The attempt of the Coalition Whips to apportion most of
the British constituencies among approved Unionists and Liberals has caused much heart-burning in both Parties, as might have been expected. In Central Wandsworth, for example, the adopted Unionist candidate, Sir John Norton-Griffiths, who has done good service in the war, was asked by Mr. Bonar Law to retire in favour of a LiberaL He declined to do so, and the local Unionist Associa- tion announced that if Sir John Norton-Griffiths retired they would nominate another candidate. On the other hand, in South Islington the old Liberal Member, Mr. Wiles, who has supported and still supports the Coalition, is being opposed by a Unionist with the approval of the Government, and Mr. Lough, another old Liberal Member and an ex-Minister, finds himself in a similar case in West Islington. In Deptford the old Trade Union leader Mr. Bowerman has been opposed by a Coalition Unionist, though the Unionist Party machine decided not to fight the seat. These are a few examples out of many to illustrate the arbitrariness of machine politics. The Coalition Party Whips at Whitehall have tried to dispose of the constituencies by private bargaining, and have issued " coupons " to Unionist or Liberal candidates without regard to the feelings of the electors. We are not surprised to find that the newspapers supporting the Coalition show much uneasiness, and that the local Party Associations are making signs of revolt.
