INTERNAL SEQUEL

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 73, 23 February 1938, Page 9

INTERNAL SEQUEL

GREAT CHANGES FORECAST. RECONSTRUCTION OF CABINET? PROBLEMS FOR PREMIER. (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) Received February 23, 8.5 a.m. LONDON, Feb. 22. The Associated Press political correspondent says that future great and far’-reacliing changes, not only in Britain’s foreign policy, but in internal politics, will be the squel to Mr Neville Chamberlain’s emergence over Mr R. A. Eden. Cabinet reconstruction is certain in the near future and will involve the retirement of at least’two Cabinet members, which, because of the week-end’s events, would be most embarrassing at the moment.

Mr A. Duff-Cooper (Minister for War) and Mr Oliver Stanley (President of the Boai'd of Trade), whose handling of their respective offices is increasingly disappointing, may go, but Mr Chamberlain, apart from the difficulty of discovering the additional Cabinet members, lias bis greatest problem in appointing Mr Eden’s successor. Not a single person in the front bench can command Parliament’s and the country’s confidence as Foreign Secretary. Consequently, lie lias not hesitated at present to direct the Foreign Office himself, assisted by Lord Halifax, who, however, may be fitted for the portfolio, is unacceptable because he sits in the Upper House.