BRITISH ELECTIONS.

Waipukurau Press, Issue 8, 19 January 1906, Page 2

BRITISH ELECTIONS.

—o—Perhaps New Zealanders are more interested in the position of parties returned than as to the election of individual members. As the results of the election now proceeding come to hand, it is becoming evident that the Liberals will return to power with something considerably more than “ a working majority.” The early polling seems to indicate beyond doubt the fall of the Conservatives. So far 319 members are accounted for, classified as under: — Liberals ... ... 163 Unionists ... ... 73 Nationalists ... ... 50 Labour ... ... 33 If this proportion, or anything approximating it, is maintained, Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman will have such a majority as will render him independent of either of the smaller factions, Nationalists and Labourites, though the claims of these representatives will doubtless receive adequate consideration. The rejection of Mr Gerald Balfour, who was President of the Board of Trade in the late Administration, and of Mr W. H. Long, late President of the Local Government Board, are significant features of the results recorded. Among other notable men in the New Parliament may be mentioned Mr W. R. Cremer, who is re-elected for Haggerston. Mr Cremer has been for thirty-three years secretary to the International Arbitration League, and has visited every country in Europe advocating its objects. In 1903 he won the Nobel Peace Prize, £7OOO, which he gave to the league as an endowment, Mr Balfour’s defeat for Manchester East by the large majority of nearly 2UOO votes is, so far, the most significant feature of the elections ; and, despite all attempts to explain it away, it must stand as a striking proof of the change that has taken place in public opinion during the last five years. At this election he polled 1300 fewer votes than he did in 1900, while the Liberal candidate’s

support increased by 3100—a total displacement of 4400 votes. Manchester is, of course, a stronghold of free-trade principles, and il s verdict has no doubt been largely influenced,, by the fiscal campaign; but, nevertheless, the rejection of the late Prime Minister by such an overwhelming majority cannot be viewed otherwise than as an emphatic adverse vote against the general policy of the Unionists. The loss of his seat by a Prime Minister at an election is an event almost unprecedented in British political history. There have been very few such occurrences in Great Britain, and, we believe, only one in New Zealand. Another noteworthy defeat is that of the Hon A. Lyttelton, ex-Colouial Secretary