Mr. Childers devoted his second speech, at Knottingley on Thursday,
mainly to Reform and the rehousing of the poor. He thought parties were approximating about reform, both of them admitting that household suffrage must be extended to the counties, and that there must be a large measure of redistribution. The contention now was mainly about details,—a view which we fear Mr. Childers will find to be too sanguine. He pointed out, with immense effect on his audience, that if redistribution were to be arranged on the principles laid down by Sir Stafford Northcote in Ulsten, the claim of the West Riding and Lancashire would be irre- sistible. That district contains nearly one-sixth of the'population of the United Kingdom, and more than one-sixth of the elector!, while its property is over one-seventh; yet it returns only fifty. five Members, instead of more than one hundred. Mr. Childers did not, as we understand him, recommend redistribution on this basis, he only stated the facts. As regards the rehousing of the poor, he believed that the existing law was nearly suffi- cient, if it were only worked; that it would be worked in the provincial cities, but that it would not be worked in London until we had a strong central municipality. He thanked Lord Salisbury heartily for the "signal opportunity" which he had afforded the Government of dealing -with this great subject.
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