Such a development should be welcomed. The Opposi- tion could
never become strong enough numerically to cause the Government the smallest anxiety even if every Liberal in the House crossed the floor—which it is certain that the majority of them will not do. But an Opposition impotent even in argument, as the Opposition as at present constituted palpably is, is a calamity. The Government gains nothing, and Parliament loses vastly, by its weakness. It has to be remembered that while certain dominating issues demand the attention of the Government, the ordinary routine work of the different Departments all goes on, and it is at once a salutary check and a salutary stimulus to Ministers to have to meet the criticism of a former Minister across the floor, familiar with the Department and its work and in a position to question, to criticize and to suggest with a full sense of responsibility. That is a Parlia- mentary tradition that has abundantly proved its value in the past, and it provides a decisive reason for desiring the return of a certain number of ex-Ministers to the House as soon as possible.
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