Sir U. Kay-Shuttleworth on Friday week raised a somewhat important
debate on the Municipal Government of London. In a very good and not too lengthy speech, he moved that the pre- sent system was unsatisfactory, and asked for a central and single municipal authority, to consist of the Corporation of the City, remodelled and improved to meet modern wants, and renewed by direct election. He would have 200 or 300 members, and give them all the powers of the Vestries and the Metropolitan Board of Works, and a great many powers now exercised by Departments of the Imperial Government. Of course his resolution was defeated, by 116 to 73, but the debate brought out a remarkable change of feeling. There was very little Conservative opposition to the change, even Mr. Cross only suggesting that this was not the time, while the Liberals were strongly favourable. Indeed, it would appear from the speeches of Mr. Goschen and Sir Sydney Waterlow, that the City itself is now inclined to a large measure of reform ; and that the Companies, though timid as usual about their funds, would rather see the question settled by a Tory Administration, than left over till the popular wave brings the Liberals back to power. Of course nothing will be done, with war hanging over us, but there is at last more than a possibility that London will be reorganised.
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