30 OCTOBER 1909, Page 3

" The Northumbrian miners at the end of last week

decided to run Parliamentary candidates in opposition to Mr. Burt and Mr. Fenwick. No student of politics needs to be told how much Mr. Burt and Mr. Fenwick have done in the House of Commons for the cause they represent. They have been eloquent and urgent in debate and skilful in negotiation, and while they have been faithful to their main purpose, they have been notoriously mindful of the dignity of the House. We disagree with much of their programme, but that does not prevent us from saying that they have been a credit to Parliament. Why is an attempt to be made to squeeze these men out of public life ? It is not to be supposed that the majority of Northumbrian miners are Socialists. The ex- planation, of course, is that the Executive has been captured by Socialists, and the result is this plan to kill politically those who will not sign away their independence of judgment. We trust the working men will observe this wonderful example of "liberty" under the Socialistic regime of the Labour Party.