Manchester Courier and Lancashire General Advertiser from Manchester, Greater Manchester, England • 7

LIBERAL POLICY. Tll OLD GOSPEL." I STATEMENT. "ESS OF TARIFF REFORM 1 HUNNER'S i as take in political circles oniin at i 1" Party held ester a the The gather nUtive one including the ailfl rinti al members of the I lB tne rom inent private 5 in party in the House of gentle there were two bund red aTld present The meeting had to he ,1 ed for Tuesday last, but 'Cn Sir Henr Cam Pbell- Pcst PP till yesterday. Mr. I whn rt speeeb, in which he I jf' the 4 V' 01 6 llad a in 1 "Hi 1i( I)eeTl no chanse in VoUcj, al leac ot attempt to minimise the 1 a fi, John Brunner, who I Xft of th to warn his iff of meetin the Ah TRADE POLICY." BRU APPEAL.

50 John Leese the ni op en Brunner to the Mt th i the Proceedings the Chair-1 'h." 1 Cam 6 OO3 sustained by the death th He hoped VS? ConL 18 admirable a leader of 1 towO Wa in ns Sir Heni 7 Campbell- I a ed to Partieular-that he would 1 sou, ft nia ntain the dimity and the to? Commons. (Cheers.) As I Ifi er on Sir John continued, I I hh 6 piece bard, practical ad- 1 of ent That advice is to give a is ln Policy of the Manchester esf er fl th laissez faire policy. 16ixty years ag said of I Of et if lng that could be done for 0 (A voice: "Hear, 1 wb 6 hin 1 am convinced that fi th their methods be good id he en to be absolutely inJ th a biJ a 5 community that they ot5 6 nort for the benefit of trade I 5rj iv pt a Power. I ask the Govern- I if 6 0 1 ral policy-a sound NXfr Bane trade lic 1 ask I 1 am Know mg niy fellows in trade A lf ac nVmce that when bad times the ffer fr the ther nil of 'Jtid the last sentence of the nv cr Sat re succeeded by a low which lasted for some Ellis moved a the lat Par ty' 3 deep and grate- fr as BiTu 8 rendered to the i Campbcll-Bannerman. nini Ousl Carles Fenwick, and a llp(on Gurdon then moved: in if representatives of the arlla nunt and the country -row to the 3t of First c'e' 9 tr or tx Preswes its ardent confi- I COtl Sens in council, power in i' Cs pS? ate master of the habit H'd 'hfi le business are destined to Det al Uard the od causes to th a 7 le wv a tty is committed, and the 1 CXi3tS t0 apply and co ni and the Government or npp ol nua nce of loyal, steadfast, 6 Cn go i tne maTl rtout battles al that now, as always, con! ly its leaders." I (( 0p Burt seconded.

He 0 nate in having such a com JfS ereat leader they had lost. fi oBici al behalf of the Scottish 1 th th nbew and Sir members, SU SUpir bieh carried with A h2 MIER THANKS. to re to i an enthusiastic reception everv one present stand. ii a minutes. The obn Brunncr and bC Xt i 3 ambition in this IV of more than that after at lI "ino- avour of the Crown with a Gov ernment, he should Dm be ave me to-day.

an of the conti. i bf and with whom all been spent. (Cheers.) been the custom of Nl of lead. eath or thr 1116 hip to that the 4l 9 n. Gptim Te lhoir opinion as cl a fe think that is CO 4Dv has 16 CUstom a as 6 this rea4 said ifc COUnlr not even with Lihl 'f StS i th nobody but 3 ij ih PaTty their at hlSt oric Wa ell have today a whic have seen so by the as t-you have 5N al 9 the terms ii Sht ricl in Tem embered by -c Mc nds a of and valued JV 1 be, a your part with 1 with a lt Tv, if nly 1 thank gene need to be se in 3 oonfidenee which 1 UBk tha we iave oi out and 2 nd 'eit a Pemum than a im- am Nt (Cheers.) 4 (i that during i 'n Vll a object I Pan a a e-eminent Jbl, that Sir ay a more do llot V' a i' le as Henr Cirt ficant or a i La 7 pbe ll Bannerman ate oth for any lf not impos' ok apart fr om SS to llow 0 6 of oth er condiH 1 all Personal lrt Bht I set nS Which we 6 Sectoral store which we have sustained in the country during the last few months.

With the exception, I think, of Mid-Devon, where local and personal causes were at work, I think I am right in saying all the seats we have lost have for the last years been regarded as among the unassailable possessions of the Tory Party, with tlie Bingle exceptions of the elections id 1906, when they were for the moment submerged by the highwater mark of the great tide which then swept from one end of the land to the other. But, gentlemen, I refer when 1 that we have TC-ached, as I think I may a critical time in the fortunes of our party, I refer not to tlie electoral, but to the Parliamentary situation. It is true that during the last two and a half years we have added to the Statute Book an unexampled I mean in the same unexampled number of useful and beneficent measures, and that in the sphere of administration I believe, without undue self-complacency, we may claim comparison both for activity and prudence with any of our predecessors. But, gentlemen, we are still a long way from the com- pletion of the task which the country entrusted to us and which we came to Westminster to discharge. There i 6 a lot of country still to traverse, steep hills to climb, stiff fences to take, deep and even turbulent streams to cross before we come tc the end of our journey.

