3 MAY 1884, Page 2

The debate on Mr. Raikea's instruction then went on again,

Mr. Elton protesting against the South and West of England being called upon to give up seats to Ireland ; Major-General Alexander demanding for Scotland ten or twelve additional Members ; Mr. Whitley (11.P. for Liverpool) denying that the Conservatives are afraid of the working-men, — only they must insist on Redistribution first; Lord E. Cecil declaring frankly that the Bill of 1867 was a great mistake. Mr. T. Collins asserted that everybody knew that the Bill was to be knocked on the head in another place, that the Bill of 1867 "went too far," and that the present Bill is a fraud. Finally, Mr. Raikes's instruction was negatived by 174 to 147. The very small number in both divisions was due, it is said, to the Whips on both sides having had some understanding that there was to be no division,—an understanding not understood.