Lord Lansdowne and the peers who worked with him in
draw- ing up the Bill are to be most heartily congratulated on the success of their scheme. No doubt it is possible to make many effective criticisms on the details, but we venture to say that the promoters of the Bill are as fully conscious of this as any outsider can be. The truth is that in order to obtain a general agreement on the Bill concessions had to be made on many points, but that, after all, is the fate of all legislative proposals, whether in representative or hereditary Houses. In our opinion it is the duty of members of the Unionist Party not to dwell upon what they think minor defects in the Bill, but to concentrate upon obtaining its passage through the House of Lords, and, if possible, the Commons. Undoubtedly the re- constituted House would be an improvement upon the present House. Though it gives weight to the hereditary element, it does not give too much weight, and makes sure that it shall have no place in the government of the nation unless it is associated with merit and ability. It is much to be born a member of a distinguished family, but that will count as nothing unless the fortunate possessor of a great tradition has also proved his capacity to serve the State.
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