POSSIBLE CABINET POST

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 19998, 25 July 1939, Page 5

POSSIBLE CABINET POST

MR. WINSTON CHURCHILL CAMPAIGN MORE LIVELY, STIPULATIONS BE LIE VED (Elcc. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) LONDON, July 5. The campaign for the inclusion of Mr. Winston Churchill in the Cabinet has become more lively now that it has been taken up by his political opponents.

The News-Chronicle, Independent Liberal organ, says that the question whether Mr. Churchill shall be invited to the 'Cabinet has come right to the forefront, and that public and Parliamentary opinion is increasingly in favour of his inclusion. • Mr. Chamberlain is, so far, undecided, but a decision is almost certain shortly. His own supporters may force his hand, despite his strong prejudice against Mr. Churchill. Others, however, suggest that Mr. Churchill should be kept in reserve for a graver emergency. Mr. Eden Also Mentioned ■lt is understood that Mr. Churchill would only enter the Cabinet on certain conditions, including strict adherence to Lord Halifax’s antiaggression speech of last Thursday.

Mr. Eden would also be restored to the Cabinet if Mr. Churchill entered it. They would probably take the places of Earl Stanhope, First Lord of the Admiralty, and Lord Runciman.

The lobbies, generally, are agreed that it is immaterial what portfolio Mr. Churchill would take, 'as his presence would be ; a further guarantee that Britain means to fulfil her European pledges, and would strengthen the fibre of the front bench.

The Daily Telegraph, in advocating the inclusion of Mr. Churchill in the Cabinet, states: “His masterful personality antagonises some, but masterful personalities are what the situation demands. He might not be welcomed by all members of the Cabinet, but private feelings 'cannot be allowed to weigh against national interests, and there is no reason to suppose that Mr. Chamberlain would regard Mr. Churchill’s pre-eminent qualities, and the advantage of enlisting them, as 'being outweighed Iby any disadvantages that might be urged. Seen as Urgent Need “It is impossible ‘to ignore the welling up of feeling, not only among the rank and file of the Conservative Party, but also among some of its distinguished members, that Mr. Churchill's inclusion in the Government is an urgent need. In meeting such a view, Mr. Chamberlain -would fulfil the hopes and expectations of a great body of public opinion.”

The (Manchester Guardian opposes any weakening oif the ‘Opposition by the inclusion of members of the Opposition in the Cabinet, but it advocates a Committee of Foreign Policy, including “men like Sir Archibald Sinclair (leader of the Opposition Liberals), Mr. Attlee (Labour leader), and 'Mr. Herbert 'Morrison (Labour).”