xLri EFFORTS FOR FREE TRADE 267 



On March 1 he writes : " Last week I carried 

 a resolution at the Council of the Chamber of 

 Commerce that we should not support the Protec- 

 tionist resolutions to be moved at the meeting 

 of the Associated Chambers of Commerce. The 

 Protectionists called a special meeting to rescind 

 this, but the feeling was against them, and 

 eventually we agreed to an adjournment sine 

 die, so as to let them down easily. 



" March 2. Meeting of the Associated Cham- 

 bers of Commerce. Belfort moved a Protec- 

 tionist resolution and there was a long debate. 

 I spoke on the Free Trade side. Eventually the 

 resolution was carried by a small majority, but 

 as it required two-thirds, nothing will be done." 



On the 3rd he was again speaking at the 

 Chambers of Commerce, first on Forestry and 

 then on the report of the Banking Committee. 



His energy continues to seem inexhaustible, 

 and he was wonderfully well and active. On 

 April 30 he notes : " My birthday. Very kind 

 letters. I am thankful for so many blessings. 

 Royal Academy dinner — sat between Fitzmaurice 

 and the Danish Minister. Saw a great number 

 of old friends. During the Easter holidays I 

 have been principally working at pollen. Eric 

 has been helping me. At the dinner Asquith 

 referred to the portrait of Lloyd George which, 

 he said, would be viewed with interest and 

 mixed feeling. Lloyd George was next but one 

 to me, Fitzmaurice being between us, and he 

 turned round and said, ' Many of them would 

 certainly like to see me hung on the line.' " 



He had his breakfast parties still going at 



