We are glad to record that Mr. Asquith, in a
very able speech, met the views of the deputation most sympathetically, and, without committing himself to any particular plan, virtually agreed that an inquiry ought to and should take place. We agree with Mr. Asquith in thinking that a Royal Commission would probably be too cumbrous a body to conduct the inquiry. As at present advised, we incline to a Select Committee of the House of Commons. But it may well be that the Prime Minister, with his great experience in such matters, will be able to think of some system of inquiry, different from either of these two, which will be more satis- factory. The country is, we believe, ripe for the change, and, with the large number of working precedents on the Continent, in America, and in the Colonies, it is impossible to say that proportional representation is impracticable.
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