The Waikato Times TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 1939 BRITISH CABINET CHANGES

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20718, 31 January 1939, Page 6

The Waikato Times TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 1939 BRITISH CABINET CHANGES

Changes in the British Cabinet, which came as a surprise to the pubhc, may have important results within Britain and in the Dominions. Admiral Lord Chatfleld’s assumption of responsibility for the most troublesome portfolio in the Cabinet, the Co-ordination of etence, will receive a popular welcome, but for the Dominions the most important change is the allocation of the Ministry of Agriculture to Sir Reginald Dorman-Smith and the appointment of Sir Inomas Inskip as Secretary of State for (he Dominions.

Agricultural policy in Britain has long been the subject of serious complaint by British farmers. Sir Reginald Dorman-Smith was president of the farmers’ national organisation, and his appointment can be taken as a concession to the demands of the National farmers Union. Sir Reginald has been a forcible advocate of regulation of imports for the protection of British farmers, and the cevelopment of his policy will he watched with particular interest in the Dominions. The change in this Ministry will cause no particular surprise because the former Minister, Mr W. S. Morrison, was subjected to a continuous barrage of protests from agriculturists. It is not improbable that with the new Minister in control the subjects of regulation and quotas for Dominion produce will assume a fresh importance.

Admiral Lord Chatfield brings to the Ministry for the Co-ordina-tion oi Defence an outstanding record of service and administration, the portfolio has given much difficulty ever since the rearmament of Britain was begun. Searching inquiries and sustained criticism have from tune to time disclosed grave weaknesses in Britain's preparedness for an emergency. The strong hand of Sir .John Anderson was requisitioned for the reorganisation of civilian defence, and now the keen brain and driving force of Admiral Lord Chatfield have been called upon tor the all-important co-ordination of the defence forces. The lesult is increased confidence and the expectation of greater vim in the organisation of the country’s fighting strength.

The replacement of Mr Malcolm MacDonald in the Dominions Office by Sir*Thonias Inskip will cause some surprise, though it was known that Mr MacDonald held the Dominions Office temporarily while administering the Colonial Office. Mr MacDonald’s recent warning to the Dominions of the need for closer unity with Britain and a greater patriotic effort was the subject of severe criticism by some political sections in Britain, and was apparently regarded much more seriously there than in the Dominions, where it was recognised as timely and in the interests of Imperial defence. That incident, however, was not regarded as of sufficient importance to cause any disturbance of the Cabinet. It is more probable that the change is simply a reversion to the policy of administering the affairs of the Dominions and the Colonies under the two separate heads.