13 JUNE 1903, Page 2

After Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman had spoken, the division was taken,

and Mr. Chaplin's amendment was beaten by 396 votes (424 to 28). In other words, only twenty-eight Unionists could be found to vote against what is, after all, one of the most uncompromising Free-trade Budgets ever presented to the House,—a Budget which in one sense must be regarded as a special challenge to Mr. Chamberlain's schemes. That is surely an omen the effect of which will not be lost on the country. If only twenty-eight Members can be got to object to throwing away the instrument of a tax on food which is declared to be essential to a system of preference for the Colonies and fiscal retaliation, there cannot be any very deep and strong enthusiasm for the new Protection.