15 JULY 1865, Page 3

Lord Hartington on Monday made a statement to the electors

of North Lancashire which, if correct, is important. He said, " When the new Parliament met, a bill on the subject would in all probability be introduced, and he thought a better measure could not be adopted at present than that brought in by Lord Pal- merston's Government." This statement has not been confirmed by any other official speaker, for Mr. Layard meant only, we think, to express a hope, but Lord Hartington is a much more important person in politics than his official post would show, and may have made his statement on accurate information. A reason- able bill which could be carried would be a great gain to the Liberal cause, as it would enable Mr. Gladstone to make his first appeal to a larger constituency, and one in which the workmen would have some power.