The by-election at Kendal, caused by the death of Sir
J. F. Begot, has resulted in the return of Colonel Weston, the Independent Unionist candidate, by a majority of 581. In 1900 Sir J. F. Bagot was returned unopposed. In 1906 he was defeated by a Liberal majority of 252, but held the seat in the elections of January and December, 1910, by majorities of 502 and 308 respectively. On the eve of the election the Central Conservative Association withdrew its official support from Colonel Weston on the ground of his refusal to support Tariff Reform, but individual Unionist M.P.'s, some of them strong Tariff Reformers, spoke on his platforms. We have dealt fully elsewhere with the significance of Colonel Weston's victory. We must add here an expression of our delight that besides winning a seat for the Union he won one for the cause of National Service. It is idle for the opponents of National Service to pretend, as they are now doing, that be was not really a supporter of Universal Training. While the election was proceeding they fixed the " Conscription" label on his back, and must abide by the consequences. The con- stituents refused to be frightened by the talk about tyranny and militarism, and proved that the people of England, as we have always contended, do not claim " the liberty of the sub- ject not to learn how to defend his home, his freedom, and his country."
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