22 OCTOBER 1921, Page 3

The long-deferred resignation of Sir Eric Geddes, as Minister of

Transport, has now taken effect. In so far as his resignation implies the demolition of the grandiose and costly Ministry which he set up it is to be heartily welcomed. The country simply cannot afford such luxuries. One by one the very highly-paid officials of the Ministry are resigning, and it is generally assumed—we hope with reason—that the supervision of the railways will again be entrusted to a modest branch of the Board of Trade. Sir Eric Geddes is now devoting his talents, as a member of Lord Inchcape's Committee on National Expenditure, to the task of reducing the cost of the departments. If he can save public money as easily as he contrived to spend it, Sir Eric Geddes may yet deserve well of his country.