BRITISH CABINET CHANGES

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21639, 25 November 1935, Page 11

BRITISH CABINET CHANGES

♦ —— MR M. MACDONALD IN DOMINIONS OFFICE NEW SECRETARY FOR WAR LONDON, November 22. The following Cabinet changes are officially announced:— Secretary for the Dominions—Mr Malcolm Mac Donald. Secretary for the Colonies—Mr J. H. Thomas. Secretary for War—Mr A. Duff Cooper. Lord Privy Seal —Lord Halifax. Mr W. S. Morrison will replace Mr Duff Cooper as Financial Secretary to the Treasury.

CHANGES CRITICISED mr macdo:;ald thought too young for office OBJECTION TO RETENTION OF MR THOMAS (Received November 24, 7.5 p.m.) LONDON, November 23. The political correspondent of the "Manchester Guardian" says: "Nobody is surprised at Mr Thomas's transference. The Dominions Secretary has to handle delicate constitutional questions. Mr Thomas has long been famous as an industrial diplomat, but his diplomacy has not proved adaptable to this wider sphere. The same reason however, caused astonishment at Mr Malcolm Mac Donald's appointment. He is a capable young man, but this new office calls for more worldly experience and sophistication than 34 can or ought to have." In a leading article, the newspaper says: "Mr Baldwin cannot be congratulated on the reshuffle. He has not got rid of Mr Thomas; indeed, he has actually put him where he might do more mischief, than he has already done. Mr Malcolm MacDonald, on the other hand, has been moved from a post in which he has probably been doing fairly well to one that may become very important in the next few months.

ELECTION RISKS PROOF THAT PEOPLE RULE MR MALCOLM MACDONALD'S VIEW LONDON, November 22. Mr Malcolm Mac Donald, in his first speech since his appointment as Secretary for the Dominions, speaking at the Guildhall, London, said: "The days seem very distant since I was one of those who were happy in the thought that our constituents held us in esteem and affection, but it is a good thing that everyone even a Prime Minister,' should occasionally go to his constituents and risk defeat, as a sign that the master in the country is the free people of Britain. "The Empire stands as the foremost champion of a world where freedom is challenged," he added. "The greatest task before the people of the Empire is to maintain the freedom already established and see that it spreads because of that example, to other countries."

DEAD MAN LIKELY TO BE ELECTED SCOTTISH UNIVERSITIES SEAT LONDON, November 22. A few hours before the closing of the poll for three representatives

in the House of Commons of the Scottish Universities, the retiring Conservative-member, Mr Archibald Noel Skelton, died in a nursing home. The returning officer says that it he has received sufficient votes he must declare the late Mr Skelton elected, leaving Parliament to order a new election. Mr Skelton had been UnderSecretary for Scotland since 1931. The newspapers suggest that if Mr Skelton ,is elected, either Mr Ramsay Mac Donald or Mr Malcolm Mac Donald will stand in the byelection. ' "" ~- v -