Sir John Lubbock, who was re-elected on Tuesday without opposition
by the University of London, delivered on the occa- sion a speech which is, we think, a perfect model of a speech for a University Member,—an ideal rarely even aimed at by Oxford, Cambridge, or Dublin Members. He strongly pro- tested against the course taken in severing the superintendence of Scotch from the superintendence of English education. He gave his approval to the Free-School system so soon as the reorganisation of our finances should permit us to find the means of replacing the school-fees out of grants in aid without throwing them on the rates, and on condition that the change should be so contrived as not to injure relatively the prosperity of the Voluntary Schools. In referring to our Colonial policy, he lamented the new and very extensive annexations in South Africa, which would probably lead to new wars with the Boers ; and then passed to the discussion of the plans proposed for subdividing property in land by means of the suggested Local Councils, of which he strongly disapproved, though he did not include in this disapproval a new administration of the allotment system for the purpose of relieving the burdens On the ratepayers. He pointed out that municipalities are very unfit to engage in large land speculations, and that no subdivision of property in land so effected would be at all likely to produce beneficial results. The State ownership of land is common enough in half-savage societies, and always gives way in more civilised communities to the freedom of individual enterprise. He was for removing all restrictions on the transfer of land, and then for trusting to natural causes for its subdivision. In reference to Ireland, he criticised very frankly and temperately Mr. Childers's proposals for concession to Ireland, pointing out that to give a party headed by Mr. Parnell complete command both of the police and of the administration of the railways, would be practically to render an appeal against the intimidation recently attempted by the National League in relation to the cattle traffic, quite hopeless. As regards the Church, he wished not to disestablish it, but to give parishioners more power over their own churches, and Church services. There are some parts of the speech with which we should not agree; but a speech with a substance and tone more worthy of a University Member it would be difficult to find.
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