18 JUNE 1937, Page 3

National supporters are well satisfied with the results of the

by-elections so far. Hillhead, North Bucks and Drake are an inauspicious beginning for the Labour Party's great recruiting campaign. Only the Liberal Nationals are uneasy. At St. Ives they have to defend the one vacant seat which is likely to be lost to the Government. Their nominee was unexpectedly defeated at Greenock last year. A further reverse, in Mr. Runciman's old constituency, would greatly weaken their claim for a more generous alloca- tion of constituencies. That they are dissatisfied with their exist;ng quota is an open secret. Opposition Liberals refer scornfully to " unrest among the galley-slaves."