A CENTRE PARTY AND ITS AIMS.
ITo THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR."]
Sin,—There must he many who read your article last week on a Centre Party with keen appreciation, and amongst them your humble servant. Indeed, were it not for respect for your space, there is much I should like to write myself on the Con- stitutional crisis in the same sense. But let me say only this. The danger to the liberties of England is not from the House of Lords, nor even from a despotic House of Commons. What we have to fear is a despotic Cabinet or oligarchy of Front Bench politicians. The King's government must indeed be carried on, but not necessarily by the present Front Benchers, or those whom they may from time to time co-opt. It would be a terrible thing if ever the two Front Benches came to bargain together over the spoils of office, as has happened with disastrous results in a neighbouring and allied country. And there have been several ominous symptoms of such bargaining of late.
The only safeguard against such collusion between the two Front Benches is the formation of a Centre Party of moderate and independent men. Such a party, besides having a common
watchword—shall we say "A New Way of Life "P—must also agree not to countenance extreme views on ques. tions which are not essential to a sound Imperialism. And, Sir, if I may venture to say so in your columns, orthodox Free-trade is such an extreme view; for it refuses to consider questions of more or less, of present loss, maybe, for future gain ; but claims to set up an absolute and unalterable standard. Of course there are extremists on the Tariff Reform side as well, whose views the Centre Party could not endorse either. But a member of such a party must necessarily be prepared to discuss any proposed Tariff or Preference on its merits as a whole, and if necessary to accept what he individually fears would produce economic loss, for the sake of Imperial gain ; or even for the sake of agreement and co-operation with the majority of the patriotic men, not of England alone, but throughout the Empire, who believe in the binding force of a Zollverein. Would Lord Rosebery, would Mr. Harold Cox, agree to this, not grudgingly nor as of necessity, but willingly and cheerfully If so, the Centre Party will deserve, and I am sure will receive, the hearty support of all who put the interests of the nation before those of party.—I am, Sir, &c., The Hard, Hythe, Southampton. EDWARD T. DIXON.
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