But we know where We are we shall i.ot It se oui way. (Renewed cheers.) Policy and Purpose Unchanged. I will only venture to remind you of two general conditions which affect political life in this country and the fortunes of the Liberal Party in particular. In the first place, remember that in British politics no victory is final, and no defeat is irreversible, and in the next place let us keep in mind also that the secret of our vitality as a party is constant, and ceaseless activity, while the opponents whom we have always to confront, live and move in and draw a large part of their being from inertia and lethargy. (Cheers.) I won't detain you for more than a few moments, lhave not come here to propound, and you have not come here to accept a programme.

There has been a change of leadership which we all lament. There has been no change of and continued change either gf policy or of purpose. We have still lam disposed to think we are rather apt to forget it have still got to defend the citadel of Free Trade. (Cheers.) There can be no greater mistake for Free Traders to make than to lay aside their armour and let it rust on a shelf. The followers of Protection have this particular quality like some other noxious things, that they plant and propagate themselves, and unless you keep the garden steadily weeded, before you know what has happened you will find it has been overrun.

So again, gentlemen, with education. I entirely agree with what fell from one of my right hon. friends that in the matter of education the controversy itself is a constant reproach (cheers) both to the best conditions and to the political sagacity of the English pemle. In this matter of education we must hope and wo'-k as we ail wish for a concordat and for peace. But while I say that I say also we must keep our powder dry.

We must not and we cannot abandon either our principles or our friends. (Loud cheers.) Nor can we leave things in the intolerable position in which they are now. (Cheers.) The Licensing Bill. In regard to licensing, that was a Bill which I think, as every man hi this room will realise, not, even the most malignant, if there be such among our opponents, would suggest we introduced for vote-catching purposes. (Laughter and cheers.) It was met, as you know, with an almost unprecedented storm of misrepresentation and vituperation.

Gentlemen, Ido not believe anything the Liberal Party has done for years has done more to give it a real foothold among the intelligent electors. In the long run the British people recognise and appreciate the vainglorious courage which exhibits itself as a mere matter of histrionic display, but the courage which can face at all costs no one knows better than you and I do the costs we are hazarding can face at all costs great social problems, determined rather to sink in the attempt to solve them than not to attempt to solve them. When I say determined rather to sink than not to launch our vessel on the voyage, I. gentlemen, speak to you with the greatest con fidence when I say I hope to celebrate with you, and celebrate before long, its safe arrival in port. (Cheers.) I have mentioned these things, not as in any way exhausting our policy, but merely as samples.

Let me add is the only thing I will add not let us ever forget there is anotner group of social questions of the highest moment with which it is our business to grapple before we lay -own our arms. I mean those questions which are con nected with poverty and causes, and, so far as may be, their remedy, with the classification of the helpless and hopeless, and in particular with the organised treatment of the problems connected with ctHianooJ and with old age. (Cheers.) I earnestly trust, gentlemen, and I believe that before another week is over, we shall have taken at any rate a first step and a solid and substantial sttp towards dealing with one, and that perhaps the most urgent, of all these problems. (Cheers.) Old Gospel Good Enough. But I did not come here, as I said, to preach a now gospel.

The old -gospel good enough for me, and I believe for you also. (Cheers.) I have been a Liberal all my life from the first time when I could ever think about politics, and a Liberal I mean to remain to end. I am a. Liberal and you are Liberals, I believe, for the same reason. Why Because we find in Liberal aims the true ideal, and in the Liberal Party the most potent instrument both for maintaining all that is good and fruitful in what we have inherited from the past, and, what is still more important, securing for our people, for all classes of our people, a wider outlook, a more even opportunity for each, and for all a richer and a fuller corporate life.

(Cheers.) I thank you once more with a full heart for the kindness and confidence which you have shown me to day, and I pray that I may be worthy of it and deserve it. Mr. Asquith resumed his seat amid loud cheers, after having spoken for exactly fifteen minutes. ST. GEORGE'S DAY.

PRINCE OF WALES AT ST. PAUL'S. His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, as Grand Master and first and principal Knight, Grand Cross of the Most Distinguished Order of St. Michael and St. George, was present yesterday at the annual service of the Order in St.

Paul's Cathedral in commemo- ation of St. GeoTge's Day. His Royal Highness was accompanied by the Princess of Wales, and an illustrious company was present. The assemblage of members of both Services who have been distinguished in Colonial administration, resplendent in full uniform and bedecked with orders made a glittering spectacle in the Cathedral. The service was held in the chapel of the Order, which is situated in the nave just to the south of the great west door.

The little chapel itself could not contain the whole of the distinguished comnanv, which overflowed into the body of the Cathedral itself. All the chief officers of the Order were present, including the Duke of Argyll (Chancellor), Sir Montagu Ommaney (Secretary), Sir Francis Hop wood (Registrar), Sir William Baillie Hamilton (Officer-of-Arms). Despite a large crowd had gathered outside the west door to witness the arrival of the Prince and Princess of Wales. The Prince of Wales was attired in Admiral's unifcrm and wore many orders. A somewhat long service was conducted by the Cathedral'clergy.

A brief sermon was preached by Bishop Montgomery (Ihe Pre'ate of the Order), and afterwards Sir William Baillie-Hamilton (Officer-of-Arms), rtad the list of memhers who had died during the past year, all present at the service Teverently standing. A service of cotn memoration followed. After the BlesVing the National Anthem was and Their Royal Highnesses were then conducted to their carriages. A despatch to New York from Fort de France, Martinique, states that several persons have been and a number wounded in a political disturbance there, among the killed being the mayor of the town. 5 The Right Hon.

