The Corporation of London on Tuesday received a severe warning.
Mr. Firth moved a resolution affirming the necessity of placing its expenditure under the same statutory restric- tions as other Municipal bodies, basing his motion on the Report of the Committee recently appointed to inquire into certain charges of malversation. The decision of that Committee was in substance that there was no malversation, but that there was extravagance as well as unwise management, and a large ex- penditure on agents who hire men to attend public meetings and agitate in favour of the Corporation. This was admitted on all sides during the debate, though, of course, it was said that the men were needed to keep order; and the Government only argued that the resolution as framed would not work, as it
would bind the Corporation to expend all its money within the City area. Moreover, as the Government must shortly deal with the whole question of London management, it was inex- pedient to tie their hands in advance. The friends of the Corporation made a considerable effort to bring up Members, but the Resolution was only defeated by 156 to 133.
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