PEOPLE AND THINGS
By HAROLD NICOLSON
OME amusement (and we are in need of amusement) 13 has been caused during the last days by the Ministry of Information. It is not in any sense malicious amuse- ment, since most sensible people realise that the Ministry :ontains men of first-rate ability who will soon be doing use- ful and efficient work. But for the moment the cumbersome movements of this gigantic bulk raise a smile in the darkness. It is as if a Judge, an ex-Ambassador, a Treasury Official, an Indian Civil Servant, plus the whole Chatham House set, were suddenly placed in charge of the ' Queen Mary ' and told to take her rapidly out to sea. Round and round she circles in majestic trepidation, while the military on the banks tell her to turn to the left, while the naval authorities yell at her to veer to starboard, and while the air-folk circle over her advising her not to budge an inch. In a few days now the rudder will be righted, the charts will be spread out in the chart-room, the navigators will take control, and this fine vessel will sweep out confidently beyond the Needles. Everybody will settle down to a particular job. The Minis- try will become one of the most efficient and vital Depart- ments of State. It will hum happily like a hive.
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