There have been many bewildering rumours during the week about
a proposed fusion of the Unionists and Coalition Liberals. We had no sooner been told that the Unionists were enthusiastic to have Mr. Lloyd George as their future leader than it became clear that a good many Unionists were " kicking." Particular kicks have been directed at the Home Rule Rill. Again, we had
no sooner been told that the Coalition Liberals would. be only too thankful to be merged in the Unionist Party than it became knowe that Liberal Ministers had made it disagreeably clear to Mr. Lloyd George that they wished nothing of the sort. On Thursday, the day on which we go to press, Mr. Lloyd George meets the Liberal members of the House of Commons. Another rumour says that if a Centre Party under Mr. Lloyd Georgo were formed it might call itself the National Democratic Party —borrowing the name of an already existing small party. It will be remembered that Lord Birkenhead when discussing this same theme of a Centre Party some time ago proposed to borrow without acknowledgment the name of the National Party. It would be useless to comment on all this obscurity. The only thing we wish to say till we know more is that everybody con- cerned will suffer discredit if there is to be a shuffle, in accordance with what is convenient and tactically attractive at the moment, instead of a clear statement of principles sincerely held.
