On Monday a meeting was held at the National Liberal
Club in order to discuss the question of "Liberal Policy." The proceedings were opened by Sir Robert Reid in what we can only describe as an amazing speech. There were some cardinal questions on which Liberals ought to clear their minds. Firstly, were they going to keep up our naval strength? and secondly, were they going to allow the continued expansion of the Empire ? He was in favour of a strong Navy, and of not annexing more places unless we were driven to it. It was reasonable to hope that before long foreign statesmen would realise that the best way to prevent British expansion was to open the ports of the dependencies. "Such a conclusion would be urged on them also by reasons of political economy." At home the people were more and more interested in the housing of the poor, old-age pensions, the prevention of drunkenness, "with the ancillary questions of rating and taxation." He did not believe in an alliance with the Socialists. He would say nothing about the Howie of Lords, but as to Home-rule he expressed himself in favour of "Home-rule all round." "This form of Home-rule was attainable, and any other form he believed to be unattain- able." As to dissensions, there were none in the rank-and- file. The discussion which followed this speech was, to judge by the reports, wholly futile, if we except the remark of a Mr. W. Thompson, who declared that Sir R. Reid had displayed "a spirit of uncertain compromise."
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