Sir M. Hicks-Beach made a rather important speech on Thursday
to a deputation from Ulster Unionists. They were in favour of an extension of the purchase system, and of State control and purchase of railways, and their general object was to urge more action and less reporting. Sir Michael assured them that the report on the land question would be ready before February, and would be acted on at once, as would be also the report upon arterial drainage, and then proceeded to more general topics. The time was one of general anxiety and perplexity. It was impossible to succeed without the assistance of the Liberal Unionists, and, to his mind, that assistance was not given while they stood outside. " The Unionist Party cannot fight with its full strength so long as part of it is inside and part of it outside the camp." 4' So far as the Conservative Party is concerned, there is not a man in the present Government who would not make any personal sacrifice in order to see a fusion brought about ; and whatever stories you may see in the newspapers about mutiny in the rank and file of the party, I tell you there is not the slightest foundation for anything of the kind." That is a very strong assertion, considering the representations addressed to the Premier from the Carlton, but we suspect there is some truth in it. Tories are always "representing," but Tory mutinies do not come to much ; and if Lord Salisbury would only say that he must have a free hand or go, he would find that he was followed with sufficient unanimity. The tendency to " groups " is infecting parties, as it infects Parliament, and wants to be stamped out.
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