REPLENISHING THE WAR CHEST.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9532, 2 July 1909, Page 4

REPLENISHING THE WAR CHEST.

' By way of replenishing the war 1 chest of the Liberal party at Home, 1 there is coming into vogue (Mr H. " W. Lucy writes in the Sydney > "Morning Herald,.") a system re--3 sented by the richer members, for e whose consideration it has been de l

' vised. It began last year at a pri- ' vate house dinner party given by a 1 noble lord who holds a subordinate place in the Ministry. After dinner, at which the Prime Minister was present, brief speeches were made dwell- \ ing upon the necessity of preparation [ for a tough fight at the next general election. Thereafter sheets of notepaper were passed round, each bearing at the head the name of one of theguists, with 3pace conveniently left for any subscription he might like to name, howsoever'liberal. The innovation was a little startling, but decidedly successful. Something like £B,OOO was forthcoming. This was all more or less well in its way if regarded as an exceptional event._ However, at another dinner honoured by the presence of the Prime Ministerja collection>as "taken up." The procedure was, happily, less drastic than on the first occasion. No papers were passed round the table with in- ! stant demand of filling up, but sug- , geslion was pointedly made that cheques would be acceptable. The special field covered by the anticipated subscription was that of the metropolitan constituencies, round which i<; was agreed a stout fight will rage at the general election. The little incident did not contribute to the gaiety of the company. If it is to become a regular feature of the season's social political entertainments there will be some vacant :hairs at the next gathering.