The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 13, 1916.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 December 1916, Page 4

The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 13, 1916.

* BRITAIN'S WAR CABINET. Those who are acquainted sufficiently with the capabilities of the leading politicians of the Motherland cannot fail to be impressed with the fact that the outstanding features of Mr. Lloyd George's Ministry are its exceptional strength and comprehensiveness of representation. On paper, it is tiic strong-

sst combination v.'ithin living- memory, and great prominence lias been given to Labor, for the urgent reason that to win the war will largely "depend. on Labor's efforts. It o's evident that in carrying, out the difficult task ot firming a special Ministry for war purposes, Mr. Lloyd George has acted with consummate boldness and exceptional foretight. A number of ns»" portfolios have been created, and only eight members of the late Ministr-y retain the positions they held. In estimating the strength of the new Government, it has tc be 'remembered that the actual Executive Cabinet will only consist of five War Ministers, the departmental members nil co-operating in the one great aim of organising- the resources of the nation so as to secure the greatest efficiency in order to win the war. It will be noticed that there are sixteen new members of the Government, each of wnom has been chosen regardless of party ties, but solely on account of his fitness for the position to which he has been assigned. As Prime Minister, Mr. Lloyd George is a tower of strength, energy and determination. Among those who in the .past have done yeoman service in the Asquitb Ministry and have accepted office under Mr. Lloyd George are such trusted and capable administrators as Mr. Balfour, Mr. Uonar Law, Air. Long, Mr. Chamberlain, Dr. Addison, Lord Robert Cecil, Mr. Henderson, Lord Whnbome, Mr. Morison, Mr. Duke and Mr. I. O'Brien. As to the desirability of the inclusion of these Welltried >public servants there can be no question, and naturally the chief interest will centre on the new blood, and on the whole there should be a consensus of opinion that the "recruits" are all well calculated to assist in the one great object for which the Ministry exists. From the tact that Mr. Bona-r Law is to be Chancellor of the Exchequer and Leader o" the House of Commons it is eviden. that he is to relieve the -Premier of the wear and tear involved in constant attendance in. the Ifouse. It is probable that those who .jump to conclusions may find fault with Mr. Balfour's transition to the Foreign Office, one of the most difficult positions in any Cabinet. There has been so much criticism over the foreign policy of the late Ministry, and f or "which

Viscount Grey has had to bear the blame, that the firebrands naturally hankered after a Minister who would be more bellicose than diplomatic, but such a Minister would soon defeat his own ends and embroil the country with i.eutniK Mr. Balfour, although well on the way to three score years and ten, possesses acknowledged ability, high statesmanship, exceptional tact and farseeing diplomatic talent, wink he is intensely jealous of the honor and prestige of his country, and has a .perfect acquaintance with the intricacies of foreign affairs. Above all, he' is coolheaded, and can be prompt and decisive in action when the necessity arises. A younger man might have been found for' the position, lmt it would have been a risky experiment. The appointment of Lord Derby to. the War Office should meet .. :th general acceptance. Xo more significant indication of the attitude of the new Government by way of vigorous prosecution of the war is to be found than in the appointment of Sir Kdward Carson as First Lord of the Admiralty, in his- Ulster campaign Sir E. Carson showed that he not only possessed thoroughness of method and organisation, but was a driving force of great potency. If, as is generally believed, the Navy is to become a great aggressive force, then Sir E; Carson is the right man to make the pace, and the members of the Board of Admiralty will probably have mpre to do in curbing than in accelerating offensive movements. It is noticeable that the Irish .part of the administration has been severely left alone, .possibly in vieV„. of amicable developments towards a settlement. The Labor members 'of the Ministry have to prove their worth, and it may reasonably be anticipated they will, prove a success. There is certainly ample scope 'for useful and effective work. On the whole, Mi. Lloyd George and the country may be congratulated on having gained an accession of strength at a time when the direction of .British and Imperial affairs' needed the strongest, the most vigorous and best qualified men to take charge of the ship of State and steer safely into a peaceful anchorage after its great mission as exemplified in the war has teen brought to a successful close.