LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.
CAN WE AFFORD TO BE DIVIDED?
[TO THE EDITOR OF SPEOCATOlt.'1
Srn,—I am sure many of your readers, both Free-traders and Moderate Tariff Reformers, are with you in your approval of Mr. Foljambe's suggestion (Spectator, July 31st) as to the advisability of obtaining a Royal Commission to call fOrth bond -fide evidence on the question which is now'exercising the minds of all the constituencies in Great Britain. It must be borne in mind that the Unionist Party is at present divided into three groups—viz., moderates, extremists, and Free- traders—and I believe there is as much difference between the first and second as there is between the first and third. None of us considers that we have reached finality in fiscal affairs, and in the changed relations which have taken place between ourselves and the Colonies and foreign countries many questions have arisen which call for careful examination and deliberation. This can only be accomplished by sifting expert evidence and weighing statistics bearing on the various points at issue.
The political situation is at present a very critical one, and the dangers and disasters which may result froth the Socialistic policy of the present Government can only be met and defeated by the Unionist Party presenting an undivided front. This cannot be achieved without concessions on both sides, and the nature of the compromise which is desirable can only be arrived at by an exhaustive inquiry into the whole question. The recent by-elections clearly prove that the policy of Protection pure and simple, as advocated by the extreme section of Tariff Reformers, does not commend itself to that large portion of the community who view with intense disfavour any programme which involves an increase in the price of the necessaries of life; and opposition to popular Free-trade Unionists, which they advise, is only playing into the hands of our opponents. It is becoming more and more manifest that without united action on the part of all sections of the party, victory of the Unionist cause at the next election is seriously imperilled. Why, then, not sink our differences on Tariff Reform for the moment, unite on all other points on which we are agreed, and advocate the appointment of a Royal Commission io inquire into the merits or demerits of the one question upon which we differ ? Let me add that exaggerated pessimism such as is contained in the speech of an excellent' and enlightened landlord like the Duke of Portland does no good ; it only leads to truculent retorts on the part of Mr. Lloyd George and Mr. Winston Churchill. What is the good of talking of the ruin of agriculture, which the Budget scarcely touches, when wheat is selling at 42s. per quarter and when farmers are competing against each other in many counties
for vacant holdings at increased rents am, Sir, Sze., A J.P.
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