MUCH ASTONISHMENT CAUSED IN BRITAIN

Wairarapa Times-Age, 8 January 1940, Page 5

MUCH ASTONISHMENT CAUSED IN BRITAIN

Tributes to Retiring War Minister RESIGNATION THAT CAME AS BOMBSHELL EXCELLENT WORK DONE FOR COUNTRY (By Telegraph.—Press Association.—Copyright.) LONDON, .January 7. The Ministerial changes, especially Air. Hore-Belisha s resignation, which is regarded as a virtual dismissal, hfls astonished equally the London journals and the provincial Press. The general editorial opinion throughout the country appears to be that the nation is losing from the War Office a man of courage, initiative and organising ability’ for which a more adequate explanation is needed than that yet gixen. The Pi-ess Association commentator states that the course 01. events will surprise Air. Hore-Belisha as much as the public. When he interviewed Air. Chamberlain on Wednesday 7 he had not the least idea that Air. Chamberlain was about to suggest that be should leave the War Office and go to the Board of. Trade. Air. Hore-Belisha, amazed, unhesitatingly refused on the ground that if, after his contribution to Britain s war plans, it. was felt he should no longer continue at the War Office he preferred to go, and occupy 7 no other post. The resignation comes as a. bombshell, especially 7 in view of the revolution for a. better army which Air. Hore-Belisha has engineered. It is felt inside and outside the War Office that Air. Hore-Belisha has done an excellent job for the country against heavy odds. Air. Hore-Belisha will surrender his seals of office on Tuesday. No official explanation of the reasons for the change in the British AVar Cabinet has been made, a radio message states, but it is expected that Air. Chamberlain will be questioned when Parliament, reassembles the week after next.