New-York tribune., 1908-04-09
ENGLISH ELECTIONS
And the Means by Which Some
Are Carried.
London. March 25.


tons. The little loaf and the Chinaman man
acled In South African mines were convenient
devices for catching votes, and thousands OF
voters were convinced by these devices that
tariff reform implied starvation on half loaf
and that the Unionists had sanctioned slavery
in the Transvaal and what would otherwise
have been ordinary became an overwhelming
majority for the Liberals. The Unionists in
their turn winning their way back TO power
by similar election devices. Peckham has been
captured with larger overturn OF votes than
was witnessed at South Hereford NIid-Devon,
Brigg or Cockermouth: but the banners OF the
conquering host have been inscribed with some
strange legends
Now that an immense majority has been OBJ
tained the Unionist managers perceive that It
proves too much to suit their purposes Their
essential issue is tariff reform. by which the
home market may be secured for British work
ers. with an increase Of employment and wages
and a partnership formed with the se!f-gov-
erned states Of the empire That is e construc-
tive policy worthy Of great progressive party.
ana the Uniontsrs, after wasting time and en-
ergy IN faction warfare and irresolute tactics.
are now irrevocably committed TO IL Whenever
there Is by-election they have an opportunity
for explaining the necessity for closer relations
between the colonies and the mother country
Tor fresh sources Of revenue for financing social
employment for workers at home In conse-
quence of systematic educational work on these
INES the cause Of tariff reform is steadily gain
ing ground IN the kingdom after a disastrous
defeat IN the general elections The astonishing
conversion OF a large Liberal majority into a
more expansive Unionist majority at Peckham
Is an indication that side issues have been ex-
aggerated and that public attention has baan
diverted from what is essential in party policy
Licensing Is not a question that is connected
with tariff reform, yet II has been the decisive
issue
The drink trade has rushed into politics and
caused the bulk of the uproar 1t has charged
the government with violating the Eighth Com
mandment. with raiding vested interests with
condscating private property. with running the
brewing industry and with plotting with tenn
perance fanatics to double the cost Of beer. if
not 10 deprive thirsty consumers Of the chance
OF getting it at any price. There have been
grotesque exaggeration and wanton rnisrepre-
sentatlon Of the motives and effects OF Iegis-
lation for enabling the state TO regain control
Of its licensing rights and TO close one-third
of the drinking places in England and Wales
in the course of fourteen years The drink in
dustries, by appealing 10 passion and prejudice
have swollen the Cnionist majority until the
triumph has become their own The licensing
bill will either be revised in their interest or
thrown out altogether by the Lords Brewery
stocks are already rising, and one OF the bravest
and most comprehensive schemes OF temperance
reform taken up in recent times has met with
a most damaging reverse. At the same time
the liquor business has been saddIed upon the
tariff reformers the first industrial interest
which they are under obligation TO foster and
protect. That is not d responsibility which
Unionists are likely to welcome
II the brewers and publcans are TO have their
way license renewable annually will become
the basis Of protected industry as permanent
as a freehold and not TO be interfered with az
any time without ample compensation. The
Bishop OF Manchester is the most serviceable
ally OF the brewers and he has declared that
the licensing system should be far better than
any freehold. since it rests on the good faith
OF the state According TO this view. licensing
instead Of being a measure of public regulation,
is a source Of private and vested enrichment
Whenever a public house is licensed for a year
there is an obligation 10 renew the privileges
year after year. Values ara created by public
authority and they cannot be impaired without
spolation Of private investments. The brew
ing syndicates supplying the capital for the
retail drink trade have a right 10 protection
against the withdrawal OF licenses and any
breach Of contract on the part OF the state by
which the interests of investors in these specu-
lative undertakings may be sacrificed. This is
a new and advanced theory Of licensing which
releases the liquor trade from public regulation
and enormously increases the assets OF brew
ers and distiuers Unionists will be embarrassed
by Il as time goes on
Not less mlschievous than the irresponsible
power accorded by Peckham TO the liquor traf-
fc Is the veto put upon social legislation The
eight-hour miners proposal has been trans
formed into q dearer coal bill. and the cost TO
the consumer has been run up with lightning
caIcuIatio by the speakers on Uniorist plat
forms. This has offered a pleasant variation
from the studies in higher mathematics. in
which 25OOOO shareholders in brewery stocks
have been despotled Of 100000 and 100
600 vorlzmen deprived OF employment under the
licensing bill. It has been equally easy 70 Illus
trate the future privatons Of consumers by the
half filed coal hod and the half-empty beer
glass. ad the common conclusion has been
reached that the Liberal government is delib-
erateIy trying 70 ruin everybody. It may be
a servlceable device for carrying an election.
but It Is not the best method OF adapting tariff
reform to social questions in which the masses
are deeply Interested. There may be insuper-
able objections TO the extension OF the eight
hour limit to miners. but the Unionists cannot
afford to show any lack OF sympathy for any
demand OF the working world. They must stand
ready to take up social reforms in a democratic
spirit or their triumph when IL comes viii be
short and Elusive I. y. T.
ACADEMY OF DESIGN ELECTION