Mr. Gladstone has formally pledged his Government to a great
measure on local government and taxation next Session. On Thursday he stated, in answer to My. St. Aubyn, that the Govern- ment would during the Recess study the whole question, with a view to carry out as far as possible the will of the House as ex- pressed on Sir Massey Lopes' resolution. The aims of the Ministry would be :—" First of all, the introduction of the representative principle into local institutions where that representative principle does not already obtain ; secondly, to secure equality and justice as between the landlords and occupiers of the soil ; thirdly, to ensure equality as between the various classes of the community in re- spect to the aggregate contributions they make to the public burdens; and lastly, not only not to weaken, but if possible to strengthen those invaluable principles of local self-government and local self- control to which we look as among the main securities of the insti- tutions of the country." That is a most important declaration, and has material in it for the overthrow or establishment of any Ministry. Clearly, representative government is going to be
introduced into the counties, and if there is not a fight over that, we do not understand England. Government could not dissolve upon a better measure, more especially if they will give the Town Councils at the same time a little more power to pass bye-laws without wasting money and time on special Acts of Parliament.
