THE EBBING TIDE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13744, 8 May 1908, Page 5

THE EBBING TIDE.

LIBERALS LOSING GROUND. GROWTH OF TARIFF REFORM. By leleffraDh.— Association—Copyright. ' ''London, May 6. In connection with the Wolverhampton by-election it is stated that |of 1100 Catholic voters oh the' roll the English Catholics voted for Mr. Amery, the Unionist candidate, who was defeated, and the Irish for Mr. Thorn who won the seat by eight votes only. The Daily News, in commenting on the election, says that the result is- one of several blows received by the Government since the tide began to turn. The only explanation of the decline in; the Liberal vote is that the tariff reform movement is growing in force with the hearing of the case. The following record of by-elections since the beginning of the present year shows how- steadily the tide has been flowing in favour of the Unionist party and against the .Liberal: Government (the increases and decreases shown arc in the 'majorities at byelections, as compared with those at the general election): — '..■■ ; January ■ 17.—Mid-Devon.' • Liberal .seal gained by Unionist. ■ ._.. » . February 2.—Ross (Hertfordshire). Liberal ■ seat'gained by Unionist. February 6.—St. Austell (Cornwall). Liberal returned nnopposeJ. .'February 9.—Worcester. Unionist returned with ".increase of 480. : February 14.—South. .Leeds. . Libeial returned with majority decreased by 926. March 1— Bewdley Division of Worcestershire. Unionist elected-unopposed. March s.—Hustings. Unionist returned with, increase of 177March 22.--West Downs. Unionist returned with increase of 349. March 25.—Pocldiaiu. Liberal majority of 2339- (! converted into Unionist and tariff reform majority of 494. April 24.—Dewsbury., Increase in Unionist rotes. 1119: decrease in Liberal votes. 1170. April 25.— North-west Manchester. Increase in Unionist votes, 1019: decrease in Liberal votes, 651; Liberal Minister loses seat. *.--.-. -,-j April 27.—Kincardineshire. Liberal returned: increase in Unionist vote. 337. ':Mav s.—Wolverhampton East- Liberal returned; decrease in Libera! votes, 1096; increase in Unionist votes, 1716.