The Prime Minister is credited in some quarters with the
intention of once again re-shuffling his Ministry before the year is out. It is difficult to see how another exchange of offices could appreciably add either to the efficiency or the prestige of the Government. The electors must already be feeling a little bewildered at the kaleidoscopic metamorphoses of the Treasury Bench. They would in all likelihood be far more impressed if the basis of the administration were broadened. The National Government has now been in office for nearly seven years and it is not surprising that its personnel should need strengthening. Mr. Chamberlain's own reputation stands as high as ever it did. But with the possible exceptions of Mr. Hore-Belisha and Sir Kingsley Wood it is difficult to think of any of his colleagues who have recently achieved any conspicuous successes. There are, on the other hand, one or two Ministers who, from a House of Commons point of view, ere definitely sources of weakness. There is no shortage of talent on the Conservative benches and it would not be difficult to find substitutes whose appoint- ment would be approved both in and out of Parliament.
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