On Wednesday a very considerable sensation was caused by the
announcement by Mr. Balfour that he would move a Vote of Censure on the Government, a -Vote which it has been arranged shall take place on Monday. Mr. Balfour also gave notice that he intended to press for a declaration as to the time at which the Government obtained their pledges from the King as regards the creation. A similar Vote of Censure is to be moved by Lord Curzon in the House of Lords. The Votes of Censure are no doubt intended by Lord Lansdowne and Mr. Balfour to re-unite the Party,and that is an intention with which every loyal Unionist must sympathize. Again, we have naturally the strongest sympathy with any and every censure of the present Government. In existing circum- stances, however, we feel far from sure that the Vote of Censure will do good. It will not change a single vote, and therefore the result in the Commons must be to advertise the Parliamentary strength of the Government at the moment. That is a temporary strength, no doubt, but the country, which does not see far ahead, will, to a very considerable extent, be impressed by the fact that the Government have got an undiminished majority of probably 120 At the same time a great deal of heat is likely to be engendered, and heat is the last thing that is wanted just now.
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