The tariff question has been overshadowing during the past week.
But other awkward questions have also loomed up, notably our relations with Russia and the progress of Mr. Snowden's scheme of Land Taxes. On both these points the Government is marking time, though Sir John Simon has told the Soviet Ambassador that he expects the Soviet Government to do more than pro.- crastinate upon outstanding matters. In spite of all tlk mutterings inherent in this thundercloud of a majority, the House has not been unduly embarrassing to the Government. Sir Austen . Chamberlain. has been barking up the hypothetical tree .of. the disloyalty of Sir- Herbert Samuel, but its shadowy branches have not sup- ported the weight of a suspicion clearly prompted by a desire to make sure of unity rather than to foment trouble. As for the official Opposition, it has appeared to be stunned by the overwhelming declaration of the electorate that its policy is dangerous. Only Sir Stafford Cripps has made any serious effort to pretend that it is in any sense relevant to the present Parliament. Mr. Lansbury has performed the formal duties of leader of the Opposition with a modesty which has won for him universal kindliness ; but the Socialist Party is for all practical purposes reduced to Mr. Maxton and his group.
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