MR GLADSTONE AT BIRMINGHAM.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1813, 8 November 1888, Page 1

MR GLADSTONE AT BIRMINGHAM.

London, November 5

Mr Gladstone, while proceeding to Birmingham, where be takes part in a Liberal Home Rule demonstration, met with an ovation at all stations en route. On his arrival in the city he was accorded an enthusiastic welcome. Tho streets were lined with thousands of people. His reception at the Town Hall was most imposing. In reply to the addresses of welcome Mr Gladstone said that he hoped the people of Birmingham would never forget the services rendered by Mr Bright, their representative in Parliament. In referring to affairs in Egypt, he said they were England’s greatest trouble. The Fisheries Treaty had been an egregious failure, and the Sackville West incident in America he considered a serious slight on England. Speaking of the administration in Ireland, he said that the only trophy which the Unionists possessed was the Coercion Act. The local control of the liquor traffic was a question of great moment, and had been rendered imperative.

Mr Gladstone, in his speech at |Birmingbam, .twitted Mr Balfour with i the absentee administration of affairs in Ireland, In future he thought that the Great Powers would become overcast owing to the Balkan difficulty. He ridiculed the Legislative triumphs claimed by the Unionists, and said that the omission of the licensing clauses had rendered the Local Government Act passed last session practically a blank, tie advocated *• one man one vote,” reform of the land laws, and the right of the Hcotch and English to raise the question of disestablishment of : the Üburch. He predicted the downfall of the dissentient Liberals at the n n xt general election,