330 MODERN POLITICS 



votaries, needless to say, in the British Parlia- 

 ment. But it is a persuasive not an imperative 

 force, and is often excluded from the balanced 

 considerations of practical politics. 



With the increasing influence of unofficial 

 propaganda the status of politicians must in- 

 evitably decline. They will no longer be figured as 

 the anointed champions of the public ; they will 

 be its salaried employees. Across the Atlantic 

 this transformation is almost completed : with 

 us it has begun. In these circumstances the 

 public will not expect great nicety of manners in 

 its representatives, or be too curious as to the 

 sincerity of their convictions, so long as they 

 faithfully carry out its mandates. It may not 

 be greatly scandalized if they add indirectly to 

 their emoluments. In the Houses of Represen- 

 tatives at Washington and Ottawa the standard 

 of morality is lower than in the House of Commons. 

 We need not, however, assume that this laxity 

 of conduct is inevitable. It is hardly to be ob- 

 served in Australia and New Zealand. 



But philanthropy is cold stuff to set before the 

 electorate : at present the issues which it raises 

 would not tempt the great majority of us to walk 

 to the polling station. If it is to awaken any 

 enthusiasm it must be served up with party rivalry 

 to season it. Is it, however, of profit to the State 

 that political issues should be dressed up in 

 meretricious colours in order that men who feel 

 no real interest in public affairs should be induced 

 to take a hand in them ? Our true concern is only 

 with the electors who wish for improvement, and 

 will take trouble to secure it, and these need no 

 party allurements to record their votes. We need 

 not fear that their efforts will be fruitless. The 

 comforts and conveniences which we owe to Town 

 and County Councils have been elaborated by 

 energies, that, outside London, have not been 