Sir John Dorington, Chairman of the Gloucestershire County Council since its formation, and former county Parliamentary representative, was yesterday presented with the Cheltenham freemanship. The meeting between Signor Giolitte, Italian Premier, and Prince Yon Bulow at Venice, was taken up with a discussion on questions affecting the interests of the two countries, and the complete agreement of the two statesmen on the various points raised was confirmed, says Reuter. CRUISER BLOWN UP. EXPLOSION IN MAGAZINE, HEAVY LOSS OF LIFE Tokio, Thursday. TfTe Japanese training cruiser was sunk off the Pescadores this morning through an explosion in her magazine The cruisers "Itsukshima" and Hashidate rescued many of the crew, but it -is feared that two hundred men, including the captain of the Matsushima," have perished.

Later. Admiral Yoshimatsu, in command of the Training Squadron, in his report of the disaster, states that the explosion occurred in the vessel's stock magazine at eight minutes past four this morning, while she was anchored off Mekang. The vessel sank immediately, till only the bridge was visible. The boats of the other cruisers saved one hundred and forty-one of the Matsushima's crew, including some officers. Tlie majority of the officers, however, had not been rescued at the time of the despatch of tho Admiral's report.

There were fifty-eight cadets on board out of a complement of three hundred, including sons of Field-Marshal Oyama and of Baron Cninda, of the Foreign Office. It is feared that both of these are among the dead. Captain Yoshimori Yashiro, commanding the "Matsushima," also perished. The cause of the explosion is unknown. The "Matsushima" was one of the oldest cruisers in the Japanese Navy, having been built, at La Seyne, in France, in 1890, and with her two sister ships which were with her at the time of the disaster was down for removal from the active list this year.

She had a speed of 15 to 16 knots, and carried one 12-inch gun and 12 4.7-inch guns. Her complement was 360. DISASTROUS EXPLOSIONS. Accidents such as that which has happened to the "Matsushima" are luckily rare, but they are usually accompanied by heavy lose of life. The following short list comprises the most serious explosions on warships in recent years: Lives lost.

"Dotterel" K3 cruiser "Maine" 267 July, gunboat Bennington Heavy battleship "Mikasa" 500 cruiser Aquidaban" Heavy battleship "Jena" SALTING THE "GLADIATOR." LIVERPOOL CREW AT WORK. The salvage boat Ranger," from Liverpool, has visited the of the cruiser Gladiator" at Yarmouth, Isle of Wight, and Captain Young, who is in charge of the operations, has proceeded to Portsmouth to confer with the Admiralty officials. A stem gun has been got out from the Gladiator," in addition to the wireless apparatus. Divers can only work at low water owing to the strength of the ebb tide which sweeps round Fort Victoria. The City of London Corporation has contributed one hundred guineas to the British naval disasters relief fund.

"BRITANNIA" EXPLOSION. TWO DEATHS. Stoker New and Ordinary Seaman Thain, two of the men injured in the boiler explosion on board the battleship Britannia," have died at Haslar Hospital, Portsmouth. NORWAY'S ROYAL GUESTS. WANDERINGS AT WTLL.

Christian-ia. Thursday. King Edward and Queen Alexandria, the King and Queen of Norway, and Princess Victoria, with their suites, drove this morning to the Holmekollen, where they at the hotel. The weather was splendid. After lunch the royal party drove to Voxenkollen, where they arrived quite unexpectedly.

They inspected the rooms occupied by King Haakon and Queen Maud during the past winter, and then drove to the Rock of Kragstenen, where they were photographed. They got back to Christiania at half-past three. King Edward, it is stated, has expressed himself as 60 pleased with his vi6it to Christiania that he intends to repeat it another year, when His Majesty will go first to Bergen in his yacht, and thence to Christiania via the mountain railway. GERMAN TRADE EXPANSION. SUBSIDIES FOR STEAMSHIPS.

Telegram Berlin, Thursday. The Reichstag to-day proceeded to the first reading of the Bill granting an increase of £25,000 in the annual Imperial subsidy to the North German Lloyd Steamship Company for the establishment of a four-weeWy service between the German protectorate in New Guinea and Japan and Australia. Herr Wermuth, Under-Secretary of State, quoted statistics with the object of showing that the development of Imperial mail steamship lines had given extremely satisfactory results since 18S6. The total tonnage of the traffic on the East Asian and Australian lines of the North German Lloyd had risen from 83,477 in 1888 to 283,333 in 1906; the total value of the cargoes from 74,500,000 marks to 369,000.000 marks; the exports of merchandise from 33,000,003 to 156,500,000 marks; and the number of passengers carried from 12,223 to 35.948. Exports to China had increased in value from 24,200,000 marks in 1839 to 63,100,000 marks in 1907; those to Japan from eighteen million five hundred thousand marks in 1889 to a hundred and two million marks in 1907, and those to Australia from twenty-one million marks in 1889 to sixty-seven million one hundred thousand marks in 1907.

The subsidising of the company had thus been highly advantageous to Germany- Continuing, Herr Wermuth declared that lines from New Guinea to Australia and Japan could not be maintained by the North German Lloyd without an increase in the present subsidy. The Government attached high importance to the economic development of New Guinea, and to the advantages that would accrue from the adoption of the bill, which would also benefit missionary work. The buui required to attain the objects of the measure was small, and considerably lower than subsidies wliich competing nations granted to their shipowners. He asked The House to pass the bill and grant the increased subsidy at least till the 30th of September, 1914, when the principal agreement with the North German Lloyd would expire. The Reichstag referred the bill to the Budget Committee.

