MR. BALDWIN RESIGNS

Greymouth Evening Star, 29 May 1937, Page 7

MR. BALDWIN RESIGNS

TRIBUTES TO SERVICES "IDEAL PRIME MINISTER”

[by CABLE —PRESS ASSN. —COPYRIGHT.]

LONDON, May 28

Sitting well back in his motor-car, hatless, and smoking his pipe, the Prime Minister, Mr. Stanley Baldwin, arrived at Buckingham Palace at 9.30 a.m.

He was immediately ushered into the King’s presence. He tendered his resignation and advised His Majesty to commission Mr. Neville. Chamberlain to form a Cabinet. The King accepted the resignation and acted on Mr. Baldwin’s advice. A handful of spectators cheered Mr, Baldwin as he left the Palace, carrying Their Majesties’ parting gift, signed photographs.

Mr. Chamberlain arrived at the Palace later, accompanied by a Scotland Yard official.

Newspapers unite in paying tribute to Mr. Baldwin. They declare that he ■made an ideal Prime Minister, and has chosen to retire at the moment when his prestige stands highest.

Both “The Times” and the “Herald” agree that his apparent simplicity disguised the rarest political acumen.

Dominion representatives joined in the tributes.

Mr. Savage said: I regret his retirement. I found him a man of intense human interests, of the kindliest disposition, and a great philosopher. He has been a great influence in strengthening British democracy, and clearly expressed the ideals of democracy aims. General Hertzog said the Dominions would always remember him with the greatest affection. x Mr. Lyons said that Mr. Baldwin typified much of what was best in British character. He earned the respect of all classes. TITLES CONFERRED LONDON, May 28. The King has approved of an Earldom for Mr. Baldwin. Mr Baldwin has been appointed a Knight of the Garter. Mrs. Baldwin is created a Dame Grand Cross of the British Empire. Mr. Runciman is granted a Viscountcy. , Sir John Davidson is granted a Viscountcy. /

Sir Geoffrey Storrs Fry, Mr. Baldwin’s personal secretary, is awarded a K.C.B.

HOLIDAY AT CHEQUERS

[BRITISH OFFICIAL WIRELESS.]

RUGBY, May 28

A meeting of the Conservative Party to appoint Mr Neville Chamberlain to succeed Mr Baldwin as leader, will be held on Monday. Lord Halifax will preside, and it is understood that" Mr Baldwin will not be present. Mr and Mrs Baldwin are leaving London to-day to spend a few weeks at Chequers, while their new London home is being prepared for occupation.

Meanwhile, the new Prime Minister will move into Number Ten, Downing Street.

MORE BY-ELECTIONS.

RUGBY, May 28. In addition to seven by-elections now pending, three seats in the Commons become vacant, owing to the elevation to the Lords of M.’s P. announced in to-day’s honours list. The seats are those at present held by Mr Baldwin in the Bewdley Division, Worcestershire, Sir J. Davidson, National Conservative in Hemel Hempstead Division of Herefordshire and Mr Runciman. CABINET RECONSTRUCTION. (Received May 29, 10 a.m.) . LONDON,’ May 28. Cabinet changes are: — Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury: Mr Chamberlain. Lord President: Lord Halifax. Chancellor of the Exchequer: Sir J. Simon. Home Secretary: Sir S. Hoare. Privy Seal: Earl De La Warr. Secretary for War: Mr' MoreBelisha.

Board of Trade: Hon. Oliver Stanley. Admiralty: Mr Duff-Cooper. Education: Earl Stanhope. Transport: Dr. Burgin. Commissioner of Works (no Cabinet rank): Sir P. Sassoon. Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster: Earl Winterton. The remainder of the offices are Unchanged.

FURTHER PARTICULARS. RUGBY, May 28. • Mr Neville Chamberlain’s Cabinet is composed of twenty-one members, one less than Mr Baldwin’s. The Ministers who continue in the same offices are:— Lord Chancellor: Viscount Hailsham. Foreign Secretary: Mr Eden. Dominions Secretary: Mr Malcolm MacDonald. Secretary for India and Burma: Lord Zetland.

Colonial Secretary: Hon. Ormsby Gore. Minister of Co-ordination for Defence: Sir T. Inskip. Air Secretary: Lord Swinton. Secretary to Scotland: Walter Elliot. Minister of Agriculture: Mr Morrison. Minister of Health: Sir C. Kingsley Wood'. Minister of Labour: Ernest Brown. The Cabinet, is composed of fifteen Conservatives. four Liberal Nationals. and two National Labour members.

Ministers affected by the change in the Cabinet were received by the King at a Privy Council meeting. They exchanged seals, took oaths, and kissed hands on their appointments. Mr Savage and the Canadian Minister of Justice, Mr Lapointe, attended the Council meeting. The Duke of Kent, who was made a Privy Councillor in the Honours List, was introduced into the Council. There are a considerable number of changes among junior Ministers, including the following: Captain Euan Wallace, who led the British delegation at the Montreux Conference on regime of capitulations in Egypt, leaves the Department, of Overseas Trade, to become Parliamentary’ Sec-

retary’ to the Board of Trade, and is succeeded by Mr ”R. S. 1 Indsoti,' former Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Health, a position which is taken by a newcomer to Ministerial ranks, Mr R. H. Bernays, Liberal National member of Parliament. Lord Cranborne and Lord Plymouth remain .as Parliamentary Under Secretaries for Foreign Affairs. The law officers and the Scottish law officers remain unchanged, as do also 1 the Postmaster General, the Minister of Pensions. and Financial Secretary to the Treasury. Captain Margesson continues as Chief Whip.