TEMPORARY OFFICE

Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 48, 26 February 1938, Page 9

TEMPORARY OFFICE

LORD HALIFAX'S WISH

DURING FOREIGN TALKS

(Received February 26, 12.30 p.m.) LONDON, February 25.

The Australian Associated Press agency says that the announcement that Lord Halifax will remain Lord President of the Council is regarded as confirmation of the earlier belief that Mr Chamberlain contemplates Cabinet reconstruction It is known that Lord Halifax informed Mr. Chamberlain that he did not desire to couple the two portfolios. Lord Halifax does not want to remain Foreign Secretary indefinitely, but is prepared to camon during the Anglo-Italian and AngloGerman negotiations.

Lord Halifax Is essentially a moderate Conservative, and is a kindly country gentleman. He is one of the most influential members of the Government behind the scenes, and his colleagues regard him as indispensable. He believes that war must be avoided at all costs and that Britain must reach an agreement with the dictators.

Mr. Butler's appointment is likely to be popular. He is one of the few coming young men, and is an excellent linguist

Mr. Lennox-Boyd is an active young Conservative. His appointment will certainly arouse opposition and fury, because he has frequently made speeches in the House of Commons In

favour of General Franco.

Mr. Chamberlain's refusal to meet the Opposition Leader's request that the new Foreign Secretary should be a membei in the House of Commons angers the Opposition, but he then compromised by assuming the responsibility for all major aspects of foreign affairs in the House of Commons, and by reducing Mr.- Butler's responsibilities mostly to departmental duties.