The Prime Minister's reply to a deputation of Members favouring
Federalism was published in Monday's papers. He said that he had always been a strong Federalist, and that Parliament must be relieved of some of its work in order to give time to new problems. But no measure could be carried during the war without something like general assent, or a majority of two or three to one. Scotland and Wales were favourable to Federalism. " I am not so clear about the state of opinion in England," he added a " that is what really matters." He went on to remind the deputation that England contains thirty-four millions of people out of the forty-five millions in the United Kingdom. It is amusing to find that Mr. Lloyd George has rediscovered the great elementary truth. about England which Lord Rosebery revealed in the epoch-making phrase that he borrowed from the late Lord Salisburyon March 12th,1894: " Before Irish Home Rule is conceded by the Imperial Parlia- ment, England, as the predominant member of the partnership of the three kingdoms, will have to be convinced of its justice." No one has yet explained what part England is to play in the se. called Federal scheme, though Mr. Churchill once proposed to restore the Heptarchy.
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