The Cardiff Times

Monmouthshire Coals. r DEPUTATION TO MR McKENNA. .,lo. Advantage was taken of the autumn tour of his constituency by the Right Hon. Reginald McKenna, M.P. for North Monmouthshire and First Lord of the Admiralty, which commenced on Monday, by the colliery proprietors of Monmouthshire in order to bring to his notice a subject upon which they have for a con- siderable time past felt somewhat strongly. What are known as Admiralty coals in South Wales mining circles have hitherto been confined to the Rhondda Valley and other Earts of the Glamorganshire coalfield, and these ave been on the Admiralty list for naval j purposes to the exclusion of the products of the Monmouthshire coalfield, which fyave not j been recognised as equal to the best Welsh steam coal sorts. The Monmouthshire colliery proprietors, however, have been taking steps with a view to showing that, at least in the case of certain Monmouthshire seams, the coal is worthy to be a competitor of the brands already upon the Admiralty list. In accordance with a request, therefore, Mr McKenna agreed to receive a deputation from the Monmouthshire Colliery Proprietors' Asso- ciation at Abergavenny on Tuesday afternoon, and the interview took place at the Angel Hotel. It was of a private nature, and although one of our representatives was informed that it was not proposed to admit the Press, and that something m the nature of an official report would be furnished at the close of the inter- view, the only information vouchsafed after- wards was that it had been decided to treat the discussion as of a purely private nature. From inquiries made, however, our repre- sentative gathered that all the principal col- lieries in Monmouthshire were represented at the Interview with Mr McKenna, and that Ma jor-General Sir Ivor Herbert, M.P. for South Monmouthshire, was present. The object of the interview was to impress upon the First Lord of the Admiralty the value of Monmouth- shire coals for naval purposes, with a view to the placing of the better steam qualities upon tibe,Admiralty list. It was urged that these qualities were little, if at all, inferior to what were recognised as the best Welsh steam coals, and the request was made that they should be j given an extended trial. Mr Fred Mills, of Ebbw Vale, was one of the spokesmen for the deputation, but so careful were the members not to impart information that even the names of the gentlemen consti- tuting the deputation were withheld, although j our representative gathered that they included j the leading colliery proprietors and managers in Mdnlnouthsliire. j Mr McKenna gave the deputation a sympa- thetic hearing, and said that as the member | for one of the most important industrial con- atituencies of the county he should, of course, be happy to do all that he could to advance its interests. But as First Lord of the Admiralty, he could only promise to communicate to the Admiralty Board the views to which the depu- j tation had given expression of opinion. A cordial vote of thanks was accorded the right hon. member for receiving the deputation, after which Mr and Mrs McKenna were the guests of the deputation at lunch.

THE DEVIL'S CHURCHES." New Description of Public-houses. Speaking at a temperance demonstration at Swansea on Monday night, the Rev. H. Wynne Thomas said in Swansea half a million sterling was annually spent in drink, or jEl,500 a day. If half this expenditure could be prevented and invested in proper channels of trade what a much better Swansea there would be. Per- sonally he would rather make his money by rifling corpses than by the drink traffic. Public- houses were the devil's churches, and those who ran them were doing the devil's work.

You never had porridge so good and delicious as you are going to have when you get the best of the finest bats in Scotland's history—(prepared by new processes in the additional mills which we have recently completed)- the 1910 New Crop >, .J ,k»fch Oats 6ne packet of Provost Oats rpw farther than one packet aDd a half of imported oats.

Squire & Schoolmaster. •• J IU? e PEMBROKESHIRE FEUD The dispute between Mr C. Mathias, the squire of Lamphey, and the village school- master, Mr C. Worster, took another phase on Tuesday. In February last Mr Mathias went into the school at Lamphey and ordered an assistant mistress to make some camphor bags. This was resented by Mr Worster, who complained to the County Education Com- mittee. Yesterday at Pembroke Dock County Court Mr Worster applied for an injunction against Mr Mathias or his servants to restrain them from preventing him obtaining water from a spring upon respondent's premises. He also claimed damages for interference with his alleged right to obtain water from the spring. Mr T. Organ (barrister) appeared for plain- tiff, and Mr R. T. P. Williams, of Haverford- west, defended. Mr Organ explained that his client occupied the school house rent free, and obtained his water supply from a pipe on the other side of the road on Mr Mathias's land. Mr Mathias was the owner of the school premises and also the house which adjoined. In 1906 the school was taken over by the County Council, and Mr Worster became Mr Mathias's tenant, continuing to use the water as* before. After two quarters' rent had been paid Mr Mathias claimed Id a week for the water, which plaintiff refused to pay. Then, said Mr Organ, occurred some incidents which amused the neighbourhood. When children were sent to fetch water Mr Mathias would ride up on horseback or otherwise and tell the children to upset the water, and if they did not do so he would upset it himself. This was the only supply, not only to the teachers' house but to the school. Eventually Mr Worster paid the money and used the water. This went on until 1908, when the school incident already referred to occurred. When the following quarter's rent was ppd, the receipt came back with a notice, Water to be 3d a week from now on." Mr Worster refused to pay, and in July Mr Mathias sent his gardener down to plaintiff with orders to prevent plaintiff using the water supply any longer. Plaintiff bore out this statement, and said that when he was prevented from taking the water, he had to send half a mile to get a supply, and that he had had to pay 9d a week for it. Afterftearing the evidence of plaintiff and his wife, his Honour said that he was afraid that defendant had no case to answer, but he took rather a strong view of the defendant's action as landlord of this little country village in cutting off the water supply of this house. Mr Williams said that there were two sides of the matter. After some discussion Mr Williams said that his client was willing to allow plaintiff to continue to use the water at Id per week. The deputy judge (Mr Milner Jones) said that he should advise the plaintiff to accept,, and Mr Organ agreed. His Honour Action withdrawn, no costs. I think that is best. Be friends.

