The London Kelt

LAND REFORMS. There are many symptoms to indicate a slight awakening to search into the land system of our country. The minority report of the Agricultural Commission lately divulged to the press testifies to the wretched state of agri- culture in this country. The time has at last arrived for our laws to be rid of all traces of feudalism, and be modified so as to suit the new conditions and requirements of the present day. The tales of woe and failures in the rural districts are forcible enough to appeal to all those who are inter- ested in agriculture, an industry which should be the pride of every nation. The report of the Welsh Land Commission is anxiously awaited in order that people might see for themselves the official statement regarding the state of farming in the principality. There are many Welsh farmers who manage to subsist on their tenements through sheer self-sacrifice or self-denial, that is not ex- ceeded in any other part of the world. The burdens in the shape of rents borne by thou- sands of Welsh farmers are beyond descrip- tion. Consequently it is quite time that some new practical reforms in our land sys- tem should be speedily effected in order to prevent a complete paralysis of agriculture.

CARDIGANSHIRE AND LIGHT RAILWAYS. Many natives of Cardiganshire will rejoice at the honourable attempt made by their parliamentary member, Mr. Vaughan Davies, to plead for light-railways in his constit- uency. He undoubtedly explained the exact state of affairs in Cardiganshire when he said that it would be impossible for the farmers to get sufficient capital to start these light railways, owing to their being already over- burdened with heavy taxes and rents. As prudently suggested by the honourable mem- ber, the big companies would only construct these undertakings in places where they woald be certain to pay, and in districts probably where the residents could best afford to build them, thus the poorer and more deserving localities being mercilessly left out in the cold. Let us trust that all the Welsh members will endeavour to place successfully before the Government the in- disputable claims of Wales, with the object of having a proportionately fair share of these light railways that will unfailingly con- duce to a slight alleviation of the agricultural tD depression prevalent in the principality.

WELSHMEN ABROAD. We are now arranging to obtain news or information respecting the chief colonies of our countrymen in all parts of the world. With the increased advantages of modern discoveries and easier methods of transit and communion, more attention should be paid to the maintenance of strong national ties between our countrymen at home and all those who are scattered over different parts of the globe. Though a small race, yet we have a right and duty to cherish our patriot- ism in any part of the world.

LOCAL STRIKES IN SOUTH WALES. Judging from last week's reports the con- dition of labour in the South Wales district is not altogether very bright. There are several local strikes, which compel so many families amongst the working class to be on the very verge of starvation. Let us hope that these local disputes will shortly be settled to the satisfaction of both parties. The secretaries of these respective strikes are most pathetic in their appeals for funds to prevent the wives and children from being cruelly starved to death.

A SWANSEA PUBLICAN. It is very gratifying to note that the magistrates of Swansea made a bold and judicious stroke last week by fining a pub- lican, the landlord of the Bunch of Grapes Inn, Mariner Street, for being drunk in his own house. If this plan were carried out more generally, then it would be the effectual means of encouraging a moderate amount of sobriety amongst the publicans, so as to enable them to know in cases of emergency whether their customers are intoxicated or not.

ITALY AND ABYSSINIA. The outburst of national feeling in Italy has culminated in a decision of not sending any more soldiers to Abyssinia, where the work of conquering is almost beyond the military strength and financial capacity of semi-bankrupt Italy. The Italians have nationally crippled themselves owing to their ambition to keep apase-with other stronger nations in their rash scramble for Africa.