The meeting of the General Committee of the National Liberal
Federation held at Rugby on Wednesday will prob- ably be known in future as the Rugby " Union " meeting, though it passed off without a "scrimmage." After a resolu- tion of condolence with the King had been passed, Mr. Collie Grant moved a resolution condemning the Government's apathy in regard to social legislation and the ever-increasing growth of national expenditure. On this Mr. C. P. Scott moved an amendment directed against extravagant arma- ments, and quaintly expressed the hope that in working for the reduction of armaments "the Liberal party would stick to its gams." This amendment having been rejected by a large majority, the chairman rose to make the sensa- tional announcement that on the subject of the war all the amendments had been withdrawn, the Committee having agreed to embody their essence in the official resolution, except that portion relating to the recall of Sir Alfred Milner. As a result of this discreet compromise Mr. Birrell was able to secure the support not only of Mr. Channing and Mr. Lloyd-George, but of Mr. Perks, for the resolution con- demning the conduct of the war, the incompetence of the
Government, and the impolicy of insisting on unconditional surrender, and demanding the immediate declaration of the terms of settlement on generous lines. We can only express our sincere satisfaction that the prospects of Liberal reunion should have been so materially improved by this meeting. As we have contended all along, the lack of a, strong Opposition is a national misfortune.
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