LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.
A CENTRE PARTY.
[To TOR EDITOR OF TEE "SPECTATOR."] Sfu,—The proposal as to the formation of a Centre Party meets with approval from nearly all men I meet in business circles in this city who are free from the ties of the two existing parties, and who do their political thinking for themselves. Mr. Kebbel in the Spectator of March 28th, however, very clearly shows the practical difficulties which stand in the way of forming and maintaining such a party in the House of Commons. It is best and safest in most new enterprises to move along the line of least resistance, and it would obviously not be following that course to attempt to form a party with a separate and complete organisation in the House of Commons at present. The best course whilst the Unionist Party is in opposition appears to be to consolidate Free-trade opinion, and to recognise the fact that the defence of Free-trade involves, not only opposition to Protective duties, but the maintenance of sound economic prin- ciplea A man, whether he is a private individual or a member of a Cabinet, who holds himself out as a supporter of Free-trade and supports the Trade Disputes Bill, the Eight Hours Bill for Miners, the Employment Bill, or old-age pensions, is either a man who has never mastered the basis on which Free-trade rests, or he is a political mountebank.
- We have established in this city the "Free-Trade League," which rendered most useful service in the return to Parliament at the last General Election of Members who were supporters of Free-trade. Nearly all of these were members of the Liberal or Labour Party, and they are now nearly all supporting legislation which must in the end defeat Free-trade. Has not the time come when the Free-Trade League and the Free-Trade Union should adopt a wider and more active policy ? Free-trade can only be maintained by sound Imperial finance, and by keeping taxa- tion down to the lowest point consistent with the defence of the Empire. Lord Cromer in the Free-Trade Hall on Thursday week only emphasised Mr. Cobden's doctrine when he put the maintenance of a sufficient Navy before Free-trade. At present, I think, there is a danger of Free-trade organisations being used for party purposes. I would respectfully suggest that the voting-power of Free-traders be organised in each electoral division, that at present the formation of a new party be not attempted, but that certain pledges be obtained from all candidates of whatever party. I am a High Churchman, a Free-trader, an anti-Socialist, and a Unionist, yet at the last Election I voted for a Noncon- formist Radical in the Eccles Division. I should like some- thing to be done that would enable me to vote for a Church- man and a Unionist at the next Election. If I could get a Unionist to answer the following questions in the affirmative, I should do so without hesitation :— (1) Will you, if elected, vote for a Royal Commission, on which Free-traders and Tariff Reformers shall be equally represented, to inquire into the result of the policy of Free-trade, and to inquire into and report as to the effect of any proposals which may be brought before it as to the alteration of our present fiscal policy?
(2) Will you undertake to vote against any proposal or measure that may be brought before Parliament which shall depart from the present fiscal policy until the Commission referred to in the previous question has reported and until the electorate has had the opportunity of expressing its opinion on such Report ?
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