"JULIA'S BUREAU."

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume LXII, Issue 9596, 7 February 1910, Page 2

"JULIA'S BUREAU."

AN INTERVIEW WITH THE LATE

MR GLADSTONE

THE POLITICAL SITUATION

Through the medium of "Julia," his agent in the spirit world, Mr W. T. Stead, in response to a request by the Daily Chronicle, obtained what purports to be the views of the lato Mr W. \i. Gladstone on current politics. Fourteen questions were submitted, and the seance lasted an hour. A representative of tlio Daily Chronicle was not allowed to be present, as Julia objocts to any "extraneous personality. " The minutes of the meeting at Julia's "Buroau" record the following as being present: — lucarnate—Psychic (clairvoyant). Psychic (automatisc), stenographer, and VV. T. Stoad (hon. secretary). Discarnate—Julia, W. Stead, jun., Cardinal Manning, and others. Tho proceedings opened with Handel's "I know that my Redeemer Jiveth," followed by a prayer. After an interposition by Cardinal Manning, who understands "from my dear friend. Miss Julia, that Mr Gladstone is about to contact with you," and says that ho hopes "the Church atmosphere will be a service iv more easily linking him with you." W. E. G. and W. T. S. begin their couvorsation, from the Daily Chronicle's account of which the following extracts are taken :—

W. T. S. : "The Daily Chronicle wishes to know whether or not you could express any opinion on the Budget, aud the clash between the House of Lords aud Commons. Do you still take au interest—a living interest—iv the mundane affairs or' this temporal world? Can you express any opinion iv response to those who still cherish your memory with gratitude and veneration?" W. JD. G. :"I thank you for the kind expression of such thoughts, but 1 am now detached in a vory great measure from contact with mundane affairs. Tho arena of tho political world is distasteful to me. Nay, it always was distasteful as such to me. and "l only held my position there from a souse of duty to my race. I am much more deeply 'interested iv tho attempts to understand aud more closely realise tho wonderful manifestations of God exhibiting thenisolves through His divine manifestation of the Christ, aud the sacramental observances which are closely united to and are au aspect of this Divine manifestation. It is very distasteful to me—very distasteful—to contact this political arena once more. "

W.T.S. : "Well, Mr Gladstone, it is entirely a question of duty now, as of old. If yon feel and see that your words will (io good, I am sure that no question of distaste will stand in the way. If you do not think it would do good, I would certainly not ask you to say a word on political questions."

W.l'j G. : "My dear sir, L am hesitating as to what my course of duty is iv this matter, us I ha?e not been iv close touch with the political sphere since my passing from the physical tabernacle, my solo interests having been focussed on tilings more eternal than the transitory movements of tilings terrestrial. Since, however, my attention has oeen distinctly and deliberately drawn to the public questions which are agitating the minds of the nation to-day, I will very briefly express my views upou_ this question. In my opinion the Upper Chamber will act most ill-advisedly if they reject this financial measure, I can well understand that there will bo much iv its provisions to which they will distinctly object. But, nevertheless, it would be a wise policy for them to pass this measure. lam in agreement with the principles that are embodied in the Bill." W.T. S : "The land proposals and the licensing proposals':"' W.E.G. : "The former obtained my support; the latter—namely, the licensing clauses —I am only jjartly in sympatny with. This section of the Bill should not be too rigidly insisted on, as some of the clauses are far too crudely constructed, and will tend to produce much friction and confusion in their application." W.T.S. : "Do not the old instincts of the war-scarred veteran revive within you when you contact once more the turmoil and the struggle between the Peers and the people, between the classes aud the masses?" This seems to have roused the G.O. M., for the dialogue proceeds. W. E. G. : "As I come more closely into touch with your condition I begin to feel again this fire burning within me, aud [ wish for a few brief days 1 could be with you. My battlecry would be " Psychic : "I want to carol) his battlecry. There is a phrase something like this —"Away with that inert mass of unrepresentative opinion. Let my people, let my old warriors appeal to the country on this definite issue. This is a war-cry which will rally to them many of the forces, many of the units whish at the present moment are being Jield in the balance. Let the cry be definite, clear aud precise.' " W\ T S. : "Would you force the issue if the Lords were willing to pass the Budget? Would you still dissolve:" , W. E. G. : "It would not be advisable, iv my opinion, to dissolve at the moment, but when the issue has been narrowed down, when the die is cast, the step taken, then definite, clear, united "action must be taken quickly at once." W. T. S. : "That means down with the House of Lords altogether?" W. E. G. : "No. no. Do not misunderstand me. Only with the House of Lords as at preseut constituted. I am distinctly in tavour of a Second Chamber." W. T. S. : "Would you give that Second Chamber any financial control V" W. E. G. : "The financial control should be vested entirely iv the Lower House. However, I cannot discuss that this morning." W. T. S. : "That is to say, you would keep a Second Chamber, but not force the issue of the Lords by au immediate appeal to the country if you could get the Budget through?" W. E. G. : "You have rightly-uu-deistood what I desire to convey. It is difficult for me to rind someone, some person, to whom I can attach myself. I find it difficult iv this connection to make this earth contact clear and distinct." W. T. S. : "Your old friend, Lord {.Continued on Page 3.)

Morley, is be rro good?" - W.E.G. : "He is useless for this purpose, as be lacks the tire aud energy so necessary at this juncture." W.T.S. : "How about LloydGeorge?" W.E.G. : "He has the necessary fire aud euergy for the purpose, but be lacks carefulness of expression, and he lacks the steadiness and balance which will bo necessary. It is difficult, it is difficult. " W.T.S. : "What about Mr Balt'our, your old friend. He is on the other side, but I should think that through his distinct and clear ideas you miglit be able to " W.E.G. : "Yes, that is quite true that I can contact much of these jower worlds through the personality of my honorable friend, but ]t is difficult to arouse in him the feelings of intense fire which this campaign will arouse, and besides, as you have remarked, lie is not working on our side. " During tho rest of the discussion W.E.G. pays a compliment to the charming Miss Julia, aud theu says, "Good morning," to which Mr Stead replies with a "Good morning; God bless you." Cardinal Manning having given the discussion his beuison and said farewell, the circle is broken up, aud with the singing of die Doxology the sitting closes.