Papurau Newydd Cymru

Chwiliwch 15 miliwn o erthyglau papurau newydd Cymru

Cuddio Rhestr Erthyglau

17 erthygl ar y dudalen hon

CARDIGANSHIRE CANDIDATE --\-…

Newyddion
Dyfynnu
Rhannu

CARDIGANSHIRE CANDIDATE SOME SLASHING SPEECHES. .< #' MR. VAUCHAN DAVItS SELECTED. PROFESSOR LEVI ASKS SOME PERTINENT QUESTIONS. (By Our Special Correspondent). Despite all rumours to the contrary, Mr. Vaughan Davies, the sitting member, was selected at Lampeter last Thursday as Parlia- mentary candidate for Cardiganshire. His -selection was absolutely unanimous, writes our special correspondent, no other name being suggested or even mentioned. The meeting wa.s well attended, but I found myself to be the only press representative present. All the stalwart Liberals of the county were there, and the amount of petrol consumed must have given the transport officcvs ford for thought. Limpeter was nenily as full of motors as of Liberals. The meeting was valuable inasmuch as it provided a safety valve "or all the pent- tip emotions of the past twelve months. Mr Vaughan Davies made an admirable speech, not the least important part of which was his appeal to his constituents not to be led astray by paragraphs in the papers. "I will never put you in a hole," he said. c; If you will kindly wait for me to talk to you and not for the press to talk to you, I give you my word as a gentleman that I will never leave you in difficulty. Whoever you send to Parlia- ment, I will do my best, at the polls, to carry to victory as you have carried me." This i manly statement was loudly applauded, and subsequent speeches might have been dispensed with-for the meeting was satisfied. The set fawr at Brondeify was filled with lea.ding Liberals of the county. Mr. Timothy Richards made an ideal chairman, and acting as secretary was Mr Charles Evans, deputising Mr. H. Rees, O.B.E., who was indisposed. Among the vice-presidents were Mr. D. C. Roberts, Mr. J. M. Howell, Mr C. M. Williams, Mr. Jenkyn Lloyd, and Mr. Teify Junes. The opening resolutions were sad, the first 01 them being a vote of condolence with the Chairman on the death of his daughter, pro- posed by Mr. John Evans (Aberystwyth), and the second a similar vote with Mr. Vaughan Davies, M.P., in the death ot' his sister on the previous day. The Chairman made it clear that at the Executive meeting, held earlier in the day, Mr V aughan Davies definitely informed them that he was a candidate. That announcement cleared the air, and Mr. J. M Howell was accorded an excellent hearing when he pro- posed a resolution of confidence in Mr. Lloyd George. They were, he said, all moved by an impulse cf gratitude and joy, too great and too complex for words. The British had once again proved themselves to be a great people. He was struck by the fact that all sorts and conditions of men were impelled by the same desire to pay homage to Him whose hand they had seen in the victory of right over evil. During the past week the people had gathered together to worship on the greatest occasion ut their lives, the greatest perhaps in the history of the world. The sense of the im- mensity of the deliverance weighed upon them; words became ineffectual. Their thankfulness was chastened by awe. "Non nobis domine, non nob.s," "Nid i ni, 0 Arglwydd, nid i ni, ond i'tli enw dy Hun dod ogoniant" were the only words they durst utter. The motion contained the words that the world had eii-tereil into a larger liberty." Not only had they vindicated their honour and heroism and chivalry, but, as bye-products of the war, they had removed petty and great tyrants from the thrones of Europe. The value of man had been established. The State had realized that in order to reconstruct the empire the directest method was that of building up man- hood and womanhood. Equality of treatment, of opportunity, of privilege, and duty to the State had been granted. In the very dust and heat of battle millions sterling had been voted for education. Under normal conditions it would have taken decades to accomplish so great a feat. Agricultural progress had been accelerated by the dispersal of large estates and by the utilization of the land for utilitarian purposes In the wake of these great things follow improved housing, higher wages, better health. It would be churlish and unpatriotic to fail at that first meeting of the Association after the end of the war to acknowledge the large share which their fellow countryman, the Right Hod. D. Lloyd George, had taken in the great emancipation. When the war broke out Mr. Lloyd George undferstood immediately what was at stake. He estimated the severity of the struggle and made up his mind that he would shrink from no sacrifice for himself and would call upon his fellow countrymen and women to shrink from no sacrifices in order that Britain and liberty should come out vic- torious from the death grapple with Kaiserism. He also had the verve to inspire the people to make the sacrifices. In saying that