FORMER MINISTERS

Hokitika Guardian, 19 January 1932, Page 6

FORMER MINISTERS

RETURN TO PREVIOUS CALLINGS IN BRITAIN.

M;R CLYN.ES reading poets

LONDON, January 9

Happy again at their old jobs, including brewing, joinery, engine-driving and mail sorting, describes the present condition of many Labour Ministers and members of the House of Commons who lost their seats at the general election.

They no longer find policemen holding up .the traffic on their behalf il they happen to go toward Westminster, and they miss other privileges of the legislator, but nevertheless they are philosophical, and generally anticipate the political .whirligig to restore them to Whitehall -and Westminster.

The most romantic figure among former .Ministers is the white-haired Mr H. C. Charletbn, former Junior Lord of the Treasury.

With several other former members of the House- of Commons lie has returned to the footplate, while Mr C. F. Sawyer has been re-employed as a goods train guard.

Mr S. I’. Viant, who was Assistant Postmaster-General at a salary oi £I3OO, is re-engaged at his old trade of carpentering, making doors and windowframes .at Camberwell. He rises at l a.m. and arrives at the job early. He says it is a joy to’ use the old tools again, and that he is one of the happiest of the defeated members.

Mr ErtWst Thurtie, former Whip, nas become a brewers’ liaison officer. He visits 70 chilis to see that they get the right beer and good service. .Mr J. R. Clynes. who was Home Secretary at a salary of £SOOO, has been re-engaged by a trade union organisation. He says he is enjoying a quiet life, re-reading' his favourite poets—Shelby, (Masefield and Drinkwater. Mr Jack Hayes, ex-viee-chamberlain of the Royal Household and a lormer policeman., is contributing articles to the 'Police Reyiew.”

Dr Shiels,; \vlu> was Under-Secretary for Colonies,ii's re-engaging in medical work, lecturing and writing. Many defeated members are still workless, especially miners, although out of 25 ’several have rejoined trades union offiebddom.