Except the Army debate, the House of Commons has
• during the week done little but discuss the Licensing Bill, On Wednesday, however, Mr. Balfour gave notice of a Resolution "guillotining" the discussion of the Bill in sec- tions, which was to be moved on Friday evening. He pro- poses that the Bill shall be discussed on seven days more only :—(a) Four days in Committee : (1) one day for Clause 1; (2) one day for Clauses 2 and 3; (3) one day for Clause 4; (4) one day for rest of Bill and new clauses. (b) Two days for report. (c) One day for third reading. In spite of the official apologies made for Mr. Balfour's proposal, we cannot but feel, and we believe that the country will feel, that his action is not justified. Mr. Balfour must have known that the Bill was highly contentious, and should therefore have brought it earlier before the House of Commons. A Bill which adds to the value of the monopoly given to the "trade" by perpetua- ting that monopoly without increasing the consideration liow paid for licenses is not a Bill which should be forced through the House as Mr. Balfour is forcing it.
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