The Dominion TUESDAY, JUNE 11, 1929. THE NEW MACDONALD MINISTRY

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 218, 11 June 1929, Page 10

The Dominion TUESDAY, JUNE 11, 1929. THE NEW MACDONALD MINISTRY

Mr. Ramsay MacDonald seems to have selected his new LabourSocialist • Cabinet on the same principle of moderation that characterised his tactics during the General Election. It is certaini y not a workers’ Cabinet in the strict class-conscious Labour-Socialist sense One might almost describe it as an expression of thinlydisguised Radical-Liberalism. The Morning Post .puts it quite aptly when it suggests that the conversion of Mr. Jowitt, K.C., Proves that "Liberalism is not a barrier to Socialism, but a bridge to it.” The general expectation is that Labour will adhere to this policy of moderation in framing its legislation. If it does nothing to alarm the electorate, but, on the contrary, demonstrates in various ways a desire to treat its administrative responsibilities from a national point of view, two things are likely to happen, especially if it produces tangible results; it may strengthen its hold on the public, and in all probiftility accomplish the final extinction of the Liberal Party. Already it is hinted that the conversion of Mr. Jowitt will be followed by others from the Liberal camp. Such a contingency would be altogether to the good. The country at the next election would have the choice of two strong parties. Herein is to be observed the force of the phrase coined by Mr. Sidney Webb, "the inevitability of gradualness.” Mr. Webb for years past -haJ been the guide, philosopher, and friend of the British Labour-Socialist Party. The policy of “moderation,” now so conspicuous' a feature of the party’s tactics, is altogether in line with the gospel preached by Mr. Webb. One has a feeling that unless the party completely lost its head, it would adhere to the policy of "gradualness” even if it had an absolute majority. _As the London Times observes in its summing-up of the new Cabinet, "the general impression left by a study of its personnel is that it is the best that could have been designed to carry out the unprovocative policy which is apparently to mark the beginning of the new Labour regime.” Mr. MacDonald’s real difficulties, some of which are already beginning to appear, will be in his endeavours to‘ remain moderate in the face of demands from other interests associated with his party for more energetic progress towards the Socialist objectives. The Left-Wing element in Britaiti-at present is not very strong, but it is very vocal, and already is reported to have given tongue. There is said to be a certain expectancy in League circles at Geneva of important changes in British policy in Europe, while Russia also hopes for a share of favours from the new dispensation. From this point of view it is altogether to Mr. MacDonald’s advantage that his new Cabinet is fairly solidly ballasted by» the inclusion of a number of men of high intellectual attainments and a strong sense of •proportion. . On the whole, the selection has had a good “Press” in England. The new Government, by common consent, is to be given the opportunity of showing what it can do. It now remains to be' seen how it will profit by it.