A UNIONIST GAIN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 15097, 13 September 1912, Page 7

A UNIONIST GAIN.

LIBERALS LOSE MIDLOTHIAN.

RESULT OF VOTE SPLITTING.

A VERY CLOSE CONTEST.

By Telegraph.—Press Association.— Copyright

London, September 11. The by-election for the Midlothian seat, which was rendered vacant by the resignation of the Master of Enbank (Chief Liberal Whip) resulted as follows Major Hope (U.) ••• 6021 C. Shaw (L.) ... ... 5989 . W. Brown (Lab.) ... 2413 Unionist majority ... 32 During the campaign an aeroplane scattered leaflets in the remote districts. When the chairman of the conference of Chambers of Commerce at Newcastle announced the result of the election the delegates cheered for several moments. THE MECCA OF RADICALISM. UNIONIST PRESS JUBILANT. London, September 11. The Conservative evening papers are jubilant at the capture of the Mecca of Radicalism. . . . The Liberal papers attribute the result of the election to the split in the Progressive ranks. The Unionists, they say, are bound to win a few by-elections under such circumstances. , THE "FOLLY OF LABOUR." BITTER LIBERAL COMMENTS. (Received September 12, 11.45 p.m.) London, September 12. The ..Liberals bitterly comment on the folly of the Labour party in presenting the Midlothian seat to the Unionists. They attribute 'the result to the votes of outsiders. , Major Hope attributes • his win to a desire to, secure amendments in the National Insurance Act, and a dislike to the Home' Rule and Welsh Disestablishment Bills.

SPEECH BY MR. CHURCHILL.

GOVERNMENT'S POLICY NOT

AFFECTED.

(Received September 12, 10.20 p.m.)

London, September 12.

Mr. Winston Churchill, in a speech at Dundee, referred to the result of the Midlothian election. He said that no splitting of votes at by-elections and •no Tory abuse would prevent the Government from passing the Home Rule Bill.

The National Insurance Act, he said, might be improved in detail, but the measure was irrevocable because it was indispensable. Twelve million policies were already in force.

The Midlothian seat has been held by the Liberals for several - years past. Major Hope, who has now succeeded in wresting the seat from the Government party by a narrow, majority, contested it at the last general election with the Master of Elibank (Mr. Murray). On that occasion the Master of 'Elibank polled 8837 votes against £680 recorded for Major Hope, the Liberal majority thus being 3157. The Unionist party have won two seats from the Liberals in recent by-elections, the latter party having lost North-west Manchester last month. [Midlothian was represented by the late Mr. W. E. Gladstone for many years. ■