THE NEW CABINET

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 48, 25 August 1931, Page 9

THE NEW CABINET

THOMAS CLAIMS PLACE LLOYD GEORGE'S VIEW (Received 25th August, 11 a.m.) LONDON, 24th August, j Mr. J. H. Thomas states that he is in the new Cabinet. It is understood that three other Labour Ministers, including Mr. Snowden, will accompany Mr. MacDonald in the new Cabinet, which will be small, probably twelve or fourteen. "I am not surprised at that," commented Mi-. Lloyd George, when informed that a National Government was being formed. It is understood that Mr. Lloyd George's health will excludo him from Cabinet. It is stated that the Labour Cabinet finally, split on the proposed cut of 2s in the weekly dole payments. It is expected that Mr. Arthur Henderson will lead the Labour Opposition when Parliament meets. Labour circles estimate that not more than fifty Labour members will support Mr. MacDonald's new Government. "When it was officially announced from the Palaeo that the formation of a. National Government was under consideration, Mr. George Lansbury, Commissioner of Works, posing for a. photograph on the doorstep of No. 10 Downing Street, as he was going in for a Cabinet meeting, said "It is the last time." Mr. Mac Donald, smiling broadly to the assembled crowd on his way to the Palace, said: "The crisis is ended." One Trades Union Council leader aaid: — "We objected to Mr. Mac Donald's airy, offhand manner with us. This Government was elected by a class to defend a class. At the first big test it runs to make terms 'vrith the other paTties. We think the crisis is artificially created." "The Times" says the collapse of British credit has hit none more severely than the poor. The £50,000,000 granted by the Bank of England is approaching exhaustion. Within a few days further credits must be obtained, and they will be unobtainable unless the Budget is balanced. PASSFIELD RETIRING (British Official Wireleu.) (Received 25th August, 11 a.m.) RUGBY, 24th August. It is understood that Lord Passfield, Minister for the Colonies in the late Labour Administration, will take advantage of the Ministry's resignation to retire from active participation in politics. He stated to-night that he would not be in the new Government. He was to retire in 1929, but on the formation of the Labour Government he was prevailed upon to accept office and join the ranks of Labour Peers.