The Cardiff Times

Grim Inquest Story. An inquest was opened on Tuesday by Mr F. "Danford Thomas (deputy-coroner for South- ward) on the body of the little girl, Marie Ellen Bailes, which was found in a]avatory near the Elephant and Castle last Saturday morning. The proceedings were watched by Chief Inspector ircott, of Scotland Yard, and Detec- tive Ferrett. of the Kennington Division. Alfred Henry Bailes, father of the child, was the first witness. He said she was lUx and a halt years old. She went to school with her brother, and on the day of her disappearance they Teturned home to dinner. They went to school ¡In. the tifternooir; and the little girt did not re -torn. Sfre wore- a skull cap, With bows on either side white pinafore- with lace frill Mue cotton dress, a flinnellette vest, black 'Cotton stockings, and black button boots. :-she also had a small Roman Catholic medal ^suspended from a, necklace. She never com- jplainedjOf any stranger talking to her. The mother, who was in court, was not called owing to her prostrate condition. Thomas Bone, a boy of 11 years, living at Popham-street, Islington, next gav3 evidence. He said he knew the deceased child, and saw her when she left school on Friday afternoon The Coroner Did you speak to her ?—Yes. .1 said. Where are you going ?" and she said !• I am going home." She was about twelve floors from her home. Joseph Voltren, lavatory assistant, said he could remember faces very well. He was on duty last Saturday morning and saw a man with a parcel coming from the pathway to the lavatory. The man passed in and finding the lavatory needed a key he asked witness for it. He seemed strange to the place. While getting a, penny from his pocket he put the parcel down very gently on the floor. After the man had gone witness and a colleague found the parcel. They opened it and found the body. He had nothing particular to go by in recollecting the man, but he might know his voice again. Witness repeated to the Coroner the details of the man's description, which have already been published. P.C.Geo. Avlward said he was on point duty near the lavatory on Saturday at five minutes to 9. He was fetched to the lavatory, and there he undid the parcel. He sent for the divisional surgeon, and then took the pieces of flan- nellette and linen from the face of the child. These were tied in position with a piece of string. This was twice round the neck and once round the chin, and tied with a knot at the side. DEAD TWELVE OR FIFTEEN HOURS. Dr. Geo. N. Henry, divisional ^surgeon, Scotland Yard, said he examined the body at i 9.25. It was wrapped in a blanket and en- closed in a brown paper parcel. The blanket was 7ft. 2in. long, and 16in. wide. The neck and chin were surrounded by two pieces of calico, apparently parts of a child's pinafore, ;,and two pieces of flannelette-part of a chemise which has been identified as belong- ■ ing to the child. Over these a rope was passed round theneek and tied in a knot under the chin. The throat was cut, and there was an incised "wound on the chest. The thighs were doubled up on the abdomen, and the legs on the thighs. This was done by placing a rope with a ■ running knot round the waist, and palling the legs up. The body was, in fact, trussed like a fowl. Life had been extinct for about 12 or 15 hours. The mouth, nostrils, eyes, and ears were full of loose, dry, sandy earth, which also was found in the wounds. There was evidence that 'the body had been covered by loose dry earth. He made a closer examination in the afternoon of the same day. Except for the cuts on the "throat and chest and a small bruise on the leg there were no external marks of violence or injury. The cut in the throat was a very severe one, and severed the jugular vein and all the arteries. The wound in the chest. was 15A inches long, and in the middle reached through to the breast bone. The body generally was that of a healthy child, and there were no signs of attempt at out- rage. The immediate cause of death was shock and loss of blood due to the wound in the throat. The wound on the throat was inflicted by someone standing to the right or behind the child. The wound in the chest was probably inflicted after death. There- was a bruise, behind the right ear consistent with the child having had a blow from which she may have been slunned previous to the cutting of the tbroat. Death must have taken place very soon after the child was last seen. At this point a gentleman in court wished '-to ask the doctor some important questions. Replying tp the Coroner, he said for 25 years he had been calling public attention to the horrers perpetrated on children. The' Coroner told him to consult with Inspector Scott, but he was dissatisfied, and after protesting he went and whispered to the jury. He was thereupon ordered out of court, and as he went he said—"I am satisfied. I have told the jury." The police said the pieces of linen had been identified by the mother, but not the blanket. The inquiry was adjourned for a fortnight.

LOCKJAW. Solomon Morgan, of Zion-street, Pontypridd, Who was admitted into the Cardiff Infirmary on1 Thursday last suffering from an injurv to his thumb, died at that institution on Sunday night from lockjaw. Some days previous to his admission Morgan fell while carrying a sack of grain and injured his thumb sO severely that a local doctor considered, amputation to ,be necessary. The operation WillS conducted at Pontypridd, but as the patient grew worse he; was removed to the Cardiff Infirmary, where: be died from tetanus.

