17 APRIL 1964, Page 8

Spectator's Notebook

THE news of Winston Field's resignation as Prime Minister has been inter- preted in the press and at Westminster in many different ways. A foolish few are openly delighted. The soft centre manage to be unconcerned and uneasy at the same time. The rest, and on this issue at least they are, I am sure, a majority, are frankly dismayed. This is largely because either at first or at second hand they know a good deal about Winston Field. Those who (like Quoodle) served with him in the war drew comfort from his uncomplicated devotion to the Crown and to this country. Those who (like Quoodle) were present at the famous Chequers weekend three years ago know that Field's relationships with Dr. Banda were and are warm and friendly. But, of course, if you get on well with Africans you become an object of deep distrust to the Bourbons of the European community. Mr. Smith's new Cabinet is in little danger of this.