[To THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR. "] SIR, —There is no doubt
that the large turn-over of votes at the recent North-West Manchester election was due, not only to the general disgust which the tactics of the present Government have aroused, but also to the fact that Free Traders gave their votes to an avowed Tariff Reformer, realizing that Tariff Reform was not a point at issue.
But when the General Election comes round and Tariff Reform is once more in the forefront of the Unionist pro- gramme, it is not likely that these Free Traders will again vote against their fiscal principles. Radical newspapers have been sharp enough to realize that fact, and have derived much comfort thereby Now, as far as one can gather from the recent speeches of Unionist leaders, not one has advocated the use of the Referendum on this subject—promised, alas ! too late in the day by Mr. Balfour before the last General Election. When are our leaders going to realize the fact that—as the experience of the last two General Elections has shown—a workable majority for the Unionist Party can only be obtained by the support of the vast body of Free Traders in this country? In Lancashire alone there are nearly half a million voters, most of whom are dependent—directly or indirectly—upon cotton for their livelihood. Is it likely that these will "vote against their own bread and butter" (as, at any rate, they think) in order to turn out a (sic) Free Trade Government on such issues as Home Rule or Welsh Disestablishment P If Tariff Reformers are so convinced that their policy will be the salvation of the country, why should there not be a convention of the principal Tariff Reformers called together by Mr. Bonar Law, a scheme of Tariff Reform drawn up, placed before the country, and a Referendum promised upon it before any valuable time is lost ? Is it necessary to wait for a possible return to power before allowing the country to see what it is to expect in the way of alterations to the present fiscal system ? Is it wise ? Let us have a clear issue before us. If Tariff Reformers are convinced that they now have the country with them, they need not be afraid of showing their hand.—I am, Sir, &a.,
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