In the House of Lords the Address was moved by
Lord Ilkeston, who quoted Mr. Bright's declaration in 1884 as foreshadowing the Government proposals, and seconded by Lord Hillingdon. Lord Lansdowne, after a felicitous refer- ence to the loyalty felt by all classes to the Crown as a unifying influence in India, turned to a survey of foreign politics. He gladly accepted the assurances as to our friendly relations with foreign Powers, but they could not conceal from themselves that there was a spirit of restlessness in the world. Reviewing the Declaration of London, he urged that no pains should be spared to secure the evidence of the great commercial interests, which had not been sufficiently con- sidered. Dealing with the Government proposals for the more effective working of the Constitution, Lord Lansdowne expressed the hope that the spirit of the Conference, and not the spirit of the hustings, would prevail. If this were not done they would arrive at a settlement which would settle nothing.
