THE BRITISH CONSERVATIVES

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 8186, 30 July 1912, Page 6

THE BRITISH CONSERVATIVES

Among tho notable expressions made by the loader of the Opposition (Mr Bonar .Law) at Blenheim Palace, one has aroused much attention—his strong encouragement to Ulster in its resistance of Home Hulo, and his promise to support any lengths to which Ulster might go.—Cable news.

As a prelude to what appear to have been some more or less treasonous and certainly inflammatory references to Home Buie and Ulster. Mr Bouar Law, the rather extraordinary leader chosen by the Conservative party in England, was able to cheer the great demonstration at Blenheim Park by tho announcement that the result of the Crewe election “ was not an indication of the dawn but a sign that the sun has risen.” Beference to the figures cabled yesterday show a, very watery orb in the sky, for the one thing certain about the Crewe election is that the gentleman returned to tho House of Commons to support the Conservatives misrepresents the constituency in a rather startling way. His election, so far from indicating that “ the sun has risen,” shows the need for an amendment of tho electoral system which makes such a travesty on self-government possible. There were three candidates, the aggregate vote being 14,039, and of this number 6200 were cast for the Conservative, who was elected, though 7779 electors voted against him. The total increase in the poll compared with the general election was 485, the anti-Gonservative vote increasing 150 and the Conservative vote 335, so that although there are more people now in Crewe against Mr Craig than there were in 1910 and he is in a minority of 1519 he takes a seat in Parliament. The “ victory, ’* therefore, is not one of any political significance at all, except so far as i emphasises the evil features of the electoral system. Mr Bonar Law and his friends will, of course, make the most of the nominal result of the poll, which can be depended upon to Intensify their opposition to the Government’s Electoral Bill. But it is hardly likely that sham successes of this sort and violent language about Ulster can bring much comfort to the-Conserva-tive sections of the community. The': probability is that Mr Bonar Law’s language in regard to Ireland will cause considerable alarm among his followers, for if tho official Unionists are going to' take their cue from Sir William Carson and become advocates of armed resistance' the party will quickly fall a prey to complete demoralisation. Between the words spoken by. Sir William Carson nnc lj Mr Law at a recent gathering in Ulster and those for which Mr Tom Mann was not lonjj; ago imprisoned it is impossible to find anything in favour of the more exalted persons concerned. If Mr Mann was justly thrown into prison, then every consideration of justice demands that the sectarian bigots whose offending has been so gross should follow him without delay.