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Hokitika Guardian, 26 June 1929, Page 4

There seems to he a general consensus of opinion at Home that Mr MacDonald’s Cabinet represents a good selection from his following, and that the new Ministry contains ample political and administrative ability for all practical purposes. There are some appointments,' however, says an exchange, that may he termed unexpected, and of these the most surprising is the elevation of Mr Sidney AYehb to the highly responsible position of Secretary for State for the Dominions, and h.s elevation to the peerage at the same time. It was originally assumed that Mr J. H. Thomas would hold this office, as in the last Labour Ministry, and no one seems to have suggested or guessed that Air AVehh was

“in the running.” Perhaps the most appropriate comment on this appointment is the information conveyed by a cable message a week ago that “Mr AVebb is busy at the Dominions Office, studying the position, with which' he is not very familiar.” No one is likely to question either Mr Webb's intellectual capacity, his industry, or the remarkable amount of information that he lias at his command. But it may he still open to question whether a man endowed with a mind of thp strictly analytic type, who has spent Ids life dealing with statistics and with abstract theories, is likely to make a success of a position which seems to require above all things practical capacity, freedom from any prejudice in favour of traditions or conventions, and ability to face unexpected emergencies and solve unforeseen problems. Let us hope that Air Sidney AVehh is less of a doctrinaire than he seems, and let us wish him all possible success. It is almost likely there will he a Conference of Dominion representatives this year, whereat Afr AA r ebl> will preside. Doubtless he will have some assistance from Air Thomas, who in. the previous Labour Government made such strides with the work of the same portfolio, that lie won special kudos. ATr Webb still has his spurs to win, but bo has personality and there should really be' no doubt about his making good.