MR ARTHUR WITHY IN ENGLAND.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVI, Issue 222, 17 September 1895, Page 2

MR ARTHUR WITHY IN ENGLAND.

THE CONTEST FOR SOUTH HERE

FORDSHIRE.

From bhe Hereford *' Times " of the 20bh July we gather tho following particulars of Mr Arthur Withy's contest for South Hereford. Lady Henry Somerseb and Miss Frances E.Willard, bhe celebrated American temperance advocate, addressed several meetings in supporb of Mr Withy. Lady Somerseb said she was pleased to supporb a man who so honesbly stated, his convictions as Mr Withy had done. The people's interest must be considered before any other, and it was for them to tako into their own hands those questions which affected class legislation. The good of bhe many must bake precedence before the privilege of the few. Albhough a landowner herself, she was glad of such a measure as Sir W. Harcourb'a "deabb duties." She was perfectly aware bhab bhab measure would aftecb one who was nearer no her than anyone else in the world—her son ; bat why should nob the privileged class pay for those privileges which tbey enjoyed? Why should a few individual men aud women have all the good things of this world which, were provided by bhe greab Creator for all mankind ? A change was bound bo come, and bhank God for bhab change. She had no vote (cries of "Shame!"), bub she would ask the men, bhe brothers who were there, to cast thab vobe which she would fain pub into the ballot-bor herself. During the contest Lady Somerßeb issued the following circular letter to her tenants :—

"Easbnor Castle, July 16bh, 1895. My Friends, —You are aware bhat abno previous election have I urged my views upon bhe electors in this district who are my tenants, bub now when greab social reforms are ab sbako, I feel ib to be my duty to make a straightforward appeal to you bo vobe for Mr Withy, the Liberal candidate. He represents the interest of bhe people, rather bhan the interests of the privileged class. He stands for the old Liberalism thab is nob disguised in Tory garments, and he is nob ashamed to call himself by bhe name of that party which bas always sougbb the wellbeing of the many rather bhan of bhe few. Although I am a largo landowner and a considerable contributor bo the rates, I have no vote bo cast. I therefore look to my tenants, who have always been my friends, to cast their votes for me in favour of Mr Withy, the Liberal candidate.—Yours sincerely, Isabel Somerset."

Ab Hereford Corn Exchange, at the close of the market ab 5 p.m. on 17th July, Mr Withy spoke on " Agricultural Depression and Its Remedy." This topic having been announced a number of farmers attended, some of whom sported the opposition colours. Many members of the Conservative party were present, and towards bhe finish the proceedings became noisy. Mr Withy was well received, and made himself heard notwithstanding frequenb interruptions. He said that high rents, high rates, and high taxes wero the chief cause of agriCultural depression. Agriculture was represented in Parliamenb by landowners, whose interesb ib was to reduce wages and increase renb. The farmer not only had to support the landlord and his family, bub owing to " settlements "* he had also to support the landlord's sisters, cousins, and aunts, nob to mention the family lawyer. lie had lived eight years in New Zealand (Tory interjection : " Have you gob your return ticket?" "No, as Ido not intend to return until I have represented South Hereford for seven years in Parliament.") In New Zealand a man could have land transferred ab a slight expense by simply registering tha bitlo. One of bhe first things necessary in England was to get rid of tbe heavy law costs on land, and the laws of entail and primogeniture. Mr Wibby next referred to unequal rating, and bo the ground rents of London and obher large cities. The agricultural value of bhe site of London mighe be £16,000, but its aotual value was £16,000,000, because 5 millions of people lived on ib. This increased value was caused by tbe public, and morally belonged to the public. The proper rating of the land value of London alone would enormously benefit agriculture. Ab thia poinb a labourer who had been persistently interrupting, was being literally carried out by bhe Liberals when tbe Tories attempted a rescue, and " a push-about tussle " ensued, bub happily withoub any serious consequences.

The polling took place on the following day (18th July). There were 35 polling stations and 7,401 votes were recorded as follows :—For Michael Biddulph (Conservative). 4,673 : for Arthur Withy (Liberal), 2,828; Conservative majority, 1,745. When bhe result was announced Mr Biddulph stepped forward and proposed a vote of thanks to the High Sheriff. This was seconded by Mr Withy, who thanked his supporters and said, he felt that though defeated he was not disgraced. He thought bhab, considering the ahorb time ab his disposal, he had done very well indeed, and would nob hesitate if asked to try again, but would take care to have more time to make the acquaintance of the electors, when, he had no doubt, the result would be the other way.

Allnding to the betrayal ot the Liberal cause by Mr Chamberlain and his followers. Lady Somerset said ib was difficult to realise how many men could cab their own words withoub suffering from indlgesbion. The political situation is well hit off in a caricature which represents Lord Salisbury as a railway porber, being dragged along the platform by Mr Chamberlain, in the form of a Btrong hound. " Where are you taking him ?" asks John Bull. " I ain't taking him anywhere." "Well, then, Where's he baking yon?" "He ain't taking me" (indignantly). "Then where is he going?" "I don't know—he's eaten all his direction labels."