A CENTRE PARTY.
[To THE EDITOB OF THE "SPEOTAT0R."1
SIR,—The speech delivered by Mr. Balfour at Glasgow holds out little hope of any consideration on the part of Tariff Reformers for Unionist Free-traders. Is it not time that steps were taken to form a Centre Party which would attract all that is strongest and soundest amongst the Unionist Party It is a matter of notoriety that many Unionists sick of waiting for a lead have joined the Liberals. How long is this going to last ? We are told by timorous souls that if a party were formed it might fail! Was anything ever won either in politics or war by a policy of timidity ? But if anything is to be done we must put forth all our efforts, by organisation and sending accredited agents of tact and ability throughout the kingdom. I have had the opportunity of being present at many elections during the past four years, and have been struck by the ability of the Tariff Reform speakers (their unverifiable statements are another matter) in contrast with many speakers on our side, who lacked that personal ascend- ency and tact without which it is futile to try to convince people of even the soundest argument. It is obvious that a policy of temporising has had its day. We must form a great Centre Party of Free-traders to which all moderate men can rally to fight Socialism and to defend Free-trade. Every nostrum seems now to be advocated by extremists. It seems monstrous that a principle which was accepted as sound by such an illustrious roll of statesmen and thinkers from Peel to Lord Salisbury should be destroyed for a system of Pro- tection denounced by Mr. Chamberlain in the zenith of his powers as an outrage upon justice and common-sense.-1 am,
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