fact that no politician in England to-day has had to endure so much ill-tempered al vse, or has been called .so many opprobious names, as Mr Lloyd-George. Lt is hardly surprising if be yielded to the temptation to hit back now and then.

“Who are the Lords?” be asked at Llanelly. “AA 7 itb some exceptions they are the owners of land and royalties. They prey on honest industry, and when you say that- class is going to guard the industry of the country, it is like putting a cat to look after the cream. (Laughter and cheers.) We have four noble lords travelling about the 'country—Lord Milner —(booing) — well, 3'ou know him, evidently; we are still paving bis debts—(laughter)—and until they are paid I think it would be hotter for him if lie stayed at home; (Hear, hear.) Then there is Lord Cawdor, who has a special claim to speak the mind of the people. (Laughter.) He was rejected twice by constituencies that knew him the best. (Cheers.) There are two other noble, lords—'Lord Midleton —(laughter)—and Lord Curzon —(Ob, oh 1) They have both been saying rude tilings about me. (Laughter.) 1 do not mind it, really, b.;it I will show them my appreciation of the rudeness by-telling them the truth about, them. (Hoar, hear.) “AVho is Lord Midleton? I never appreciated the advantages of the hereditary system until I came to v Lord Midleton. It has at least one advantage—that it enables a man who used to bo called Brodrielc to call himself Midleton when he wants people to forget that he ever was Brodrick. (Laughter and

cheers.) As Mr Brodrick be had one claim to distinction, that lie wanted more public money than any living man except Lord Milner. (Lalighter and ‘Hear, hear’.) He made such a mess of the AVar Office that even the late Tory Government—and I suppose that eras about the worst that this country lias' ever seen—(hear, hear) — could stand him no longer, so they sent him to the Indian Office to help Lord Curzon to muddle the affairs of our Indian Empire. (Cheers.) If you asked .Lord Midleton whether I have been too hard on Lord Curzon, he would say that I had rather understated the ease., and if you ask Lord Curzon whether he thinks’l was too hard on Lord Midleton, lie would say I was rather mild—(laughter)—because they do love each other. (More laughter.) “There is this to be said about them. Each of them has just enough intelligence to know that the other is a muddler —(cheers) —hut neither of them has quite enough to know how to do better. (Laughter and ‘Hear, hear.’) These are the saviours. These be thy gods, oh, Protectionist Israel! (Laughter and cheers.) It is a pretty quartette— Lord Cawdor, Lord Milner, Lord Alidleton, Lord Curzon—singing these Christmas carols about the country.” (Laughter.)