The London Kelt

PRINCIPAL ROBERTS AT FESTINIOG. At a meeting of the Governors of the University College, Aberystwith, held at Fes- tiniog on Friday, Principal Roberts tried to explain away the conduct of Aberystwith towards the Welsh University. He argued that the restriction recently made by the Treasury would greatly handicap them in their work of maintaining the financial stability of the University College, as that step would prevent many English students from coming there to prepare for the London Degrees. This fear of the entire falling away of English students is highly improbable. Besides, Prin- cipal Roberts can be surely consoled by the certainty that many Welsh students will enter Aberystwith College, from the different inter- mediate schools already established in the neighbouring districts.

WOMEN IN CONFERENCE AT NEWTOWN. Surveying the wide range of topics discussed at the annual meetings of the Welsh Union of Women's Liberal Association at Newtown last week, we are delighted to perceive the practical manner wherein the ladies tackled the great burning questions of the day. Great emphasis was naturally laid on the civil rights of women. Mrs. Howell Idris and Mrs. Wynford Philips gave brilliant addresses in support of women's suffrage. Unexpected ability was also dis- played in the discussions on Home Rule, Education and Armenia. The organisers of the Welsh Union can be cordially congratu- lated on the grand success which attended their judicious arrangements at Newtown this year.

ARMENIA. The cause of Armenia was most eloquently pleaded at Huddersfield last week. Professor Massie, of Oxford, delivered a very telling speech on the fiendish work of the monarch reigning at Constantinople. He was also most passionately supported by Mr. Thorne, M.P. who bitterly suggested that if Armenia directly affected any bondholders, there would not be such unpardonable lethargy showed by the Government of this country. The whole audience appeared to be overwhelmed with feelings of true sympathy when he said that there was no money in the Armenian cause, but only men, women, and children.

RECREATION FOR THE YOUNG. At a meeting of Nonconformist ministers in Carnarvon last week it was agreed that more attention should be paid towards providing rational amusements for young people. In the past this plan of catering innocent recreation for the young has been too niggardly adopted. The special requirements of youth should be studied by ministers and educationists alike. There are many pastimes that materially benefit the young both in body and mind. In the face of so many unhealthy attractions prevailing at the present time, every counter- acting influence should be vigorouslyjpromoted. Some of our Welsh ministers would do well to give their consideration to a few of the largest American and English Nonconformist churches wherein honest recreation is encouraged for the moral and material welfare of the young.

SWANSEA AND THE POLICE GRANT. The threatened refusal to give the Govern- ment Police Grant of L4,700 to Swansea caused a little stir in the town. Consequently the Mayor, accompanied by the Town Clerk, came to London to have an interview with the Home Secretary on the subject. It should be justly observed that Sir John Llewellyn was largely instrumental in prevailing on Sir Matthew Ridley to modify his decision in favour of Swansea. Finally the Home Secre- tary promised the Mayor to continue the grant on the condition that Superintendent Jones be asked to resign on the superannuation allow- ance. This step, in order to prevent further dissatisfaction as regards judicious promotion, will probably necessitate a successor to be appointed from another district.

MATABELELAND. It seems that we are now living in a period of crises, following one another with great regularity. The last one on the panoramic scene is the rising of the natives in Matabele- land. Several Whites have been cruelly massacred. No definite intelligence has been received yet with regard to the chief cause of this unwelcome trouble, which will greatly add to the serious complications existing already in South Africa. Some affirm that the return of Lobengula's son, who was banished last year, has something to do with this enexpected rebellion. Others are of opinion that the usual oppression, too often inflicted on the natives by the whites, is actually the chief cause that has led the Matabeles to this desperate method of retaliation.

THE ALLEGED PHILANTHROPY OF THE L. & N. W. R. Inferring from the statements made on Monday in the meeting of representatives of the Mutual Help Societies in connection with the L. & N. W, R. one is uncomfortably sur- prised that the Directors of that very flourish- ing company are not so liberal to their em- ployees after all. It must be owned that the managers of this Railway concern succeeded in obtaining a very general though false advertisement, at the time when that good Employers Liability Bill of Mr. Asquith was wrecked through the alleged philanthropy of this company. According to the report of these societies for last year, the workers them- selves had self-sacrificingly subscribed £6,484 out of Rg,292, paid out for deaths and disable- ments. The amount of £50 for death in this company compares very unfavourably with the sum of £ 400, lately given by the North- Eastern Company to the relatives of an engine driver, who was killed in their service.