I ABERYSTWYTH RESERVOIR. At the monthly meeting of the Aberystwyth Town Council on Tuesday the town clerk read a letter from Dr. T. D. Harries (senior medical practitioner in the town) with reference to the construction of the new reservoir. He said it was his duty to inform the Council that serious action would be taken to prohibit the con- struction of the open reservoir on the farms above the town pending a further inquiry. The Town Clerk: I replied and pointed out that the Local Government Board had already approved of the scheme, and sanction to borrow the money had been obtained. Councillor D. Thomas proceeded to discuss the matter, but there were cries of disapproval. Councillor Samuel moved that the next, busi- ness be proceeded with. The Public Works Committee recommended that Mr G. Sidebottom, of Manchester, be appointed foreman of the new works at a salary of E3 per week. Councillor Samuel thought the salary was very high, and he took exception to the appointment of a man from outside the town. Councillor T. Doughton said he understood the borough surveyor would do the work and save them E3 per week. They paid their officials £1,100 a year, and the labour bill was JE3,120 a year. They received £3,000 ground rents, and that was where all the money went. He pro- posed they advertised the post. The borough surveyor said the work of excavation was most impoortant, and as a matter of fact the wcrk was going on, and the new foreman would start on the Monday. Councillor Williams Well, really it is hope- less. It has been stated that the work of the town is carried on by the officials and certain people. On a vote being taken the recommendation of the committee was referred back. ——

A verdict of Death from natural causes was returned at an inquest held jt Penderyn by Dr. W. R. Jones, the Brecon Coroner, on Thomas Phillips. Deceased was a native of Aberaman, but had been stopping with a Mrs Lewis in Penderyn for the last 10 weeks. In her evidence Mrs Lewis said that she called deceased on Sunday. She heard him getting up and directly afterwards she heard him fall. Rushing upstairs she found him lying on the floor in a state of unconsciousness. He died before the doctor arrived. ¡

