11 JUNE 1910, Page 1

Though these reasons seem at first sight, as we have

said, to favour .the adoption of the wise suggestions of " Pacificus " in his letter to the Times, by which the Conference should be left absolutely free, the words of limita- tion which we have quoted do not really bind the Conference very much. If the Conference may look for means for defining and preventing " tacking " and for the discovery of an authority fit to define Money Bills, no great practical harm will be done by the announcement that there is to be no com- promise as .regards the financial veto. Why the Government should so strongly dislike the idea of a Court of Law being allowed to decide the matter we find it difficult, to say; but even if the ermine stroke is barred, agreement should not be absolutely impossible, although it may be more difficult.