30 OCTOBER 1909, Page 13

THE REFERENDUM.

[To THE EDITOR op THE "SPECTATOR."] SIR,—In the discussion on this subject to which recent events have given rise I have seen no mention of the fact that the late Duke of Devonshire, the weight of whose opinion few, if any, would dispute, repeatedly expressed himself in favour of the Referendum. But such a " plebiscite " should obviously be taken only on a clear issue. Is it not questionable whether at the present moment the great majority of the electors— and small blame to them !—in voting for or against "the Budget" would have any clear idea at all about what they

were advocating P—I am, Sir, Ac., B. T.