ATROCITIES BY KURDS. ORDERS TO PERSIAN TROOPS. St. Petersburg, Thursday. The following telegram from Tabriz has been received here: "The Governor of Urumia has sent a telegraphic appeal to the Governor of Tabriz for help against the Kurds, who have captured and horribly maltreated more than two thousand women and children.

The roads leading to Lrumia are occupied everywhere by Kurds, who have seized quantities of merchandise on its way to the town. Orders have been received from Teheran to organise hurriedly a force of ten thousand men and despatch it against the Kurds." SUSPECTED OF NINE MURDERS. Berlin, Thursday. The police believe the basket maker Koch, recently arrested at Apolda on suspicion of having murdered his wife, whose mutilated remains were discovered in a quarry, is the perpetrator of nine other murders, including those of two former wives, a son, and three housekeepers. DUNDEE CAMPAIGN.

HARD FIGHT IN PROSPECT. WHY WAS MR. CHURCHILL CHOSEN i RIVAL ADDRESSES. Sir GEORGE BAXTER Mr. WINSTON CHURCHILL (LA Mr.

E. Mr. G. H. STUART Mr.

Robertson's (L.) majority in 1906 was-over Labour, over second Liberal, 3.154: over first Unionist, 5,411. From our Special Correspondent. Dundee, Thursday Night. On. the eve of Mr.

Churchill's arrival in Dundee, one is inevitably forced to a consideration of the question as to why- this seat, of all others, is the one on which he has set his heart. Where chances of success are concerned, one naturally compares the circumstances, as they exist now, with the conditions prevailing at the general election; and here at once you are confronted with tlie fact that, whereas in 1906 the elector had a choice of five candidates for his two votes, and was able, if he pleased, to plump in any direction, on this occasion he has only a (single vote to register. This being the case, it is purely a matter of comparing the candidates one with another in conjunction with the special circumstances in their favour individually. The review of the position I have been able to make thus far leads me to the opinion that the suggestions made earlier in the week that it was a "safe seat" for the new President of the Board of Trade are by no means justified. Conjointly, the chances of Conservative success are very much less open to doubt.

Added to these two main facts, there is some little complication involved in the appearance in the field of the Labour nominee, Mr. Stuart, and of the Prohibitionist, Mr. Scrymgeour. Mr. Churchill's Toron Task.

On the face of it Mr. Churchill has a tough task before him and thus I hark back to the was Dundee offered him, or why did he choose Dundee? People are fond, as Manchester knows, of talking of Mr. Churchill pluck and love of a fight, but I think any reasonable person will agree that two or three North- West Manchesters running may be calculated to take the enthusiasm out of even the keenest fighter. Yet one reads that no contest where Mr. Churchill is taking part can fail to be vivacious and picturesque.

He is nothing if not a fighter, and the Liberals of Dundee, having got him, need have no fear as to the fight he will put up on their behalf." If this is the view of Liberalism hereabouts, what does it mean? That the cause is in sucli a precarious condition that it must import all the way from or from London, whichever way you like to put it, a candidate with the strong personality of Mr. inston Churchill and a President of the Board of Trade, to boot? Or is it the case, as the Marquis of Tullibardine suggested, that the action of Dundee Liberals in bringing Mr. Churchill down was a little bit of political snobbery not to bo admired The Liberals, the Marquis said, wanted nothing less than a Cabinet Minister. They wished an Englishman but what, he asked, was the matter with a Scotsman. The point is obvious.

Sir George Baxter's Popularity. Sir George Baxter, the Conservative and Unionist candidate, is a gentleman most thoroughly well known and liked in the city. Ha is a 'son of the late Right Hon. W. E.

Baxter, member for many years for Montrose who served under Mr. Gladstone. The name of Baxter is the proverbial household word in Dundee. Sir George is one of the heads of a firm of jute and linen manufacturers employing over four thousand hands, and he js immensely popular with his workpeople. It remains to be seen if the people of Dundee will be content to accept an outsider, and a member of a discredited Government at that, in place of their worthy and esteemed townsman.

On the subject of a choice of seats it is interesting to remark that Mr. Churchill was asked to contest Stirling Burghs, but declined. Another curious little bit of information is that Mr. Stuart was one of those who were asked to contest North-West Manchester in the Labour interest. Instead, and no doubt very wisely, he made way for the redoubtable Dan Irving.

Finally, on the subject of candidates, there is Mr. Scrymgeour, described as a Prohibitionist. I may say frankly that up to the present I have quite failed to find out what he means by such a description. One gentleman of importance I asked said Oh, Scrymgeour wants to prohibit everybody, and everything." I cannot quite accept this defiration, but I shall not cease my endeavours to find out what it is Mr. Scrymgeour wants, and why.

Not having yet located Pankhurst, I interviewed one of her lieutenantesses to-day, and put the question as to Mr. Churchill's probable chances. Said the fair vote seeker: I do not think he has any chance whatever. I cannot think what he is coming to Dundee for." These ladies, it must be remembered, are keen observers of the trend of tlungs politically. In another quarter I was told by one who is in a position to know Dundee, and its political proclivities well, that there would bo no falling away from tho Liberal ranks on account of a local candidate like Sir George Baxter.

