LORD HALIFAX.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 77, 28 February 1938, Page 2

LORD HALIFAX.

INDISPENSABLE TO CABINET. COUPLING TWO POSITIONS. Received February 26. ]2.35 p.m. . LONDON, Feb. 25. The Australian Associated Press says: “The announcement that Lord Halifax will retain the Lord Presidentship of the Council is regarded as confirmation of the 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 carry on during the negotiations between England and Italy and England and Germany. “Lord Halifax is essentially a moderate Conservative and a kindly country gentleman.. He is one of Ihe most influential members of the Government behind the scenes. 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 R. A. Butler’s appointment is likely to be popular. He is one of the few coming young men and is an excellent linguist. “Mr Lennox Bovd is an active young Conservative. His appointment will certainly arouse the Opposition fury because he frequently made proFranco speeches in the'House of Commons. “Mr Chamberlain’s refusal to meet the request of the Leader of the Onposition (Mr C. It. Attlee) that the Foreign Secretary should be in the House of Commons will anger the Opposition, but he compromised by assuming the responsibility of all major aspects of foreign affairs in the House of Commons, reducing Mr Butler’s responsibilities mostly To departmental duties.”