Widnes Examiner. — 1912-01-27 (Widnes, Cheshire, England)

IWO." If Free Trade had died, then why that exhibition ?If Free Trade were dead the xhibition would be stir et fluous. At the next election they would reverse that. The coffin would contain something other than Free Trade. (Hear, hear and applause). / Mr. NEW, who was well received, said he had that afternoon been introduced to Lady Greenall. She said she was coming to some of their meetings later on and remarked that when she did come she hoped they would say the same of her as Ahen she was not there. He had replied that the day had not come when he dare not I repeat what he had said. (Hear, hear.) Continuing, Mr. New said that when one came to look at the faces of the ladies present and looked at some of those who wore the Union Jack, there was a striking contrast. He wondered if there was another organisation in the town to equal theirs. There might be, hut he had his doubts about it. The essence of Liberalism was freedom and when the working people of the country had reached that period of life when they could enjoy freedom, they should have it. Liberalism taught them to think of others as well as themselves and to take a deep earnest interest in the lives of those around them and have a care for the children. Speaking on the Insurance Act, Mr. New gave many illustrations and said that the old people were at present living in fear. If they wanted to lay down their work their only rest was the workhouse. W hen the Liberal party brought forth that measure which gave them fresh air and freedom it was a boon. He was proud of the Children's Bill for it meant such a lot. Tne Liberal Women's organisation had done much which the men could not do. They bad led the way and shown that if the men were not successful, they (the women) were. Continuing he said there were 50,000 men, women and children who suffered from consumption. Mr. Lloyd George had said " enough." When a criminal escaped they spent money to get him back to justice. If a man had nommitted murder and tried to commit suicide they gave him the best attention and brought him back to health so that they could hang him. Was it not worth spending money to save the poor sufferers from c msumption? Alluding to the Dumping Exhibition, Mr New said the fabrics used at that exhibition were common trash. It was commoner than any he had seen in the smallest shops in Warrington. They did not fear Tariff Reform at the next election. The people who were proud of the Union Jack were patriots. A patriot was one who desired to see a peaceful country and seelthat all lived under conditions which were happy and sweet. Tariff reformers could no longer cry Look at Germany " because it had gone red. The work of Liberalism was a noble work. It meant freedom and better conditions. The solution of the Housing problem would soon be an accomplished fact. In speaking of Mrs. Osborne he said she did a good work and was worthy of all praise. If they would work hard and stand for freedom their reward would be a happy, prosperous country. (Applause). Mrs. OSBORNE then announced that the winnPr of the prize for the best 21b. loaf was Mrs. liewitt,of Johnstreet. Mrs. CROSFIEILD congratulated the lady who was 70 years of age. (VOICES;" One for the Old Age  Pensioners," and another," That's Free Trade andj a the big loaf." (Laughter). Mr. PEAcocx, in proposing a vote of thanks to Mrs. Crosfield, the ward captain, and the artistes, said he would like also to congratulate the St. John's Ward. They had increased in numbers more than any other. (Applause.) It needed no advertisements to tell how much Mrs. Crosfleld did for the poor of Warrington. (Applause.) He would like them to go forward and return Mr. A. H. Crosfleld at the next election and be that would be real and true thanks to their true friend Mrs. Crosfield. (Applause.) _... BRIDGE seconded and in response Mrs. Orosfield said she thanked them heartily for their kind reception. She also thanked the speakers for their eloquent addresses. She knew that ward was one of the poorest in Warrington and she hoped it would not he the last time she would be there. (Hear, hear, and applause.) She (the speaker) had been enlightened as to the Insurance Act by the speakers. She did approve of the Bill and believed it would be a great boon when it became law, especially among the poorer classes. (Loud applause.) A most etjo3 able evening was brcught to a close by the singing of the National Anthem.