MR McKENNA. Blaenavon's Welcome. TORCHLIGHT-PROCESSION. Speech by the First Lord THE LABOURTEVY PROBLEM. The Right Hon. Reginald McKenna, M.P. for North Monmouthshire, First Lord of the Admiralty, continued his tour of his consti- tuency on Tuesday, when he addressed a crowded meeting at the Workmen's Hall, Blaenavon. The right hon. gentleman was escorted to the meeting by a torchlight pro- cession of his constituents, headed by the Blaenavon Temperance Silver Band. The meeting was presided over by Mr JohSi Lewis, chairman of the local Liberal Association. Mr Godfrey moved a resolution expressing confidence in the Government and its work. Mr Isaac Gibbs seconded. Mr McKenna. Mr McKenna who was enthusiastically re- ceived on rising, plunged at once into the sub- ject of the Osborne judgment. He said they would understand, as had been stated again and again, that it was not proper for any mem- ber of the Government at the present time to declare the policy of the Government in the matter. That policy ought to be stated in the fulness of time as the considered judgment of the Cabinet in the House of Com- mons by the Prime Minister. But it was per- fectly open to him (the speaker), as to every other member of the public, to mention what he thought were the salient features of the situation. For a great many years they had had an unbroken record of Trade Union financial support for Parliamentary candidates and members. Many of the names of members of Parliament, whose presence in the House of Commons was rendered possible only by the action of Trade Unions, were household words. He ventured to say that at this moment there was no' more respected name in the whole country than that of Mr Burt—(ap- plause)—and his distinguished career in Parlia- ment had been rendered possible only by the support which he received from his Trade Union. Mr McKenna said that for his part he should regard it as a calamity, not merely to Labour, but to the House of Commons and the country, if anything were said or done which would preclude eminent leaders of Trade Unions from expressing on the floor of the House of Commons opinions upon subjects which they had learned in the forge and the factory. (Applause.) There had not hitherto been any opposition from any party to the Trade Union support of a Parliamentary repre- sentative, to the support of such men as Mr Burt, Mr Fenwick, Mr Wilson, and others. Trade Unions in past days gave their support to these men, independently of their political views. In Lancashire, for instance, the man whom Trade Unionists wished to see in Parlia- ment was a Conservative—Mr Mawdesley. A New Situation. Now a new situation had arisen. They found that opposition had been made to a con- tinuance of the policy of Trade Union support out of Trade Union funds to Parliamentary representatives. That opposition had come from Trade Unionists themselves. And the opposition which these men had made, who for years went on paying their levy without a murmur, was founded upon the fact that they objected, not to the advocacy of Trade Union ideals in Parliament for the support of legis- lation favourable to the policy of Trade Unions, but to the political doctrines which Trade Union repre- sentatives were to-day forced to advocate. We were thus faced by two situations. On the one hand, we had the. undoubtedly political and national advantages of seeing men in intimate touch with the Trade Union movement returned to the House of Commons. On the other hand, we had the fact that Trade Unionists objected, as a matter of conscience, to their Parliamentary levy being used for the support of a particular political party. If it was impossible to reconcile those two con- ditions of things by an arrangement between the two. then the problem was insoluble. But he would never be one to declare that this or any other political. problem could not be solved by patience and labour. Payment of Members. It had been suggested that a way out of the difficulty was to pay members of Parliament. Well, payment of members would somewhat ease the situation, but it would not meet the whole case; For himself, he bad always been an advocate of payment of members—not from the Trade Union point of view, but from the point of view of the constitution. He thought the electors ought to have perfect freedom in their choice of candidates, but they had not got that freedom of choice. and could not so long as they could not select a poor man to represent them if they wished. Was there, then, nothing else that could be done Well, it had been argued very forcibly that, this was one of those cases in which the opinion of the majority must decide. He 'thought thers was a great deal of misunder- standing on the question of rule by majority. It was perfectly true that in all their Parlia- mentary and local institutions the vote of the majority decided the question, but it was not every question which they allowed to be put to the majority for decision. (Hear, hear,) There were certain questions which he and they refused to allow to be defeided by what was called the majority. For instance, had they not fought against the payment of Church rates ? (Hear, hear.) They had always said that religious doctrine, a man's faith, and a man's political views were not to be subject to the decision of the majority. (Hear, hear.) They had always said that these questions were of a kind that no man ought to decide upon for his neighbour. (Hear, hear.) When a man held conscientious convictions they had always maintained that those conscientious convictions ought to be re- spected. (Applause.) It was, therefore, for them to decide the case under consideration on its merits. That stood and remained tne pro- blem, and tne decision upon that problem, he hoped, difficult though it appeared, would in due course be stated to the country by the Prime Minister aa the considered decision of the Cabinet as 3. whole. (Applause.) Reply to Mr Keir Hardie. He was tempted; to say a few words about the Navy, because only two nights before he was the subject of an attack—not-disagreeable or hostile—by Mr Kerr Hardie, because of their great and growing expenditure on armaments. He would like to assure Mr Keir Hardie that he (Mr Keir Hardie) had certainty no monopoly whatever in the ardent desire to see a reduction in expenditure on armaments. He could not understand any sane man or woman in the country who would not welcome not merely a cessation of the growing increase in expenditure, but a rapid diminution in the expenditure. (Hear, hear.) They could spenafctheir taxes so much better. (Hear, hear.) No man maintained a Navy or an Army for the fun of it. These were main- tained for reasons of national defence, and what the Government had to decide was whether the claims of national defence were sufficient to justify the annual expenditure which they devoted to the purpose. Mr Keir Hardie believed that if they greatly reduced their expenditure on armaments foreign nations would follow suit—that it was this country's duty to lead the way in giving proof to the world of their earnest wish for peace. He should like to ask Mr ,Keir Hardie to consider a-case which was fairly parnllpl to the case of war between nations— an industrial fight, or a war, between capital and labour. They would all give a great deal if all industrial disputes could be settled by reason and argument and peaceable arbitra- tion. But what would they say to a man who went the round of the Trade Union leaders, and said Why do you exact levies from your mem- bers to maintain your Union ? You only want your Union in order to effect a strike—to fight with. If you set your employers the example," and give up your Union, and sub- mit your case to arbitration, you would get- on much better than you do by fighting. The obvious answer to this was that the Union was the Army, the Navy, of Labour— (hear, hear)—and Mr Keir Hardie would be the first to tell them to keep their arms ready— (heaivhear) he would certainly never advise the workers to lay themselves helpless at the feet of the employer, and invite him, in the name of common charity, to decide a ,dispute between them by arbitration. (Hear, hear.) The Power ta Fight No, Mr Keir Hardie -would say that behind the.demand for artjitrataonniust be the power to fight, and that they must subscribe to their Trade Union in order that they might have their arsenal ready if arbitration failed. (Hear, hear.) That was the position of the Government in regard to armaments. It was their duty to see to}the protection of our island, our Empire, and our trade, and they were bound to spend money to maintain the Navy so long as other countries launched out into expenditures to increase their fighting power. (Applause.) Mr McKenna then touched upon Tariff Reform," and after submitting several cogent arguments for maintaining the present fiscal policy of the country, concluded with the impressive words:- I beg you never to gamble with the quartern loaf. (Applause.) In your own in- terests, I beg you, now that you have a real live Tariff" Reform candidate asking for your support, to study this question, to learn it thoroughly, and to stand firm to the old principles; remember that your fathers abandoned Protection because it brought ruin and misery to them and their children, and that you will bring ruin to yourselves and to your children if you go back to Pro- tection. (Loud applause.) Mr Oliver Rees proposed a resolution wel- coming Mr and Mrs McKenna to Blaenavon, and thanking Mr McKenna for his valuable services in the House of Commons, and assur- ing him of continued confidence and support. Mr W. Bryant seconded, and the resolution wa3 carried with acclamation. Mr McKenna, in acknowledging, recalled his many pleasant associations with them, saying that he believed they would stand together true to the people's cause. (Loud applause.) A vote of thanks to the chairman, moved by Mr McKenna and graceiully seconded by Mrs McKenna, brought a most enthusiastic meet- ing to a close.

