British Premier’s Retirement Predicted

Manawatu Times, Volume LV, Issue 6839, 21 April 1932, Page 6

British Premier’s Retirement Predicted

RELAPSE OF EYE AILMENT MAY FORCE STEP. San Francisco Press Broadcast. LONDON, April 20. Early retirement of Prime Minister J. Ramsay MacDonald from active political life was predicted by politicians of all parties to-day on the heels of an official announcement that he had suffered a relapse in the eye ailment which recently necessitated a delicate operation. Intimates of the Prime Minister admitted that the state of his eye will prevent him from doing any large amount of documentary reading in the future. As such work is regarded as essential in the post of Premier, his resignation is expected to follow in due course.

Disquieting' Symptoms LONDON, April 19. An official bulletin says the improvement in Mr Ramsay MacDonald’s eyesight has not been maintained, but the specialists are allowin' ’dm to go to Geneva by aeroplane to-morrow provided he devotes three hours daily to relaxation. The Daily Express says two dramatic episodes preceded the issue of the bulletin disclosing that Mr MacDonald’s eyesight was still unsatisfactory. The first occurred at a Cabinet meeting when the Prime Minister suddenly announced: “I am sorry I cannot go on. We must adjourn at once.” Late.on Monday night, Mr MacDonald was walking up the stairs of the House of Commons, when he suddenly became practically blind for a few moments. His friends were much disturbed, but medical assurances were forthcoming.