The Advocate. [Established 1888.] WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15, 1908. THE ASQUITH CABINET.

Bush Advocate, Volume XX, Issue 1003, 15 April 1908, Page 4

The Advocate. [Established 1888.] WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15, 1908. THE ASQUITH CABINET.

It will be generally held that Mr Asquith has accomplished his task of re-arranging the British Cabinet very satisfactorily. It was not anticipated that there would bo any striking alterations, and the more important have been anticipated. For all that, the changes that have been made have given an added strength to the Government which must prove of great advantage in the momentous work before the Ministry. The opinion of the great English journals is evidently in the direction that an improvement has been effected. The Times considers "the Cabinet is distinctly stronger and more compact." The Chronicle thinks that "apart from the loss of Sir H. C. Bannerman, the reshuffling of offices and the introduction of new blood have undoubtedly strengthened tlie Government." The elevation of Mr John Morley to the peerage appears to have been brought about by the regrettable state of his health, and though his transference to the House of Lords will be a distinct loss to the second chamber, it is a matter for congratulation that Viscount Morley will still retain the Secretaryship of State for India. Mr Haldane remains Minister for War, but Lord Tweedmouth has been superseded as First Lord of the Admiralty by Mr Richard MeKenna, K.C., who, under the late Premier was the official head of the Board of Education. In 1905 Mr MeKenna was Financial Secretary of the Treasury, so his promotion has been fairly rapid. Mr Lloyd-George becomes Chancellor of the Exchequer. This gentleman has shot ahead by "leaps and bounds," and but few would have thought when, in 1905, he was included in the Liberal Cabinet, that in 1908 he would have risen to the second most important position in the Cabinet. The new Chancellor has certainly

largely added to his reputation as the President of the Board of Trade, and his promotion can only be regarded as a tribute to his ability. !Lord Crewe, the new Secretary of State for the Colonies, was Lord President of the Council under Sir Henry Campbeil-Bannerman. He is a man of great ability, arid is destined to become a power in the councils of the nation. His predecessor, Lord Elgin, was generally regarded as a Minister of the "amiable nonentity" type, and was largely overshadowed by his junior, the impossible Winston Churchill. Lord Crewe may be expected to carry out the duties of his important office without unnecessarily offending the susceptibilities of colonials. Mr Churchill has been .appointed President of the Board of Trade, and in that office Tie will have some opportunities of improving his position in the good opinion of the nation. These are among the striking changes that have been-, brought about by the formation of Mr Asquidfs Cabinet. It has been remai-ked that the new Premier needs great courage. . That/.is a virtue which is attributed to Mr Asquith, and the future of his Ministry has yet to be written.