29 AUGUST 1885, Page 14

MR. CHAMBERLAIN AND DISESTABLISHME.NT.

[To THE EDITOR OF THE " Syscrseroz."] think you must have overlooked, amidst the mass of reading matter which no doubt comes under your notice, a letter from Mr. Chamberlain to the Liberal Committee of Kilmarnock about a fortnight ago. In that letter he says " I rejoice to think that the time is not far distant when the question of Disestablishment, both in Scotland and England, will occupy a foremost place in the Liberal programme. I am convinced that the next General Election will give a great impetus to the movement, and will throw much light on the position of the State Church in agricultural districts."—I am, Sir, &c., [We had not overlooked it, but we regard it as virtually admitting that what Mr. Chamberlain hopes for "at a time not far distant," "both in Scotland and England," he does not look for—at all events, as regards England—in the next Parliament. Indeed, an ex-Cabinet Minister would never think of speaking of the General Election as " throwing much light " on a problem which he deemed already ripe for legislation.—En. Spectator.]