The results of the by-elections at Reading and in Linlith-
gow, both declared last Saturday, are most encouraging to Unionists. At Reading, where the average majority of the last ten contested elections has been 300 and no Liberal has ever had a majority of more than 700, Captain Leslie Wilson, the Unionist, was returned by a majority of 1,131 over Mr. Gooch, the Liberal candidate, and by a majority of 68 over the Liberal and Socialist combined. The issue of Home Rule was kept to the front right through the contest, as it was in Linlithgow, where Mr. Pratt, the Liberal candidate, claimed his return as a great victory for Home Rule, though the Liberal majority was reduced by seventy-five per cent., the figures being Mr. J. W. Pratt 5,615, and Mr. James Kidd 5,094. At the last three elections Mr. Ure's majority averaged 2,500. The loss of the seat in Reading was anticipated by the Liberals, but the most sanguine Unionist forecast fell short of a four-figure majority. The result in Linlithgow, however, is much more significant in view of the large number of Irish in the division. A special feature of both elections was the active part taken against the Government candidate by emissaries of the Irish Labour Party, and the popular demonstrations in Dublin on the defeat of Mr. Gooch being known.
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