[To THY EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR." J
Stn,—Although I have followed the Spectator fairly closely for a considerable time, I can recollect no article more truly characteristic of the spirit of Free-trade—i.e., real Free-trade- or better calculated to inspire an attitude of mind both sane, vigorous, and scientific, which is indispensable to the forma- tion of a Centre Party, than that upon " The Sweated Industries Bill" in the Spectator of February 29th. May I suggest that that article, together with the letters in the same number from Sir William Chance and " V. H. G.," with your editorial comments thereupon, be issued as one of the first publications of the new organisation ? It may be that for the present more real service will be rendered to the cause we have at heart by the policy and practice of abstention rather than the more aggressive course of a formal organisation; but, rightly or wrongly, I believe it is a fact that a merely negative attitude counts for very little with the average man. Hence it should be always borne in mind that at any moment it may become urgently desirable for the " Spectator Party " to assume a definite and positive position. It is to be hoped the leaders of thought and action, of whom we have not a few, are prepared for such a contingency.—I am, Sir, &c.,
G. H. STAMPE.
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