they did not depart from their fidelity to Liberal principles, but they could do nothing better as Liberals than support the master hand at this time. He was therefore glad to find Mr. Vaughan Davies prepared to offer himself as a candidate. Mr. Davies was as full of virility as when they first adopted him, and he, per- sonally, was grateful that Mr. Davies had con- sented to stand again. When the time came to choose a successor, it should be done deliber- ately. They should look within the confines .:of their own county and select one vho baa done good service in the county. As to the Premier, they were afraid that lie was among those who would deflect him from his early interests; but they must look upon him as Prime Minister, and see in him a man as keen for Liberalism as Mr. Bonar Law was for Conservatism. Mr. D. C. Roberts, seconding the proposition, said they must recognise the great forces that had brought the victory and the fact that a great Welshman had been one of the biggest factors in bringing about a triumphant con- clusion. (Applause). Mr. Roberts referred to the Premier's stand for unity of command and to his foresight; and, touching on the coming of peace, added that though they might not like the company which the Premier kept their interests were safe in his hands. As Liberals they must maintain their liberty, and their member had said that he would not yield his principles even to support the Coalition, They should be satisfied. (Applause), The proposition was carried unaminously. "PLAIN SPEAKING" Mr Tivy Jones Lampeter then proposed that the meeting acquiesce in any political arrange- ments likely to promote the highest interest of the county, reasserted its adherence to the fundamentals of Liberalism, and that every candidate before the constituency at the forth- coming election should be asked to pledge himself to the spirit of the resolution. Speaking first in Welsh and then in English, Mr. Jones said the circumstances were extraordinary. The position was not quite clear and they were rather inclined to grumble. Mr Vaughan Davies was the Coalition candidate but as an elector he shotld have preferred that Mr Davies had frst consulted the constituency. fApplause from a section of the audience). He did not relish their being "carted from one organisation to another." nor would a little plain speaking do any harm. He saw that the Unionists were not going to oppose the seat- in fact, they were ready to help Mr. Daves. "That is awfully kind of them." continued Mr Jones; but they forget that Mr. Davies had been returned without the help and despite their mo4 strenuous opposition. Wales loves coalitions less than England. (Applause). Proceedinsr, Mr. Jones said he would have pre- ferred that Mr. Davies should have left himself in the hands of tli- ssociation-he would have quite safe. They appreciated Mr. Lloyd George; but feared that his splendid ener- gies" would be diverted in combating the re- actionary eieniejit6 ;n tue Government ol which he would be Prime Minister, for the brightest politicians in Llie country would be outside) tne Coalition. Even the Primrose League had decided to support tne Coalition Government. Mr. C. M. Williams-Very suspicious. Would they do that from love of Liberal Prime Minister? ("No, no.") there was Sir Edward Carson joining in a shout that everybody must disregard old shibboleths. Mr. C. M. Williams—Right O! Mr. Tivy Jones, continuing, asked was Mr. Carson going-to ask the people of Ulster to do that ? Eternal vigilance was the price of safety, and they appealed to Mr. Vaughan Davies to be always watchful. They would stick to their principles, keep their eyes open, and keep thaui powt\sr| drya (Applause). PROFESSOR LEVI WANTS TO KNOW. Professor Levi seconded the proposition in a vigorous speech. "I am prepared to support Mr. Vaugnan Davies," he said, "with all my I power, only if he adheres to this resolution. If he stands by it, he will have no more loyal Supporters t'hajn| t-lte Liberal A%o,qiat:on of Cardiganshire. If he departs from it in any J particular, he will find that the fighting spirit of Cardiganshire is still alive." That resolu- tion meant much to that and to future meet- ings. To thoroughly understand it would save much trouble in the future. (Hear, hear). "We want a progressive M.P. proceeded I Mr. Levi; "A meinJer who gets more Liberal as he grows older. We will have no half and half Liberal." He was not prepared to be ) represented by a man More at home with the Tories than with the Liberals. I want Liberal born and bred in the native air of Liberalism, willing to keep to it at any cost and at any sacrifice*. I. want Cardiganshire Liberalism, and if we get it there is no danger of anybody coming in and spoiling our unity. In further forceful language Professor Levi urged the Association to adopt an advanced policy. He referred to the meeting of the Labourers' Union at Aberystwyth on the pre- vious Monday. It was a meeting which had