GREENWICH BANQUET.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1619, 11 August 1887, Page 1

GREENWICH BANQUET.

Lohdon, Aug 7. Mr Bright’s speech at the Greenwich banquet consisted chiefly of a strong onslaught on “ Mr Gladstone's retrograde and revolutionary policy, to which he had committed himself at the cost of political consistency and the unity of the great Liberal party.” He reviewed the circumstances of his own secession from a leader to whom he had formerly given faithful and unswerving allegiance, urging in justification that it should be biaintained uninjured, Mr Gladstone wrecked the work of a lifetime by the folly of a day; Not content with fomenting Irish hatred of English rnle, he had exerted his great abilities in trying to disturb the loyal attachment of the Welsh people. In his sudden zeal for Irish revolt against law and order, and opposition to the attempt of Parliament to place the administration of justice in the hands of free uncorrupted tribunals, Mr Gladstone had not hesitated to defame English juries. His new-born fanaticism lent great weight and influence to obstruction of orderly proceedings in Parliament. Lord Hartington spoke in similar strains. He declared that the secesaon of himself and the great body of Unionists and Liberals had been compelled by Mr Gladstone’s concessions to the disloyalists, who were striving to split the political parties of the empire. It would be political imbecility to now abandon the weapons hitherto effective in promoting and preserving the Imperial strength of England. The Tories were prepared to undertake measures of reform and progressive legislation, and would assist the leaders of the two parties to effect closer union. The time, however, was not yet ripe for the definite step of binding the Tory and Unionist leaders, and further experience would be necessary to enable this to be done effectively. He believed that during the recess the Unionists would formulate a policy, establishing union for the benefit of the country generally.