21 DECEMBER 1912, Page 1

Lord Curzon, speaking at York on Tuesday, strongly deprecated premature

speculations as to what the Unionists would do when they returned to power. They could not foretell the time or the result of the next general election. Bat for the sake of honesty in public life he thought it of great importance that the country should have a broad general idea of the policy for which it was being called upon to vote. He thought it much more important for Unionists to concentrate on enlightening the electorate as to the dangers of the present system, and rallying to their side all the sections of public opinion which were frightened by the plans of the present Government, than to discuss in public the exact details of this or that measure or tax. For himself he would gladly see the more contentious parts of the Unionist programme put "into

a temporary background." He would agree to the postpone- ment of some of his own most cherished ideals if he could thereby expedite the formation of a party of moderate men who would unite at the next election to save the country from a great and overwhelming danger. As we have been urging this course to the best of our ability, we are rejoiced to find it so powerfully advocated by Lord Curzon.