The Daily Graphic is doing good work by inviting comment
on its proposal to submit the question of Tariff Reform to a Referendum. The response is most encouraging, for, as our contemporary points out, most of those who reject the pro- posal devote their energy, not to showing why the Referendum is objectionable, but to urging the merits of Tariff Reform. But this argument is a perfect boomerang, for the greater the merits of Tariff Reform the more certain would it be of adoption if submitted to a vote of the whole people. On the other hand, "if Tariff Reform is so unpopular that on its merits the country would reject it, why should the Unionist Party be asked to handicap itself with this cause ? " If we could be sole judges in the matter we should, of course, very much prefer a simple renewal of the Referendum pledge given by Mr. Balfour and Lord Lansdowne. We are bound to note, however, the great unwillingness of the majority of Tariff Reformers to accept such a solution. That being so, might it not be wise for the Unionist leaders to do what we have already suggested in these columns, i.e., to promise that no food taxes—taxes on corn, meat, and dairy produces—shall be imposed until a Referendum has been taken on them ? This taking of two bites at the complete Tariff Reform programme will not destroy Tariff Reform, and yet will win the Election and save the Union.
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