25 DECEMBER 1936, Page 3

One of the weaknesses of the present Government is that

so few men take office in it with any apparent previous- conception of what they want to do when they are in control. In the old days the best men went to departments to carry out some specific policy which it had been for years their cherished ambition, to embody in legislation. This was particularly true of the pre-War Liberal administration. Nowadays men achieve high office on no better recommendation than a pleasing -personality or a good record With the Whips.