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Ohinemuri Gazette, Volume I, Issue 32, 23 July 1892, Page 4

The English elections are over and clone. The Conservatives and Unionists returned 314, and the Liberals and Home Rulers 346, giving apparently a majority for Mr Gladstone of 42. The common ground has been a fieht for aye or nay from the electors of the country to the question, " Will you give Ireland separation, independence and autonomy ?" All other questions have been absolutely ignored. There has been no question of Liberalism or Toryism—nothing but the briefest allusion to foreign or colonial policy,— the quondam Tory has toadied to the

once Liberal and vice versa. Gladstone received praise even from the " Times" for his evident antipathy to such a typical Liberal movement aa the eight hours question, and Balfour's programme, comprising as it did, one-uian-one-vote, extension of peasant ownership, taxation of groundrents and the right of the London and other Oounty Councils to acquire gas-works, water supply and trams, m fact to become, as Sir John Lubboek says, a sort of Socialistic "London, Limited,— all this shows that in the presence of the momentous question of Home Rule both sides were prepared to swallow the largest kind of camel. Even with a seeming majority of 42 it is hard to prophecy the result. Those 356 Liberals and Home Rulers may hav9 356 different schemes of Home Rules—one. Man-one- scheme—ranging from mild aud feasible to violent and impracticable, while both parties may, and undoubtedly will crystallise into groups aud sub-partios, and although undoubtedly the administration of Irish affairs will be greatly and radically changed, yet it is impossible ~ at present to indicate upon what lines, the change may be made. On the whole, if we were compelled t° prophecy anything, it would be that another appeal will be made to the country within 12 months. The Labour party will make itself felt and will make Home Rule and everything •else subservient to its demands. The Temperance party intend making a big stand also, while there must be taken into consideration the fact that Mr Gladstone carries 84 years on his back aud that, wonderful and enduring man as he is, he cannot last for ever. The combination is truly most complicated and the personnel arid programme of the new Government will be anxiously watched for.