Mr. Chamberlain was the chief speaker at the annual meeting
of the Birmingham, Aston, and Handsworth Liberal Unionist Association on Friday week. They were, he said, face to face with the prospect of a General Election, and, so far as his own opinion went, it would have been better if it had come sooner. He did not think they had gained anything by maintaining office, while there was still doubt as to the result of an appeal to the country. Mr. Chamberlain then turned to the congenial task of criticising the Opposition. "They call their political followers from every point of the compass, not to decide a policy, but as vultures to come to a feast." Mr. Chamberlain scouted the idea that the Radicals, once in power, would venture to cancel the Chinese Labour Ordinance, on the beneficent results of which he waxed eloquent, or make any substantial change in domestic policy. Curiously enough, in spite of all the grievous dangers described as involved in a change of Government, the speech betrayed a feverish and not very patriotic desire for a change, if only to see what a ghastly mess the Radical dogs would make of it. It is only right to add that if the speech seemed hardly worthy of Mr. Chamberlain, it was delivered, as one of the speakers observed, at the expense of considerable personal suffering. We are glad to say, however, that Mr. Chamberlain is now reported to be quite recovered from his indisposition.
Previous page
