At a meeting of the City of London Conservative Associa-
tion on Monday Sir Frederick Banbury, Bart., was formally selected as the Unionist candidate for the seat vacated by Sir Edward Clarke. Lord Curzon's name had been put forward, amongst others ; but in a letter to the chairman he was reported to have said that he could not pledge himself to devote his full time to the duties demanded of him until his health was re-established, adding that, though in favour of Tariff Reform, he was not prepared to give the extreme pledges which in some quarters might be required from him. As Lord Curzon's exact words were not quoted, it may be premature to draw any precise political inferences from this statement. Sir Frederick Banbury, at any rate, is a Tariff Reformer par sang. He declared that he supported Mr. Chamberlain's policy without any reservation, adding that his reputation had been gained " because during the last three years, when the Conservative Party were in a very difficult position, he was in his place in the House every evening at 9 o'clock, and was prepared to get up at any moment and talk on any subject for any time." Four other names were submitted to the meeting, but Sir Frederick's qualifications in the matter of loquacity appear to have impressed those present so deeply that he was ultimately adopted with practical unanimity. Sir Frederick Banbury has since been returned unopposed.
Previous page
