Scandals like Poulson affair are rare, says Lord Hailsham

Scandals like the Poulson affair are rare in local and national politics and few people in public life are there for what they can get out of it, Lord Hailsham, Lord Chancellor in the last Conservative Government, said at Barnet Borough Council's civic banquet and ball in the Dorchester, Park Lane, London, on Saturday.

Proposing a toast to Barnet Council, Lord Hailsham said he was full of admiration and gratitude for the public work being done in Barnet. It was fashionable today to make fun of politicians, local and national, and receive a certain amount of ridicule and criticism which was no bad thing and excellent for warding off pretentiousness. But it was wrong to treat this “fun policy” too seriously.

“Few of us are in public life for the petty gains we can get out of it. Scandals like the Poulson affair are the exception and the severity with which they are dealt is the sign of the horror with which they are regarded. Most of us could do better if we were to stick to our private vocations,” said Lord Hailsham.

Motto

The borough's motto, “Unitas efficit ministerium,” might be regarded as some guide to the current political situation.

Lord Hailsham told the guests of his associations with the Borough of Barnet, including the time when, as Under Secretary of State in the war-time coalition government, he nearly learned to fly at Hendon Aerodrome.

He said he used to go up in a Tiger Moth and view the borough from the air, coming in low over what was the Great Northern railway line to Scotland. Unfortunately the General Election of 1945 cut short his course of instruction.

Responding, the Mayor of Barnet, Cr. Frank Gibson, said the civic year drawing to a close had been anything but routine.

Highlights

A few of the important highlights were the opening of the redesigned library at Hendon; the beginning of building at the Brent Cross shopping centre, which would be the finest in the country, with parking for 3,000 cars and branches of West End shops; the opening of Abbots Lodge, the old people's home at East Barnet; and a start on the Copthall swimming pool.

“All these things cost money and we try to strike a balance between spending and being spendthrift,” said the mayor. “The domestic rate in the borough will probably go up by 6p this year and when we hear of the extent of increases elsewhere, we stand well in comparison.”

Speaking of the recent General Election and the choice of political systems, the mayor stimulated laughter when he described them like this.—

“Under Socialism you have two cows and you give one to your neighbour; under Communism, you have two cows, the government takes both and gives you the milk; under Fascism, you have two cows, the government takes both and sells you the milk; under capitalism, you have two cows, you sell one and buy a bull.”

Cr. Gibson said he had been overwhelmed by the friendship and hospitality he had met with during his year of office. He had taken the theme. “People in Partnership,” and this had been realised with the help of his council colleagues.

There were several members who would not be standing for re-election—his wife. Cr. Betty Gibson, Cr. Mrs. Ena Constable: Cr. Alan Fletcher, former leader of the council; and Cr. Leslie Hills, the first and only chairman of the borough in its formation year. There were two officers who were attending their last civic dinner—Mr. William Plevin, retiring housing officer, and Dr. Melville Watkins, medical officer of health, who will in future be serving the new Barnet Area Health Authority.

The mayor thanked his deputy mayor and deputy mayoress. Cr. and Mrs. Jimmy Sapsted, his chaplain, the Rev. Dr. L. P. Barnett, the town clerk, Mr. Ronald Williams, and his own wife, a councillor in her own right, for all they had done to support him during his year of office. He thanked the town clerk's staff and members of the parks department for the arrangements and decorations for the banquet.

445 guests

There was a record attendance, of 445 guests at the function, the oldest and youngest being among the mayor's personal guests—Mrs. Sarah Raw, aged 100, of Hendon, and the Gibsons' 11-year-old daughter, Penelope. Their elder son, Dale, was also present, but their younger son, Ivor, is in Rouen studying French. Cr. Gibson 's mother was present with his twin sister, having travelled from Worthing for the occasion.

Proposing a toast to the guests and visitors. Cr. Leslie Pym said the record attendance was an indication of the mayor's popularity and a reflection of his theme for the year.

He welcomed collectively this large number of guests, and in particular the chief guests. Lord Hailsham and the four MPs in the borough and the first citizens of neighbouring authorities—the Greater London Council. Hertfordshire County Council and the boroughs of Brent, Harrow and Haringey.

Responding, Mrs. Margaret Thatcher, MP for Finchley, said she was happy to represent the nicest part of the borough. She asked what was the use of being elected, or re-elected unless you stand FOR something. Most people remember or had read about F.D. RooseveltRoosevelt's four freedoms, two collective and two individual. Freedom from fear and want was very much the job of the Government. We still do not have a secure world.

The individual freedoms were of great significance, but there was little point in having freedom of speech unless you have something to say or freedom of worship if you have lost your belief.

Part of the task of central government, local government and our legal systems was to see that present and future generations have something positive in which to believe. It was their task to pass on the benefits that have been won from generation to generation. “We are all here because we believe in making a positive contribution to the present and the future,” Mrs. Thatcher concluded.

After the banquet, guests and visitors danced to the music of Nat Temple and his orchestra. Finchley and Friern Barnet Operatic Society sang numbers from several of the recent shows, such as “Showboat.” “The Merry Widow” and “Pink Champagne,” and also from “Calamity Jane,” which they are presenting at Hornsey Town Hall from May 1 to 4 Guests also enjoyed watching Latin-American dancing by international professional champions, Robert and Marguerite O'Hara. The toastmaster was Mr. W. F. Simmons.