delighted him very much. It meant some- thing they would have to face. If they went according to the prno,iples of their fathers, they would be in no danger. Very soon the boys would return. They were coming back stronger than they went out, for they were coming back with votes. They were not com- ing back to the old conditions. God forbict; They will not do it. They have the power in their hands. They have had enough fooling with politics. They are tired cf politics being a game for giving titles to those who want titles. The poor boy who is good enough to die is good enough to live and vote—(lom applause)—and he will determine to use his vote." (Applause). To meet this he appealed for an advanced Liberal policy to keep us together," for a policy of educating men and women, and interesting them in the great principles which would captivate them. No Labour programme was better than Cardigan- shire Liberalism. There were the old measures —Disestablishment, Home Rule, etc.—an admirable list, and it was certain that every candidate would stand by these—but what of the new questions? The Premier had indi- cated what they were. Firstly, who was going to pay the huge war debt—the people, who suffered economically and the labouring classes, or the big capitalist and the profiteer? "I want a clear understanding," said the speaker. "I want our candidate iKi say whether he is in favour of a graduated in- come tax which will fall on shoulders" best able to bear it. Social reform-is Mr. Vaughan Davies willing to adopt the Liberal social re- form programme ? Let me take one point—agri- culture. I have here the Government Blue Book containing the report of the Agricultural Sub-Committee on Reconstruction. This is to be the policy of the Coalition. Mr. Lloyd George is entirely in favour cf it; but I most earnestly want to know v hat Mr Davies says about it." The first proposal was that land- lords who had 'been checked' from charging heavy rents during the war si ould I, e allowed to charge any rent they pleased to the farmers. The Committee had refused Rent Courts. How would Cardiganshire farmers like that? The prices for corn were fixed, but what did the next clause state? It refused any security of tenure for farmers. They wanted to know more about that, for what could it profit a farmer to gain fixed corn prices a-HI lose his own farm? Another question v as the wages of agricultural labourers. He had heard that farmers were not paying the r'inimum wage. "I want to know whether Mr. Vaughan Davies is in. favour of a Liberal policy in agriculture? For heaven's sake let us move on v ith the times. I do not think Liberalism is a mere I game. It is to me part of my religion. We have been brought up on it in ti.e Sunday school. I heard that the Government was going to elevate our Member to a seat in the House of Lords. I do not know. 1 do not care. But I say this, 'hat the greatest honour that could fall into the hands of Mr. Vaughan Davies would be that it could be said of him that he stocd by the people to the end and led them a step nearer the promised land." (Loud applause). DR. LEWIS'S STARTLING SPEECH. A striking speech followed from Dr. Jenkin Lewis, Llanon. His first words "ere loudly cheered: "We are bindingcursel vq; ,to a Coalition Government; but we cannot do so without turning our backs on the leader of our own party." The reception accorded to this opening was such as to reveal a sharp cleavage in the meeting; but subsequent events failed to prove the strength of the opposition. "Mr. Asquith," continued the speaker amidst applause, is recognised as one of the greatest lenders we have ever had." As a surgeon to use the knife the Premier had done a wonder- ful work, but now they wanted a physician to build up a broken system, and for that task Mr Asquith was most fitted. We could not have a better man at the conference table than Mr Asquith," he added. In scathing phrase he exposed the recent, scandals in the breaking up of big estates. Things are Worse than in 1868. These landlords have managed to rig the market. They have sold land and turned out hundreds of tenants who had not got money to buy their farms. They have advanced money to some who bought their farms at four or five per cent. When prices are, reduced T how are these men going to pay the rent? We in Cardiganshire are Far and Away Behind the Times. We are not true to ourselves. Look at Car- marthen, Carnarvon, 'Mei'ionetlj, Glamorgan. Have they gone in for a figure head ? Have they gone in for a man to represent the idle class? No. They have gone in for bone of their bone, and flesh of their flesh. (Loud applause). In the past all the great. move- ments that affected Wales had their origin in Cardigansliii,e. Then we had the courage to lead. To-day we have not the courage to follow. (Applause). Kings and thrones are going. The landlords of Europe are going by the thousand, while Cardiganshire stands like a mountain peak almost submerged in the great