Said this gentleman Oh, no, they never change here. They would vote for anything labelled Liberal, even if it were a donkey." The arrival of Mr. Churchill tomorrow has been well advertised, but it remains to be seen if it will be as well stage managed as his arrival at Manchester Central Station. Unionist Candidate's Platform. To-night the election addresses of Sir Ceorge Baxter and Mr.

Stuart are in the hands of the electors. "I have spent my life among you," says Sir George, and can safely hy claim to a considerable knowledge of local conditions." The candidate boldly declares for Tariff Reform, and commercial reciprocity between Great. Britain and the Colonies, for the maintenance of i the Union and of the House of Lords, though in I favour of reforming the Second Cliamber, and in other respects adheres to the programme and principles that are known and upheld by every Unionist. The Labour candidate, as usual, is in favour of a thousand and one things. In i this respect he will probably be outdone by the gentle "yVinston.

Mr. Stuart says: "Among other things, I am opposed Protection, yet do not agree that Free Trade, by itself," is sufficient to ensure the continued prosperity of a nation, but, that it must be accompanied by a continuous movement in the direction of social progress." He is also in favour of Home Rule and non-contributory old age pensions. Not Afraid of Winston. More than a dozen open-air meetings in support of Sir George Baxter's candidature were held to-day, and there are indoor meeting's this evening. Mr.

Stuart and Mr. Scryrngeour are carrying on an active campaign. Sir George Baxter has announced that he doe? not intend to make fancy speeches, and the approval with which this was greeted bodes ill for Mr. 1 Churchill, with his firework tendencies. Mr.

Churchill, in fact, will find himself in an atmosphere very different from that he encountered in Manchester His speeches will be listened to, and no doubt enjoyed, but it is when question time comes that he will have "to go through it" as the saying is. In Dundee, as in fact everywhere hereabouts, the putting of questions to candidates has been Teduced to an exact science, and candidates one and all have to keep pace with this development. There is an emphatic reiteration today that there was no truth whatever in the rumour that Mr. Stuart, would withdraw, presumably by arrangement, in the interests of Mr. Churchill.

Says Mr. Stuart: "I am not frightened even of forty 7 inston Churchills, and when I leave Dundee it will be to go to Westminster." It only needs the addition of the words, "after Sir George." So now for Mr. Churchill. It is a case on all sides of "Come on: we're waiting for you." UN REPENTANT. MR, CHURCHmL'S ADDRESS.

Mr. Churchill drew up his address to the Dundee electors last night. It is in the following terms: Manchester Reform Club is scarcely three hundred yards from the Town Hall, yet as I entered it immediately after the declaration pf last Friday's poll, I was handed a telegram from Dundee. This spontaneous act of kindliness and succour will ever be gratefully Temembered by me, and, without the slightest disparagement of other proposals by which I have been honoured, I have accepted the unanimous invitation of your Executive to contest the City of Dundee at the impending bye-election for the Liberal and Free Trade cause. I do not need in this letter to enter on a catalogue of measures and issues.

The policy of His Majesty's Government is plain and unpolished. My own personal views on the great controverted questions of the day have been set forth abundantly during the strenuous election which has just been decided. 1 shall come among you to justify them, and I only claim the fullest opportunity. On the maintenance of our Free lrane system, on the Temperance cause in its conflict, with the organised forces of the liquor trade, on the hope of a "concordat" in-education, which shall give v's In England the freedom of conscience and secular efficiency you in Scotland have so long enjoyed, on land reform in town and country, on South Africa, on Ireland. I avow myself entirely unrepentant.

You will be asked to endorse the appeal of the coal miners for a little larger share of life, and sun. and light, and thereby to take another practical step in the long which seeks to make all processes of economic production conform to the laws of health and science. You will be urged to fortify the Government atrainst the arbitrary, irresponsible partisanship of the House of Lords to approve an orthodox and a thrifty administration of the public finances, and to bang bar, and bolt the door against protective and preferential taxes on bread and moat, no matter on what pretext they are imposed It would be foolish for us not to recognise that British democracy is now confronted by a vigorous Tory reaction. The social battle swings to and fro in uncertain decision. The fate of important, legislation, conceived in the highest interests of the labouring classes of Britain, hangs in the balance, and an electoral blow which should sweep Liberals from power would fall with aggravated force on Labour representation in all its degrees.

Let us be united. By inviting me to be your candidate in the place which ill-health has caused our respected friend. Mr. Edmund Robertson, to relinquish, you have chosen, as you are well aware, to fight in a situation of exceptional dispute in order to sustain the cause of progress. The Liberals of Dundee have set aside all personal considerations.

Citizens whom a lifelong know-, of your industries and particular interests had equqwed, and Whose posiiiona in the public esteem had entitled to represent, you, have sacrificed, unasked and unhesitating, their honourable aspirations. It has been vonr choice to play a direct, part in national rather than to seek the gratification of local needs, and to strike a blow in the cause of the common goou. rathet than to gain a special advantage for Dundee. Believe me, I am deeply sensible to this, li I were to pre my personal claims on you I should feel, indeed, that my ease was weak, but too, have come gradually, and with widening knowledge, to serve great causes, and, upborne by them, I feel Ml ample confidence and authon'ty. The levers ol soc al progression are still in tho grasp of Liberal Party.

We want to set them forward, to govern the deslinies of the onward march of peopies. Shall we bo the strength That is the question I have come to ask Dundee. I am, gentlemen. Yours faithfully, Winston S. Churchill.

