25 NOVEMBER 1911, Page 3

The Times of Wednesday states in its " Political Notes

" that

"the desirability is being discussed among Opposition peers of introducing into the National Insurance Bill a Referendum clause when it conies before their House. It is thought by some that if the Government could be induced to consent to a clause pro- viding that the Bill should not be put into operation until a favourable Referendum upon it had been obtained from the elec- torate a clearer light would be thrown upon the situation."

This, of course, alludes to the suggestion made in last week's Spectator, a suggestion which has been very much strengthened by the result of the South Somerset election. Some of its con- sequences are pointed out at the conclusion of our article on

the Insurance Bill.