7 JULY 1917, Page 11

In the House of Commons on Wednesday Proportional Repre- sentation,

as provided for in the Reform Bill, was rejected by 201 votes to 189. We greatly regret this result. The weight of argument, in our opinion, was in favour of the moderate experiment proposed. But a further reason for our regret is that the balance of the Bill has been upset. It was a Bill to be taken or rejected as a whole. On that ground several Members doubtful about Woman Suffrage voted against their inclinations, and we wish that the same consideration had influenced the opponents of Propor- tional Representation.