Gonner, and other very able men in charge of
rationing; but this work must have failed had it not been for public
confidence in Lord Rhondda's integrity; and, moreover, Lord Rhondda's
character played no small part in firing that work with a zeal and
passion which were excelled by no other department of public service.
Men not only worked hard for him, they worked for him affectionately.

His choice of Mr. J.H. Clynes was inspired by the same idea. He had
heard this labour member speak, and had been impressed by the moral
qualities of his oratory; he knew that in choosing him to represent the
Food Ministry in the House of Commons he might be sure of the confidence
of Labour, both there and in the circles of trade unionism. He was not
deceived. Mr. Clynes was the most loyal and impressive of lieutenants,
who, on one occasion in particular, saved a difficult situation.

Lord Rhondda realized the moral qualities of statesmanship. He appealed
to the highest instincts of his countrymen. This was his greatest
achievement.

He was in many ways a lovable man. The quality which chiefly drew
people to him was his extreme boyishness. The remarkable beauty of his
face always seemed to me an expression of this delightful
boyishness--his smile deepening this effect in a most charming manner.
He loved life with a boy's fervour, regarding it always as an
opportunity for winning success. The difficulties of work, like the
difficulties of a mathematical problem called out the athletic qualities
of an otherwise shy and almost effeminate nature. He loved to pit his
brains against other men, rejoiced to discover obstacles in his path,
never despaired when things went against him, and infinitely preferred
the battle for success to the success itself. In this, too, he was a
boy; he had to win a fight fairly and honourably to enjoy the victory. I
believe him to have been one of the most honest and straightforward men
that ever made a fortune in business.

There was no man less embittered by failure and disappointment. He seems
to have had reason to believe that Mr. Lloyd George frustrated his early
efforts as a politician, indeed he told me more than once that Mr. Lloyd
George had deliberately set himself to that end; and yet it was at Mr.
Lloyd George's earnest beseeching that he accepted the office of Food
Controller, and once a member of his Cabinet, he seldom spoke of this
old opponent without the warmest admiration. "You can't trust h