ABSTRACT
What a lamentable exhibition it has been. Austen was evidently depressed by the “give away” to the Press of the secrets of the inner Cabinet but by the irony of fate it looks as if he would stand out as the only member of the Cabinet who preferred principle to party expediency. I had to write to Geo. Younger to express my gratitude for his outspoken comments.2 This dirty little Welsh Attorney and his C.L. sycophants think they can dictate a policy to the whole Unionist party. I cant for the life of me understand why they think they would gain by an election unless it is that they are relying on the money they have received by the sale of so many “honours”. But Younger’s statement has evoked such a unanimous chorus of approval that the Northcliffe Press is beating a hasty retreat and I am disposed to think that not only will the Election not take place in the Spring but that after such a dust it won’t come on in the autumn either. Malcolm Fraser sent me “a thousand thanks” for my letter3 and said it would be most valuable so I trust I had some little part in the revolt. Meanwhile Ll.G. has succeeded in dealing the Coalition a rude blow, for Unionists bitterly resent the attempt to jockey them out of Second Chamber Reform and they are in no mood to accept a position in the rear of the C.L. wing.
