We have dealt with Mr. Lloyd George's speech at Newcastle
elsewhere, and have noted the amazingly idyllic mood he adopted. Here we must mention an even more astonishing development. The voice from under the Gampish umbrella, vice the flashing sword retired, dealt with the Labour Party in words which sound like those of some worthy old-fashioned capitalist who desires to be benevolent but is quite sure that the working-classes ought to know their station, not envy the rich, and be content with the position which Provi- dence has assigned to them. One almost expects the passage to end with the declaration which is said to have been found in a catechism of the 'twenties of last century, to the effect that the object of government was to suppress the vices of the poor and protect the property of the rich. The touch about those who have not got the good things of this world wishing to divide up seems to suggest a new Noodle's Oration on economics. Here is the passage :- " He began his speech by dealing with the Labour Party's attack on private enterprise and capital. These things are very attractive when you look at them, he said, especially if you don't happen to have any capital. It looks very nice to say, ' There is a man who has got eapital, and I have none, why should we not square up things and divide it Y ' It looks very well, but the fact of the matter is you cannot do it. Providence has so managed things that some people have certain things, some have other gifts, some have no gifts at.all. Any attempt to level things out was contrary to the whole state of nature."
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