However gravely the House of Commons may condemn the proceedings
of Mr. Plimsoll, it is at least obvious enough that he has learnt the secret of pulling the strings which move the Government. His first great outburst certainly passed a Mer- chant Shipping Bill, some years ago ; and his last outburst has put Lord Sandon into very active motion indeed, on the subject of grain-ships. On Tuesday, Lord Bandon moved the appoint- ment of a Select Committee on the subject of grain ships laden in bulk. He said that every question that affected the lives of sailors must always be of interest to every Member of that House ; and so it is. But the intensity of the interest certainly dates from the time of Mr. Plimsoll. Lord Sandon showed that there was a good deal of conflict of evidence as to the desirability of loading grain in sacks rather than in bulk, and he wished to see the matter properly inquired into, before legislating; and after a friendly discussion, in which the view of the shipowners appeared to be, on the whole, decidedly with Mr. Plimsoll in the matter, the Committee was appointed, Lord Sandon declaring that he hoped it might report in time for such a Bill as Mr. Plimsoll's, if its verdict should be favourable to that course. The India rice-ships are often provided with -perforated zinc bulk-heads to prevent loading in bulk, and these bulk-heads take up much less room than bags. Would not that be the best arrangement also for grain-ships P
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