18 SEPTEMBER 1909, Page 1

Lord Rosebery ended with the - following momentous declaration :—"

I have come to the deliberate conclusion that the Government wish the House of Lords to throw out the Finance Bill. I think they believe it will cause an outcry in the country. In no other way can I explain the constant taunting and daring of the House of Lords that is visible in the speeches of Ministers,—not all, but some. If you wish a Briton to do a thing, dare him not to do it, and he is quite sure to do it; and I cannot help feeling that the policy of the Government is Machiavellian, and that their object is in these most injudicious speeches to spur the House of Lords to a decision which the Government desire." This declaration we believe to be perfectly true ; but does it not suggest the military maxim, "Find out what the enemy want you to do, and then do the opposite "P