Board of Trade, 30th of April, 1908. IRISH VOTE AT THE ELECTIONS. THE LEAGUE'S ADVICE. At a meeting of the Standing Committee of the United Irish League of Great Britain, held at the of Commons last evening. Mr.

JT. P. O'Connor presiding, communications were read from Mr. Redmond and other members of the Committee now iv Ireland, and a resolution was passed advising the Irish electors of Dundee to support Mr. Winston Churchill whole heartedly and unitedly, as his declarations in respect to Home Rule are entirely satisfactory, and have been pronounced by Mr.

Asquith to be the policy of the Government. A similar resolution was adopted advising the Irish Nationalists of Wolverhampton to support Mr Thorne, the Liberal candidate. MR. CHURCHILL'S PAWNSHOP. THE HOME RULE PROMISE.

Replying to the toast of the Unionist cause at a dinner of the National Conservative League in London last night Sir Alexander Acland-Hood, M.P., Chief Unionist Whip, said the Unionist Party was regaining and had regained the confidence of the country. The first and great reason was that the people were alive to the policy so clearly laid down at Birmingham by their great leader, Mr. Balfour. (Cheers.) The young and able Minister who formerly represented North- West Manchester looked on that important constituency as one vast political pawnshop, into which lie might place any amount of pledges to be redeemed at some future time. (Laughter.) They would watch the election at Dundee with great interest, and see whether the junior member of the Cabinet would be allowed to have any more cheques returned to drawer." (Laughter.) He regretted the action of certain so-called Unionists at the Tecent election in Manchester who, for the sake of an obsolete theory of Fiscal policy, deliberately abandoned the essential principles of the Conservative Party.

How could such gentlemen expect to receive the support of the Central Office. He commented on tho promises on Home Rule given by Mr. Churchill as distinct from those of the Prime Minister, and said that a clear declaration of the Irish policy of the Government would be demanded. OTHER CONTESTS. UNIONIST CANDIDATE FOR NEWPORT.

Mr. Beville Stanier, of Peplow Hall, Shropshire, was yesterday adopted Unionist candidate for the Newport Division of Shropshire. Mr. Stanier, who is a large landowner and county councillor, in his address declares himself a pronounced Tariff Reformer, He desires to see the taxes on tea and sugar reduced, considers that all brandies of agriculture should receive more consideration from the Government, is strongly in favour of reform in the House of Lords, and is in favour of granting the franchise to women on the same qualifications as apply to men. The Licensing Bill, he says, is a fraud as a temperance measure, and an act of gross injustice to many innocent people.

Mr. Francis Neilson, Liberal candidate, opened his campaign last night at Whitchurch. He claimed that the Licensing Bill was just, and generous, and gave especially generous treatment to licence-holders, who were harshly treated under Mr. Balfour's iniquitous measure. A new writ was ordered to' be issued for the election in the House of Commons yesterday.

Liberal Choice for Stirling Burghs. At a joint meeting hild at Dunfermline, last night, of representatives from the Liberal associations of the Stirling Burghs, Mr. Arthur Ponsonby was unanimously adopted as Liberal candidate to contest the seat so long held by the late Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman. Mr. Ponsonby, who was present and accepted the invitation, served for nine years in the Diplomatic Service, and was for some time chief Private Secretary to the late ex-Premier.

At the last general election he contested Taujnton, being defeated by Sir E. Boyle. CABINET MINISTERS' RE-ELECTION. NO ROOM FOR LEGISLATION. Mr.

Asquith, in a printed reply to Sir William Holland, says: I am disposed to think with my hon. friend that the necessity for Ministers, on attaining Cabinet rank, seeking re-election, is out of date, and not in accordance with public interest or convenience. But its removal would require legislation, for which, in the pressure of more urgent matters, there is not at present room. Mr. Torrance McMicking was last night adopted as Unionist candidate to oppose Mr.

Annam Bryce at the next election in Inverness Burghs. Mr. McMicking, who resides in Shropshire, i 3 a brother of the Liberal member for Kirkcudbrightshire. EDUCATION COMPROMISE. LIBERAL CHURCHMEN'S OFFER.

PROPOSED GREAT CONFERENCE. An important movement with a view to on the education question has been eUited, and reached a fresh development at Westminster last evening, when a meeting of Liberal Churchmen who are membeTs of Parliament was held in one of the House of Commons Committee rooms to confer with several influential and representative clergy as to certain amendments in the Education Dr. Napier, M.P., presided, and among those present were Bishop Welldon, Dean of Manchester: the Dean of Winchester, Canon Scott; Canon Wilson, Prebendary of Wakefield: Sir Thomas Dyke Acland, Sir E. P. Tennant, M.P., Sir George Kekewich, M.P., Mr.

Freeman Thomas, M.P., Mr. Harwood, M.P., Mr. E. Beauchamp. M.P..

Mr. Austin Taylor, M.P., Mr. Harold M.P., Canon Moore Ede, and others. The following resolutions were passed: That in the opinion of this Conference of Liberal Church Members of Parliament, clergy, and others, a solution of the Education question might bo arrived at on the lines of the Government Bill with the following amendments: I. Facilities by which children may receive denominational teaching twice in the week during school hours at the expense cf the denomination should be afforded in all schools.

