London, June 13.
The resignations of Mr. J. H. Thomas, formerly Colonial Secretary, and Sir Alfred Butt from the House of. Commons, received official recognition to-day.
communique published by the London Gazette announced that Mr. Neville Chamberlain, Chancellor the Exchequer, had named Mr. Thomas "Steward and Bailiff of the Three Hundred of Chiltern," and Sir Alfred Butt "Steward and Bailiff of the Manor of WNorthstead." (The Three Hundred of Chiltern refers 10 the Chiltern county divisions Buckinghamshire.)
These sinecures are nominal offices, the sole importance of which tes in the fact that nomination enables a member of Parliament to resign his seat on the plea that he holds an office of honour under the crown, which automatically disqualifies him from being a member of the House of Commons.—Havas, Presbyterians at Odds
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.