18 SEPTEMBER 1909, Page 1

We have noted elsewhere that the speech must not be

taken as an appeal-to the Lords to throw out the Budget as a whole, thoUgh we know it is assumed in some quarters that this is the impression which Lord Rosebery meant to convey. Our answer is that if Lord Rosebery really intended to advise the Lords to reject the Bill, he would have said so. But this is what he carefully refrained from doing. If he is unwilling to take the responsibility of advising such a step, then we think we may fairly claim that, in spite of the fact that he detests the Budget, he must be regarded as not being in favour of its total rejection.