A lesser, but still important, debate was started on Friday
by Mr. Runciman's review of the trade situation. A Friday audience did not seem to realize how strongly Mr. Runciman opposed the fashionable theory that prosperity can be based almost wholly on the home market ; but it is a good thing that the Cabinet con- tains an unrepentant champion of the export trades. Mr. Greenwood continued to make his audience wonder how he could ever have been considered the leading light of the Labour Party, and Mr. Colville confirmed the impression that few Ministers work harder and are more competent to take a chance to explain their work. Mr. Elliot, who must have a good many friendly rubs with Mr. Runciman, released a spate of new agricultural Committees ; one to work the beef scheme and another to re-examine the question of tithes. He has had a successful session in the matter of obtaining the assist- ance which he wants for agriculture, and the promise of his career depends much on what he can produce after the breathing space thus deservedly accorded to him.
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