Mr. Fawcett gave notice last night that he should move
as an amendment, on the second reading of the Public Works Loans Bill, "That the measures which have been introduced by the Government this Session relating to local taxation and local government, fail to meet the necessities of the ease and the expectations which have been raised ; and this House is of opinion that the delay of legislation on these subjects is calculated to im- pede the social and economic progress of the country." Mr. Forster having appealed to the Government to give an early night for the discussion of this important resolution, which amounts of course virtually to a vote of want of confidence, as Sir Stafford North- cote himself appeared to think, the Chancellor of the Exchequer intimated that it was a motion of great importance, which the Government would wish to have discussed as soon as possible, and it is possible that it will be the occasion of the most regular field-day of the Session. The tenant-farmers feel very strongly about the delay of the local-taxation scheme, and it is probable that those Conservative Members who are chiefly identified with their interests will shrink from giving the Government their support.
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