SPEECHES BY MR GLADSTONE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1989, 7 November 1888, Page 2

SPEECHES BY MR GLADSTONE.

[Per Press Association,] Londov, November 5. Mr Gladstone, while proceeding to Birmingham, where he takes part m a Liberal demonstration, met with an ovation at all the stations en routs. On his arrival m the city he was accorded an enthusiastic welcome, the streets being lined with thousands of people. His reception at the Town Hall was most imposing. In reply to the address of welcome, Mr Gladstone said he hoped (<he people of Birmingham woijld n.ever forget the aei'Tices rendered by Mr Bright, their representative m . Parliament. In referring to affairs m Egypt lie said they were England's greatest trouble. The Fisheries' Treaty had been an egregious failure, and the SackvilleWest incident m America he considered a serious slight on England. Speaking of the administration of Ireland, he maintained that the only trophy the Unionists possessed Vfas the Coercion Act The local control of the liquor traffic was a question of great moment, and had been rendered imperative. Mr Gladstoue, m his speech at Birmingham, twitted Mr Balfour with absentee administration of affairs m Ireland. In the future he thought the l Great Powers would become overcast owing to the Balkan difficulty. He ridiculed the legislative triumphs claimed by the Unionists, and said the omission' of the licensing qlaußes'had rendered the Local Government Act passed last session practically a bjank. He advocated one roan one vote, reform of the land laws, and right of the Scotch and English to raise the question of disestablishment of the Church. Mr Gladstone predicted the downfall of the dissentient Liberal at the uext genera} ejection,