wave of progress." He complained that Mr. Vaughan Davies had not tolu of his Parlia- mentary work, and concluded by saying the time had come to select" one of ourlves asj candidate. IT he Rev. D.) MoraaYA, Cardigan, proposed that the meeting should call on the Executive of the Liberal Federation to close its ranks and strengthen the hands of the Premier. The rev. gentleman speke with great fervour, not alwavs to the point, and on one occasion was called to order by the Chairman. His point however, was carried nem con. MR. T. H. EDWARDS CHALLENGES THE CRITICS. Mr. T. H. Edwards, N.S.R., Aberystwyth, supported it in a virile speech in which I rounced the oi-.joncnts M the Coalition and expressed regret that other speakers had used [ their opportunities to insult the Premier 1 (Hear, hear). He defied them to cast asper- si Ins on Mr. Lloyd Go Jre. From trrst to last Mr. Lloyd George had supported Liberal principles; Witu regard to their Member, Mr. Edwards said tie hau been away for some years, but it seeinc^ uow that the) same cry was being made. iou must slam someone," he went on, "and so you slam Mr. Vaughan Dav.es. 1 have watched his progress and noticed that lie has represented the county better than anybody has ever before. Mr. vaug-han DavIes had done a great deal in attenuance and being present at divisions in the House, but he had done more in other ways. (Applause). Kevertilpjg back to the attack on tuo Premier, Mr. Edwards said that had Mr. Lloyd George been a Scotchman, or an irishman, or an Englishman, the attacks would not luave been made. The Premier had lifto(i the country over terrible diiiiculties and carried it tnrougn to victory. (Applause). Mr Lloyd George had the ability to choose the rignt man for his work He was the greatest man the nation possessed, for he had first of all saved our finances, then our munitions, and then a firm stand for the unified command. The principles laid down in the resolut.on had always been in the Premier s mind, and always would be as long as he lived. (Loud applause). GCiANG OF RULE. On the report of the Executive it was stated by the Chairman that Rule III had been amended to read that only properly-accredited members of the Council be allowed to vote in any meeting or tne Association. Mr T. J bamuel, replyng to Mr T H Edwards, who objected to the "guinea men," said the members of tue Council were properly elected by the meeting, and Mr. Edwards said that he was satisfied. MR. VAUGHAN DAVI'S'S SPEECH. Mr Vaughan Davies had u hearty reception on rising to address the Association. Speaking without notes, the Hon Member at once hit out at his critics. Let me say a personal word," be began. "You have heard rumours about me. As far as I am concerned there is not a worci 01 trutn in them (Applause). Such a thought never entered my head. I have consulted nobody and have allowed nobody to believe such a thing. Two years ago I told you that when the time came you should have ample time to find my successor, and I indicated that I would not compromise you by bringing forward a candidate in any shape or form. I completely refuse to have any- thing to do with anybody who is not accepted by the Cardiganshire Liberal Association. Some appear to think that I would come forward as a Coalition member, and only a Coalition member. 1 told the whps "1 am going to support Mr. Lloyd George through this war; but immediately it comes to a question of Liberal principles I am going to stand by Liberalism. (Loud and prolonged applause). I shall do that to-day. If i go back to Parliament, I shall stand by Liberalism." (Applause). Pro- ceeding, the Hon. Member congratulated the Association on the coming of peace. They all thanked God for bringing the terrible war to an end, and the King, who had been pre- eminently splendid throughout, had attended the gatherings of both the Church and Nonr conformist churches. His Majesty had mixed with the people in all quarters and his recep- tion had been wonderful. (Applause). The first thing to consider was re-construction, and Ito see* that the scenes; whidh followed the Crimean war would not again be enacted. Every man who had served both in army or navy, including mercantile marine, should be Iiiite certain that for the fuvire he should be above the u^i:c:on of -vint Those were the first trijigs. i tVr piytug tribute to the army and the navy, the speaker referred in the uigrioit teins to the reco.