The debate on the Address in the Commons was opened
by Mr. Chamberlain, who explained that at the request of Mr.
Balfour, who was temporarily absent, he was acting as his substitute. Mr. Chamberlain frankly admitted that it was a good thing that, as the Liberals bad come in, they should be strong and entirely independent, and assured the Premier that he would have no reason to dread a factions opposition when no great principle was at stake. After asking for information on the subjects of the Algeciras Conference and Macedonia, Mr. Chamberlain turned to the Transvaal, contending tbat while there was no precedent for so quick a giant to any Colony of responsible government, it would turn out to be a case of the more baste the worse speed. The new Constitution would be probably delayed for twelve months, and meantime what was to happen about Chinese labour ? After vigorously condemning the electioneering methods of the Ministerialists, he challenged them to answer whether they believed the charges of slavery and torture to be true. If they did, how could they justify their inaction, and their intention after twelve months' delay to band over the whole matter to the new responsible Government? They were bound in honour to institute an inquiry, and if so, he asked what would be its nature and scope. Again, did their Irish policy mean Heine-rule, or something leading to the "larger policy " ? Mr. Chamberlain, in conclusion, said that the Premier would be very short-sighted if he thought be had heard the last of Tariff Reform. Cobden did not carry his proposals for eight years, and the Tariff Reformers would not be more cowardly or more discouraged by defeat than he was.
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