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