Description:

Winston Churchill
London, England, October 18, 1927
Winston Churchill ALS to Arthur Steel-Maitland Discusses Neville Chamberlain
ALS
Winston Churchill (1874-1965). Autograph Letter Signed, "Winston S. Churchill", 4pp on bifold blind-embossed Treasury Chambers stationery, Whitehall, S.W., October 18, 1927. To British Conservative politician Arthur Steel-Maitland (1876-1935). Flattened folds and creases. Light soiling. Staple holes at top left corner. In near fine condition. Accompanied by Steel-Maitland's retained carbon copy of his response.

In full: "The cabinet decided on June 15 that your Bill should only be framed 'on the basis of no change immediate or prospective in the principles of finance at present governing Unemployment Insurance.' I was assured of your acceptance of this basis not only by yourself, but by the Prime Minister. Otherwise I am sure that in view inter alia of Neville's position, you would not have been allowed to introduce your measure. I warned you several times that, stripped of its financial allurements, your Bill would be a burden, & yield no advantage to the government adequate to the demand on Party time. You however declared that you would go forward on the basis of the Cabinet decision. And that is where we stand today. I cannot agree to depart from the definite basis of decision & agreement on what you decided to introduce the Bill.

The words which you have furnished to Davidson seem just to fall within the limits which were agreed: but the gloss put upon them in the inspired political note in the Times goes beyond them, & seems to leave open to further pressure a line deliberately adopted after full debate, from which I cannot recede. I shall make it perfectly clear that in this Parliament we are not committed to the principle of 'equal thirds'; & you must bring this voice before the Cabinet if you do not feel able to adhere to your undertaking. I am sorry to have to be so plain - for I know your difficulties & temptations."

During this period, Churchill was serving as Chancellor of the Exchequer and Steel-Maitland was Minister of Labour with a seat in the cabinet. The two had worked together in 1926 to end the general strike in the United Kingdom.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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