LIBERALS LEADING.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 993, 7 December 1910, Page 5

LIBERALS LEADING.

A MARGIN.OF TWO. ELECTIONS MAKE LITTLE CHANGE IN PARTIES. COMMENTS OF " THE TIMES." Dy Telegraph—Press As6ociation-CopyrlgM. j (Rec. December 7, Q. 20 a.m.) London, December 6. The result of the elections to date is that the Government supporters have a lead of two over tho Unionists. A total of 232 seats has now been filled, and the representation of 438 constituencies still remains to be decided. The relative position of parties is shown in the following table, tho total number of seats in each part of the Kingdom being inserted in parentheses:— Govt. Unionist. England (465) 84 107 Wales (30) 11 — Scotland (72) „ 6 2 Ireland (103) 16 6 _ 117 115 DETAILS OF THE VOTINC. SOME PARTY. CHANGES. London, December G. The following additional results in various constituencies are to hand:— PARTY GAINS. LIBERAL. WAKEFIELD. Mr. MarshallCL.) - 2,837 Mr. E. A. Brothorton (II.) - 2,051 Liberal majority „ 186 [January result: Conservative majority, 519. Seat Conservative since 1900 election.] CHELTENHAM. Mr. Eichard Mathias (L.) 3,846 Viscount Duncannon (TJ.) :' 3,753 Liberal majority - 93 [January election: Unionist majority, 138. Seat won' by Liberals in 1906, previously Conservative.] UNIONIST. ST. PANCEAS WEST. Mr. F. Cassel (U.) 3,384 Sir W. J.. Collins (L.) ...........' 3,376 Unionist majority « 8 [January result: Liberal majority, 10. seat won by Liberals in 1906 by 683 votes, previously Conservative.] ISLINGTON NOETH, Mr. G. A'. Toucho (U.) 5,428 Mr. D. S. Waterlow (L!) : - 5,022

Unionist majority _ 400 [January result; Liberal majority, 31. Seat won by Liberals in 1006, previously strongly Conservative.] 1 ' BIRKENHEAD. Mr. A. Biglnnd (TJ.) - 8,301 Mr. Henry Vivian (L.) „ 7,219 ■Unionist.majority ......,.,.., 1,055 [January result: Liberal majority, 144. Seat won by Liberals in 1906 by 1803 votes, previously Conservative.] ".' • . LIVERPOOL-EXCHANGE. '' Mr. Leslie Scott, K.C. (U.) - 2,330 Mr. M. Muspratt (L.) „ 2,187 Unionist majority _. _._ 153 [January result: Liberal majority, 161. Seat won by Liberals in 1906 by 121 votes,' previously Conservative and LiberalOnionist] ' UNCHANGED. DEWSBURT. *Rt. Hon. W. Runciman (L.) „ 7,061 Mr. Simpson (U.). ..„ 4,033 Liberal majority - .. 3,028 [January result: Liberal majority, 3135. Seat Liberal sinco 1892.] LANCASHIRE, S.W.-BOOTLE. Mr. Walter Smith (U.) - 0,383 Dr. W. Permewan (L.) „ _ 5,039 Unionist majority 1,344 January result: Unionist majority, 1085. [N.B.—This return was received in mutilated form, with merely the names of the candidates. Dr. Permewan was-a candidate for Bootle in January, when he was defeated by Colonel Sandys.] LEICESTER. • Returns two members. *Mr. E. Crawshay Williams (L.)... 13,238 *Mr. J. Ramsay Macdonald (Lab.) 12,998 Mr. Wilsbire (U.) _ 7,517 Liberal majority 5,691 Labour majority _ 5,451 [January result: Liberal majority, 6095; Labour majority, 5,789.] LIVERPOOL-SCOTLAND DIVISION. ♦Mr. T. P. O'Connor (Nationalist) 2,943 ' Mr. Ockleton (U.) „ 689 Nationalist majority u „ 2,25-1 [January result: Nationalist majority,

A CASE OF "AS YOU WERE." COMMENT BY "THE TIMES."(Roc. December G, 10 p.m.) London, December G. "Tho Times" says the election is largely a replica of tho January voting, but only tho more-wideawake wero in tho least prepared or aware of the serious difference in the situation. Tho majority were in a stato of. bewilderment and perplexity, and had doubtless taken refuge by voting as in January. An analysis of the figures reveals tho beginnings of "a change, but the Government's unworthy tactics and shifty expedients havo effectually precluded a new and considered judgment on the situation.

LIBERAL PRESS VIEWS. TOEIES, AND PEERS ALREADY BEATEN. CReQ. December G, 10 p.m.) , London,.December G.' Tho "Daily News" (Liberal) states that yestcrdaj-'s pollings wore an excellent defence of Liberalism, and every day now gives more and better opportunities of attack. Tho "Daily Chronicle" (Liberal) declares that tho Tories and tho Peers are nlrcady beaten. THE'LIBERAL RECORD. ME. ASQUITH AT ACCEINGTON. (Rec. December 6, JO.O p.m.) London, December G. Mr. Asquith, at Accrington, in describing tho Lords' obstruction after tho cleo. tion of 1906 as the greatest electoral re-

volution, said Great Britain was asked whether tho .unexampled majority of Liberals sent to the House of Commons was to kick its heels and spend weeks and months in elaborating legislation in order to havo its measures murdered and mutilated.

