We are glad to be able to record that the
Unionists who oppose Mr. Chamberlain's projects have formed a Unionist Free-Food League, and mean to organise their forces throughout the country. Sir Michael Hicks Beach is acting as the leader of the new organisation, and no better leader could be desired than the man whose experience in the Commons, as a Cabinet Minister and as a Conservative leader, is greater than that of any man now in active political life. Above all, Sir Michael has the mens aequa in arduis. He will not fail or flinch, though at the same time no rashness of action or extravagance of speech need be feared in him. He knows how to lead, and he will not be afraid to lead. As we have said elsewhere, the chief difficulty of the Free-trade Unionists is the difficulty of getting in touch with each other. In the course of the next few days Conservative Free-traders, and also Liberal Unionist Free-traders, throughout the constituencies should therefore put themselves in communication with the secretary of the Unionist Free-Food League, 15 Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W. They will help the cause by registering their names without delay. It is greatly to be hoped that they will never be required to take action, but it is the prime duty of Free-trade Unionists to get in touch without delay with the central organisation. The name of the League is well chosen. Its aim is to keep the food of the people free from all taxation of a Protective character. Its essential principle is taxation for revenue only. If it succeeds in its work, it will have saved the Empire from a policy which would have shaken to its foundations the principle upon which the Imperial fabric rests,—the principle of non-interference with the fiscal independence of the com- ponent parts of the Empire.
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