We deal elsewhere with Sir Edward Grey's answer to the
critics of his foreign policy. His references to home affairs were perfunctory and unconvincing. His treatment of the Parliament Act and the position of the House of Lords was curiously irreconcilable with his "death, disaster, and damnation" speech, and resolved itself into the statement that be would like to see a better Chamber than the present House of Lords. Sir Edward Grey is evidently still hypnotized by the Preamble. Turning to the Insurance Act he observed that he did not profess to be an expert on insurance and could not answer questions on all its details, but the prin- ciple of the scheme was going on the whole to make life more secure in this country for some millions of people. Sir Edward Grey next addressed himself to Home Rule, which, he said, had reached a stage not only when it ought to be passed, but when it must be passed. Conservatives had formerly opposed it on the ground that Ireland was restless and disturbed; now they opposed it because she was quiet and prosperous. But if it was dangerous to grant it in the former condition of Ireland surely it would be safe to grant it to-day. Besides it was necessary to grant it in order to relieve Parliament of the congestion of local affairs. The refusal to grant Mr. Churchill a bearing in Belfast was an action against democracy, because it was an action against free speech.
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