Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. FRIDAY, MAY 8th., 1936. BRITISH PREMIERSHIP.

Greymouth Evening Star, 8 May 1936, Page 6

Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. FRIDAY, MAY 8th., 1936. BRITISH PREMIERSHIP.

r J’IIINGS are not going too well with the Baldwin Ministry, these days, and it need cause

pttle surprise if important changes in the Cabinet are duly announced. Wednesday’s by-election, is of little consequence, as Peckham has been Labour previously, the prestige of the late Earl Beatty helping his son to win for the Conservatives. Other recent by-elections have gone against the Government, and some of these reverses were not expected, and strengthened the case of those who claim that the nation is becoming dissatisfied with Ministerial leadership. Mr. Baldwin is personally populate and respected, owing to his high character and proved patriotism, but many are asking if he is “strong” enough to lead Britain’s destinies in these critical days. He has an-j nouneed his own desire to retire as soon as the time is opportune, and has intimated that this would be after the Coronation next year. It is beginning to appear that he may be persuaded to resign earlier. Some of his supporters have been critical of late. Sir Austen Chamberlain, -who, although he has retired from Ministerial life, commands much influence in the Conservative ranks, rebuked Mr. Baldwin for giving the House of Commons misleading information about the strength of the German Air Force, and has been a candid friend on other occasions. Sir Austen’s opposition to the continued enforcement of Sanctions, now that the Abyssinian War has ended, will be endorsed by many in and out of Parliament. Mr. Baldwin’s part in the events that led to the resignation of Sir S. Hoare as Foreign Secretary, weakened the Prime Minister’s prestige, and his selection of Sir T. Inskip as the Minister for Co-ordinating Defence, was a surprise to all, and a disappointment to some. Among these latter, was Mr. Winston Churchill, who is seeking a comeback to the Cabinet. None doubts his abilities, but few men

have aroused more controversy, his apparent opportunism being one point of attack by bis detractors. In the Foreign Affairs debate in the Commons, on Wednesday, Mr. Churchill denounced Air. Baldwin’s “dictatorship,” especially in the way of. Ministerial appointments. This censure may have been due to Mr. Churchill’s annoyance at not being appointed as First Lord of the Admiralty, or as Minister of Co-ordinated Defence, each of which offices, or both, he has little doubt he could fill capably. Possibly he could; and judging from his speeches, there would be no lack of “strength” in the administration, nor in the attitude towards other countries. Whether this would prove to Britain’s welfare, is another (piestion.

If there is any early change in the Premiership, Mr. Neville Chamberlain seems to have the best chance of succeeding his present chief. As Chancellor of the Exchequer, he has done well, and he is “safe” in most directions. His father (the late Mr. Joseph Chamberlain) and his brother (Austen) failed to achieve the ambition to become Prime Minister, although each, at one time, seemed certain of attaining such high position. Circumstances went against them, Sir Austen, when the chance came, displaying self-sacrifice in the interests of his Party. Air. Neville has not the debating abilities of his elder brother, and has not, hitherto, been regarded as bf so high class a politician as his father, or brother. It will be ironical if the weakest of the three, and the less ambitious, should gain unsought, what the others keenly desired, but failed to achieve.