The telegrams which are published in another column hiving details of the new Cabinet which Mr. Ramsay MacDonald has formed will be read with f by those who were imth the reports earlier the week that there was some divergence of views on the ap-Pointments to be made, It was only to be expected that with the enormous Conservative representation in the House of Commons as a result of the General Election some feeling would be ex-bited over reported at the fancied reluetance of Mr. Macdonald to appoint such a stalwart protagonist of the tariff as Mr. Neville Chamberlain, a man whom many of the Conservative party considered pre-eminently suitable for the office, as Chancellor of the Exchequer. Mr. MacDonald's position in the matter was perfectly clear: it was necessary for him to have men in. his Cabinet willing to carry out his "Doctor's Mandate." That would not, of necessity swallowing the whole doctrine of th tariff, but an adjustment! of policies of conviction to. the situation in which Great Britain finds herself to-day. Hence a preliminary reluctance to offer the portfolio to Mr. Chamberlain was by mo means unnatural, especially as the—Prime Minister appears to have hoped that Mr. Baldwin with more! moderate views might have been persuaded to take the office.
What is of more importance is the manner in which representation of all the parties concerned in thie coalition has been secured. It was natural that, with the preponderating vote they hold in the Commons, the Conservatives would expect a majority of seats in the Cabinet. Some of the more enthusiastic probably would have desired more than eleven out of a total of twenty, but the wise restraint has been exercised in selecting a bare majority, and affording adequate representation for the other parties who also took their courage in thei hands and sacrificed their immediate interests for the good of the nation. Indeed, in assembling the Cabinet he has, Mr. MacDonald has done much to justify the confidence which the electorate placed. in him. It is composed of men lovat to the ideals which dominate the Prime Minister, and willing to com-_ promise on their policies in a manner, best calculated to enhance the general good.
Lord Reading has not accept-the portfolio for Foreign Affairs, but there is comfort in the fact that in Sir John Simon the country has a Minister in whom as much confidence may be placed: But what is even more significant is. the inclusion of firmed opponent of the Tariff it was not to be expected that he would reassume an office which will be entrusted with the formulation of.this type of] economic protection, either as temporary or permanent measure. It would have been great pity if he had not been' found a place in the Cabinet, for, whatever may be thought of hi s, there cannot be the all in all it is doubtful whether a better Cabinet. could be assembled: it pays due regard to the complexion of the various parties of which its support is formed, tends by the giving of tial Satisfaction in this matter to perpetuate the union without which so. large a government party would be a danger to itself, and gives hope of a lengthy Parliament which will not be prevented by party preoccupations from carrying out the enormous task which is ahead.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.