On Friday week in the Commons the second reading of
the Scottish Home Rule Bill, moved by Mr. Macpherson, was talked out. An application was made for the Closure in order to get a division, but the Speaker refused it. The Scottish Home Rule Bill of last year passed its second reading by a majority of 45, but did not reappear. This year's Bill was virtually the same, except that it contained a clause giving the franchise to women householders and wives. The seconder of the Bill announced, however, that he was so strongly opposed to woman suffrage that if the clause were retained and the Bill reached a third reading he should vote against it ! The absence of enthusiasm for the Bill among other Liberals was chiefly caused by the impossibility of reconciling the Bill with the Irish Home Rule Bill. The methods of govern- ment projected by the two Bills are very different. Although the Irish Bill cuts down the representation of Ireland from 103 to 42, the Scottish Bill provided that the representation of Scotland should remain as now until Federalism should be accomplished in England and Wales. Mr. Balfour alone drove enough nails into the coffin of this Bill—even less happy in its occasion than in its substance—to ensure it n permanent burial,
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