UNIONISM, Nov. 16.
Tax election of Mr. Bonar Law as leader of the Unionist party, unanimous as it eventually was, has fairly been described as a compromise. Only close attention to verbatim reports of parliamentary debates and of political campaign speeches in the country would have suggested the possibility of his early attainment to his precent position. Tt would hardly be too much to say electorate be has been comparatively that to s very large section of the
unknown, for his speeches have a never been of the kind that provide the newspapers with striking headlines or columns of picturesque comment. The same might, perhaps, be said of other aspirants for the Unionist leadership, at all events up to the time of the intrada of the Parliament Bill. But in political circles speculation has been rife as to the respective chances of Mr. Austen Chamberlain and Mr. Walter Long. Mr. Austen Chamberlain, of course, as representing industrial interests and as Mr. Balfour's right-hand man in the House of Commons, bad a strong claim to the support of the party. To the earlier days of his parliamentary career he was described as cold, precise, and u thetic in manner. And although since that time he has frequently aroused enthusiasm, his style has alway suffered by comparison with his father' intense personal magnetism and inborn qualities of leadership. It is, as Mr. Chaplin remarked, a tragedy that Mr. Joseph Chamberlain is throughout the country, " sugges tion that the tide is turning, and an auspicious en ment to forts, 'Tu. the campaign which' is now. beginning, the new leader will present contrast to Mr. Balfour which, it may well be, will make all the difference to the fatare of Unionist policy. Alike in conception and in explanation, Mr. Law is essentially practical, A business man by training, and Chairman of the Glass appeal with success to' the bard-headed business men of the North, where Mr. Balfour was notoriously: least successful. Without any great eloquence or impassioned style of delivery, his words, as those who have heard him speak will admit, bear the stamp of clear and tensoned thought. Although an unsparing critic, if need be, his policy is essentially constructive, and in this connexion he will find himself confronted with what hes been for years great charge levelled against his party. The problem of Ireland has again arisen, and the solution offered by the Liberal Government will shortly be placed before the country. Unionist opposition to that measure must not be mere opposition. The whole question has gone too far for that. Alternative proposals must be put forward, which, while maintaining the Union unbroken in every respect, may yet satisfy the legitimate aspirations of Trishmes.
Next in order comes the question of the House of Lords. While
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.