PORT TALBOT ROCKS. Returns from Port Talbot Docks last week thow that trade was fairly quiet on the whole, with just a slight increase of 63 tons on the preceding week. Exports yielded an increase cf 2,771 tpns, but imports decreased by 2,708 tons. The returns are as follows :—Exports— coal (foreign ports) 23,C55 tons do. (coastwise) 2,894 tons fuel 3,800 tons eeneral 374 tons total 30,123 tons. Imports-ballast 2,044 tons rails 207 tons iron ore 284 tons general 121 tons pitwood 400 tons total 3,056 tons. r Total shipments 33,179 tons.

Budget Debate. Opposition's Fiscal Amendment. In the House of Commons on Monday, On the motion that the Finance Bill be read a second time, Mr LAWRENCE HARDY (C., Kent), moved the official Opposition amendment, That in view of the growing liabilities of the nation for naval and military defence, old age pensions, and education, and of the necessity for giving additional relief to ratepayers from the increasing charge for national services now thrown upon the rates, this House regrets that no attempt is made to increase the resources of the Exchequer by broadening the basis of taxation." He did not think it was wise for them to embark on old age pensions or any schemes of social reform out of money taken from the national debt and in such a manner as to impair the credit of the nation. Mr BUXTON (Postmaster-General) replied that the Government had already taken some steps in regard to the diminution of local rates. The Government had also pledged themselves to reforms in assessment and valua- tion, and would shortly introduce a Bill which would considerably assist in the direction indicated, while reform of the Poor Law would also give some relief to the rates. The Educa- tion Bill also, if hon. members would allow it to pass, would substantially contribute from the national Exchequer .to the relief of local rates. In regard to the charges which had been made that the Old Age Pension scheme had not been provided for, he pointed out that as far as this year was concerned the Chancellor of the Exchequer, while remitting taxation, had provided for everything he was called on to do. Seeing that the Government had done all that it could do—remitted taxation and reduced debt and made ample provisions for everything they were called on to do—they were* entitled to ask what exactly was the alternative the Opposition had to put forward. Mr A. CHAMBERLAIN (C., Worcester- shire) said the Opposition view was that when they surveyed the whole field of finance they were faced with a great and rapidly growing expenditure. In spite of the most lavish assurances of the Government when they came into power that theywould reduce expenditure they had increased it. What About Motor Taxation ? Mr BOTTOMLEY (L., Hackney) complained that; no proposal had been made by the Government for a graduated income tax, although the reform was promised last year. It would add from 15 to 20 millions a year to the revenue. He regretted that no tax on motor-cars had been proposed. Liberal M.P. and Economy: Mr BOWLF.S (L., Lynn) believed that both the proposal for old age pensions and the reduction of the sugar duty were mere clouds whichobscured the outstanding feature of the Budget. The real point was, as he understood it, that the Budget showed that the Govern- ment had failed to redeem their clear pledges of economy, or that finally and once and for all they were to understand that retrenchment in public expenditure was impossible. On the Prime Minister's own figures, it was found that the whole reduction in the expenditure on the Army and Navy, the great expenditure on which the Prime Minister had described as the heaviest charge against the late Govern- ment, had only been in the last three years one-third of what had been effected in the previous two years on tbe Conservative Government's estimates. It was plain that no more retrenchment was possible, and that more revenue would have to be found. "Tax Land Values! Mr HEMMERDE (L., Denbighshire) said that if by broadening the basis of taxation the taxation 'of land values were intended he would support the amendment. That was not the case, so he intended to oppose it. They welcomed the statement that a Land Valuation Bill would be introduced shortly, but seeing that the House of Lords would probably throw that Bill out, could they not tax land values without a Bill and through the Budget ? He asked that all food taxes should be taken off and replaced by a tax on land values. At ten minutes past eight Mr MYER called attention to the fact that there were not 40 members present, and on a count being taken a House was only just secured, a number of members rushing in at the last moment. Mr MUNRO FERGUSON (L., Leith) ex- prexssed general agreement with the main lines of the Finance Bill and absolute dis- agreement with the amendment. He thought, however, that the limit of 70 years made the old age scheme almost a mockery, and he pre- ferred an earlier age limit. With regard to defence, we should never again go lightly into war, yet this country would give a shorter shrift than ever to anAdministration which was unprepared for war. He therefore urged the Government to boldly face the inevitable and not unduly delay prudent provision for the immediate future in matters of defence, especiallyiá regard to a. naval base for the North Sea. Mr CHIOZZA MONEY (L., Preston), look- ing at the Budget as a whole, doubted whether the Government had sufficient confidence in the taxable capacity of the country. He advocated the graduation of the income tax, and suggested that the nationalisation of the railways would furnish the Chancellor of the Exchequer with another means of meeting the growing needs of national expenditure. Mr MASON (C., Windsor) said there was a point at whieh the importer paid the tax. There was a large range of articles between tobacco on which the consumer paid the tax and coal on which the exporter would pay the tax if we had an import duty on whieh the tax might be divided between, the consumer and the exporter. If the foreign im- porter were made to pay the tax we should gain either in revenue or in increased produc- tion in this country. The Liberal party was opposed to Colonial Preference, but was in favour of giving preference in our markets to the foreigner. Mr Lloyd George Replies. Mr LLOYD GEORGE (Chancellor of the Exchequer) congratulated