TWO RESIGNATIONS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 6 January 1940, Page 6

TWO RESIGNATIONS

CHANGES IN BRITISH CABINET NEW WAR MINISTER OLIVER STANLEY APPOINTED. SIR JOHN REITH SUCCEEDS » LORD MACMILLLAN. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. (Received This Day, 1 p.m.) LONDON, January 5. The war’s biggest political sensation has been caused as the result of an official announcement that Mr Hore-Belisha (Secretary for War), and Lord Macmillan (Minister of Information) had resigned. The Rt Hon Oliver Stanley becomes War Minister, Sir Andrew Rae Duncan, President of the Board of Trade, and Sir John Reith, Minister of Information. In a letter to Mr Chamberlain, Mr Hore-Belisha stated that he does not feel able to accept the “important j office” which Mi’ Chamberlain offered in the reconstructed Cabinet. It is understood that Mr Hore-Belisha was offered the position of President of the Board of Trade. Lord Macmillan wrote to Mr Chamberlain: “You were good enough to tell me that impending changes which you have in view additional to embarrassment caused by the fact that I have not a seat in the House of Commons render it expedient that I place my ap- | pointment at your disposal. I should not for a moment stand in the way of any step which would promote efficiency of the Ministry. I confess it is with some regret that I relinquish the task you did me the honour to entrust to me at the outbreak of the war. I found it most interesting latterly and full of promise of increasing usefullness.” , The Rt Hon Oliver Stanley held the position of President of the Board of Trade. Sir John Reith is director-gen-eral of lhe British Broadcasting Cor- ■ poration. Sir Andrew Rae Duncan has . held many important positions relating , to industrial enterprise.