28 FEBRUARY 1891, Page 2

Lord Randolph Churchill made one of his clever speeches to

his constituents of South Paddington, this day week, at the Norfolk Hotel. He said that Lord Melbourne or some other Liberal Premier had defined an independent Member as a Member of Parliament who could not be depended upon. 4nd in that sense he admitted that, whenever he is called upon to support an antiquated or reactionary policy, he is independent. Yet he had never shown any disposition to make things " unpleasant " for the Government, even when he opposed it, as he had done and must do in relation to the Irish Land Bill. On the other hand, he heartily supports them in their proposal to give the people of this country a free system of elementary education, and in resisting Home-rule or any attack on the Union ; and he is wholly opposed to reducing the time of residence qualifying a householder for a vote, below twelve months. He warmly advocated the proposal that the Government should endeavour to find some mode of establishing a better understanding between capital and labour, and should limit the number of hours' labour for the miners. Of any proposal to limit associated labour generally to eight hours, he did not approve. But be was very complimentary to the English artisans, and said that no demand is put forward and steadily adhered to on their behalf, that has

not at least a great deal of good in it,—a remark which savour too much of the growing practice of flattering our masters.