6 JANUARY 1906, Page 11

We note with great regret that on Thursday night Mr.

Chamberlain, who was speaking at Derby, was so much in- terrupted by a gang of roughs that he was practically unable to obtain a bearing. The excuses that have been made— namely, that Mr. Chamberlain has brought so much acrimony into the controversy that he must expect to be paid back in his own coin, and that you cannot propose to tax the food of the people without the people resenting it—are no excuses at all, and do not deserve a moment's consideration. Mr. Cham- berlain is a distinguished statesman, and in the past has done good -service to the State, and however misled and however

aggressive and passionate may be his present attitude, he ought to be accorded a patient and a respectful hearing.