He himself, in spite of Carleton's opposition, had been returned with an increased majority; but the Party as a whole had suffered loss, especially in the counties.

The struggle centred round the agricultural labourer.

If he could be won over the Government would go ahead with Phillips's scheme.

Otherwise there was danger of its being shelved.

The difficulty was the old problem of how to get at the men of the scattered villages, the lonely cottages.