Mr Mason upon being the first member of the Opposition to elucidate the doctrine in the amendment, but he noticed that the hon. member carefully chose a time when his leader was not present to do so. The hon. member proposed to raise money by taxing the foreigner, and, after hearing him. he was surprised that the Ger- mans did not raise money by taxing the foreigner instead of borrowing it. (Laughter.) That discussion was the most unsatisfactory, for they had discussed everything except the very Bill they were asked to give a second reading tOI while in addition they had heard nothing as to what the official amendment of the Opposition meant. The real issue they had shirked— (Ministerial cheers)—and no one had any doubt that it had been shirked on the suggestion of tOhe leader of the Opposition. Every fact could be answered, every argument tested, and it was far better to leave those things to the gramophone. (Laughter.) Several speakers had pressed on the Government reconsidera- tion of our system of local taxation. It was a very large and urgent question which would be dealt with effectively at the earliest possible moment. (Ministerial cheers.) He did not agree that the Government had done nothing. Though be agreed that there had been an enormous increase in the last few years, a great deal of the increase was due to the Education Bill, 1902. Something would be done to improve the state of local taxation if the Government was allowed to press its Valuation Bill and its Education Bill, which would give considerable relief to the rates. There was considerable expense in- volved through having two schools and two staffs where one would do. Lord ROBERT CECIL: The right hon. gentleman forgets the saving to the rates through the non-provided schools. Mr LLOYD GEORGE said that might have been so prior to the passing of the Act of 1902, but he did not think that was so now. It was dangerous to deal with the question of local taxation piecemeal, for while remedying one injustice another one might be imposed. The Valuation Bill, he hoped, would be intro- duced shortly. Until they got proper valua- tion it would be quite impossible to deal effec- tively with the problem of local taxation. That wa £ an important question, not merely to the fariner, but the small tradesman, who paid a disproportionate amount of taxation. The pro- posal to broaden the basis of taxation was vague and nebulons. The German example had been quoted over and over again in the course of the debate. He invited attention to a resolution recently passed by the Bloc, who were supporters of the German Government, and which declared that the unfavourable state of the finances of the Empire was to be attributed to the policy of Protection and Prohibition, which raised the price of commodities. In Germany the Sinking Fund had been suspended to meet current expenditure. Although we were raising our "commitments very considerately, tbere was no suggestion that our Sinking Fund should be suspended. So much for Protectionist finance. (Ministerial cheers.) He Challenged the Opposition to state what they meant by broadening the basis of taxation. Did they propose to tax wheat ? That was the only way in which they could broaden the basis of taxation. They must tax the commodities which people must consume. The Leader of the Opposition said it was not relevant, but what did broadening the- basts of taxation mean ? (Ministerial cheers.) If the Leader of the Opposition did not mean; to tax wheat, meat, and dairy produce let him say so, and he would drop the argument. (Ministerial cheers ana laughter.) He dared not say he did not mean it. (Ministerial cheers.) Tti6 right hon. gentleman showed how a tax upon food pfessed heavily upon the poor, by raising-prices only in excess .of the amount: represented by the amount or the tax. Ger- many; tfor example, raised 6J millions Of revenue by a tax upon imported wheat, but the German people actually paid 15 millions in j "consequence of the tax, the price of the home produced wheat having risen to a, price equivalent, to that of the foreign wheat plus the tax. (Ministerial cheers.); He was grateful for the suggestions of new modes o Praising revenue which had come from his own side of the House, and he would pigeon-hole them for reference. (Laughter.) Suggestions of economy had come from all sides, but in regard to this Budget he rested it upon two principles. If they were to econo- mise, let it not be at the expense of the pro- vision made for improving the condition of the poorer classes of the community. If they wanted to increase taxation, let thent place the burden, not upon the bread and meat of the poor, but upon the shoulders of those who were rich enough to bear it. (Ministerial cheers.) Mr BONAR LAW moved the adjournment of the debate, which was agreed to. In the House of Commons on Tuesday, The Debate was resumed on Mr Laurence Hardy's amendment to the motion for the second reading of the Finance Bill, which declared that In view of the growing liabilities of the nation for naval and military defence, old age pensions, and education, and of the necessity for giving additional relief to ratepayers from the increasing charge for national services now thrown upon the rates, this House regrets that no attempt is made to increase the resources of the Exchequer by broadening the basis of taxation." Mr BONAR LAW (C., Dulwich): He was not a Protectionist, he said, in the crude sense of the Chancellor of the Exchequer's own Patents Bill. (Opposition laughter.) Mr LLOYD GEORGE The Patents Act does not compel anyone to manufacture any- thing in this country. It simply says the monopoly will be withdrawn if it is abused. (Opposition laughter). Mr BONAR LAW The effect. of it is to cause things to be made here for which this country is not suitable—(Ministerial cries of No ")—to compete better with their foreign rivals on that market. (Opposition cheers). Mr Churchill in Form. Mr CHURCHILL (President of the Board of Trade) thought he had never heard so many wild assertions in so brief a speech. Perhaps the most striking statement was that of the hon. member that he was not a Protectionist. (Ministerial cheers.) The hon. member had said that the Patents Act was a measure of crude Protection. But a patent was in itself protection and all that they had done had been to revert to Free Trade. (Ministerial