Mr. Winston Churchill's election address, when shorn of its purple
platitudes, is chiefly remarkable for its denuncia- tions of the Peers. Their attack upon the House of Commons, he maintains, has "a deep social cause "—viz., hostility to the direct representation of Labour—an argu- ment which we find difficult to reconcile with the Lords' decision over the Trade Disputes Bill. If the House of Lords wins, " we shall have turned back from the path of popular government by elected representatives and have entered on a. period of oligarchy The forces of reaction are out for a double event. They are gambling with the rights and freedom of the nation." Mr. Winston Churchill is on safer ground when he argues that behind the Tariff grow the Trusts. Lastly, the outlook abroad fills Mr. Churchill with a bland complacency. " The majesty and power of the British Empire were never greater than at this moment. In spite of all that panic-mongers and mischief-makers can do, the foundations of European peace are consolidated year by year, and although Europe is bowed down under a senseless burden of armaments, the nations are being woven together by silent and tireless forces of civilisa- tion. With a supreme Navy and a fair and sober policy to all we may face the future in confidence."
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