28 FEBRUARY 1920, Page 2

Mr. Charles Palmer, who stood as an Independent candidate, was

returned last week in the by-election in the Wrekin Division of Shropshire. He polled 9,2.07 votes, while Mr. buncan, the Labour candidate, polled 8,729, and Mr. Bayley, the Coalition Liberal, only 4,750. Mr. Palmer said that he had won a victory for " moderate counsels in the State," and that he would be " a friendly critic of the Government." He seems to have received, unofficially, the full support of the Unionist Party, which is strong in the division.