Page:The Annual Register 1899.djvu/113

 1899.] Lord Boaebery and the Liberal Party. [105

gence between the two reports were in respect of the disqualifi- cation of justices and the constitution of the licensing authority. On other points, however, the commission was practically unanimous, admitting the need of an extensive reduction of exist- ing licences, and that the abolition of tied houses was impractic- able, and insisting upon the expediency of dealing with the real occupier. All sides, moreover, were agreed in recommending safeguards to be taken in granting new licences, renewals and transfers ; and for protecting children ; in the constitution of watch committees ; in police administration ; the regulation of clubs, and the treatment of habitual inebriates.

The Liberal party, which since the meeting of Parliament had been strengthening its position in public esteem, as proved by the results of recent bye-elections, was thrown into disarray again by a speech from Lord Eosebery at the City Liberal Club (May 5). To the ordinary reader there seemed as little malice in the ex-leader's remarks as he intended, but it was easy for extremists, eagerly on the watch for causes of offence, to place an interpretation upon Lord Eosebery's words which did not make for reconciliation between the two sections into which that party was divided. After a graceful reference to the loss the party had sustained by the death of Mr. T. Ellis, the senior whip, to whose qualities and merits he paid a very ample tribute, Lord Eosebery went on to deplore the decay of parlia- mentary Liberalism, which robbed politics of all its interest, and was a real disaster. It was in Parliament — not in the country — that this change of view was noticeable. " I believe," he said, " that the nation itself was never so heartily, so con- sciously to some extent, in sympathy with Liberal aims. Well, then, you may ask me, if that be so, why they do not vote Liberal. Well, since the general election they have voted pretty Liberal. But when I say Liberalism I say quite frankly I do not mean sectional Liberalism, but the old Liberal spirit which existed before the split of 1886, which weakened one part of the party, and led the other part to associations which, I may say without impertinence, it may some time find dis- tasteful. As I said, the Liberal spirit is as powerful in the country as it ever was. In fact, the nation is always essen- tially, but moderately, Liberal. The nation does not sym- pathise with extremes, yet it is always mainly Liberal But it is sometimes alienated from Liberalism by causes which I have declined to state. I have no right to offer advice to the active politicians I see around me. But if I did venture to do so, I should say that until you have the Liberal party as it was before 1886, reconstituted in some form or another, or until you have a new party which will embody all the elements which existed before 1886, you will never achieve that predominance in the country which existed when I began public life, the heritage and almost the birthright of the party. If the old Liberal party as it was before 1886 is to be revived again, or any new