Of course, Mr. Forster assailed strongly the Egyptian policy of
the late Government, and expressed general distrust of Mr. Gladstone's foreign policy. What is matter of more interest, he declared himself against any interference with a parent's right to leave his property by will as he chooses, even though it be away from his children ; he opposed strongly the pro- gressive Income-tax, that is, a heavier rate of income-tax on the rich than on the well-to-do ; he opposed Mr. Chamberlain's plan for elective councils, which he termed "Home-rule in disguise," and was against Disestablishment, though he thought that, if ever the majority of the people really desired it, they would get it. He strongly advocated a powerful Navy. He impressed on the electors that they mast attend to foreign affairs, that they must be very careful of taking international engagements, and still more careful of fulfilling those they do take. He expressed his well-known views in favour of some closer bond between England and her Colonies, though he did not define what it should be, and ended by claiming the right to be what he had always been, not "the mere mouthpiece of his constituents, but their representative," in the sense that he could represent them only when his own conscience and judgment sanctioned their wishes.
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