to the novel spectacle of a Liberal Administration in power. The progressive forces of the nation are awakening into active and energetic life. There is gradually opening up before the eyes of the people a long vista of social reform. Instead of recoiling before the prospect, they show every indication of an eager desire to press forward. The tide is still flowing strongly, and there is no sign of an approaching ebb. The recent by-elections have proved a tonic and a stimulant and have confirmed the belief that a courageous and forward policy is what the country desires. In the House of Commons the great majority has settled down to work. Two arduous sessions have not developed any elements of disintegration. No previous expectations of its more ardent adherents, but as a whole it has done better than even its friends anticipated. It has cleared the ground and laid the foundations for a really effective and constructive Liberal policy. An Harvest. has been abundant. Much admirable pioneer work has been accomplished. Expenditure on the army and navy has been cut down to the extent of nine millions in two years: taxation has been reduced by three and a half millions in the same period; while twenty-three millions of debt have been repaid. The burden of the income tax has been more fairly adjusted as between earned and unearned incomes. The way has been cleared, as far as finance is concerned, for Old Age Pensions next year. The army has been remodelled, with what success the future alone can show. A beginning has been made in dealing with the land. question in England. An instalment has been granted of the just claims of women to participate in the government of the country. The campaign. against the House of Lords has been opened. Some progress has been made in transforming the House of By permission of the proprietors of "Punch."] The End of the Session-Against Time. MADAME HIND: "Will it blossom or will it not? MR. PUNCH: "Watch and wait. No cause, for the moment, for elation or depression." Commons into a more efficient instrument of legislation. South Africa has been tranquillised, justice has been done, and the evil spirit of racial antagonism exorcised. In India, after an unhappy and regrettable prelude of coercion, a real though limited at tempt is being made to associate native Indians in the government of the country and to bridge the abyss that at present separates brown from white. In foreign affairs friendly relations have been established with Germany, and our differences with Russia have been A golden opportunity has been missed and much disappointment caused by the rôle played by England at the Hague. But even there good work has been done. Wanted A Campaign of Education. This is an excellent record so far as it goes. Ministers on the whole have done well. But they must not grow weary in welldoing. Their larger task still lies before them. What use are they going to make of their great opportunity? They have at their back a strong body of opinion, and ready to their hands a united and harmonious party. Never since 1869 has the Liberal Party had such a prospect of useful service. Upon the next Session of Parliament hangs the destinies of Liberalism for many a year to come It is a critical moment. the expectations of the people are disappointed, the If task of rebuilding the social edifice will pass to other hands. If, on the other hand, the Government rises to the height of its opportunity, the Liberal Party will have inaugurated a new epoch in the history of the social development of the nation. The occasion calls for boldness and courageous handling. Slackness at the present time would be fatal. Ministers this year have a breathing space which was denied them last year. They have thus an opportunity of surveying the whole situation and of carefully thinking out the future lines of action. A resolute policy of constructive social reform, with Old Age Pensions as the keystone, is what is expected of the Government. But something more is required. An autumn campaign of education is an indispensable preliminary to the work of next Session. The record of the Government has not been properly placed before the country. Ministers have been too much occupied with the work of their departments to devote much time to telling the country what do. they have already been able to What is urgently required is a clear statement of Liberal policy at home and abroad, illustrated by what has already been accomplished in giving it effect, and indicating the next steps to be taken. Only by this means will the nation as a whole come to realise what Liberalism actually means when translated into practice and applied to the daily life of the people. This work of active, persistent, and popular propaganda should be taken in hand at once. The Sick Man of British Politics, The Opposition shows no signs of pulling itself together. It is, as one of its adherents bitterly complains, the Sick Man of British Politics. Mr. Balfour, it is true, has regained his prestige as a dialectician. With the House of Lords at his command, he is, to a certain limited extent, dictator within the walls of Parliament. But his leadership evokes no response in the country. His party is still rent in twain and remains divided into two mutually antagonistic camps. The cause of Tariff Reform is hopelessly discredited. It has been rejected by crushing majorities in all the industrial constituencies that have had an opportunity of expressing an opinion. Jarrow condemned it by 10,294 votes to 3,930, Colne Valley by 7,143 votes to 3,227, and North-West Staffordshire by 7,396 to 5,047. These figures are the more remarkable when it is remembered that for the Tory Party to even approach within sight of a return to power it is necessary for them to The most convinced capture 150 Liberal seats. advocates of Tariff Reform ruefully admit that on its They are there merits it cannot gain acceptance. fore casting about for something that will make the unpalatable dose less objectionable to the British elector. A bold policy of social reform, with Old Age Pensions as the chief plank, seems to them to be the only chance of salvation. As it is, they are loudly complaining that they are without a leader, without enthusiasm, and without a programme. But a vigorous social policy would split the Tory party almost as effectually as Tariff Reform. A large section of the party dislikes progress, and only wants to rest and be thankful. It is quite content to adopt an attitude of waiting for something to turn up, and meanwhile places its trust in the House of Lords and the swing of the pendulum. Photograph by] [Eug. Pirou, Paris. Captain Ottley, R.N. Recently appointed Secretary to the Committee of Imperial Defence. These Bills will be introduced again next year, when the Lords will be able to study them in the light of the clearly expressed opinion of Scotland, which is not likely to be lacking in vigour. They also mutilated the Irish Evicted Tenants Bill so as to make it a far from effective measure of appeasement. Mr. Birrell only accepted the amended measure as he did not feel justified, considering the state of Ireland, in declining any opportunity of remedying the grievances of the evicted tenants. The Peers amended the English Land Bill in a drastic manner, but they receded from their position when Mr. Harcourt firmly declined to accept any amendment at variance with the spirit of the measure. Next session the conflict between the two Houses will probably be more acute. So far from acting as a restraining influence on Liberal legislation, the existence of the House of Lords compels the Government to keep in close touch with the great body of progressive opinion in the country. That opinion demands radical legislation and becomes dissatisfied when Bills are framed |