His resignation has provoked grave thoughts about the transference of
men with " first-class brains " from politics to business. Is it right, it is asked, that this transference should be accepted as inevitable ? Is it well for the nation that politics should offer such small rewards that statesmen of the higher rank are continually being tempted away ? Why should Lord Birkenhead follow Mr. McKenna and Sir Robert Home ? It seems to us _ that it is quite impossible that politics should compete with the City in the magnitude of its rewards. After all, statesmanship is only one of many callings in which the greater part of the reward is the consciousness of useful service. Everybody knows that some, of the meanest work is the most profitable and some of the noblest the most hazardous. Men must choose with their eyes open. On the other hand, we think it entirely wrong that Cabinet Ministers and ex-Cabinet Ministers should be in a position of unreasonable financial anxiety. The calls upon a Minister's purse nowadays are hardly Met by the existing salaries, and the -ca.:se 'of "a -retired Minister is still worse.
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