Mr. Chamberlain's reasons for resigning are set forth in a
letter to the Prime Minister, which, with Mr. Balfour's reply, appears in Friday's papers. Mr. Chamberlain states that his hopes of an impartial inquiry into his policy have been frustrated by party animus, by misrepre- sentation, and by differences of opinion in the Unionist ranks, which paralysed the political organisations of the party and left " our opponents in full possession of the field." He admits that for the present the scheme of pre- ferential tariffs, with its inevitable corollary of taxation on food, is unacceptable to the majority of the constituents, and as a practical policy cannot be pressed with any hope of success at the present time. Feeling, therefore, that his position would be compromised if, by remaining in office, he formally accepted the exclusion from his programme of so important a part, he has resolved to resign. He thinks that, with absolute loyalty to the present policy of the Government, he can best promote the cause he has at.heart,from outside, and "suggests" that the Premier should limit that present policy to the assertion of the 'right to retaliate.
