24 AUGUST 1912, Page 13

"REFERENDUM PLEDGE ON TARIFF REFORM." pre THE EDITOR OF THE

"SPECTATOR.") SIR,—I hope, like you, that the leaders of the Unionist Party will be wise in time, and renew Mr. Balfour's promise—a Referendum on Tariff Reform. I am a Tariff Reformer, but it is clear that without this promise the result of a General Election would be a very precarious majority. If, however, the Unionist leaders give this promise, and the Referendum issue in a clear pronouncement for Tariff Reform, it is surely the duty of Unionist Free Traders to promise on their part that they will be loyal to that pronouncement, and take no political action that will endanger the continuance of the party in power. Let both promises be made, and success is assured.