We have dealt in our first leading article with the
duties imposed upon Unionists by the breakdown of the Conference. We may say here that, in our opinion, an immediate Dissolu- tion is almost certain. That would be the best course for the Government to pursue,—meaning by " best " the course most likely to help themselves and to injure their political opponents. It is true, no doubt, that if they dissolve at once there will be certain inconveniences connected with the Budget and the two or three Bills which were to have been passed in the autumn Session. Such matters, however, do not greatly trouble politicians who see a chance of scoring a party advantage. Consider for a moment how much the Government would be relieved by not having to meet Parlia- msnt before the Dissolution. (1) They need not make specific but only general promises to the Irish. If they had to get Irish support for the Budget in the lobbies, they must buy such support on strict terms,—probably by some definition of Home- rule which might greatly alarm English voters. (2) They might be forced to say definitely whether they mean to reform or not reform the Upper House on the lines of Sir Edward Grey's scheme. A premature announcement here might break up the Ministry, for it is notorious that a portion of the Cabinet are sincere Upper House reformers, while another portion will not hear of it at any price, as likely to interfere with the single-Chamber government they desire. (3) They will be freed from coming to any definite decision as to:woman-suffrage, and so will be able to secure the help of the Liberal suffragists at the polls without having to pay the price. Promises to women are easily made by candidates at a General Mection, and it is the custom on one aide not to keep them,
and on the other to forget this fact and to trust to "Liberal principles, &c., &c." (4) The Unionists are known to be at their weakest at the present moment. In view of these facts, which are as clear to the Liberal leaders as to us, it is difficult to believe that the Election will be postponed to a period which may not be as good, and certainly cannot be better.
