Parliament was prorogued on Friday. The usual final debate on
Thursday threw very little fresh light on the situation. On the face of it, Mr. Balfour's speech sounded almost like a declaration that there would be no Dissolu- tion this autumn, but it must be remembered that he would have been obliged to use such language in any case. To have used words that pointed to a Dissolution would have spoilt his own and everybody else's holidays. On the whole, however, we are bound to admit that the present indications seem less in favour of a Dissolution this year than they did ten days ago. The Session has been a memorable one owing to the extraordinary smallness of the legislative output. Only one contentious measure has been passed—the Aliens Bill—for the Unemployed Bill in its final form was a shadowy thing to which no one seriously objected. The best Bill of the Session is undoubtedly the Scottish Churches Bill, but this, again, was, in a party sense, entirely uncontentious, and as much an Opposition as a Government measure. The ending of the religious strife caused by the decision of the House of Lords will be an immense relief to Scotland, and we do not doubt that clause 5 will give a liberty and an opportunity for a wise comprehension to the Established Church which she will use with discretion as well as liberality.
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