British Politics.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 10216, 23 January 1895, Page 2

BRITISH POLITICS.

We have been shown a letter from an old veteran in pdlitics at Horrie, and who, for many years, was M.P. for a Liberal constituency in England, in which he announces to a friend, living in Taranaki, his retirement from the House of Commons, and, as his reasons for so doing are interesting, we have obtained permission to copy some of his remarks. He writes : " I am leaving Parliament at 75 years of ago, because I find I cannot attend to mv administrative work in Liverpool and Wales and to Parliamentary works as well. I am convinced that I can do better work on the Board of Guardians in Liverpool, or with the colleges and intermediate schools in Liverpool and "Wales —backed up by our most generous friend Henry Tate — than ac Westminster, where, for the present, Government, by "groups" and gossip, seem to have taken possession of the "Mother of Parliaments." Mr Gladstone had ceased to lead befol'e he retired ; and I had the painful ta«k sometimes of having to go with his principles against his votes. Our friends, the teetotallers, seem as unteachable as ever. They have regretted bitterly that they did not support Bruce's Bill, and now they are running after local option, which, whatever it may do in country districts, will do nothing where it is needed most —in cities and populous dictricts of the country. lam vjry glad Gladstone has practically told them this, and I think my American report, which they admit to be absolutely fair and impartial, has made them feel a little uncomfortable about local option, but that I fear is all. It is simply insanity for any Government to bring in a bill dealing with licensing or liquor, unless they intend to carry it through in the session in which it is introduced; otherwise they only irritate the trade, and make them more unscrupulous in bribery and treating. . . . . We have just laid [October 4th, 1894], George Melly, one of your fellowworkers in politics and volunteering in his grave, after two years of suffering, sometimes in agony, heroically borne, and with mind and interests clear until within a few days of his death. . . . Assuring you you are held in affectionate remembrance by your old friends here, who, alas! are diminishing in number, •with all good wishes, yours faithfully