Suspension of Payment. EXOITING SOENES. The following notice was posted on Tuesday outside the head offices of the Charing Cross Bank, 28, Bedford-street, Strand, which has been taken over by an officer of the Official Receiver in Bankruptcy:— The bank has suspended payment. The affairs are in the hands of the Official Re- ceiver. The receiving order against Mr Alfred Wil- liam Carpenter, trading as the Charing Cross Bank, was made on his own petition. The liabilities are roughly reckoned at £2,000,000. At the beginning of the year the assets were estimated by the bank officials to exceed the liabilities by £371,078. The bank has about 40 branches. Notices of stoppages have been placed on the doors of the 40 branch establishments, and a sum of about JE10,000 has been handed over to the official receiver from the London offices. The blinds of the head offices are drawn, and there is no sign of occupation. Depositors, in- cluding a considerable number of women, gathered outside discussing the situation, two policemen being present to prevent the growth of an unmanageable crowd. The effect of the notice was to send a large number of inquirers to the office of the Official Receiver in Carey-street. But little satisfaction was to be had there. Callers were asked to fill up a form with their names and addresses and the amount of their claims on the bank. Any requests for further information were met by the statement that nothing definite was known of the affairs of the bank or of the pros- pects of settlement. Depositors were told that they would receive an official notice of a creditors' meet- ing, which will probably be held in a fort- night's time. The Bank's Business Methods. The bank was not a bank in the strict sense of the word. Its advertisements stated :— Owing to the nature of our investments we are able to pay rates of interest on deposits that will compare favourably with dividends paid on almost any class of stock or share- holding insuring the safety of capital. We have been established for 40 years, and our position in the banking world to-day testifies to the success of our business methods and to the satisfaction of our customers. Notice Posted at Cardiff. The Cardiff branch of the bank in St. Mary- ? street, Cardiff, was closed cn Tuesday. The following notice appeared in the window :— ] The offices of the Charing Cross Bank 1 are now in the hands of the Official Re- 1 ceiver, Bankruptcy Court, London, to whom all applications must be made." 1 During Tuesday morning numbers of 1 people assembled outside the premises, the 1 notice apparently arousing general interest. j There were exciting scenes at Belfast after 1 the local branch of the Charing Cross Bank was taken possession of by a representative of the B Official Receiver on Tuesday. Hundreds of i depositors, mostly of the artisan class, gathered outside and clamoured loudly for 1 their money. ( At Douglas, Isle of Man, the closing of the I branch, which was opened only two years ago, s caused consternation amongst the depositors. I Dr. Crippen a Depositor. t In the proceedings against Dr. Crippen at c the Old Bailey on Tuesday, qounsel for the 8 Treasury mentioned that in March, 1909, I there was jE600 in the Charing Cross Bank in f the joint-names of Belle Elmore and H. H. Crippen. <

OFFICE BESIEGED. The officials at the Bankruptcy Court, Carey- street, were besieged with inquiries on Wednes- ] day from people who have invested money £ in the Charing Cross Bank, and it was found ( necessary to post in the hall a notice stating 1 that a room had been set apart for the con- venience of those who have any communica- ] tion to make to the authorities regarding the ( matter. To this room there was a constant ] procession of men and women, many of them < poorly dressed, who clamoured for informa- > tion regarding the bank and its affairs, but the patient official who sat at the table had little to tell tEem, and, beyond taking their names and addresses, and promising that they should receive notice of the meeting of creditors, could render them no assistance. Many painful scenes were witnessed during the day and women and even men in tears was no unusual sight. It is stated that no decision has yet been arrived at with regard to the meeting of the creditors. There is so much to be done before even the approximate state of the bank's affairs can be arrived at, it was stated, that it may even be weeks before it will be possible to place any statement before the creditors.

Institute of Engineers. SOUTH WALESGOLDMEDALLIST A special general meeting of the South Wales Institute of Engineers was held on Tues- day when, on the proposition of the president (Mr Treharne Rees, M.Inst.C.E.), seconded by Mr Henry K. Jordan, F.G.S., it Was resolved to so alter the bye-laws as to permit of the presidential term being one year instead of two years, the object being to enable members of the Council, to pass the chair at an earlier period than is at present possible. The general quarterly meeting followed, at which a vote of condolence was passed with the family of the late Mr E. P. Martin, a past- president, Mr Robert Jordan, a gentleman who joined the institute at its formation 53 years ago, joining in the expressions of sympathy. Mr W. D. Wight, the ex -president, presented the president's gold medal and certificate to Mr Hugh Bramwell for his paper qn the re- ainking and equipment of the Maritime Col- liery. Interesting lantern slides were shown by Mr M. B. Field in illustration of his paper on "High Tension Switch Gear," and a discus- sion followed, in which Mr W. A. Chamen and Mr B. J. Day were among those who took part. The discussion was adjourned to the next monthly and the next quarterly meeting, Mr George Hann made supplementary obser- vations to his paper describing tbe sinking and equipping of Penallta CoHiery, which was further considered and again cal'1.'ied over. Mr H. K. Jordan's elaborate and valuable paper and sections on the western part of the coalfield (from the Swansea Valley to the Gwendraeth Valley) then came on. The president invited members who challenge d the findings of Mr Jordan to come forward and criticise them fearlessly. While Mr Jordan's views were entitled to the highest respect, the institute was not responsible for them. All that was wanted was the freest comment by members who. like the author, had made a close study of this part of the coalfield. Observations on the paper were offered by Mr Arnold (Llanelly) and Mr W. O'Connor (Argoed), and its farther Consideration was deferred.

