18 JUNE 1904, Page 3

Parliament during the week has not done anything of im.

portance, Mr. Balfour having arranged that during Ascot week nothing of a contentious character should come before the House, except the unfolding of Mr. Arnold-Forster's Army scheme, which was to have taken place on Thursday evening. On Wednesday, however, Mr. Balfour announced that the scheme was not yet ready for the consideration of the House, and that he could not pledge himself as to when it would be taken. This means, we presume, that the Govern- ment have not yet been able to agree on Mr. Arnold-Forster's highly controversial proposals as regards the Volunteers, Militia, and other military matters; and that a struggle is still proceeding in the Cabinet. Meantime the condition of public business is becoming very serious.