-d of the county and I then torching on the politiyrl crisis, s'ld that s me had evidently misipprelien lea Mr Lloyd ¡ George. Aft. r sraking r.f the Maurice debate without specifically mentioning it, Mr. Davies said thlt the. Premier hid Jo..t si""ken for half an hour before the whole House rose and cheered hi Though some of them might think the Premier was Tainted by Toryism, he did not think so. He had often heard him speak, and there was no shade of Toryism in his speeches. The Premier had succeeded in getting the Tories to agree to things which they had scouted before—land, housing, wages, etc. He (Mr. Vaughan Davies) was pleased that the farm servant was to have a decent wage. With regard to disestablishment, the Premier regarded it as already on the Statute 1 Book. A certain amount of money had accumu- lated, and Mr. Vaughan D&vies said he hoped there would be no "nibbling" at that. It was one of the crucial questions and of vital im- portance to Wales, and especially to the people lie had the honour of representing. Referring to the D.O.R.A., Mr. Davies said that if any- thing would make him a Socialist or Nihilist it would be that Act. "I cannot bear it," he added. 11 We have lived long enough under it and it ought to be repeale d We have had to accept a great many things; but we are now looking forward to peace, and are perfectly justified in asking to be released from that stringent Act and to have no more officials standing at our doors and telling us what to do. (Applause). On agriculture one gent] man apparently forgot that I was one who Brought Forward the Agricultural Bill (Hear, hear). Was lie likely to go behind that? He had given evidence before .the Welsh Land Commission and had been told that most of the report was founded on his evidence. "I told them thei};" added Mr. Davies in decisive phrase, "that it was impossible for farmers to farm land without security of tenure. I say that now. I dislike the present method of agriculture. There is too much negligence on the part of farmers. Yor cannot lay down the law for farmers in an office in London. It is all right to drive a steel pen there; but you must think of the land you are on, and how are you going to cultivate it and how to deal with its arpect and soil-. (Applause). Some of you know how I fought the matter out, because I thought my opponents were not dealing fairly with the land question. I shall fall out with them again. I Don't Believe in Meddling with the land question. If you want farmers to farm you must give them freedom in dealing with the land. If they will not then farm the land the State can step in." Passing oa to speak of Devolution, the Hon. Member pleaded for Welsh Home Rule, and expressed the hope that he would live to see the House of Commons an Imperial Parliament, domestic legislation being dealt with under a comprehensive scheme of Home, Rule. He (invited questfo4, and added that in the twenty-four years lie had represented the county the first breeze was at the previous meeting of the Association. He I' rather liked that, for it showed that had he made any mistakes during the twenty-three years he would have then been hauled over fchje coals. (Laughter). He congratulated, himself on that fact. Nothing would induce him to turn from Liberalism to please any- body or any cause. "When I cannot follow the Liberal party. I will give up the seat," he said amidst applause. "I will not wait for an election, but will hand you back the seat. As long as I belong to the people of Cardiganshire I shall continue to represent Liberalism with- out fear, favour, or affection-without caring whom I please. I have followed Mr. Asquith for years,, and I will follow him again to- morrow if he is leader of the Liberal party. I know him and have the greatest respect for him. There is nobody in the House endowed with such insight or who is a truer British minister than Mr. Asquith." Somebody had talked of the present support of the Tories. He had fought them four times, and Was Willing to Fight Them Again. He knew nothing of their resolution not to oppose him. Nevertheless, they were wise in their decision. (Laughter and applause). In conclusion, he begged them not to notice para- graphs in the Press and assured them that he would never leave the county in difficulty. As Mr. Vaughan Davies resumed his seat the applause was loud and unanwotiii. Mr. 0 M. Williams then proposed Mr. Davies as candidate. Speaking in Welsh, as one of the oldest present, Mr. Williams re- ferred to the Hon Member's services through- out the years and to his services as treasurer in 1891 and as candidate in 1895. His I majority on that occasion has been trebled 011 the last occasion he fought the seat. Why, then, this unnecessary talk? Mr. Williams quoted from the Hon. Member's first election address and said that all there promised had been fulfilled. Mr Vaughan Davies had been ahead of Parliament in his proposals, and in his services to the electors of the county it was a well-known fact that no letter or complaint was ever received by him which did not re- ceive immediate attention. He had mentioned the woman's vote in his address in 1895, and that day they welcomed women for the first time. If it ever came to a contest, the

Death of Mr. T. R. Jones.

[No title]

fLady Rhondda's Right.

.PONTERWYD.

CORRIS.

IDISTINGUISHED MERIONETH OFFIGER.

TOWYN.

ABERDOVEY.

[No title]

: ABERYSTWYTH 'ISijwSATiON.

Dolgelley Urban Council.

! CRICCIETH.

Advertising

PORTMADOC.

CORWiN.

LATEST MARKETS.