In one part of his speech, Mr. Morley delivered himself
of two distinct and, superficially at least, rather inconsistent prophe- cies, the first being that the Welsh Disestablishment Bill and the Irish Land Bill would pass the House of Cominons "before the beginning of the fourth week in July." The second was that the Government would push the Local Option, or Veto, Bill on liquor, to its second reading, and would deal with it with an earnest determination to pass it. The only way of reconciling the two prophecies is to assume that the second reading of the Veto Bill will not be taken till August or later, for even Mr. Morley must know that there is a very minute chance of its passing even the House of Commons. And its rejection would of course involve either the resigna- tion of the Ministry, or the Dissolution of Parliament. It is possible, however, that if once the Government has carried the Irish Land Bill, and if once the rejection by the Lords of the Welsh Church Disestablishment Bill has filled up "the cup" a little fuller, they may not be indisposed to ride for a. fall on their very bad and unjust Veto Bill, and to go to the country with the Temperance flag in the front of the battle. Sir Wilfrid Lawson and the enthusiastic teetotalers are in a. high fever of excitement at the prospect of a pitched battle. on Local Option ; while the Westminster Gazette poses in that, heroic attitude of calm but dignified despair which becomes, the good man in adversity awaiting his unmerited fate.
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