The Women's Free-Trade Union desire to extend their work of
education. They desire to hold meetings among those women who would most feel the increased cost of living, should Protec- tive duties be placed on the necessaries of life. These meetings call for workers, and for more of that financial aid which is placed so largely at the disposal of the Tariff Reform League.
During the past year the Women's Free-Trade Union have arranged such meetings in London and the country ; their speakers have addressed audiences, large and small, both in England and Scotland, and Wales is now under consideration. The lantern lecture has proved most valuable, and it is available for hire. They have distributed upwards of a million leaflets at public meetings, at railway stations, through the post, and by house-to-house visits both in towns and in country districts. The Union has worked with other organisations to promote Free- trade, and besides its own meetings it has supplied about a hundred speakers for meetings under the auspices of other associations, and it was able to give a grant of money towards the special work of the Free-Trade Educational Committee. The first annual meeting was most brilliant and successful, for, by the kindness of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire, it was held in Devonshire House. This meeting was eminently repre- sentative of the different sections of the Free-trade forces. The Duke of Devonshire himself took the chair, and the chief speakers were the Right Hon. H. H. Asquith, K.C., M.P., and Lord Hugh Cecil, M.P., and there was a large overflow meeting in the grounds.
Mr. Chamberlain has said that his policy concerns " every man, woman, and child," and he has desired that they should have every opportunity of learning anew the old policy of Protection. The Women's Free-Trade Union desire most strongly that means should be given them to enable every woman to learn how serious would be the cost of supporting the policy of the so-called Fiscal Reform.
We shall be most grateful for donations of any amount, which should be sent to the honorary treasurer, Women's Free-Trade Union, 8 Victoria Street, London, S.W.
—We are, Sir, Ste., FRANCES BALFOUR.
MAUDE BAMFORD SLACK.
[We gladly publish this letter. Lady Frances Balfour and Mrs. Bamford Slack, and the Union of women they represent, are doing excellent work, and should receive the encourage- ment and support of all Free-traders. It should be remembered that the Union is a non-party body, and includes Conservatives, Liberal Unionists, and Liberals, who, however great their differences on other questions, combine heartily in a work specially appropriate to women,—the work of guarding the food of the household from taxation.-- ED. Spectator.] "HYMNS ANCIENT AND MODERN" REVISED. [To THE EDITOE OP TEE utbser.ros.1
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