cheers and Opposition laughter.) They had not established Protection but they had said that in certain circumstances where a privi- lege was not conducive to the public interest that privilege should be withdrawn. The hon. gentleman had referred to Germany and quoted an authority with approval to show that armaments might be reproduction. Mr BONAR LAW I did not quote with approval." All I said was that it was some- thing we ought to take to heart. Mr CHURCHILL said that the argument that armaments might be reproduction was like saying that" if you murdered a man you might make something if you stole his money. (Laughter.) He repudiated the idea. that we should be animated in our armaments by any expectation of making a profit out of that shocking means of human destruction. (Ministerial cheers.) If armaments could be reproductive, what was done in that direction in the South African war ? The hon. member had referred to the financial position of Ger- many. a subject which he thought he would have done well to ignore. In this country we could raise any money we needed to borrow at 3 per cent. In Germany, where they enjoyed all the advantages of a "scientific tariff," they had to pay 4 per cent. The present Government had reduced the expenditure of the State. Mr A. CHAMBERLAIN They have in- creased it. (Opposition cheers.) Mr CHURCHILL said they had reduced the unproductive expenditure on armaments. (Ministerial cheers.) The Government was charged with intending to raid the sinking fund, but while the Conservative party had piled up the National Debt the present Government had succeeded in three years in reducing the liabilities of the State by between 40 and 50 millions. While he helieved that taxation on manufactured articles and taxa- tion on food were inseparable, he believed they could smash the taxation of manufac- tured articles in that House as surely as they could smash the taxation on food. (Ministerial cheers.) He would like to know if the hon. gentleman excluded from the scope of that amendment the taxation of bread and meat. Mr BONAR LAW Make me Chancellor of the Exchequer, and I will answer. (Loud Ministerial laughter.) Mr CHURCHILL said no answer could be given. It would interrupt the harmony in the party opposite. (Ministerial laughter.) It would mar the sweet concord between Mr Balfour and Mr Austen Chamberlain— (laughter)-and, of course, the hon. gentleman :ould not take the responsibility for such an explosive statement. (Laughter). Mr Balfour and Food Taxes. Mr BALFOUR (C., City of London) said he had a very high opinion of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, but frankly he did not think the right hon. gentleman since he had been Chancellor of the Exchequer had quite done himself justice. (Ministerial laughter.) The tone of his speech was reminiscent of a guerilla chief rather than of the Chancellor of the Ex- chequer. We were now face to face in a very novel and exceptional manner with the im- mediate future financial interests of the country. The Chancellor of the Exchequer had said that the difference between the two parties was that one party wanted armaments while the other wanted social reform. That was a deplorable way of stating the case. (Opposition cheers.) Every party in the House wanted social reform. The President of the Board of Trade had stated that there were differences between himself and Mr Austefi Chamberlain in regard to the taxation of corn, but the right hon. gentleman surely forgot that he had been a. member of a Government which had put a tax on corn when the financial necessity of the country required it. It he thought the finan- cial necessity of the country required it he would do again what he did in 1901. The President of the Board of Trade had said they wanted to lay fresh burdens on the shoulders of the poor, but. he had stated over and over again that he would not be a party to increas- ing the proportionate burden on the working classes of this country. (Opposition cheers.) Mr Asquith's Reply. Mr ASQUITH professed bewilderment as to the purpose and even the meaning of the amendment. The two dominant features of the Budget were the setting up of a system of old age pensions and the reduction of the sugar duty. The question he put once more to the Opposition was whether either or both of those proposals were attacked. (Ministerial cheers.) If the Opposition thought the old age pensions proposals were premature or improvident the proper, the manly and courageous course would be to vote against the second reading of the Pensions Bill. In place of that they had submitted an amendment which contained a hollow and sounding genemlityabout broaden- ing the basis of taxation. Not a'sfugle ray of light had been thrown upon the meaning they attached to that phrase. (Ministerial cheers.) What, he asked, had become of Colonial Pre- ference ? (Ministerial laughter.) True, the Colonial Premiers had gone, but were they so soon forgotten ? (Ministerial laughter.) He repeated the question once more did broadening the basis of taxation" mean duties upon corn, meal, and dairy produce ? Answering the criticism that the Govern- ment were not- taking stock of the new liabilities to which they were committing the country, Mr Asquith stated that the Govern- ment had deliberately postponed dealing with old-age pensions until they had laid a solid financial foundation by effecting large econo- mies of expenditure, by ceasing to borrow for capital liabilities, and by making an effort un- precedented in the financial history of this or any other European country to reduce the burden of the National Debt. (Ministerial cheers.) He was not surprised that it was galling to hon. and right hon. gentlemen oppo- site to find that the old-age pensions which they had dangled before the eyes of the elec- torate for a dozen years had for the first time become a concrete legislative proposal. When he asked the House to agree to the Budget for' the present year he did so on the ground that Free Trade finance had given us a financial stability on which we might pride ourselves, u,1d because, if we only pursued uur fiscal policy on lines equally rational and suited to the special exigencies of our national life, we should be able to meet all the charges that came upon us. The amendment was defeated by 367 vo^es to 124, and the second reading of the Bill was agreed to.

