SHOULD THE PUBLIC KNOW ? AN OUTSIDE OPINION
[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.] SIR,—Might I be permitted as an unbiassed outsider to express an opinion on the issued raised by the letter of Lord Rothermere to Mr. P. J. H. Hannon ? My concern is solely with the principle involved, apart from personalities—a prin- ciple which applies to the constitutional form of Government everywhere.
Unquestionably there is something baffling about Lord Rothermere's proposal, frankly put forward though it was. \ Vhat is the position ? Lord Rothermere has no faith in Mr. Baldwin's leadership. Instead, therefore, of declaring that he would support the Conservative ticket only if Mr. Baldwin is eliminated as a Leader, he wrote to the effect that he would accept Mr. Baldwin on condition that he be reduced to a figurehead. Now, that could hardly be made to work out well. Responsibility without freedom of action is meaningless. No one appreciates this more than Lord Rothermere himself.
To the question : " Should the Public Know ? "—thus pointedly posed, and implying Should the Public be Asked— my answer must be in the negative. Neither, by the way, do I take kindly to the Referendum, partaking as it does of the nature of direct action. Representative Government is based upon trust, not upon knowledge. In the full daylight of know- ledge there would be no occasion for confidence to come into play ; there would be no margin left for faith.—I am, Sir, &c., GABRIEL WELLS.
Carbon Mansion, 14 Pall Mall, 8.11'. 1.
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