LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.
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THE OSTRACISM OF THE UNIONIST FREE- TRADERS.
LTO THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR." J
SIR,—The Morning Post of January 15th states, a propos of the choice of a candidate at West Nottingham, that "there exists within the Unionist Party a small but powerful organisation which is determined that the Fiscal policy recently confirmed by the party at Birmingham shall not be jeopardised by the selection of new candidates who are not prepared to support that policy."
Now what does this mean ? Virtually, that a cabal has
been formed to interfere with the hitherto universally accepted doctrine that the Unionist Association in each constituency is free to choose its own candidate. I venture to assert that if this new departure in political tactics advocated by the Morning Post is to be generally followed, it will prove to be the most effective blow that can be struck against the union of the party, a blow which will prove fatal to the prospects of that party at the next General Election. Now I will give an illustration of the general position from the situation in the constituency where I happen to have a vote,—Greenwich. I premise, first, that I am in favour of a moderate scheme of Fiscal Reform, on the lines sketched out by Mr. Balfour and Lord Lansdowne, but am certainly not in favour of treating Tariff Reform as the " shibboleth " on which the whole policy of the Unionist Party is to revolve, and to proscribe or ostracise every Unionist who is not prepared to swallow it. Now in my constituency it is conceded that the Tariff Reformers form the great majority of the party, but at the same time no Unionist is debarred from belonging to the political organisation on account of his views on this question not being in accord with those of the majority.
This being so, I know personally very many Unionist Free- traders who are inclined (though in some cases unwillingly) when the election comes on to support the Unionist candi- date, even though on this question he does not represent their views. But what effect will this new departure advocated by the Morning Post have upon such voters ? If it is brought home to them that in other constituencies Unionists who hold their views and are adopted as candidates by the associations in such constituencies are to have Tariff Reform candidates run against them by a private cabal, with the view of splitting the party vote and rendering it impossible for any Unionist Free-trader to be returned to Parliament, is it likely that the Unionist Free-trade vote in the very numerous constituencies throughout the country where the official Unionist candidate is a Tariff Reformer is going to be bestowed upon such candi- date ? Such a course as that suggested invites retaliation. A more disastrous state of things could never arise, and in the interests, not only of the Unionist Party as a whole, but, in fact, of the Tariff Reform candidates who will be preju- dicially affected, I do express an earnest hope that imme- diate steps will be taken by those in authority to arrest so
fatal a movement.—I am, Sir, 8t.c., BLACKHEATH.
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