MR. STEAD'S LATEST ENTERPRISE

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 690, 15 December 1909, Page 8

MR. STEAD'S LATEST ENTERPRISE

ME GLADSTONE'S SPIRIT INTERVIEWED; "G.0.M." ON THE BUDGET. V ' In the issue, of the , "Daily \ Chronicle" of October 26. will.appear details in full sof "one 0 ! \-f "H? stre Q>arkablG interviews" ever recorded. Following upon his interesting article m tho current issue of the "Fortnightly Bβview," Mr W. T. Stead; at the request of the editor, of tho "Daily Chronicle,",-held a conversation on Saturday: morning through Julia," his famous agent in the spirit world, with the spirit of the late Mr. W. E.- Gladstone. The special seance was held at "Julia's bureau," Norfolk Street, Strand, but a representative- of tho "Daily: Chronicle" was not allowed to be present, as "Julia" "objected to any extraneous personality." At the desire of Air. btead, however, a series of. questions was formulated by the editor of the "Daily Chron<l<™i.f°.bt sublnitt « i to the , spirit of the _<j.O.M. should he prove willing to converse. The questions had relation to Mr. Gladstone's views upon soyeral points of the Budget, the House.-of Lords, old-age pensions, and . Tariff lietorm.. Tho seance was of an hourJs duration. and,_ according to Mr. Stead, whom the Daily Chronicle' considers -nriswerablo-' for tho authenticity of tho "interview" or otherwise, not only was tho spirit of Mr. Gladstono introduced, but amongst others :that of Cardinal Manning, who joined the discussion'and gave it his benison. ■ . . . • At tho commencement the peyehio (antomatist) reported that the previous evening sho Had received a long message from Mr. Gladstone in response to.her appeal for an expression of opinion aA to th.q,General outlook. The message,; which' was' long ■ and .involved with even more than-usual Gladstoniari periphrases, expressed'considDrable disinclination to return A') 0; 'J 1 a ?° melancholy, area' of' party .politics."- .Nevertheless, for,' tno sake of oS tiroo/memories, Mr.' Gladstone undertook' "to speak as best, he could through whatsoever moans, may be afforded me, upon the present aspect of your world as new it seems to me in general,-and on the question now affecting the Ingush people in particular-the Budget." Julia had reported at the morning circle that she hoped to be able to bring, Mr. Gladstone but it was yery .difficult-very, difficult-owiifg to his disinclination to returnto the earth conditions. ' , - ■ Tho interview, was then commenced, and was ■ reported by the stenographer of the bureau the others present taking a check note. The nrst person who spoke, according to psychio (clairaudient) was Cardinal Manning. Another .ymee says T "My attention has been called to tins gathering this morning. What is that you require of me?" .■ . • . . ; .■-. . M. r - W- T-Stea'd: "Are-you Mr. Gladstone?" W.E.Q.: 1 was known on earth as Mr. Gladstone. ,'. ' '. : .••■ W.T.S.: "Julia will have explained to you, has sho not?", . ' ■' '■*• ■ W.8.G.: "She has told me that. someone desires to come into touch with nie concerning tho present position of my old party, and.also on the state of English politics in general.. Is this so?"- •■■.-. . ■;, ■ ■ '■• : ■; • W.T.S.i: "Yes; especially:; concerning the Budget and the impending crisis with the House of' Lords." , ' • : , W.T.S.i "The 'Daily Chronicle' wishes to Know whether or not you could express- anv opinion on the Budget and the clash between ™ f o .«e of and Commons.. • Do' you still .tako an interest, a living interest, in tho mundane affairs of this temporal world?- Can jou express any opinion in response-to those who still cherish your memory with gratitude and veneration?" ■- : ■ ■ •• In ■ reply; Mr. Gladstone ' said ,the :arena of the political world was distasteful to him "Nay, it always was distasteful as such to me;' and I only held my position there from a senso of duty to my race. It is very distaste-, tul to mo to contact this political arena once more. , ■-. ..- ~ , \ w • ... - Asked about the "crisis:'over the Budget," Mr. Gladstone said-nr"ln. my opinion the Upper Chamber will act most ill-advisedly if they reject this financial measure. I can well under-stand-that there will bo much in its nrovisiohs to which they will distinctly object. Butuever.theless it would be a wise policy for them to pass this measure. lam in, agreement with the principles that are, embodied in the Bill." ■It"! land proposals Mr. Gladstone supported; but the licensing clauses ho was only partly in sympathy with—"This section of the "Bill should not be too rigidly insisted on, as some of the clauses are'far too crudely constructed and will tend to produce much friction and confusion in their application." V: Mr. Gladstone expressed himself as against the dominance of the Upper House, and in answer to, Mr. Stead's question whether . he would force the issue "if the Lords were will, ing to pass' the Budget," said it would not be advisable. He considered that, the' Hnancial ' control should be vested entirely in the Lower I House. In conclusion, he said-the struggle would , bo a severe oho. This was one of the most critical-periods in the history of the British race, he said, and upon tho course of ac tion .depended the advancement or retardation of the nation, but he hoped the nation would not be "narcotised by the nostrums of Tariff Reform." .- .. .. . ...-.• The doxology was sung at the close of tho seance. V ...,'■.■' ■■-.-■■.■

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