SEAMEN'S NARROW QUARTERS. Criticism of London Shipowners. There is no mincing of, words by the medical officer of the Port of London in his denuncia- tion of shipowners for their treatment "f sea- men. The accommodation provided for those men is characterised as a disgrace to the twentieth century," and it is clearly asserted that the reason is that owners are more cQn- cerned with reducing the registered tonnage than in providing sanitary and humane ac- commodation for the seamen. The difficulty, it seems, arises in the main from the provision of the men's quarters in the fore part of the vessel. As a result not only is there insufficient light, but the venti- lators have to be removed in bad weather. According to the report there is no reason at all why the quarters should not be provided in the after part, in which case all the present disadvantages would cease to operate. In one case referred to the men's quarters were in a verminous condition, and the space under the floor was filled with an accumulation of nith in a.second only six Square feet of floor space was allowed per man and in a third case no natural light entered the men's quarters.

CITY CLERK KILLED. Mr Troutbeck held An inquest atBa-ttersea, on Monday ori Surrey Esmond Evans, 19, a i clerk, of Wandle-road, Wandsworth-common,; who was killed oh the line at Clapham Junc- tion Station. on Wednesday. A doctor who attended the lad said he was subject to faint- ing fits. On one occasion he was noticed to be j riding a bicycle in an erraticmanncr, and. when stopped he was found to be; unconscious. Herbert Candy, a post-office employe, ,said that just as a train was entering Clapham Junction Station he saw Evans, crossing the line. Then he went down on his hands and knees, and extended himself across the line in front of the oncoming train, the whole of which passed over him.. A brother of the de- ceased clerk said the lad missed the train he intended to travel by, and witness thought that the exertion of running in the attempt to catch it caused him to faint. The jury returned a verdict of Accidental death."

Gifted Lady Sent to Gaol A LIBRARY THIEF. Miss Marion Benham, a young lady of no occupation, residing at Pinner, was charged at the Marylebone Police Court on Monday with stealing five books, valued at £4 5s 6d, belonging to Messrs Boots (Limited) Library. It was alleged that the books were sold to a bookseller in the Edgware-road. At a previous hearing a detective stated that the accused told him that she had had books from Boots Library for a number of years and thought she could sell the books so long as they had the deposit. She said she used to get a common book out and then ex- change it for a more valuable one. Two further charges were now preferred against the accused of stealing 15 books, worth £4 7s, from Messrs Boots, and eight books, worth £3 from Tabard Inn Library. Mr Freke Palmer, who prosecuted, said that people could borrow books at Messrs Boots shops on paying in addition to the subscrip- tion half a crown deposit, which was returned when the book was brought back. Mr Palmer read extracts from an extraordinary diary in which the defendant kept account of the books which she had taken and also how much she had sold them for. Mr Nonweiler, who defended, said that the accused was possessed of ample means and there was no reason why she should steal the books. She was highly educated, speaking eight languages. The accused pleaded guilty. Mr Paul Taylor, the magistrate, said that from her own admission in the diary it ap- peared she had been engaged for years in stealing books and other things, and under all the circumstances he sentenced her to two months' imprisonment in the second division.

