19 DECEMBER 1903, Page 13

[To THE EDITOR OP THE "SPECTATOR."] Six,—After reading your article

on the position of Con- servative Free-traders in the Spectator of December 12th, I am tempted to send you copies of letters I have addressed to the Conservative and Radical candidates for Ludlow, and to suggest that other Conservatives should deal with Parlia- mentary candidates in like manner.—I am, Sir, &c.,

124 Chancery Lane, London. W. P. W. PHILLIMORE.

"124 Chancery Lane, London, December- 14, 1903. DEAR Stik—In reply to your request for my vote, I much regret that I cannot support you, although I am a strong Conservative. My reasons are shown in a letter I have addressed to your opponent, a copy of which I enclose.—I am, yours faithfully,

W. P. W. PRILLINORE, R. RUNT, Esq., The Firs, Baschurch, Salop."

"124 Chancery Lane, London, 12th December, 1903.

DEAR SIR,—In reply to your request for my vote, I beg to say that I am and have been a Conservative for very many years past, and disagree with nearly everything in the Radical programme. But I thoroughly agree with what you say in your address as to FR191-TRLDE, and shall only vote for a Conservative if he be sound on this point, which I think overshadows everythino. else. Every Englishman must have the right to buy what he likes, at the best price, and where he likes, without restraint by anybody. The fact that other countries violate this fundamental principle of common honesty does not justify this country in departing from it. The maxim, 'If you hit me I will hit somebody else,' surely is not a fitting one for a Christian land.—Yours truly,

W. P. W. PHILLIMORE. F. Hom-tx, Esq., Hinnington, Shifnal."