BRITISH ELECTIONS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLI, Issue 31, 5 February 1910, Page 9

BRITISH ELECTIONS.

(To the Editor.) Sir, —Your morning contemporary closed ite leading article on the 6th ult. with these words: "Its effect on political thought we shall see in a few days, when the cables proclaim to the world the fate of the fiscal reform candidates in the approaching election," meaning, of course, that the Unionists would head the poll with a good majority. From your leading article of the 15th ult. I append the closing sentence: "Tariff Reform cry and the naval scare will certainly strengthen them at the polls; but we cannot yet see any reason to believe that the majority of the electors will disown the party and the policy that have already done so much for them; and, therefore, though Mr Asquith may come back with a smaller and weaker following, we venture to anticipate a substantial, though not an overwhelming, victory for Liberalism." The "Times" was a good bit out in Its forecast—viz., 134 Unionist gains and three Liberal gains. Well, the victory is won for the cause of right against might, for justice against privilege, for social reforms that will tend to uplift, to strengthen, and further than ever help to make us the greatest nation in the world. Allow mc to thank you for your able and fair presentment of the case duTing the course of this crisis through which we have just passed.—l am, etc, FREE-FOODER.

(To the Editor.) '"S!r. —The smoke of battle haa cleared, and we can now viow with serenity the great fight which ended co disastrously for the Unionists. It is a mistake to think (as the morning luminary suggests) that all Nationalists look at tho struggle merely from the Irish aspect. "VVe do not forget how Irishmen have oontributed towards the greatest Empire in the Army and Navy, the scientific and judicial spheres. In every phase of British life the na-mea of our countrymen shino out with a splendour which time cannot dim. Our interests are indissohxbly linked Vo the great country for whose glory the life-blood of Irishmen was poured out on many a battlefield, from Salamanca to lnkerraan. Why, then, 6hould we not look at the question from an Imperial standpoint? It's another injustice to Ireland. Your able leader, which dealt' so logically in summing up the various influences which worked on the Unionist side—wealth, birth, the power of the Anglican Church, and the Tradewas appreciated by all • true Liberals. Many incidents of the cany palgn reminded mc of tho great Clare election, when Daniel O'Connell rode a coach and four through all these obstructions.—l am, etc., GAELIC.