It has been usual to associate the term “reform” mainly with constitutional changes, and especially with the extension of the franchise.  Fortunately, the present Parliament has dealt with that question in a manner which makes great further changes unnecessary, and will leave the new Parliament free to deal with others.  Instead of taking up time with the discussion of alterations in the franchise and arrangements for elections, the legislative machinery should be ready for use.  But it is not merely to legislation that we have to look.  More and more will depend on the action of executive departments of Government.  Their field of activity has been extended during the War, and new departments have been established.  Some of the new activities should be continued after the War, others should be stopped as soon as possible.  It will be necessary to discriminate carefully.  The powers of local authorities may be increased, and those authorities may be urged to more energetic use of them.  There will probably be strong demands for interference by the State and local authorities, and the advantage of the free action of private individuals is likely to be overlooked, although where it is possible for a reform to be carried out by private effort better results are usually obtained, and at less cost than by action of the State.  We are suffering and shall probably continue to suffer from too much regulation.  One of the first reforms will be to get rid of restrictions which the War has for a time rendered necessary, to restore liberty of action, and to stop the expenditure occasioned by State interference wherever such interference is no longer needed.

Using the term “reform” to include all improvements which can be made either by restoring former conditions or by introducing beneficial changes, it will be necessary to look into each question separately and see in what cases and to what extent action by the State is required to accomplish the end desired.  The most convenient course will be to draw up a list of subjects which ought to be dealt with, and then see how far (i) legislation, and (ii) executive action by some department are called for in each case, and how far private action will be effective.

The following appear to be the most important and most urgent matters which require to be considered either during the War or immediately after peace is declared.  All of them will involve some action on the part of the State, although in many cases that action will be to enable voluntary associations or private individuals to take up the work and to aid them in doing so.

The list, though by no means complete, looks formidable:—­

1.  Restore constitutional law and liberty.

2.  Remove the fetters on trade, commerce and industry.

3.  Demobilise the army and decide what naval and military forces will still have to be maintained, and what provision ought to be made in regard to military training in the future.