11. Such denominational teaching to be given by persons appointed by the denominations, and class teachers to be permitted to give such teaching, the head teacher to be allowed in single school areas to give religious instruction in and from the Holy Scriptures, the Apostles' Creed, the Lord's Prayer, and the Ten Commandments, and also to give full denominational teaching (a) in all existing non-provided urban schools when a second school exists: (b) in single school areas if the local education authority, in its discretion, authorises him to do so on the ground that it is not reasonably practicable to arrange for such instruction to be given- by some other competent person, whether a teacher or otherwise. 111. The cost of all denominational teaching (including ar. apportioned part, of teachers' salaries) to be paid in the first instance by the Education Authority, and to be recouped to them by the denomination.

IV. The freehold of all denominational school buildings in single school areas to reinain with the denomination, at the option pf the denomination, the local authority having power to take or leave all schools held under limited tiusts for a reasonable rent, such rent to be paid to the foundation managers under the Act of 1902, and to be applicable for any purposes authorised by the trust deeds fV Su i ec fo the oregoing qualifications St. Asaph a Cher ad Pt laUSe tWQ the af ihJ ien of ih out provisions sub tftnSl 6nnmeut Bill there sbould be Je pSi- he Provisions of clause four of 1906 as that clause Commons Bl when jt left the Houee of commons, or some modification thereof. Conference Required. parsed- llmVing Bpecial resolution was also 5 His Majesty's Govern- a conference representing lU r5 tlolial and aneaed by the Education Bill, in the hone be iveH leral rentable concordat 0 that the Prime A nis.er or the President of the Board of ffiKSSiwfi the in charge of the Bill shall be the chairman of such conference.

The Stumbling Block. The meeting likewise adopted the following memorandum: This meeting cf Liberal Churchmen is convinced that the question as to wftotlwi the head teacher shall he permitted to de nnminational religious instruction is tne gieai difficulty in tne way of a settlement. The Churchman contends that if this is not allowed the idea will grow up in the child's mind tha' such teaching is a minor matter, to which little Uentio need be paid. It i a so suggested that the head teacher will be inclined to regard whiTh if! contemptuously all instruction in which he or she has no share. On ihe overhand, the Nonconformist sees in the association of the chief autnority of every schooi with de nominational instruction such a seal vi official approval as to place all children not si- taudit and the parents as well, if not an inferior at least in a marked and isolated a prejudice might be born in the mind cf a Nonconformist child against the faith of ita parents, and there might btao be created a sense selves IC tllG mind of thojd Parents them- The Liberal Churchmen have no wish to minimise any of these very reasonable objections, but they feel veTy strongly that if there is a little readiness to give and take on boch sides for the 0 children, and in of the com moil Christianity which should binu Churchmen found CGllformists seaii.nent can be Case for Liberal Churchmen.

would also remind the objectors of certain all the larger urban schools the head teacher is not as a rule a instructor, and therefore none of the difficulties felt by either Churchmen or Nonconformists need arise. the greater part, denominatioiia in struction in all schools (except in single school areas) is given either by class teachers or by the clergy of the parish in which the school is situated whole educational system is based on trust in the teachers, and if there were a desire on their part to favour unduly any religious body, no regulations couid prevent this desire from showing itself. regard to single school areas, the Liberal Churchmen feel that they have now made suggestions which are worthy of attention. They believe if the head teacher, in cases where he is practically the only suitabie person, is allowed to give the denominational instruction, there is no likelihood of any abuse. The Board ot Education might draft a minute, which could be laid befoTe Parliament before the present Government Bill was passed, laying down the cases and the conditions in which such permission would be given.

The head teacher would only then be debarred from giving this instruction when the denomination concerned could provide, without undue difficulty, a competent person for the purpose must be borne in mind also that the Liberal Churchmen, by suggesting that the head teacher shall be permitted to give religious instruction up to and including the Apostles' Creed, have been careful to emphasise the need for definite Christian teaching, and have thereby removed the possibility of any growing in the minds of the children as to this part of their instruction being unimportant. Liberal Churchmen consider it might be desirable in any settlement arrived at to allow all head teachers already appointed to continue during the rest of their term to discharge all their duties as at present, but the estimated expense of denominational instruction to be borne in these cases, as in all others, by the religious body concerned. The last word the Liberal Churchmen would say is this. They see no alternative between some such settlement, as they suggest, and a secular system of education. They cannot but urge most earnestly on t.ne religious leaders of the land the seriousness of the issue, and their most earnest hope that a and honourable settlement may be arrived at which shall injure no section and make for the highest moral welfare of the children of the land.

At the Scottish Trades Congress in Edinburgh yesterday a resolution was adopted by eightyfive votes to thirteen in favour of secular education in all State-aided schools. DINIZULU TRIAL. COUNSEL AND A NATIVE WITNESS. PIETERMARITZBtJRG, THURSDAY. The Supreme Court of Natal has decided in favour of the application made by Mr.

Renaud, Dinizulu's counsel, to allow Cakijana, a native witness in the Dinizulu trial, to be removed from Zululand. A deposition made by Cakijana subsequent to the application caused a sensation. He dissociated himself from Dinizulu, and declared that Mr. Reuaud's application was unauthorised. He wished for an independent lawyer.

Pending further investigation Cakijana remains at Later. Cakijana, in his affidavit, objects to being utilised as a soap to wash Dinizulu clean. The Supreme Court in giving its decision, held that the removal of prisoners from Natal to Zululand was illegal interference with the liberty of the subject, which could not be tolerated, Cakijana, whose evidence is stated to be of great importance in the case, came to Pietermaritzburg and surrendered to the civil authorities. He was, however, sent back to Zululand, where he is under Martial Law. PREMIER PLEDGES.

