MR GLADSTONE'S PROGRAMME

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1694, 24 October 1887, Page 2

MR GLADSTONE'S PROGRAMME

[rBUTBK'S TELEGRAMS — COPYRIGHT.] London, October 21. At the Nottingham Conference Mr Gladstone said the political indications were such that he hoped and expected the Liberals would soon resume power. Their first duty would be to reverse the Irish policy of the Government. Referring to general subjects, he advocated reform m the Electoral Act, each elector to be restriotedj to on? vote ; also a system of decentralised Local Government. In regard to Church disestablishment, both Scotland and Wales were prepared for ir, if England was not. Lord Randolph Churchill, speaking at Sunderland, replied to Mr Gladstone's Conference speeches, saying that Mr Gladstone was answerable for the existing and that he now proposed reform of the alleged defects to which he attributed the Liberal defeat at last election. Referring to Mr Gladstone's programme, Lord Randolph admitted that it contained some desirable features, but maintained that the Conservatives and Unionists were better able to carry it out than the Liberals. His offer to disestablish the Churches of Wales and Scotland was an immoral proposal, inasmuch as it was intended to bride the constituencies. Mr Gladstone would have to declare fully the details both of his Irish and general policy before he could be permitted to return to powei.