GREAT BRITAIN.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16416, 9 January 1919, Page 7

GREAT BRITAIN.

MACHINERY OF GOVERNMENT. REFORMS RECOMMENDED. (By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) LONDON, January 7. The committee appointed under the presidency of Lord Haldane to inquire into the machinery of Government, recommends that the Cabinet should consist of ten, and not more than twelve, members It should be supplied with information in 6uch a way as to enable it io reach an expeditious decision. The Cabinet should also mako a point of consulting all the Ministers whoso work is likely to affect its decision. The committee, commenting on the non-utilisation of women's services in the Administrative Department and Intelligence Branches, says that the public service hitherto has been deprived of their vast knowledge and fresh ideas, which for particplar purposes have been more valuable than oven tboeo of the ablest men in the Civil Service. The committee recommends closer Parliamentary control over the administrative departments, the appointment of a Minister to preside over an Empire Department of Industrial Resoarch, instancing the importance of the work achieved during the war by the Privy Council organisation to encourage the application of science to industry. It discountenances forming special Ministries for various classes of the community, which are less effective than a department, concentrating on the needs of the community as a whole. There must be better communication between the various departments, instead of their working in water-tight compartments. The committee advocates the creation of a Afinistry of Railways if these aro nationalised, also a Ministry for the purchase of Government supplies. The Home Secretaryship should bo transformed into a Ministry of Justice, and all judges should be appointed by the Lord Chancellor. PARLIAMENTARY LABOUR PARTY. (Australian and N.Z. CaMe Association.) (Renter's Telegrams.) (Received January Bth, 7.5 p.m.) LONDON, January 7. The Parliamentary Labour Party has appointed Mr W. Adamson chairman and Mr J. R. Clynes vice-chair-man. It has also decided to conduct an effective official opposition in the House of Commons. THE NEW CABINET. RUMOURED APPOINTMENTS. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) (Received January Bth, 10.20 p.m.) LONDON, January 7. The newspapers state that Mr Winston Churchill has accepted office as Secrotary of State for War, and Mr Austen Chamberlain as Chancellor of the Exchequer.