On Tuesday Mr. Lionel Holland tried to induce the London
County Council to pass a resolution intended, as far as possible, to prevent country firms getting London contracts, —i.e., Mr. Holland wanted to protect London labour from country competition. Fortunately the Council refused, and by 68 to 26 rejected his proposal. This was satisfactory; but still more satisfactory was the part taken in the debate by Mr. John Burns. Mr. Burns described "the policy of the ring-fence " as reactionary and retrograde, and damaging to the real interests of London labour. In this he was of course supported by Lord Farrer, whose great influence on the Council is always thrown on the side of sound economics and good-sense. Mr. Burns's visible improvement in statesman- ship is one of the most satisfactory things connected with the Council. In time he will have shed all his economic sophistries. It is a pity to see an able young man like Mr. Holland so ready to pick them up and put them on.
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