A LIBERAL VICTORY.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1789, 30 June 1913, Page 7

A LIBERAL VICTORY.

LEICESTER BY-ELECTION.

SOME LABOUR DIFFERENCES. By Telegraph—Press Association—Oopyrighi (Rec. Juno 30, 0.15 a.m.) London, June 28. The by-olection for the Leicester scat resulted in a win for the Liberal candidate. The polling was as fallows:— Mr. Hewnrt (Lilieval) 10,863 Mr. A. 11. Wilshiro (Unionist) 9,279. Mr. Hartley (Socialist-Labour) 2,580 Mr. Wilsbire's speeches harped on the nccossity of reducing the number of State officials, and granting more personal liberty. He also condemned the National Insuranco Bill. The small Socialist vote is regarded as a triumph for Sir. Ramsay Mac Donald, whom tho Socialists had avowed their intention of smashing. Tho National Executive of tho Labour Party denies that it issued a manifesto regarding the by-election. Mr. C. F. Mostcrman, Financial Secretary to tho Treasury, in a speech al Leicester, declared that, technically, il was inaccurate to say that the cxecntivc had issued a manifesto, but tho Parliamentary Labour party's committee had decided to condemn Mr. Hartley's candidature. Mr. Philip Snowden (Socialist M.P.), writing to the "Labour Leader," says thai if the party endorsed tho Labour eandidaturo for Leicester it would jeopardise the seats of four-fifths of tho presont La bour supporters who were elected by the goodwill of the Liberals. Tho "Labour Leader" states that th( decision not to fight tho seat is a grave j mistake. Leicester returns two membsrs to l'ar liament, and the seat now contested wa: formerly occupied by Mr. E. Crawshai Williams (Liberal). Mr. Ramsay Mac donald, the well-known Lalxmr leader, i the. other member. The polling at th< general election was: Mr. Williams (Lib eral), 13,238; Mr. Macdonald (Labour) 12,998; Mr. Wih&ire (Unionist), 7517.