MONMOUTH COUNTY COURT. At Monmouth County Court on Tuesday (before Judge Hill Kelly) O. A. Burgham, of Redbrook, Monmouth, claimed JE17 Is from David Jones and Co., timber merchants, Pontnewynydd, as damages alleged to have been done in removing timber sold to the de- fendantw. Mr Lionel Lane, Gloucester, repre- sented the plaintiff, and Mr Dauncey, New- port, was for the defendants. Plaintiff said be only sold oak trees to the defendants, but beech trees were removed as well. Unneces- sary damage was, he said, done to a pomon of an estate in removing the trees. He tele- phoned to the defendants, and the reply was, You are not the, Lord Chancellor. You can stand on your head if you like/' (Laughter.) —Mr Lionel Lane Did you stand on your head ?—Witness No, I flung the telephone receiver down. (Laughter.)—Eventually Mr Lionel Lane withdrew the case against tho, defendants. A Tangled Skein." Monmouth Corporation, through the town clerk (Mr B. H. Deakin) claimed £l218s11d from J. W. Barter and Sons, fruit merchants, .etc., for the hire of fruit baskets and the value of lost baskets. Mr Herbert Williams, solicitor, Monmouth, defended. It was stated that baskets had been supplied by the defendants inJieti of the lost baskets, but these were re- turned, it being held they were not of the same quality as those provided by the Corporation. The Judge askqd how the Monmouth Corpora- tion became the hirers of baskets.—The Town Clerk replied that the Corporation started fruit sales by auctiorf, and hired the baskets to pur- chasers or vendors. Mr Herbert Williams ex- plained that £4 Is 7d bad been paid into court for the baskets lost and the hire of baskets re- turned. The Judge said the whole case was a tangled skein. Judgment would be for the Cor- poration for the amount paid into court. Costs would be against the Corporation from the time the £4 Is 7d was paid into court.

LLANGOLLEN EtSTEDDPOD PROFITS. A crowded meeting of the financial guaran- tors of the National Eisteddfod met in the Town Hall, Llangollen, on Tuesday to allocate the balance of JE157 remaining after all liabili- ties were discharged. Mr E. Foulkes Jones (chairman of the Executive Committee) said jE70 had been paid to the National Eisteddfod Association, and £87 remained for the local committee to dispose of. Alderman Dodd said as the Eisteddfod was a national institution, a national objact had the first claim. Neither the National Library at Aberystwyth nor the National Museum at Cardiff required anything from them, but the National Memorial to King Edward commanded their support, as Royal patronage had always been the greatest asset of the National Eisteddfod, and no King had taken such deep and abiding interest in Welsh institutions as the late King Edward. After discussion it was decided to vote £35 to the National Memorial, and divide the surplus be- tween Llangollen Librarty and Prize Band. 1

Mr Keir Hardie's Plan. MR LLOYD GEORGE CRITICISED What Labour Intends to Do. Mr Keir Hardie, M.P.. attended a meeting in the Town Hall, Birmingham, on Tuesday to protest against the crushing weight of arma- ments. He said that was supposed to be a close time for party politicians. Owing to the sittings of the Conference in connection with the House of Lords, leading men on both sides had been denied the privilege of fishing in the turbulent waters of party politics. He ob- served last night that one of them had been doing a little poaching in the more placid stream of social reform. Most of his facts in regard to poverty and wealth were stale. Every tub-thumper ^.t Socialist meetings at the street corner had been dealing with the subject ad nauseum. The Chancellor of the Exchequer, by repeating the well-worn facts and figures, had given them a publicity and the stamp of Cabinet approval for which they were duly grateful. There were two items of Mr Lloyd George's catch to which he should like to refer. Just now it was supposed that the conference was considering the question of some great scheme of Imperial federation. The conference would consider anything except the issue before it—how to down the House of Lords. He directed attention to the statement of Mr Lloyd George that the time has come for the thorough overhauling of our national and Im- perial conditions. He might be wrong in his reading of the meaning of Mr Lloyd George's words, but to him they appeared to mean that amongst the proposals that were being dis- cussed and were about to be agreed to by the Veto Conference was some scheme of Colonial Preference. Should that be so, then he trusted the people of this country would be warned that Colonial Preference was the thind end of the Protectionist wedge, which when driven home meant making the condition of the people of the country even worse than it was to-day. (Cheers.) If Mr Lloyd George did not have that in his mind it would be well that he should say so at once, because others beside himself would read that meaning into it. (Hear, hear.) Expenditure on Armaments. Another item in Mr Lloyd George's speech to which he wished to call attention was his reference to Imperialism. There would not be two opinions with regard to the advisability of substituting arbitration for war. Five hundred millions a year, said the Chancellor of the Exchequer, was now being spent by the civi- lised nations of the world upon armaments. Twenty years ago the sum spent by the same nations was 200 millions—an increase of 300 millions of national waste in 20 years. And the end did not appear to be yet. (Shame.) Fhe number of men either under arms or trained to the use of arms last year was 24 nillions. According to Mr Lloyd George we vere now spending 70 millions a year on the irmy and Navy, which was equal to E8 a year 'or every family in Great Britain. Both sides nust take their share of the responsibility for he growing expenditure. If Liberalism meant my thing surely it ought to have its own policy n regard to naval affairs as well as in regard 0 other matters. (Cheers.) If Mr Lloyd George lad followed the example of Lord Randolph Churchill nearly 20 years ago and resigned his )lace in the Cabinet rather than have con- iented to the expenditure upon Dread- loughts, the thing might have been checked. L<et the Government declare its preparedness iO accept the Hague proposals and make mer- chantmen immune from capture, and We ihould at once strengthen the hands of that arge section of the German people which was ighting against a big navy, and pave the way or a mutual reduction all round. It was not enough to denounce Imperialism and war. "The Hour War Is Declared We Stop Work." Everybody could agree with a peace policy as L pious sentiment. If we spent one-tenth part )f the money we were spending on anna- nents upon education and the promotion of « rood feeling between nations, we might dis- band most of our Army and demolish most of sur forts. It was the working classes that bad to pay for war in blood and treasure, rhey could stop war the moment they pleased, rhey could stop war by stopping the supply of bhe means that made war possible-by a strike in all the industries connected with war. (Cheers.) We should begin now and cultivate fraternal feelings and comradeship between the ] organised workers'of Germany and the organised workers here at home, point out to them what their power was, get them to agree in advance that if ever war should come within the range of possibility then at once a conference of the organised workers of the two nations would be held to say that The hour war is de- clared we stop work." (Cheers.) That was a proposal of which more was to be heard in future than in the past. Speaking of conscrip- tion, he said it sought to invade the right of conscience and to. compel men willy nilly to do an act of murder or preparation for murder at the bidding of their lords amd ma-Tters.

