. When Mr. Lloyd George on an English platform makes
similar accusations of obliquity and reaction against the Government, allowances are made for his party spirit ; but in America an ex-Prime Minister is taken literally. This is a grave matter, and if Mr. Lloyd George's Liberal friends cannot lay a restraining hand upon him, we do not know how his irresponsibility is to be bridled. Recently we wrote something about the desirability of adequate pensions for ex-Cabinet Ministers of a certain standing, whose services ought to be available for the nation as those of Elder Statesmen, and who ought to be saved from the temptation or the need to support themselves by undesirable means. The subject comes back to our mind now. Of course, it would be impossible to provide such pensions as would satisfy a man who was " out " to make money or mischief ; but every pensioned Minister would, at all events, have the choice between a dignified and useful life and a life of doubtful enterprise. In the division the Amendment was defeated by 326 votes to 163.
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