I am utterly opposed to the Government providing houses for the labouring classes at nominal rents; there could be no greater calamity than making our Government a great central bureaucracy, which, while doing something on behalf of the physical condition of the working class, would utterly destroy their moral energies, and make ours a "nation of paupers." By the provisions of the Act of 1851, 14 and 15 Viet., chap. 34, permission is given to raise money on the security of the rates for the purpose of building improved dwellings for the working class. Why has this not been generally put into operation? Because there has not been a motive power at work, the lowest class have not agitated for better dwellings; the evil has been allowed to lie dormant until 1883, when we get a sudden manifestation of public feeling from all quarters in regard to the domiciliary condition of a large portion of the working class. That improved houses, with all necessary arrangements for health and decency, would improve the moral and physical energies of the inmates is admitted by all; how to get houses for the people that are calculated to make them more vigorous and more happy, is the question. There are plenty of societies for "improving the condition of the labouring classes." I would suggest lectures and tracts to show the economy of having better accommodation; there would be fewer doctors' bills to pay ; their energies would not be crushed by a pestilential atmosphere ; they would be able to do more work, and to do it better and more cheerfully; life would have a brighter aspect, transferred from filth and misery to cleanliness and comfort ; their better nature would develop,