27 JANUARY 1906, Page 29

THE CAUSE OF THE UNIONIST DEFEAT. L're TER EDITOR OF

TRY " EPROTATOF.."]

think most reasonable men will agree with you that the Unionist defeat is in the main due to the attack on Free- trade, and not to any "wave of unreasoning Radicalism." Unless the Conservative Party is prepared to abandon the policy of Protection, .1 do not see how it can expect to regain national confidence. Of the two candidates before us in this

constituency, one was a Conservative, a Unionist, a Church- man, and a Tariff Reformer; the other a Radical, a Home- ruler, a Nonconformist, and a Free-trader. I am a Conserva- tive and a High Churchman, and have never before voted for a Liberal Government ; but in this Election I bad no hesita- tion in polling for the Radical because he was a Free-trader, and should do so again in similar circumstances. Some of my friends have done the same, and there must be thousands of Unionists all over the country who have taken a similar line. Surely the party papers and the party managers will not wilfully shut their eyes to facts !—I am, Sir, &c., Putney. CONSERVATIVE FREE-TRADER.