HE IS OUR EMANUEL!

Wanganui Chronicle, 8 December 1950, Page 4

HE IS OUR EMANUEL!

I\/IR. SHINWELL’S position in the United Kingdom Cabinet must iVI now be one of considerable difficulty. His speech was too ■near the knuckle to be tactful and the public repudiation of his utterance by a Junior member of the Cabinet from the same front bench as that which Mr. Shinwell occupied followed as an impel ative necessity for the txlks now proceeding between Mr. Attlee and Mr. Truman. The question arises as to why Mr. Shinwell made the speech at the time that he did. It would appeal on it > face to be an attempt to dissociate his party and Government from the results of the Korean campaign. If there is any other motive then it is not as yet apparent. “No one can say that Mr. Shinwell lacks courage, states the Sunday Times of October 29. “But at times he has laid himself open to the charge of having more courage than discretion. His notorious ‘tinker’s cuss’ speech is still remembered.

“His appointment to the War Office after a not very successful tenure of the Ministry of Fuel and Power was much criticised, but among those in a position to judge criticism was quickly stilled. As Secretary of War lie served the army and his country well. The Army chiefs appreciated his skill in mastering a brief, his quickness in decision. “Manny” always stands up foi his Department, and his colleagues and officials respect him for it. His naturally pugnacious personality helped him in a fight with the Treasury when Mr. Gaitskell recently tried—by all accounts with scant success—to cut the demands of the Services. “It was no secret that the War Secretary wanted the Defence Ministry. Now he has got it—the most important job in his career, and one of the most important in the Government. If he succeeds in it much will be forgiven him. Men of courage are needed n. public life; but so arc men of perception and discretion. Mr. Shinwell’s courage and perceptiveness are not in question Maybe he will also achieve discretion, recognising Unit solid goodwill earned at the desk may all too quickly be dissipated on the platform. Prophetic words these! _ ,