Miners' Decision. NOT TO OPPOSE SIR IVOR HERBERT. Delegates representing about 7,000 members of the South Wales and Monmouthshire Miners' Federation in the South Monmouth shire constituency met in private at Collier's Restaurant, Newport-, on Saturday, to further consider the question of running at the next General Election a Labour candidate for South Monmouthshire under the auspices of the South Wales Miners'Federation Parliamentary scheme. At a previous conference it was resolved that a conference of lodge representatives in the constituency should be convened for the purpose of deciding the question. These representatives, after consultation with their lodges, met on Saturday, Mr Evan Thomas, Rhymney Valley, presiding. The general opinion of the delegates, we are informed, was averse to forcing a three- cornered fight, it being remarked that if a Labour candidate were brought into the field in opposition to the Liberal candidate the seat would probably be won by the Tories, who had held it since the Redistribution Act up till the last General Election, when Col. Sir Ivor Herbert, Bart., M.P., won it for Liberalism. It was also remarked that Col. Sir Ivor Herbert, although elected as a Liberal, had always voted for measures favourable to the policy of the Miners' Federation, and that he had gone in various ways out of his way to support the Mines Eight Hours Bill. On the other hand, some of the Independent Labour Party members of the conference urged that the miners could not regard the seat as a special preserve for themselves, and that there were other workmen's Unions in the constituency who would be ready to select a Labour candidate unless the miners did so. Why should they consult the convenience of the Liberal or Tory party ? Their duty was obvious it was to build up a Labour party. The recent ballot of the miners on the L.R.C. question showed that the miners were in favour of Labour, and that they, as delegates, should pay due heed to that mandate. Councillor James Winstone, Pontypool, urged that the time was inopportune to consider the matter. He thought it should be deferred until the Executive Council of the Miners' Federa- tion had had time to educate the constituency. The Chairman disagreed from this view, and said that surely the men of Risca, Abercarn, and other places knew the position full well by this time. Councillor Alfred Onions also ex- plained his views. It was eventually resolved, without a dis- sentient, "that having carefully considered the question of contesting South Monmouthshire under the Miners' Parliamentary scheme, the conference thought that a three-cornered fight would result in losing the seat to the Progres- sive party, but' that the conference be ad- journed until June 27th, and that the lodges in the constituency should in the meantime consider the question of running a Miners' Federation candidate when the aitting mem- ber vacates his seit,

WELSH SOCIETIES. National Stamp for Wales. The annual meeting of the Federation of Welsh National Societies of Glamorgan and Monmouthshire was held at the University College, Cardiff, on,, Monday night, Sir Mar- chant Williams presiding. Delegates from the various districts reported on the work of the year, and an interesting discussion followed on the organisation of lectures. It waa pointed out that by an arrangement among neighbour- ing societies some of the most eminent Welsh lecturers could attend at a reduced fee. Mr Austin Jenkins, the hon. secretary, announced that two or three new societies had been formed during the year. The formation of a Welsh National Home Reading Union, decided upon by the Council of the Welsh Language Society, was brought forward for support by the Federation. The scheme is on a parallel with the English Union, Dr. Paton, of Nottingham, the founder of the latter, among others, having been consulted. The secretary said that it was a grand idea for the Welsh language, and machinery was already in existence such as the Welsh National Society, Welsh Summer School, and that Federation, which would en- sure the success of the venture. He enlarged on the benefits of such a Union, whose object was to supply reading circles in every corner of the land where Welsh people assembled and the meeting cordially accepted the principle. Mr Edward Thomas, J.P., was unanimously elected president for the ensuing year, and Mr Sam Nicholl, AberliHery, vice-president. The other officers appointed included Mr Austin Jenkins, hon. secretary and Aid. Wm. Lewis, Penydarren, hon. treasurer. Mr Huw Huws, the hon. secretary of the Cymmrodorion Society, brought forward the idea of a special kind of stamp to distinguish the nationality of the user on the same principle as that in existence in Brittany, Ireland, and Finland. Mr Edward Thomas, who resumed the chair, said it was an idea which would open up new interests among members of Welsh societies. It was explained that the stamp would be sold at a nominal price if the principle were adopted, and it would be used on any corner of the envelope so as not to interfere with the Government stamp. The Federation unanimously adopted the proposal, the details of which are left to the officials. Mr P. H. Thomas (Arlunydd Penygarn) attended, and explained the arrangements in connection with the proclamation of the 1909 Eisteddfod at the Temple Gardens, London, on Jane 10th, at 3 p.m. He extended a hearty welcome to all who may wish to attend..