LIVING OF ST. ANN, YNYSHIR. The vicarage of St. Ann, Ynyshir, which recently became vacant through tbe death of the Rev. Samuel Jones, has been offered by the Bishop of Llandaff to the Rev. James Evans Davies, curate of Whitchurch, near Cardiff, by whom it has been-accepted.

Llanelly keats America. MR EDGAR JONES ON TARIFFS. Mr Edgar Jones, M.P., addressing an en- thusiastic meeting on Tuesday at Tyldesley, in the Leigh Division, which is represented by Alderman P. W. Raffan, said Tariffists would be converted if they went to Llanelly, for the tinplafcers there had been able, by means of Free Trade, and thus getting steel at the lowest market price, to beat the most terrific on- slaught that America ever made by tariffs upon a British industry. What was wanted in South Wales was not to put tariffs on but to take tariffs off. Mr Lloyd George was by his Budget striking a blow at the iniquitous system that caused one landowner to get about JE30,000 a year simply for allowing coal to be conveyed across a. mile of his land, and another to get jE20,000 a year before coals could be shipped from an island near Barry. The liberals were taking those shackles off industries, and there was no machine in which the democracy could hope for the immediate present to move along to salvation that was comparable to the great Liberal party. The Tories were now making great promises because they realised that the flowing tide was with Liberalism, but Mr Lloyd George had destroyed the last bulwark of feudalism, and future Chancellors of the Exchequer would follow his principles. Alderman Rattan, in the course of an address, said there was a world-wide revolt against Pro- tection at the present time, and this country would consequently be very foolish if it aban- doned Free Trade.

CHEPSTOW PLOUGHING MATCH. The annual meeting of the Chepstow Farmers' Club was held at the Beaufort Arms Hotel on Monday, Mr L. Forestaer-Walker, presieent of the society, being m the. chair, supported by Colonel E. C. Sir H. Hastings Clay, Mr R. W- Cooke-Taylor, Mr J. W. Stanton, and Mr L. Foster Stedman. The prizes won at the ploughing mateh held at Ifton Hill on Friday were distributed.

FACE KEPT BREAKING OUT WITH ECZEMA For 4 Years. Mass of It All Over, Most Irritating and Itching. Could Hardly Keep Fingers Off. Nothing Would Stop It. Cuticura Ointment Gave Instant Relief. In 3 Weeks, Not a Spot on Face. "For some four years, off and on, my face kept breaking oi\t with eczema. It was most irritating and itching, so I could hardly keep my fingers off it. At last, for six or eight months, my face was a mass of breaking-out all over. I tried several ointments but they did no food. Nothing would stop it. I got a. ox of Cuticura, Ointment which gave me instant relief from the irritation and in the course of three weeks I had not a spot on my face. I only bought one tin of Cuticura Ointment but the Cuticura Soap I use regularly. I find Cuticura Soap roost excellent for shav- ing. Where 1 used to get a nasty place on the right side of my chin, sii>ce I am using Cuticura Soap I do not get it at all. I hope you will be able to use this letter to the advantage of other sufferers from eczema." (Signed) Samuel Wm. Kirk,. Sunnyside, Twerton Hill, Bath, Som., England, Dec. 23, 1909. Mr. Kirk's letter shows the success and economy of the Cuticura Remedies in the treatment of torturing, disfiguring humours of the sldn. Cuticura Soap and Ointment are equally effective in preserving and beautifying the skin, scalp and hair, and in preventing minor eruptions from becoming chronic. A tablet of Cuticura Soap and a oox of Cuticura Ointment are often sufficient. Sold throughout the world. Depots: London, 27. Charterhouse Sq.; Paris, 10. Rue de la Chaupsoc d'Antla; Australia. R. Towns & Co., Sydney; India. B IC. Paul, Calcutta: So. Africa, Lennon, Ltd., Cape Town, etc.; U. S. A.. Potter Drus & Chem. Corp.. Sole Props.. -Boston. Send for free 32-page Cuticura Book on alitu and scalp disease*. i polishes silver, brass, 'Globe' Metal Mapper, tin, alumimum!^= and Liquid: — J ^giving a brilliance that only pMJdia,g«; S o e can gIve. Liquid.2cl6d. = I A brilliance that .lasts, no 1 top cans. I I matter what the weather. I And no hard work is nec- essary when Globe" is E Grocers and Stores used everywhere. G20 L CO. LTD., Bow, London, E. III I I [lull ii There's no slip 'twixt this cup & lip. M q Only with BIRD'S ? JFjD jyWjW Custard do you really !R Jj\ 4jJafn J obtain that rich creami- tS SSv ness and exquisite flavor M V which make a perfect Custard. ? Insist on the Best! M I' Always the Best I t \W^ J The Best is BIRDS I FREE SAMPLES t IT I on receipt of addness. (P J || Alfred Bird & Sons, Ltd* Birmingham. i 1 BiR 3 Tke Original f 11 Wrwy 4 I t, JM only, -4>-

