22 APRIL 1922, Page 2

The King has fulfilled public expectation by conferring an earldom

on Sir Arthur Balfour, in recognition of his great services to his country. For forty-eight years—with an interval of a few weeks in 1906—Sir Arthur Balfour has sat in the House of Common& and carried on the fine Parliamentary traditions in which he was bred. The House -will be the poorer for his retire- meat. We are glad, however, to think that Sir Arthur Balfour, though relieved of his duties as Member for the City of London will as a peer continue to take part in debate. In these anxious' times we need all our Elder Statesmen, of whom Sir Arthur Balfour is the most experienced and most distinguished.