The Sun.
London, England, 1869-02-15 00:00:00

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LONDON, MONDAY, FEB. 15, 1869.

Monopolies of all kinds are, we may hope, going
permanently out of fashion, and although it is
usually a very slow and tedious process to get rid of
one altogether, there is little fear that once disposed
of it will ever regain its position. It is probably for
this reason that individuals and companies are alike
very unwilling to make any concession, or to surren-
der any part of the influence or authority which tbey
possess. They are not likely to recover the lost
ground, and accordingly they spare no effort to resist
the attacks of the besiegers while they are yet en-
trenched in their stronghold. Our gas companies,
however, which enjoy the privilege of charging us what
they please for an almost indispensable convenience,
are being seriously threatened, and they will have to
prepare themselves for a long promised and much
needed change. The expense, and inefficiency, and
discomfort, of our metropolitan management
has actually passed the bounds of an Englishman's
patience. Londoners have exhausted their tradi-
tional privilege of grumbling, and they begin to
think that the time for definite action has come. The
scheme for dividing London into municipalities has
found so much favour with the public that it is very
likely we shall soon see it definitely carried into
effect. Mr. BRIGHT observed the other clay that
memorials in its favour ha I been signed by one-
third cf the inhabitants of the metropo!is. Our g;,s
reformers, however, are unwilling to wait for the
fulfilment of this scheme, and a day or two ago a
deputation from the metropolitan vestries and dis-
trict boards waited on Mr. BRIGHT at the Board of
Trade-office to call his attention to the subject. The
principal object of the delegates was to impress upon
the right hon. gentleman the desirability of pro-
ceeding with a measure of which his predecessor had
given notice, which provided that the Board of Trade
or any local authorities might, miler certain circum-
stances, purchase the existing works. The bill em-
powered the authorities to make such purchase by
agreement or compulsion, its framers having appa-
rently in view the probable reluctance of the g is com-
panies to consent to aey invasion of their powers.
It enabled them, too, to erect additional gas works if
the consumers were not supplied with gas at reason-
ale rates. The deputation remiudel Mr. 13PaGur
that it was desirable the Board of Tra le should pro-
ceed with the bill without delay, as the Imperial and
other companies had asked Parliament for largely hi
creased powers, and for an increase of capital. The
plan proposed is not a new one. Last year the City
of London obtained similar powers, and have sine,;
made arrangements by which they obtain gas at 3s.
9d. per 1,000 cubic feet, a reduction which it is cal-
culated
.will save the City no less than £44,000 in
this ye ir, and twice that amount next. Mr. BRIGHT,
referring to the suggestion about the municipal sub-
division of London, asked whether it would not be
better to defer the matter until that question was
settled; but one of the delegates answered that the
question of municipalities had been under discussion
since 1835, and might remain open some time longer.
We hope that matters are moving a little faster in
the way of metropolitan reform than this remark
would imply, but it is undoubtedly true that the task
may be a tedious one, as it will inevitably be one of
much difficulty, owing to the strong and interested
opposition time proposal will meet with. But though
the exciting questions which are pressing on the no-
tice of Parliament may possibly leave some time for less
imminent matters even in the session now at hand,
the vestries and district boards are no doubt perfectly
right in refusing to defer any action until a scheme
as yet visionary has assumed a definite shape. If the
gee companies are seeking an extension of powers
which are already excessive, it is quite time that their
authority was curbed by a superiorauthotity. Atrre-
sent they enjoy a complete monopoly. London is
divided into districts, each of which is supplied by
its own local company. Supposing any dis-
pute to arise between a consumer and hi s
district company, be has no redress. The
company make their own bye-laws, and can
charge what they like within reasonable limits.
They are perfectly we'l aware that it is idle for
any individual to fight against a company, and
that gas, almost indispensable to the pursuit of
pleasure, business, or study, is not an article of home
manufacture. A quarrel with the district company
means a loss of gas, and very few are inclined to
bring so unpleasant an alternative upon themselves.
Where power is thus concentrated iu a few hands, the
results are certain to be mischievous. The system is
financially mistaken as well as morally in
No doubt the diminution in the
price of gas will in a short time enlarge
the number of consumers, and thus actually
augtneetithe receipts of the gas companies. At present
it is not surprising that the shareholders are very re-
luctant to give up their comfortable dividends or to

error.

hear even a rumour that such a sacrifice may be de-

demanded from them. We do not want centralisa-
tion, and have no desire to be " Haussmanized,"
even though our vestries and corporations conduct

their affairs in a somewhat primitive fashion. Still
we may reasonably ask whether so important a

requisite as gas should be wholly dlmdent on the
the caprice o a sell-co istituted holy, and we may
hope that Mr. BRIGHT'S words in dismissing the

deputation were something more than mare worth of
course ; and that when he promised the Matter

of gas reform should have his full consideration,
he really intended to call the notice of the Cabinet
to the need which exists for a thorough nviiion of

the whole system of metrofolitma gas supply.

As we were enabled io announce on Saturday, the
bishops have determined that they will not issue a
joint manifesto on the Ritual question, but each in
his own diocese will give the best advice in his power.
Thus the bishops at 14 mbeth have come to the same