We cannot allow Lord Newton's most striking and amusing contribution
to Thursday's debate to pass without a word of comment. Though Lord Newton hit many heads, and hit them very hard, good temper as well as good sense marked his speech throughout. Among other things, he provided the best possible answer to the Bishop of Hereford's view of the attitude of the Peers. We sincerely hope that Lord Newton's speech will be reprinted verbatim by the literature depart. ment of the Central Unionist Association and scattered broadcast throughout the constituencies. The manly, sincere, and thoroughly English tone of the speech, though it may not make converts on the Budget question, will at any rate show all fair-minded men what is the true attitude of the House of Lords, and what is the temper in which they have acted. We are not going to spoil any of Lord Newton's humorous wisdom by an attempt at summarising it, but we may note his concluding words : "The Lords had, as a matter of fact, been driven, cornered, and jockeyed into a fight. It was not one of their seeking." There is a great deal of truth in this; but do not Lord Newton's words in reality tell in favour of the policy of those who desire that the Lords should refuse to allow themselves to be "jockeyed " P
Previous page
