In the House of Commons on Monday Mr. Balfour asked,
as is usual at this period of the Session, for the whole time of the House for Government measures, and made a statement as to public business. Besides Departmental and more or less contentious Bills, the Government intend to introduce and pass the Military Works Bill, the Clerical Tithe Bill, the Naval Works Bill, a Factory Bill, and a Bill for taking over the Niger Company's territories. Sir Henry Campbell- Bannerman met this proposal in a somewhat bellicose spirit. He did not wish to refuse the facilities asked for, but he warned the Government of the danger of bringing in so many con- tentious measures so late in the Session, and referred specially to the Clerical Tithe Bill : " I can only say that if the right hon. gentleman thinks that a Bill dealing with clerical tithes in any way almost, but especially a Bill relieving them from any burdens to which they are now subject, can pass through the House in the few weeks of July and part of August he is totally mistaken." Sir Henry still further emphasised his threat by declaring that his warning was not a mere accidental expression of his own mind. As we have said elsewhere, we would rather the Government had not touched the rating question till they could deal with the whole problem, but the notion that the Opposition has a veto on legislation after the middle of June is preposterous. Legislation is not a mere game with rules and forfeits, and so Sir Henry Campbell- Bannerman will find if he claims a right to obstruct Bills, not on their merits, but because they are not produced at what he considers the proper moment.
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