7 NOVEMBER 1908, Page 19

The results of the municipal elections are in close accord

with those of recent Parliamentary by-elections, the returns showing that the Unionists have gained one hundred and thirty-one seats as against thirty-three gained by Liberals, and twenty-four by Labour, Socialist, and Independent candidates. The Unionists won eight seats in Devonport, seven each in Manchester and Liverpool, five in Black- burn, and four in Wigan. All the Socialist candidates were defeated in Birmingham and Bradford, while in Leeds Labour lost five seats, and only returned one out of eight candidates. The only notable Socialist successes were in East and West Ham, where the Moderate Municipal Alliance were severely defeated. No better comment on the significance of these elections can be found than the candid testimony of the Westminster Gazette :—" On the whole, we fancy the elections show the country's dislike of extremist views and even more of extremist methods."