BRITISH CABINET IN OFFICE

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXIX, Issue 20132, 12 June 1935, Page 9

BRITISH CABINET IN OFFICE

STURDY DEFENCE OF RESHUFFLING STATEMENT ON INDIAN POLICY British Official Wireless RUGBY, June 8. The reconstruction of Cabinet was effected with a remarkable expedition and a minimum of excitement. During the afternoon Mr Ramsay Macdonald was addressing the House of Commons on defence questions as Prime Minister. On leaving the House he drove to Buckingham Palace and within the next 25 hours all formalities In connection with the change-over were completed and the new Prime Minister had issued his Cabinet list. The Liberal Nationals have an additional seat owing to the advancement of Mr Ernest Brown to be Minister of Labour; and the Conservatives also have one additional Cabinet Minister.

The average age of members of Cabinet is 54 years, compared with 57 in the late Cabinet. This reduction is due mainly to the promotion of three members who are in the thirties. The youngest member is Mr Malcolm Macdonald, 33 years. Mr R. A. Eden is 38 and Mr Oliver Stanley 39. In the new Cabinet, for the first time for 70 years, father and son, Messrs Ramsay and Malcolm Macdonald, are members.

It is understood that the late Prime Minister, whose office of Lord President af the Council is a sinecure, will have special responsibility for the co-ordina-tion of the activities of the defence forces and will be chairman of the subcommittee of the Committee of Imperial Defence. CONTROL OF INDIA NO CHANGE IN POLICY CONTEMPLATED British Official Wireless RUGBY, June 8. Lord Zetland issued the following statement on taking office as Secretary of State for India:—“l am naturally gratified at the opportunity of being associated once more in so intimate a manner with the destinies of India. I realise that the future constitution is already in shape and that the task which falls to my lot is not to draft the measure, but rather to aid in piloting the existing bill through the final stages to the Statute Book, and thereafter to join with Lord Willingdon, Viceroy, in bringing the new form of Government into operation. Credit for the bill will remain for all time with Sir Samuel Hoare. “Perhaps I should add that it has always been my view that reasonable continuity of policy is essential in relations between Great Britain and India. In this case the continuity will be easy and natural, for my views and those of Sir Samuel Hoare on the Indian Constitution have been formed in almost complete sympathy with one another during the long process of investigation at the Round Table Conferences and by the Joint Select Committee in which he and I have taken part. "I do not underestimate the difficulties of the task before me, but from the sympathy of many personal friends whom I am fortunate enough to possess in India, I shall hope to derive encouragement and strength.”