Manawatu Evening Standard. WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 1941. THE BRITISH CABINET.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXI, Issue 198, 23 July 1941, Page 6

Manawatu Evening Standard. WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 1941. THE BRITISH CABINET.

Criticism of Hie British Government’s direction of the nation’s industrial effort has been freely expressed of late and the changes in Cabinet announced this week arc not regarded as an answer to it. But however much they may fail public opinion they are interesting because of the marked , developments that have lately taken place in British policy. Members of Cabinet have been appointed to important posts in the Dominions, and Captain Lyttelton has been chosen as the Government’s representative in the Middle East to share in the administrative work there. The most important change now announced covers the appointment of Mr Duff Cooper (Minister of Information) as Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and his trans lation to the Ear East to “examine the present arrangements for consultation and co-ordination between the various British authorities—military, administrative, and political—in those regions, and to report to Cabinet on how these arrangements can be made more effective.” There may be serious developments in the Ear East at any time; it all depends on the new Japanese Cabinet’s policy, and it is manifestly correct to have a capable Minister there to guide the War Cabinet. Singapore has a new meaning to-day for the Empire, and it is not without significance that large reinforcements of the Royal Air Force are arriving there. Mr Cooper’s appointment, however, differs seemingly from Captain Lyttelton’s in that he is to study the situation and report —probably a temporary duty—whereas Captain Lyttelton’s task may well extend throughout the war. Mr Cooper should be eminently fitted for the work that confronts him. The Prime Minister has answered the criticism of the Ministry of Information with the appointment of Mr Brendan Bracken (his Parliamentary private secretary) to the Department’s charge, Mr Bracken is a newspaper man who “knows the Press well and is well-known to the Press for his initiative, energy, and enterprise.” No better choice could have been made is the opinion of the London Times. The Ministry ; has been accused freely of lacking, 1 J imagination, the power to turn a j ■ British achievement to good ac- j 1 count with its presentation to the 1 public in the best form, and with ‘ lack of constructive ideas. Propaganda has a psychological effect upon people; Hitler has used it , with tremendous force, and the i weapon so skilfully forged by his i henchmen has won him impressive J victories. Clever propaganda, < differing in whole from the Hit- 1 lerian model, and the presentation 1 1 of news in a manner which will! j thrill the Empire with the deeds i, of its brave men has been wanted i from the Ministry of Informa- 1 tion. Mr Bracken should remedy , the Department’s deficiencies. '| *