UNIONIST FREE-TRADERS AND THE GENERAL ELECTION.
[TO THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR."]
SIE,—Will you allow me, as a Free-trader sans phrase, to put the following consideration before Free-trade Unionists ? It is universally agreed that the Liberals will have a majority after the next General Election. That majority will be either dependent or independent of the Irish Nationalist vote. If it is dependent on the Nationalist vote, the Liberal Govern- ment will be compelled to make large concessions to Irish Nationalism, and the Unionists will have to fall back upon their second line of defence, the House of Lords. On the other hand, if the Liberal majority is so great that the Irish vote can be disregarded, the Liberal Government will be compelled, by its own English and Scotch supporters, either to leave the Irish question alone, or to deal with it on lines which Unionists as well as Nationalists can accept. These propositions appear to me indisputable. The conclusion is equally obvious. If Free-trade Unionists wish to make a Home-rule Bill impos- sible in the next Parliament, they will create a Free-trade majority which is dependent upon Unionist and not upon
Nationalist votes.—I am, Sir, &c., HAROLD COE, Gray's Inn.
[We trust and believe that Unionist Free-traders, by voting for Liberal Free-trade candidates whenever the choice is between such a candidate and one who refuses to pledge him- self to oppose the Chamberlain policy, will secure so great a
Free-trade majority that the next Ministry—i.e., a Free-trade Ministry—will have no temptation to depend on the Irish vote. To bring about a "consummation so devoutly to be wished" Liberal candidates must help by agreeing that no mandate is to be asked of the electors in regard to Home-rule at the General Election. They must agree, that is, to put the Home-rule question entirely aside at the polls. The result will be that no bargain with the Irish to introduoe a Home. rule Bill will be possible, even if the Irish hold the balance. —ED. Spectator.]
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