MAURETANIA'S NEW RECORDS. Lusitania's Tiftie Beaten. Details of the passage of the Mauretania to New York, in which several records were established, were issued by the Cunard Com- pany on Tuesday afternoon. The Mauretania has established a world's record in ocean steaming. Although using only three screws, the fourth not having bfeen re- placed after having met with an accident, she accomplished the passage in 4 days 20 hrs. 15 mins. AC» The liner left Liverpool at 5 o clock on Wed- nesday afternoon and reached New York at 10 minutes to 8 o'clock on Tuesday night. Her daily runs were :— Average Knots, per hour. To Noon, Thursday. 202 24-44 Friday. 621 24*81 Saturday. 629 24-90 Sundav •••• 655 25*50 The best day's run of OJO knots eclipses that of the Lusitania by three knots. The best westward runs of theLusitaniaand Mauretania read as follows :— Distance. Time. Average. Lusitania.. 2,889 4 days 20h. 22m. 24*83 Mauretania 2,890 4 days 20h. 15m:24-86 The Lusitania arrived at Daunt's Rock at 2.5 on Tuesday morning after a stormy passage. The time of the passage was 5 days 4 hrs. 27 mins., the average speed- being 23-56 knots. Her best day's run was 571 knots. I Government Satisfied. Replying to Mr-Fell in the Parliamentary papers, the Chancellor of the Exchequer says the Cunard steamers Lusitania and Maure- tania have now satisfied the conditions made by the Government under the agreement for, their construction.

PARACHUTIST'S DEATH. New york, Mopday.—A terrible accident oc- curredyesterday in New JerSey at a spot near the PasgaieRivei, where a parachutist was billed to give sin exhibition- The balloon carry- .mg the aofonaiitduly ascended, add when it had reached a height of about 2,000 feet the, ae man released 'the'parachute.1 But attached to, the trapeze was a large American flag, and this became entangled in the parachute, 'prevent- ing the opening, and also wrapped itself round the unfortunate man. Amid' the shrieks'of horror frdm the thousands of spectators' the parachutist fell with fearful velocity ihto the Passaic River, over which the balloon had drifted. When taken from the river the man was found to be dead, the flag being still wrapped ropnd his body.—Central News.

Dukedom of Norfolk. BIRTH OF AN HEIR. The Duchess of Norfolk gave birth to a son and heir at Arundel Castle on Saturday after- noon. Both mother and son are doing well. The news is of great interest to members of the English peerage, for the Duke of Norfolk is, of course, the premier Peer, and was, until the happy event of Saturday, without a direct heir to his vast possessions and ancient line, his son by his first marriage, the late Earl of Arundel and Surrey, having died in 1902. The Duke, who is cousin to the Dowager Mar- chioness of Bute,married in 1904 the Hon. Gwen- dolen Mary Constable-Maxwell, daughter and heiress of Baron Herries, and a daughter was born to them in 1905. By the birth of a son, the ancient barony of Herries will ultimately be merged into the Norfolk title and its sub- sidiary titles, already eight or nine in number. Prior to the birth of the son, the three-year- old daughter, Lady Mary Rachel Howard, stood next in order of succession to her mother the Duchess, heiress presumptive to the barony. and would have been a peeress in her own right. Lord Edmund Talbot, the Duke's brother, was heir presumptive. The Duke of Norfolk, who was born in 1847, is also Hereditary Earl Marshal and Chief Butler of England, a title which was granted to his predecessor in 1483 with a special allow- ance of £ 20 a year to keep up the dignity of the office." His Grace was Postmaster- General in 1895-1900, and, as lieutenant- colonel of the Sussex Regiment, served in the South African War. He was first Mayor of Westminster in 1900, and was Mayor of Sheffield for three years, 1895-7. The Duke is one of the principal adherents among the English aristocracy of the Roman Catholic Church, to whieh he has given large benefactions. The Duchess also belongs to the same church. The following is a list of the titles borne by the Duke Duke of Norfolk Earl of Surrey Ear! of Arundel Earl of Norfolk Baron Fitzalan Baron Clun Baron Oswaldestre Baron Maltravers Arundel is gaily decorated with nags. This is the first occasion on which an Earl of Arundel has been born at Arundel Castle. The baptism of the infant Earl of Arundel took place on Monday afternoon in the private chapel ol Arundel Castle. The Archbishop of Westminster officiated, and many other clergy present included Rev. A. MacCall (the Duke of Norfolk's chaplain) and Father Bernard Vaughan. The chapel altar was decorated with 'white lilies, and the font was of silver. The godfather was Lord Edmund Talbot, M.P., and the godmother the Hon. Mrs Eric Drummond, the Duchess of Norfolk's sister. The child was given the name of Bernard Marmaduke. Members of the family present included the Duke of Norfolk, Lady Rachel Howard, Lord and Lady Herries, the Hon. Eric and Mrs Drummond, Lord and Lady Edmund Talbot, Lady Mary Howard, Dr. and Lady P. Stewart, Dowager-Marchioness of Bute, and Lady Margaret Stuart. Colonel and the Hon. Mrs Tredcroft. Mr and Mrs Wilfrid Ward. Mr and the Hon. Mrs Maxwell Stuart, Mr and Mrs H. Maxwell Stuart, and the Hon. Teresa Maxwell. The Mayor and Corporation of Arundel, the chairman and members of Littlehampton Urban Council, farm tenants of the Sussex and Surrey estates and their wives, and members of the Duke's household were also present. After the ceremony the Duke received his guests in the great hall of the Castle, where the Earl's health was drunk on the proposition of one of the oldest tenants of the estate. Lady. Rachel Howard, the Duke's little daughter, cut the christening cake, and the Mayor of Arundel proposed the health of Lord Edmund Talbot, whose birthday it was on Monday. The Duke of Norfolk has received congratu- lations from King Edward and the King of Spain.

