• We are glad to see that Lord Robert Cecil,
M.P., has put down a Motion for the rejection of the Development Bill introduced by the Government. To a representative of the Daily Mail who asked the reason Lord Robert Cecil made an admirable statement of his grounds for opposition. "The Bill proposes to pi-t at the unfettered use of the Treasury £500,000, and as much more as they cart get out of Parlia- ment. That is to be used not only for scientific and un- remunerative undertakings, such as experiments in agriculture and forestry, but also for the making of harbours, canals, light railways, and so on. That means that everybody will be going to the Chancellor of the Exchequer of the day and demanding a grant for his own little locality." In any case, continued Lord Robert, it meant an opening for gigantic corruption. "That is what always happens on the Continent in places where a similar system prevails. Think of the
wicked waste of public money in France on the eve of an election, the disbursements for public works which are not needed, in the avowed interests of better trade which never comes." Strong as these words are, we believe they are not one whit too strong to describe this mischievous and demoralising measure.
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