MANCHESTER CROP. MR. ASQUITH'S EVASION. LICENSING BILL DEBATE. MR WHITELEY'S BREWERY DEAL pF roh Our Parliamentary Westminster, Thursday Night.

Mr. Churchill must be regarded as enfant prodigue" of the Government. He has been indulging in a riot of promises in the course of his recent bye-election, and now the little bdl is being presented to his friends on the Treasury Bench. This afternoon a series of questions was addressed to the Prime Minister, each designed to discover whether or not the right hon. gentleman was ready to back the acceptance which had been drawn on him by his spirited but reckless junior.

Mr. Lyttelton first desired to know whether the pledges in regard to the education question given by tha President of the Board of Trade represented the views of His Majesty's Ministers; and, if so. whether it was intended to proceed with the Education! Bill now before the House. To this inquiry Mr. Asquith replied that, as far as he knew," the statements made by the President of the Board of Trade merely repeated, in his own language," statements 1 previously made by other members of the Government, and that there was nothing in! them to prevent the taking of the Education Bill in due course.

This explanation prompted: Mr. Long to ask whether there had been a departure from the old rule that any statement by a Cabinet Minister was binding on the whole Cabinet. Mr. Asquith failed to see the relevance of the question. In his own obligingly quoted Mr.

Long. "Well, may not a Minister choose his own language?" retorted Mr. Asquith, who would probably not heve dared to include Mr. Churchill in the Cabinet but for that privilege. Then came a more awkward inquiry.

Mr. Long desired to know whether Mr. ChurchiJVs pledges on the Home Rule question had the Prime Minister's sanction and authority and, if so, whether an opportunity would be iriver. to the of discussing the Government's change of policy. Here Mr.

Asquith had to take refuge in sheer vagueness and equivocation, though Irish members were not present to mahe his situation more difficult. There had been no changes of policy, he policy explained on the 30th of March by himself and the Chief Secretary and then he added: did not authorise my right hon. friend to make, and I am satisfied, after acquainting myself with the substance of his speeches, that he did not make, any statement in Manchester winch was in any way inconsistent with the previous declarations of the Government." That win rather a daring assertion, and Mr. Loner immediately pointed out that Mr. Churchill had assumed a line which was not taken by Prime Minister in the House of and he urged that the interpretation which he placed on Mr.

Churchill's language had generally shared. To thin Mr. Asqtmh discreetly, but hardly ingenuously, replied that he was not responsible for other people's interpretations. That is to say, of course, after the purpose of misunderstanding has been served. He added that he was a great admirer and a diligent student of the right hon.

gentleman's speeches, though he did not profess to have rend every word that he had uttered in Manchester. But in the passage referred to, he asserted, President of the Board of Trade had said nothing which had not been said expressly, or by implication, in his own speech. Certainly those who heard Mr. Asquith in the House of Commons could not have understood his words to ffnply in any sense that the Liberai Party was pledged to make Home Rule a test question at the next election. Indeed, the Prime Minister carefully avoided any such implication; and, as Mr.

Pike Pease aptly pointed out, it was a curious fact that, while the Prime Minister's speech in the House of Commons failed altogether to satisfy the Nationalist Party, Mr. Churchill's speeches in Manchester succeeded in satisfying that party. How was that? Mr. Asquith did not explain. But he had only need to repeat his former defence he was not responsible for other person's interpretations.

Probably Mr. Asquith will be relieved when L'enfant prodigue" returns to the shelter of the Treasury Bench, where a watchful eye and a paternal restraint can be kept on his pledging of Ministerial credit. The debate on the Licensing Bill, which was again the business of the day, proves as full of eventfulness as ever. Its most signal incident was the revelation of the part played by the Patronage Secretary to the Treasury in other days in the creation of brewery companies. Mr.

Faber, in the course of a spirited but good-humoured denunciation of the Bill, referred to charges which have been made aeainst the reckless finance" of brewery companies. He observed tftat he had the particulars of a company floated in 1897 with a capital cf £500,000, of which the vendor retained onehalf. Later its capital was increased to £750.000. the accountants reporting that tho concern afforded ample security. years later the directors reported that a scheme of re-construction was necessary having regard to the surrender of licences and the high capitalisation of the company on Accordingly, the capital was written down by £100,000.

"No doubt." said Mr. Faber slyly. hon. members opposite are burning to know who was the fortunate vendor. His name was Mr.

George Whiteley, M.P." He added that he did not blame the Patronage Secretary, but ho wanted to know how he was going to answer tm tho high canons of morality set up by gentlemen on his own side of the HouseC What answer would he make to the Prime Minister, who was so severe on inflated brewery stock? "I am afraid," 6aid Mr. Faber, that the shepherd will have a difficult task on Monday night when he tries to drive his immaculate flock into the Division Lobby." Mr. Whiteley took the chaff in vory good and later in the afternoon he and. Mr. Faber could be seen exchanging friendly amenities.

The great speech of the afternoon was undoubtedly that of Sir Thomas Whittaker. the protagonist of the extreme Temperance Party. The member for the Spen Valley knows the licensing question as probably few other men, in the House of Commons least, can pretend to know it. He has brought to its study not only tho zeal of a reformer but the shrewd insight of the man of affairs, and he is by far the most formidable defender of the Government's proposals. He drew a very large House this afternoon, and he held its attention and interest for over an hour, in spite of the multitude of figures on which his argument was founded.

Transactions such as that which had THE HTJLNCHKBTEU FRIDAY, MAY 1, 1909 7.