Last Saturday afternoon Mr. Balfour delivered a short address to
his constituents at Manchester. Most of his speech was occupied with an elaborate analysis of the reasons which led to his resignation. His Government had got through the work which it had set before itself, with the exception of Redistribution,—a matter impossible to take up except with a united and enthusiastic party. He found, however, that his party was not free from "mutual criticism," and that the task was beyond its powers. He therefore resigned at once in order to give his opponents a chance to frame and explain their policy before the turmoil of a General Election. He went on to insist upon the Home-rule character of the new Cabinet, and to implore them not to tamper with the foundations of the Empire by meddling with the Chinese Labour Ordinance.
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