No one will imagine that the long list of questions that have been mentioned covers the whole field of reconstruction, still less that the answers suggested are complete.  Some of the suggestions made may be fruitful, others not.  Enough has been said to show how huge that task is, and how it will need for its accomplishment all the knowledge and wisdom, and all the energy available.  It is, therefore, clear that every proposal which may be made must be examined on its merits, not as it affects any party or personal interests, and that those who are elected to decide or appointed to deal with any matter shall in each case be chosen because of their fitness for the work assigned, not because their influence or support may be useful to any party or coterie.

Political life from bottom to top must be purified if reform is to be carried out on just and sound lines.  On this question plain speaking is essential.  For some time elements of corruption have been growing up in English politics, which it will be one of the first duties of the electorate and of a new and reformed Parliament to get rid of.  The very word “politician” has become a term of contempt.  The country is alive to the evil and ought to insist that it shall be promptly dealt with.  The task is not an agreeable one.  Those who have anything personally to gain or to lose in political life will naturally shrink from it.  At the same time, nothing is worse than to overstate the case, and nothing easier than to create an atmosphere of suspicion without definite evidence.  Directly the word “purity” is mentioned in any sense, there is a tendency to put forward something startling, “to pander to the lust for the lurid.”  It would be an excellent thing to put a tax on the use of adjectives, at all events in the discussion of any question of politics or morals, as fines are sometimes imposed for the unnecessary or offensive expletives employed as a common form of emphasis.

One or two definite changes could be made which would go far to promote political purity. (1) No “honour” should be conferred on any Member of Parliament while he retains his seat there.  It ought to be considered sufficient honour to belong to that assembly.  Gratitude to a Government for personal favours of this kind, either already conferred or to come, should not enter as a disturbing element affecting a man’s political action.  There is much to be said for the rule that acceptance of an office of profit under the Crown vacates a seat in the House of Commons.  The rule should apply to the acceptance of any honour.  Perhaps an exception might be made allowing a limited number of members, who had served at least ten years in Parliament, to be placed on the Privy Council on the advice of a Select Committee of the House.  Such a course would strengthen the Privy Council by the addition of experienced men who had won the respect of their fellow-members irrespective of party, but had never taken office.  An appointment so made