Mr. Balfour presided at the annual demonstration of the Primrose
League at the Albert Hall on Friday week, and delivered what may be termed a characteristic rather than a convincing speech. After alluding to the agita- tion against yellow labour and its "crude and mendacious violence," and declaring that if he were fighting an election he should dwell a good deal on the subject —ample opportunities for which discussion will doubtless be afforded to him in due time—be taunted the Opposition with displaying an almost querulous disappointment that the fruits of office which they so confidently expected were as yet withheld from them. In conclusion, Mr. Balfour, greatly daring emphasised the duty incumbent on his followers of resisting not only any overt schemes of Home-rule, but any insidious effort "to bring forward some scheme which shall not be called Home-rule, but which shall be, under the name of Devolution or some other disguise, a dangerous step in the direction of breaking up the United Kingdom." To which we'may reply : In vain is the bogey prepared' in the sight of those who realise that it is only a bogey.
Previous page
