3 DECEMBER 1910, Page 14

[To THE EDITOR Or THIS " SPECTATOR:1

SIR,—It would be interesting to know from Ministers what they understand by a "Referendum." They are supposed to object to a "Referendum," but they are at the same time making it clear that the object of the Dissolution is that some matter in dispute which they deem of importance shall be submitted to the electors and decided by their votes. Surely inch a reference is, in effect, a " Referendum " in action. But we may be thankful that the Irish manifesto has now made it plain that the matter which is being referred is abolition of the veto of the Peers in order that Ministers may pass a Home-rule Bill acceptable to the Irish, and so may remain in