View report page

19
what is agreed about) these words: " Mr. Brighty
said it was clear that the Government would not be
influenced by the opinions of the Vestries on the subject.
he did not think that a meeting called at
Fulham would alter the Government Bill." I did not
say this was the reason of the Vestry: I said it was
one reason given in support of the course adopted.
The other reason—inopportuneness—was involved in
dissenting from the opinion of Fulham. The action
of that district board in proposing a conference
has been vindicated, not only by the Home Secretary's
reply, but also by the publication of part
of the Ministerial scheme. Its leading feature
was indicated long ago by Mr. Gladstone, when he
spoke of maintaining and increasing the prestige of
the Corporation. All that is new in the latest revelation
is that in some way the Yestries are to be used as
the basis of local administration; how is not disclosed.
This is still a "delicate question" that will "tax
ingenuity." Does not this clearly indicate that certain
questions are still open ? Mr. Paget states forcibly
facts and considerations of great weight in the solution
of these questions, and I have no doubt he would
render valuable service in the laying down of
principles that ought to prevail in maturing the skeleton
scheme of the Government.
Yours, &c.
February 13th. WILLIAM STORK."
On the 1st March the Clerk reported the following
correspondence:—
From the Home Secretary:—
" "Whitehall,
February 17th, 1883.
Sir,
I am directed by Secretary Sir William Harcourt
to request that you will be good enough to furnish me