BRITISH POLITICS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9709, 3 February 1910, Page 5

BRITISH POLITICS.

FBEETRADE PROPAGANDA G nited Press Association —Bj Electric Telegraph Copyright, Received February 2, 8.40 a.m. LONDON, February 1. The "Daily Chronicle" is opening a campaign fund for th defence of Freetrade and cheap food. It urgently appeals to all Liberals for service and sacricfie, and announces that it will co operate with the Freetrade Union. "Freetrade," says the Chronicle, "has emerged triumphant from the election, but if it is to be successfully deiended there must be no blackening, but rather an increasing in intensity of the Liberal propaganda. The Liberals won on the whole, but in some parts of the country there has been a set-back. Freetrade scouts in every corner of the country are warned." The Daily News has started'a Gladstone League to propagate the ideas of Freetrade and land reform.

THE SUFFRAGETTES. Received February 2, 9.10 a.m. LONDON. February I. Mrs Pankhurst, the suffragette leader, has announced that there will be a cessation of miliant suffragette tactics in favour of educational methods

THREE COURSES.

OPEN TO THE LABOUR PARTY. Received February 2, 9.2 a.m. LONDON, February 1. Mr Ramsay Macdonald, Labour member for Leicester, in an interview, said the Labour Party had three possible policies: First, to form a coalition Govenent with the Liberals. Second, to demand certain mea s ures from the Government in return for its support. Third, to remain absolutely independent. If a coalition were established, added Mr Macdonald, it must be for a specific purpose.

POLLING RETURNS. Received Februay 2, 9.10 a.m. LONLON, February 1. The following additional polling returns have been received: — Cork West. —Mr J. Gilhooly, independent Nationalist, 2,155; Mr O'Leary, Nationalist, 1,382. Cork North. —Mr Guiney, Independent Nationalist, 1,798

MR KAMriAY MACDONALD INTERVIEWED.

Received February 2, 10.50 a.m. LONDON, Fberuary 2.

Mr Ramsay Macdonald, Labourite, in an interview, said that anyone assuming that the Labour party would simply be content with anything the Government might propose regarding the Lords would be much mistaken. The unemployment was so exploited by the Conservative Tariff Reformers during the election that the Liberals, if only for Party interest, must deal drastically with the subject. Moreover, it was essential to somebody's sympathy that the drastic programme should go to the Board of Trade unconsidered. A coalition for a Liberal and Labour Ministry would suit either party. The Board of Trade had invited the Nottingham manufacturers' opinion through the Chambers of Commrece as to the probable effect of the new French duties on hemp ?nd cotton yarns. The'Charobers had repliedgthat as the duty already levied was prohibitive, completely killing the export trade, it mattered little whether the burden was increased. The Board's attention was called to the fact that French yarns were allowed to enter already, selling in large quantities to the detriment of Home traders.

LIBERAL GAIN. Received February 2, 10.50 p.m. LONDON, January 2. The latest return is Wick (Scotland). Mr Munro, Liberal, 1,537; Sir Arthur Bignold, Unionist, 1,262. Sir R. Bignold was elected for the seat in 1907 by 96 votes.