JULY 267 



tioned on the Unionist placards in the South Norfolk election 

 two months ago, and also in the candidate's address. Now, the 

 candidates who made use of this war-cry were not, I think, in- 

 formed that the heads of the party were out of sympathy with the 

 movement, or, if in sympathy, believed it to be impossible. Had 

 they received a hint to this effect, most of them would have 

 dropped Old Age Pensions like a hot coal, while those who, 

 with myself, are firm believers in the potential benefits of com- 

 pulsory insurance, would have been careful to explain that we 

 advocated it as an individual fad. As it is, if the matter is to 

 stop here and in the face of the Report of the Committee I 

 suppose that it cannot go on many a Unionist member will 

 look a little foolish when the time for the next election comes. 

 Indeed, I think it not unlikely that in the country districts seats 

 will be lost over this question. 1 



In to-day's paper also is the report of the debate in the House 

 of Lords on the second reading of the Benefices Bill, which most 

 Churchmen hope may become law. But some Churchmen, of 

 whom I am one, think that it does not go half far enough, since it 

 is very difficult to see any moral difference between the sale of a 

 next presentation and the sale of an advowson ; that is, of a right to 

 perpetual presentation whenever a vacancy may arise. 2 I fear, 



1 Since the above passage was written a second Committee has been 

 appointed. Will it result in anything ? I doubt it. Except upon a basis of 

 compulsory insurance, a problem with which no Government will attempt to 

 deal at present, I believe the whole question of Old Age Pensions to be 

 beyond the reach of practical politics. 



2 I ask respectfully whether advertisements such as I reprint below tend 

 to advance the reputation of the Church of England ? They refer to these 

 counties, and are cut at hazard from recent issues of the Times, names only 

 being omitted. 



' MISCELLANEOUS 



' Advowson, Suffolk, for sale, within four miles of town and railway 



station, branch of G.E.R. Commuted tithe, 8837. Twenty-nine acres of 

 glebe. Present net income, 543/. Good rectory house and grounds, charmingly 

 situated, with capital shooting and golf links in the neighbourhood. Incumbent 



