On Monday Mr. Balfour moved a resolution taking all the
time of the House for Government business ; a motion which, after a little not very formidable discussion on two or three mild amendments, which were all rejected, he carried by a majority of 148(248 to 100). Thereupon Mr. Channing resumed the debate on the Address, declaring that it was nothing less than a scandal to defer all attempts to deal with the agricultural depression for eight months, after all the promises the Unionists had lavished on the country, and Sir William Harcourt discharged a considerable number of taunts at the Government, for proposing to do nothing till next Session ; but the debate was not very serious, and Mr. Price's amend- ment in relation to agriculture was defeated by 236 to 105, —majority, 131. Then came a discussion on Mr. Pickersgill's amendment, in relation to the unemployed, which was negatived by 211 to 70,—majority, 132; and in the end the reply to the Speech from the Throne was carried on the third night of debate by 217 to 63,—majority, 154,-2 more than the calcu- lated majority of the Government. No Minister ever under- stood better than Mr. Balfour the temper and management of the House.
