Were not the Government returned to fight Socialism ? And
is one of their first tactical movements to be the unnecessary act of giving choice of ground to their opponents ? We cannot believe it. The Government, have so much constructive work to do that all wantonly incurred distractions are not only a nuisance but a positive danger. Apart from the question whether the Government should virtually adopt Mr. Macquisten's Bill as their own, there arc the possible courses of leaving the House free to vote as it pleases and of providing for an impartial inquiry into the whole subject of the levy as a necessary antecedent to legislation. There. is a good deal to be said for the last course. If the Labour Party is sensible it will jump at an opportunity to put Trade Unions right, not only with their dissenting members but with the whole country. For there is no wish, except among a very few Die-hards who do not count, to smash the Trade Unions. Such talk is only the babble of the political auction room.
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