(It wants but a few weeks now to the reopening of Parliament, and the Iuil: in foreign affairs has given time for a consideration of the domestic legislation which we may expect from her Majesty's Government. - Several. forecasts of: the promised thre of metropolitan municipal reform have been published; but by far the most likely. has appeared in the pages of the London Argus, the organ of the "Moderate" Party in London local gorernment, -According. to this account the Government have entirely dropped their proposal to divide London up into a large number of Plactically independent: boroughs," each with its Mayor and "Corporation. That aherne, it may be remembered, was made the test question at the Cousity Council elections in the Spring, and the result was_a crushing defeat of. the Moderates, ndon, though ill overwhelmingly Jonservative or mist int. Imperial politics, proved itself absolutely opposed to the Conservative Government: on this question; and.the Government have wisely—if this forecast may be trusted—in recognising.the force of circumstances and formulating a much less ambitious scheme. It is curious fact that on this question of metropolitan government it is the Conservatives; who have been the Separatists," while the cals have been enthusiastic in de fence of the "Union," and the " Unio: it, seems is to prevail. District Councils ate to take the place of the proposed Mayors and Corporations, and the County Council is to remain supreme over all.
be a pretty large measure of tion of course, Even the Radicals admit that this is needed. But neither the usefulness nor the dignity of the County l is to be impaired. 'There. scems'no reason why such a scheme should not commend itself to both parties in the House of Commons. There will of course be purty: fights over matters.of detail; but: the Second, and 'Third Readings may well he carried' without any division, as in the case of the Irish Local Government Act.. It is significant in this connection that the old lousy between the London County Council _and the ancient Corporation of the City of London seems to be dying away. Very few even of the most' ardent reformers would desire now to reform out of existence the old Corporation with its picturesque ceremonies atid its mbst honourable history, chequered though it may, have been with some little flaws and abu
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.