Of the speeches in reply, two alone call for remark,
those of Mr. Chamberlain and Mr. Balfour. Mr. Chamberlain denied that the Tariff Reform organisation had ever been directed against Unionist Members, unless their constituencies had shown themselves hopelessly at variance with them. He denied, also, that the Prime Minister was in full agreement with his policy. "If there is not any difference between my right honourable friend and myself, why did I leave the Government ? " (We might retort by asking why certain other Members remain if there is.) He had Mr. Balfour's sympathy, and nothing more ; not his practical co-operation, since he and the Premier differed on the question of the seasonableness and practicability of the propaganda. He concluded by the remarkable request that the Government should call a Con- ference of Colonial representatives to consider the question of ways and means, and to justify his statements about Colonial opinion. He also announced his view of Mr. Balfour's half- way house : " I admit that, to my mind, the policy of Preference is more urgent and important than the policy of Retaliation."
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