The proceedings of the Conference on Tuesday can only be
regarded as a triumph for the Chamberlainite faction. The speakers laid great stress on the importance of party unity ; but the resolutions passed were all in favour of a forward Fiscal policy, while Mr. Chaplin claimed Mr. Balfour as giving his hearty and complete support to Mr. Chamberlain. . With regard to party organisation, a resolution was adopted requesting the Council to appoint a Special Committee to devise the best means for strengthening the central manage- ment "by the addition of a popular representative element in close touch with the constituencies,"—a formula vividly recalling the tactics employed for the capture of the Liberal Unionist Association by the Tariff Reformers. The most significant episode of all, however, was the rejection by an overwhelming majority of a resolution, brought forward by Mr. Ward-Humphreys, endorsing the " half-sheet-of-note- paper" policy of Mr. Balfour. The Chamberlainites having. been thus forced to show their hand, Mr. Chaplin's ponderous resolution—which tacked on to sundry selected Balfourian declarations in favour of freedom of negotiation, preferential trade within the Empire, and closer union with the Colonies, a further and explicit approval of readjustment of taxation —was then carried with only two dissentients.
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