A Cardiff Partnership. BROTHERS AS LITIGANTS. Mr Justice Parker in the Chancery Division had before him on Monday an action by which the plaintiff, Hugh Fraser, of Leewood, Sully, Cardiff, sought a dissolution and accounts of an alleged partnership between him and the defendant, John Fraser, of Fitzhamon Em- bankment, in a credit draper's business carried on at Cardiff. Mr Leek, representing the defendant, said that he understood the plaintiff was appearing in person, but he did not seem to be in court. He did not want to take any advantage of an accident, but an adjournment would be hard upon the defendant. The action had been pending since 1909. The plaintiff wafl asking frtr an order foi* diSsotu%H»tt. and ac- counts. These two gentlemen, continued coun- sel, who wercp brothers, had for two or three years prior to 1903 carried on a credit draper's business at Cardiff. In 1903 a formal deed of partnership was entered into. The capital of the partnership was agreed at JE10,000, and the interests of the partners were the plaintiff seven-sixteenths and the defendant nine-six- teenths. On the 6th of August that year plain- tiff, under the provisions of the partnership deed, gave a year's notice Of his intention to determine the partnership. Defendant tried to persuade his brother not to determine the partnership, but after the lapse of a year the plaintiff called in a Cardiff firm of accoun- tants (Messrs Gurney), and finally on Decem- ber 12th. 1904, the partnership was formally determined, and all the accounts down to that date settled. Part of the partnership assets were represented by certain rounds, some of which were taken by one brother and some by the other, and a balance of JE600 was shown on the accounts to be due to the defendant from the plaintiff. Plaintiff then refused to sign the deed of dissolution, but in fact the deed was acted upon, the plaintiff continuing to follow the rounds assigned to him during the succeeding eight or ten months. In Sep- tember of 1905 plaintiff sought to re-open the matter. It was not. however, re-opened, and ultimately the plaintiff was taken into the employ of defendant at a salary of two guineas a week. He again sought to re-open the old partnership, and instructed Mr Prrtchard, a solicitor of Cardiff, to take proceedings, with the result that the present action was insti- tuted. At this stage his lordship said he had just learned that through a mistake of the Cause Clerk the plaintiff had not received intimation that the case would be in the list for hearing on that day, and under those circumstances there must be an adjournment to give the plaintiff an opportunity of being heard. This partnership action, Hugh Fraser v. John Fraser, which in the absence of the plaintiff was partly opened by counsel for the defence, and adjourned to enable the plaintiff to appear, was again before Mr Justice Parker in the. Chancery Division on Tut sday. Plaintiff now appeared in person, and open- ing his case stated that his claim was for disso- lution and accounts of a partnership in a credit draper's business at Cardiff carried on in partnership with his brother, the defendant, and which partnership, he alleged, had never effectually been determined. Giving evidence in support of his claim, lie said the dissolution notices were never really acted upon, and the accounts of the partnership had never pro- perly been taken. Cross-examined by Mr Leek, who appeared for the defendant, he said there was an arrange- ment between himself and his brother, after he had made a deed of arrangement with his creditors, that he was to continue in partner- ship with his brother. He denied that in 1905 he was living extravagantly or foolishly, but admitted that about that time he owned a motor car. He had attempted to collect money from persons who were debtors to his brother, and had got so far as to issue summonses against them. The proceedings he took were dismissed, and upon an application to the judge to reopen the matter the judge refused to hear the application. His Lordship, having heard the evidence of the defendant, held that the original part- nership came to an end on the initiative of the plaintiff in 1904, and there was no foundation for the suggestion that there was a subsequent agreement of partnership. The action, there- fore, failed, and must be dismissed with costs.

MRS CHURCHILL LISTENS. Mw Winston Churchill was an interested hearer at Bow-street Police Court on Tuesday morning, when further evidence was taken in reference to the police raid in High-street, Bloomsbury, on Sunday, October 9th. The wife of the Home Secretary was accommodated with a seat at counsel's table. The case was that in which Henri Block (33), and Valentine, his wife George Smith, George Schachmann, Bernard Schachmann, and Maurice Stein- muller were charged on remand with keeping and using the Cafe Henri for the purpose of gaming. Pietro Bartselemy was charged with attempting to stab a policeman. According to Supt. Cameron, who was in command of the police who made the raid, a room on the ground floor was fitted up as a bar. Cards and dice were all over the place, and two other rooms on the premises were evidently used for gambling. In the course of their search the police came across a loaded five-chambered revolver and several formid- able looking knives, such as were used by foreigners. The case was adjourned.

