CABINET CHANGES

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 204, 26 May 1936, Page 9

CABINET CHANGES

Chances Much Discussed In England INTEREST IN MEETING (Received May 26, 12.20 a.m.) London, May 25. The possibility of Cabinet changes has been widely discussed over the week-end. What the “News-Chroucle” describes as an “anti-Baldwin shadow Cabinet” met on Sunday at Lord Winterton’s home at Shillinglee Park. Those present. were Sir Austen Chamberlain, Sir Robert Horne, Sir Henry Page Croft and Sir Edward Grigg. The “NewsChronicle” surmises bhat Cabinet reconstruction wag discussed, but JLord Winterton insisted that it was a private party. The “Daily Mail” says that Mr. J. H. Thomas has no intention of resigning from the Derby seat. “The Times” editorially says that though the structure of tlie National Government is sound enough, the facade is beginning to wear a little thin. It alludes to criticism that Mr. Baldwin has lost his grip of affairs, but says that the seal of significance of the party’s recent private dinner is that Mr. Baldwin should have convinced so-many members of the House of Commons' that whatever else is amiss with the Ministry its leader has neither lost heart nor interest. It is believed that Mr. Baldwin set himself the tasks of standing by the new ■ Sovereign during the early mouths of bis reign and also of making some definite contribution toward the appeasement of Europe. It would be a profound misfortune if a change of British leadership should come about just when the latter decision seems in sight. CAREER OF MR. THOMAS Errand Boy to Minister (British Oillcial Wireless.) (Received May 25, 5.5 p.m.) Rugby, May 23. The resignation of Mr. J. H. Thomas from the office of Secretary for the Colonics, which was announced last night, marks a stage in one of the most remarkable careers in British politics. Mr. Thomas, who was the son of labouring parents, began work as an cirand boy at the age of nine at 4/- a week. Later he became a callboy on the Great Western Railway, being engaged to waken engine-drivers and summon them for duty. Subsequently lie became successively engine-cleaner, fireman and driver. His close association with tlie trade union movement gave opportunities for bis remarkable organising ability, and at 35 years of age he became president of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants and Member of Parliament for Derby. In 1917 he was made a Privy Councillor, and in 1924 entered Cabinet as Colonial Secretary in the first Labour Government. He has since held high Cabinet rank in three Governments and played an important part in the formation of the first National Government.