CHANGES LIKELY.

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20280, 24 August 1937, Page 7

CHANGES LIKELY.

THE BRITISH CABINET. MR EDEN MAY BE REPLACED. CONCENTRATING FOREIGN POLICY United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright. LONDON, August 24. Important changes, especially in the conduct of foreign affairs, may be made by the Prime Minister, Mr Chamberlain, in giving his Cabinet a broader national basis. Mr Chamberlain, according to the Sunday newspaper the People, wishes to concentrate foreign policy in his own hands and may replace the present Foreign Minister, Mr Anthony Eden, with one of his own confidants, probably Lord Halifax. In that oase Mr Eden would probably be given the Colonial Secretaryship, at present held by Mr Ormsby-Gore. Mr Chamberlain, the People says, is planning a reconstruction with the object of giving the Cabinet a wider national complexion, “ so as to convince the world of Britain’s determinutlon to defend htr rights,” and Mr Churchill and Mr Lloyd George may be offered places in the Cabinet with - out portfolio.

Premier’s Chief Object. Mr Chamberlain’s chi*f object, however, is to give a fair trial to his plan for an Anglo-German and an AngloItalian agreement. Lord HaLtax is regarded in a friendly light by Ilerr Hitler, and It Is believed that ho might succeed where Mr Eden, alio is not liked either by Ilerr Hitler or Signor Mussolini, might fail. If the plan of reconstruction Is adopted, Mr Lloyd George and Mr Churchill would have no departmental duties but would be members of \n inner Cabinet which would consider the general national policy, including defence. Other Cabinet changes forecast are the retirement of the Lord Chancellor, Lord Hailsham, and offer of the post to Sir John Simon, now Chancellor of the Exchequer; promotion to Cabinet rank of Captain Crookshank, Secretary for Mines; promotion of the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence, Sir Thomas Inskip, to the rank of DeputyPrime Minister; and transfer ol' the Home Secretary, Sir Samuel Hoare, to Die position ol' Chancellor of the Exchequer.