Mr. Gladstone on Tuesday attended a meeting of the London
Liberal and Radical Union Club, in the Memorial Hall, Farringdon Street, and made a great electioneering speech. His idea evidently was, that as the Progressives had carried the County Council, if he could adopt the Progressive pro- gramme, and show that it could be realised only through Home-rule, he might carry London for that policy. He there- fore, after an allusion to the Newcastle programme, declared that the General Election would give effect to the desire of London for a great Municipality in which the City Corporation and the Guilds and Companies, with their wealth, would be merged, the Chairman of the County Council becoming the Lord Mayor. The Municipality should have all the powers given anywhere to any municipal body, including the control of the police; should be enabled to tax ground-rents; and should make any rules they liked for the payment of the labourers employed by the contractors, the ratepayers being trusted to avoid extravagance. The Government, thought Mr. Gladstone, could not hire labour except in a free market; but Corporations and monopolies and all limited Companies could, in return for their privileges, be justifiably compelled to adopt the eight- hours rule. Having made these brilliant promises, Mr. Gladstone proceeded to say that they must all depend upon Home-rule, for that was the first question before the nation. The speech, on which we have commented elsewhere, was en- thusiastically cheered ; but on reflection it will be seen to cut two ways. If Home-rule blocks the way, why not retain the Government which, not wanting Home-rule, has a clear path before it ?
