CHOICE CRITICISED

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 65, 17 March 1936, Page 7

CHOICE CRITICISED

BRITISH DEFENCE MINISTER “SEVERE PUBLIC MISFORTUNE. ’ ’ LONDON' PRESS VIEWS. Received March 16, 5.5 p.m. LONDON, March 15. The Prime Minister’s choice of Sir Thomas Inskip, Attorney-General since 1932, for the new Cabinet position uf “Minister of the Crown for Co-ordina-tion of Defence” was unexpected in political circles,» and comment of this morning’s papers is largely expressive of this surprise. But except for one or two doubts expressed as to whether the new Minister, who is known chiefly as an able lawyer and a doughty champion against reform of the Prayer Book, has sufficient imagination and receptiveness to new ideas for the great task which lies before him, the selection is generally well received. It is recognised that an overmastering consideration in the Premier’s mind in rejecting other candidates whose names have been canvassed widely in the last few weeks been the desire that the new Minister should not have previous political connections with one or other of the Defence Departments, nor be prominently associated in the public mind with particular international policies, so that, as The Times says, his appointemnt “at this particular moment in the world's affairs might bn misunderstood or misrepresented. ’ ’ The newspapers refer to -Sir Thomas Inskip’s trained legal mind as an asset in his new work, and The Times draws a happy augury for his success in the pre-war precedent of Lord Haldane. “Grave Matter for Nation.“ The Observer, in an editorial, regards Sir Thomas Inskip's appointment as astonishing, and declares that an admirable man was never appointed lo a more inappropriate office. “This is a grave matter for the nation,” it adds. “Mr. Baldwin has moved in a mysterious way in connection with important offices. There can be no safely depending on ’.iirn in defence, issues. The appointment is a severe public misfort uno.” The duties of Minister for Co-ordina-tion of Defence, as explained by *he Prime Minister in the House of Commons on February 27, will include the deputy chairmanship of the Committee nf Imperial Defence and general dav to-day supervision of the development of the defence programme. An important aspect, of the work will bo in relation to the organisation of industry to meet the requirements of the expansion of defences contemplated under the Government’s plan.

RIOTING IN SPAIN MANY VIOLENT SCENES DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY MADRID, March 15. Serioik- rioting occurred early 1 h morning in the town of Logrono. Th riots followed a clash between’ Hocia ists and Faschits. Four churches, tw convent 5 , the Catholic Club, and th Fascist Club wore burned down. Or man was killed and six seriousl wounded. Police and troops have ri stored oil m