14 MARCH 1903, Page 3

The Government has sustained a severe defeat in Wool- wich,

hitherto supposed to be a safe Unionist seat. The borough has not, however, fallen to the Liberals. The Labour party has seated its candidate, Mr. W. Crooks, by the sur- prising majority of 3,229. The Times draws from the occur- rence the deduction that this party is about to make itself important in politics ; but the result of the poll was more probably due to the great admiration felt by local workmen for the personality of Mr. Crooks, who, though educated at a workhouse school, has made himself a power in Woolwich. The principal items of his programme are better wages for workmen and shorter hours.