The Prime Minister's memorable speech in the House of Commons
on Friday, March 6th, was made, of course, on Mr. Macquisten's Trade Union Levy Bill. lie said that though he was in favour of the Bill's object he refused to enforce the views of his party. To do so would mean war, and he wanted peace. He moved an amend- ment to the effect that a measure of such far-reaching importance should not be introduced as a Private Mem- ber's Bill. A large part of his speech was made up of recollections of the patriarchal character of industry :which he knew as a boy, but which had disappeared never to return. Large combinations, a far more intricate machinery of commerce, were now inevitable, and he desired with all his heart that the new epoch should not be conducted with strife, but should be made the servant instead of the master of men and should yield more happiness for everyone. There have been Prime Ministers from whom such words would have been received with the wry smile of people who are tired of being deceived. Fortunately, Mr. Baldwin has in the estimation of all a perfectly honest character into which no obliquity can enter. The result of the speech was that Mr. Macquisten and his supporters abandoned the Bill, and the Govern- ment amendment was carried by 325 to 153.
