[To THE EDITOR Or TER " SPECTATOR."'
Snt,—Never was demagogue flown with "hot air" and (political) wantonness more suddenly checked in his oratorical career than was Mr. Lloyd George by that blessed word Referendum. Should the champion and defender of the rights of the people (vide his speeches passim) give up his wire-pulling, log-rolling, and collective bargaining between Nationalists, Socialists, Labour Members, Independent Labour Members, Liberals, &e., and find out what the people really wish by the simple means of referring the question to them ? Perish the thought ! But some objection must be produced. So, with his tongue in his cheek, he says the cost would be prohibitive. But will be kindly inform us why the cost of a scheme would be prohibitive in England which works per- fectly in the United States of America ? It is only a few weeks ago that the question of Prohibition was referred to the people of the State of Missouri. They expressed them- selves with no uncertain voice, declining Prohibition by a large majority ; this by the way. Nobody can accuse the American people of a lack of financial ability, yet they do not consider the cost "prohibitive." Shall the people of Missouri enact their own laws, and the people of England, the pioneers of true democracy, put up with what it pleases Mr. Lloyd George and his allies to foist upon them without a chance of expressing an opinion? We shall see.—I am, Sir, dr.c., R. C.
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