BRITISH CABINET

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22429, 27 May 1936, Page 13

BRITISH CABINET

CHANGES DISCUSSED MR. THOMAS CLEARS UP POSITION OF MR. MacDONALD By Telegraph—rress Association—Copyright (Received May 26. 7.5 p.m.) LONDON, May 25 Cabinet changes were widely discussed at the week-end. What the News Chronicle describes as an anti Baldwin " shadow Cabinet" met yesterday at Earl Winterton's home, Shillingleo Park, Chiddingfold, Surrey. Those present were Sir Austen Chamberlain, Sir Robert Home, Sir H. Page Croft and Sir Edward Grigg.

The News Chroniclo surmises that' Cabinet reconstruction was discussed, but Earl Winterton insists that it was a private party. He says ho is astonished at the stories concerning tho party. It was arranged weeks ago. The Daily Mail states that Mr. J. H. Thomas has no intention of resigning tho Derby seat.

Mr. Thomas spent seven hours at the Colonial Office to-day clearing up State papers and signing documents. Four vanloads of furniture were removed from his flat in Morpeth Mansions into storage. Sir. Thomas' early departure was unexpected. The Times says that though the structure of tho National Government is sound enough the facade is beginning to wear a little thin. It alludes to the criticism that Mr. Baldwin has lost his grip on affairs, but says the real significance of the Conservative Party's private dinner is that Mr. Baldwin should have convinced so many members of tho House of Commons that whatever else is amiss the Ministry and its leader have neither lost heart nor interest.

It is believed that Mr. Baldwin had set himself the task of standing by the new Sovereign during the early months of his reign, also that of making some definite contribution toward the appeasement of Europe. It would be a profound misfortune, says the Times, to change British leadership just when the latter decision seems to be in sight. A widespread rumour that Mr. Ramsay Mac Donald's resignation is imminent is authoritatively denied.

" There is not, a word of truth in it." This denial from Mr. Mac Donald ended a day of rumours that he intended to resign.

COAL MINES BILL LABOUR OPPOSITION ABANDONMENT BY GOVERNMENT (Received May 26, 5.15 p.m.) LONDON, May 25 The Government has abandoned the Coal Mines Bill Which roused considerable Labour opposition on the occasion of its second reading in the House of Commons.

* The Government suffered what was described as a humiliation in the House of Commons on May 19. The President of the Board of Trade, Mr. Walter Runeiman, in moving the second reading of the Coal Mines Bill, described the amendments the Government proposed to make. Labour members protested that they were confronted with a new bill which made concessious to the owners' point of view, indicating that the Government did not know its own mind. Mr. Winston Churchill supported the Labour members' view. Mr. Baldwin surrendered and promised another day for a debate. In the meantime he would circulate a White Paper explaining the concessions. The Times commented that the Government had suffered a detraction which it might not be easy to retrieve.