The 'Government Changes
The country has been mystified by the shuffling of the personnel of the Government and above all by the retirement of Sir Stafford Cripps from the War Cabinet and his appointment to a primarily administrative office as Minister of Aircraft Production. The fact that Sir Stafford has no solid party backing in Parliament should weigh for nothing in war-time, and there would be much uneasiness if it were felt that that consideration had anything to do with the change. When he was first appointed to the War Cabinet there was widespread satisfaction that a man with so active a mind and so much courage in the expression of his views should have been introduced to the inner counsels of the Government ; and at a time' when fresh thought about reconstruction is more urgent than ever his presence in the Cabinet was taken as an assurance that the views of the Left as well as the Right would be given full weight, and that the progressive spirit in the country would not be dis- appointed in the' days of settlement. Now the country is left wondering. Sir Stafford has had no previous experience in a great administrative office such as he has now assumed ; but in accepting it he commands respect for the disinterestedness with which he has put himself at the Prime Minister's disposal. If his withdrawal from the War Cabinet is surprising, still more is his replacement by Mr. Herbert Morrison, who as Home Secretary and Minister of Home Security is one of the busiest men in the Govern- ment, and lacks that freedom from departmental duties which is so necessary for a member of the War Cabinet. Again, Mr. Eden is admirably qualified to be Leader of the House of Commons, but with his duties at the Foreign Office and in the War Cabinet he was already heavily burdened. Nor is there ground for anything but • disappointment that Lord Cranborne, who had made so recent and admirable a start at the Colonial Office, should leave it for a sinecure post at a time when Colonial policy is a matter of world importance. On the whole little ground can be found for com- mendation in the changes, and some for misgiving.
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