BABY IN A PARCEL. An inquest on an" unknown child was held before Mr W. L. Yorath (coroner) at Cardiff on Tuesday. Evidence was given that on Sunday afternoon two little girls playing in Brook's- lane found a baby in a paacel. P.C. Preece (coroner's officcr) stated that on examining the parcel he found in it a pen bearing the initials M.N.M.S.B.. probably the maker's initials. There was nothing by which the body could be identified. Dr. Prittard, who had made a post-mortem examination, said that the child was still-born. It had probably been dead about four months and the body was very much decomposed. A verdict in accordance with the medical evidence was returned.

The Queen of Sheba." PERFORMANCE AT QARDIFF. By far the finest thing ever done in WaJeØ by the Carl Rosa Opera Company was performance of Goldmark's Queen of Sheba at the New Theatre, Cardiff, on Tuesday. It is quite an exceptional experience for a novelty to attract a crowded audience, but for this serious opera quite two thousand persons eagerly e listened to every passage, and the spectatorS included representative musicians of South Wales, ministers, and members of the HebreO race, apart from the regular patrons of the opera. The opera deals in a bold fashion with a Jewishsubject tiOtuchiay the religion of the Jews, and it was only recently that a licence was granted for its production on the English stage. While the work was well known and popular on the Continent, it r was banned here, and from a musical point; of view it is well that the ban was removes- Treated seriously and impressively as the Carl Rosa Company present it, the suscepto" bilities of the people cannot be offended. The whole production is new and gives the gorgeous colouring of the East. It adds a new interest to the British operatic stage as a spectacle and as a specimen of high-class music by Jewish composer. It strikes one as a finished opera. It was possible to follow the whole story without programme or words, sO careful was the production, so successful the singing of the principals and the chorus, especiallv the chorus. The story is that of the IQve of Assad, King Solomon's favourite. He is to marry suIa" mith, the High Priest's daughter, but he falls deeply in love with the Queen of Shebeo during her visit to King Solomon. The ceremony is stopped, Assad is to the desert for profaning his vow. and here he dies sought by Sulamithand by the haughty Queen. Mr Arthur Winckworth was a dignified rong and never sang to better advantage. The Assad of Mr Wheatley was a careful study of a difficult character, and he sang the mUSIC, with effect. Miss Beatrice Miranda Was Sulamith, the unhappy bride, the title rots s being in the hands of Miss Doris WoodsJ1, whose singing and acting were in keeping witb her reputation for finished artistic work. TO the banquetting hall scene with the King She surpassed anything she has done in I but that could not have been so succe«rfa, unless backed up as it was by the CoraseientioU* work and the artistic ability of all concerned? Mr Eugene Goossiens conducted and to maintain the balance of chorus and tra with exceptional success in a work heavily scored for the orchestra. The reception of tbØ work by the audience-was sincere and natter ing.

Kidnapping Case. NURSE INGUS SENTENCED. At Leicestershire Quarter Sessions onTueedø1 Dorothy Eileen Mallam Inglis (23), a nuree. pleaded guilty to taking away Ernest Thomas, aged three years and 10 months, 'f1"? intent to deprive his mother, Mrs Denegri, his possession, and also stealing jewellery to the value of £ 54, and £ 40 in money, the perty: of Mrs Denegri, and, further, to jewellery value, £ 32 and 3(te in money to Lilian Harding. Mr Everard, Who prosecuted, said Denegri came to England from Shanghai, engaged prisoner as nurse in June. She with the child on a visit to Mr Hardin# Syston, near Leicester, and on June 23rd for a drive. Returning, she found had left with the child, and the money jewellery were missing. The police were,T« formed, and the child was recovered at tb* Golden Cross Hotel, London, while the priso was traced to Birmingham, where she arrested. It was stated that prisoner came from 3*»~| tralia last May, and that there were convictions for theft against her in tD*~ country. She had been in a rescue home and there was a warrant out against her present time. Tha Australian police her as a dangerous criminal, robberies havlD* occurred at the place where she had stayed. Prisoner said she took the child on "t impulse of the moment with no intention stealing it. She was sentenced to three penal servitude.

WINNING FIGHT OF U.K.A. Annual Gonferemse. The annual council of the United Alliance, held on Tuesday at Manchester, WA* representative of prominent temperance re, formers. The report was full of cw- interest, the record of strenuous effort. The President (Mr Leif Jones) drew encod" agement from the hcensing, statistics, effects of the Budget taxes, progress of tific opinion, and the onward march ° hibition action, instancing Sweden, Ame* New Zealand, Australia, Canada, as c°un where enlightened public opinion -is a register itself, whilst in this country, for of better laws, public opinion was crippteu-j. Sir Thomas Whittaker M.P., said early ilS line I perance pioneers were only over-sanguin over-estimating the common" sense 0 < nation but to-day there was a winfling Even the rejection of the Licensing Bin hastened the day of reckoning with wbicn liquor trade was now faced.. p ot Subsequent speakers included the Bisii Lincoln, Profssor Levi (University of >v Will Crooks, and Mr Sullivan, K.C. of Resolutions passed urged the import^0 cigl extended organisation and of enlarged On support, and pressed on the Governmen necessity of early Vetd legislation. The Bishop of Lincoln had a greatrec JLtx*' a3 chairman of the Alliance annual "■e-nl0ve»rSf tion in the Free Trade Hall, having fory, 0{ till his promotion, been honorary secryZneect> the Alliance. Ha delivered an eloquent F ft? holding that the work of the Alliance p cause the moral conscience of the na. grow. „