The Liberal party's four years of power, however, had not been barren. Tho greatest achievement of all—the ono which ho would rather havo inscribed on tho Government's record than anything cist—was the granting of free, full and responsible government to South Africa. Had the matter gone to tho Lords, South Africa would never.havo got its priceless boon. Let them not be deluded by fancy schemes launched by the offer at tho fiftieth minute of tho eleventh hour. APPEALS TO PORTSMOUTH. LIBERALS AND THEIR CANDIDATES. (Rcc. December G, 11 p.m.) London, December G. Mr. Asquith, in a telegram to Messrs. Hennerdo and Harben, Liberal candidates for Portsmouth, states that tho Liberal party stands for an unassailable navy as a security against ■ foreign attacks, and at Home for a strong House of Commons, as a bulwark against the Lords' aggression. Ho appealed to the electors to inflict a final defeat on tho party of tariff and panic-mongers. Mt. Lloyd-Georgo telegraphed that all parties were agreed that the absolute veto of the House of Lords was doomed, and the electors must choose whether the great steps of constitutional development were to bo made ■■ by the party believing in democracy, or tho party nervously seeking a new rallying ground, however precarious, for- privilege and monopoly.

WHAT THE UNIONISTS AIM AT. LOEDS AND PEOPLE IN CLOSEE TOUCH. {Eec. December 7, 0.20 a.m.) London, December 6. Mr. Walter Long, formerly Secretary for Ireland ia the Balfour Cabinet, speaking at Southampton, . said the Unionists were resolved that besides reforming it they would bring the House of Lords into closer touch with tho people, and to introduce the referendum principle with such amendments and extension as permanently to securo the people's inalienable Tight to control the legislation whereby.they were.governed. KEIR HARDIE'S DREAM. . NO LANDLORDS AND NO CAPITALISTS. ' (Keo. December 6, 10.0 p.m.) London,. December G. •Mr. Keir Hardie, Labour member lor Merthyr, Tydvil, in an election address, advocated Home Rule for Ireland aua Wales. ■ He described Imperialism as a huge imposition, and added that if all would combine to vote Labour tho day would come when neither the landlord nor the capitalist would be left to grind the faces of the poor, when, indeed, thero would be no poor among us. Tho people in- Britain and other lands would then dwell together in unity r.nd peace.

FINANCE AND HOME RULE V A ONE-SIDED BARGAIN. (Rec. December 7, 0.20 a.m.) London, December G. Mr. Lyttelton, wlio was Unionist Colonial Secretary in 1905, in a . speech at Warwick, declared it was impossible to grant an independent Parliament to Ireland, which, while contributing seven millions to tho Imperial revenue, drew nearly ten millions, and- could with Homo Eule protect herself, against the importation of Great Britain's goods. SOME POLITICAL METAPHORS. LORDS AS FOOLISH VIRGINS. London, December 5. In acknowledging a voto of thanks for an address delivered by him at Edinburgh, Lord Rosebery said that two Ministers had respectively compared tho House of Lords with "criminal lunatics" and "foolish virgins." He was awaro that tho Government, in turning tho key on tho Lords, was keeping them in subjection and confinement, and therefore treating them as criminal ■lunatics. The other metaphor was less applicable. The "foolish virgins" forgot to trim their lamps. Tho House of Lords had been a year trimming its lamps, and one of the principal accusations ..against it at the present moment was its impudence, at tho eleventh hour in trimming its lamps to present itself before the tribunal of tho constituencies. "FINANCIAL NEWS" VIEW. LANCASHIRE RECOILS. London, December 5. Tho "Financial News" says:—"There are two upstanding features of Saturday's polls.' One—and the more important—is Lancashire's recoil from nonrepresentative Government. The other is the overshadowing of Mr. Redmond's hopes, and Mr. Asquith's and Mr. Churchill's ideal of an irresponsible Cabinet. "The Junto," adds tho "News," "is too much even for Lancashire's strong Liberal stomach."DOMINIONS AND THE PARTY FIGHT.

WHAT DO THEY THINK? London, December 5. The "Pall Mall Gazette" says:-"Tho outer portions of tho Empire are able to judge in juster proportion than those in tho thick of the conflict. Therefore we are not surprised at Australians welcoming the referendum as a long stride towards democratic Government."

Tho "Gazette" agrees that the statement of Mr. Nesbitt, a Canadian exjudge, that if the Dominions find that the Empire is to bo administered at the dictates of. political passion, they will tako some thought as to their own future, politically and materially. Tho Dominions were not Teady "to make obeisanco to President Koir Hardie." RIVAL IRISH FACTIONS, WIGS ON THE GEEEN AT COEK. London, December 5. Serious collisions have occurred between the Redniondites and O'Brienites at Cork. Fifty persons were injured, twenty-five of them suffering from scalp wounds. KEY OF tTHFSITUATION. LONDON AND ITS ANSWER. , London, December 5. Mr. Winston Churchill, speaking at Southwnrk, described tho present election as a one question—tho Parliament Bill. London, said tho speaker, held the key of tho situation, and would givo an answer favourable to the peoplo's cause. NO BEARING ON HOME RULE. ME. BLRBELL'S'AVOWAL. London, December 5. Followers of Mr. William O'Brien emphasiso Mr. BirreU's practical avowal that the election has no bearing on tho claims of Homo Kule.