CABINET CHANCES.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXI, Issue 197, 22 July 1941, Page 5

CABINET CHANCES.

MR DUFF-COOPER’S STATUS.

IMPORTANCE OF HIS TASK. LONDON, July 20.

The Daily Mail in a leader says: “The Cabinet changes are just a reshuffle of a too-lamiliar kind. Mr DuffCooper, as Chancellor of the Duchy ot Lancaster, lias apparently not been promoted to War Cabinet rank, unlike Captain Oliver Lyttelton. The Dai Eastern situation justifies the presence of a Minister of the highest status and if there are serious developments there his duties may be even more important than Captain Lyttelton's. Complex national interests converge on Singapore. Britain, the Dominions, America, Era nee, and Holland are all deeply concerned with the Japanese policy, and also supply lines centre upon Singapore from Britain, India and the Dominions. The task of the new Minister calls for outstanding qualities ol diplomacy and statesmanship." The Times in a loader says: “Mr Bracken’s appointment as Minister ol lu format ion should encourage all who hoped to see the niuoli-criticised Ministry of Information emerge from its | troubles and play a constructive part; ui the conduct of the war. Mr Bracken I will not lack knowledge, because lie knows the Press well and is well-known j to the Press lor Ins initiative, energy j and enterprise. No better choice could ! have been made.’’

It, adds. “The Government changes Ho not give the answer to the suggestions urgently and cogently advanced lor clearer control and direction ol the nation’s industrial effort. Tlie reorganisation ol leadership on the industrial front remains of overriding public interest.” The Times Parliamentary correspondent says Mr Duff-Cooper’s special task is presumably not comparable to Captain Lyttelton’s, because he goes to the Far East not as a Minister of State, but as Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. His visit is also apparently temporary, because be is charged with “examining and reporting.”