28 OCTOBER 1911, Page 3

On Tuesday a Conference was held at the Mansion House

to further the efforts of " The Secret Commissions and Bribery Prevention League," a body formed for enforcing the Preven- tion of Corruption Act of 1906. The speech of the chairman, Mr. David Howard, showed not only how much the League is still needed, but also what progress it has made in educating public opinion to suppress practices which were sapping our commercial honour and our commercial strength. A very general agreement was expressed at the Conference in favour of repealing that section of the Act which forbids prosecution unless the fiat of the Attorney-General is first obtained. We agree. This is a case in which there should be the freest possible access to the Courts.