THE LIBERAL TRIUMPH IN GREAT BRITAIN.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2238, 20 May 1880, Page 2

THE LIBERAL TRIUMPH IN GREAT BRITAIN.

The following additional cable news has been brought by the Tararua : London, May 9.

The result o£ the general election has completely dwarfed all other topics of interest, not only in Great Britain, but abroad. The overwhelming defeat of the Conservatives has caused general surprise, the leading Liberals not hoping for more than a narrow majority, while many thought the utmost to be expected was some diminution in the Conservative strength in the new Parliament. The polling in the boroughs commenced on March 21, and within 48 hours the Liberals 1 victory in the towns was incon-

<fA leslißl e, ißeToTaFvotes record eel" every-' where show’ing an< immense majority. Ih some cases the contests were very close : between the successful a.nd unsuccessful candidates. Both sides were thoroughly organised, and displayed the utmost energy throughout. The issue is regarded as much a defeat of the Home Rulers as of the Conservatives. The expectations of the former being able to hold the balance between the Liberals and Conservatives, and give their support to the highest political bidder, has been quite frustrated during' the election. No English pr Scotch candidate,, except ;a very few previously pledged, would have anything to do with the Home Eulers dr their demands. It is expected Mr Parnell will have thirty members to support the policy of exasperation on which he seems determined. Several Irish constituencies, have, unseated :, moderate Home’ Rulers, or moderate Catholic Liberal. candidates,. notwithstanding strenubus efforts in favor of the latter by the bishops and clergy. In English and Scotch counties the Liberal ■ gains, though not numerous, are ' more significant than ever. Where ; CJohservatiyes have.retained their seats , they, have had,in many cases to fight hard 'against the Liberal candidates. The counties in the neighborhood of London continue to support the Ministry . The result of the South Norfolk elec- ., tiop, 4| u;here a Liberal was successful, is ' ,considered peculiarly significant as por- ! tending the detachment of a large body of tenant'farmers from their traditional connection with the-Conservatives. The predominant element of the Liberal ...majority is likely to be strongly Radical. It includes Jesse Collings, and J. S. Wright, of the advanced section of the Birmingham school; Edwards, editor ... of the “ Echo ”; Bradlaugh, Secularist and Democrat; Labouchere, proprietor and editor of “ Truth” ; Arthur Arnold, and Professor Thorold Rogers. ; ; Immediately after Mr Gladstone’s election for Midlothian, he received congratulatory telegrams from Bulgaria, Montenegro, and Greece. v : . Russian journals are highly gratified , jttt thp overthrow of Lord Beaconsficld, ‘’ ’ and the approaching accession of the Liberals. The German and Austrian ?■ (papers, particularly the latter, regret the Conservative defeat. The opinion of the French papers, in the majority, expresses distrust;of the Liberal policy ' and the Liberal party. It is generally supposed by the Continental Press that ■ the accession of a Liberal Cabinet will more or less affect the future of the , Berlin Treaty. Lord Harrington, speaking at Bunbury, protested against this idea. On the contrary, the Liberals would insist on a full execution of those engagements. Russia had executed her part of the Treaty, hut Turkey had done nothing to reform the administration of the provinces. The pledges given by England respecting . Asia Minor were unfulfilled, and the claims of Greece had been ignored. It is generally expected that one of the first acts of the Liberal Ministry will bo to recall Consul Layard, and. put' strong pressure on Turkey to obtain the fulfilment of her engagements. '

Mr Childers, speaking at Hull, denied the statements of those who as • sorted the Liberal party were indifferent to upholding the British Empire, or the connection of the colonies with the Mother Country.