The Cabinet Changes A Cabinet reconstruction must be considered always
from two points of view—the effect on the efficiency of the Cabinet as a whole and the effect on the efficiency of the Departments primarily affected. As regards the former there can be no question of the effect of last week's changes in the composition of the present Cabinet. Lord Chatfield and Sir Reginald Dorman-Smith come in and Lord Winterton goes out ; the gain on balance is substantial. As regards the Departments it is not necessarily the same story. The Dominions Office will probably be better off with the whole of Sir Thomas Inskip than with half of Mr. Malcolm MacDonald, and the Ministry for the Co-ordination of Defence almost certainly better off with Lord Chatfield than with Sir Thomas Inskip. If it is remarked that a sailor follows a lawyer in a post where the obvious need is for a business man it may be replied that at the Ministry of Agri- culture a farmer is to be given a chance where a doctor and a lawyer have failed. High opinions are held of Lord Chatfield's organising ability, and he will enjoy the consider- able advantage of having Mr. W. S. Morrison associated with him in no very clearly defined capacity. Mr. Morrison's ability is indisputable and it is to be hoped that means will be found to give it scope. He is fit for better things than filling a sinecure office and answering questions on co- ordination in the House of Commons.
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