NEWS OF THE WEEK.
IN the papers of Wednesday the result of the last of the -I- elections was announced, that of Orkney and Shetland. The Liberal candidate was returned, this being another Independent Liberal gain. The final figures of the elections can now be stated. Of the 015 Members who constitute the House, 344 are Unionists. This would give the Government a majority of 73 over all other Parties in the House ; but, as a matter of fact, their majority is considerably larger. For example, the three Members who prefer to call themselves Indepen- dent Unionists are pretty sure to vote with the Govern- ment, and so are several of those who are marked down as National Liberals and Independents. If half of the doubtfuls support the Government, which is a reasonable estimate, the Government majority would be 79. We may expect, anyhow, that on test divisions the Government will have a majority of close on 80. That is quite enough, and perhaps even more than enough, for a Government that is to do good work and, as all good Governments ought, to use due care in avoiding blunders and pitfalls.