A YEAR-OLD OFFENCE. Assault on a, Relieving Officer. Mr G. F. Forsdike appeared before the Llan- daff magistrates on Monday, on behalf of the Cardiff Guardians, to prosecute Wm. Smith, of Whitchurch, for an assault on Phillip Price, a relieving-officer under the board. Evidence was brought to show that on the 6th of June last year the complainant—who had pre- viously endeavoured to collect from prisoner money which he owed to the Guardians-was going abofcit his duties, when Smith accosted him, and saying. You are the man I have been looking for," struck him several blows in the face and on the body. The officer's face was badly bruised, and P.C. Martin, who was called at the time of the assault, said that Price's left eye was nearly closed. Prisoner was arrested on Friday last by P.C. Martin. The Bench sentenced him to two months' hard.labour, without the option of a flne.,

TICKET FOR CORK. Irishman Troublesome at Port Talbot. AtAberavon on Monday Patrick Donnovan, a tailor, of no fixed abode, was charged with committing obstruction and being drunk and disorderly at the Port Talbot Station of the Great Western Railway on Saturday night. Mr John Hanson said he found the defendant arguing with the booking clerk and the station master about a ticket the defendant bad alleged he had taken out for Cork. The defen dant, however, had not taken one. Defendant now said he must have been entirely wrong. He could not remember anything about the affair. He was fined 10s and costs for drunken- ness and 20s and costs for the obstruction.

COAL NOT TO BE CHEAPER. There is a touch of irony in the fact that the hottest day of the year should have been selected for a meeting of House Coal Owners (representing the counties of Yorkshire, Derby- shire, Lancashire, Cheshire, Staffordshire, Leicestershire, Warwickshire, and Notting- hamshire) at the St. Pancras Hotel, at which it was decided that the prices of last year be maintained for ensuing contracts for house coal.

SANG BOULANGER INTO FAME. Paris, Mondav.-Paulus, the music-hall singer whose songs made the political fortune of General Boulanger, died at four o'clock this morning in comparative poverty. For a time at the height of his success, when he sang "PerelaVictoire" and "En Revenant de l'Revue," and other songs of the same class, Paulus made the salary of several prime minis- ters and lived like a prince. But with the downfall and death of General Boulanger his own vogue disappeared, and he practically lived on charity for the last five years.

MANY WEEKS OF PERFECTAGONY With Eczema on Arm and Legs— Could Scarcely Sleep for Months Tried Many Treatments With- out Result-Did Not Work for 11 Weeks-Relieved in Ten Days and COMPLETELY CURED BY TWO SETS OF CUTICURA "My trouble began with irritation on Um legs and right arm which developed into eczema. It be- came so bad in a f few weeks' time that [SSk » I was in perfect j 7 y agony. I was pre- y vented from attend- JLJ 7 ing work, and, al- though I was only V. A Jl >1* fc°° pleased to try i7 \Kl remedies suggested X \h\ A my friends, they VI wj were all used with- > /1 out any effect. I became' pessimistic, especially so con- sidering that I had been through tho hands of two doctors, who failea to do any good. One day I decided to make another attempjt to get rid of my com- plaint and purchased a full set of Cuti- cura Soap, Cuticura Ointment, and Cuticura Pills, and in ten days I found the irritation disappearing. I would not have believed it possible for any remedy to afford such comfort in -so short a time. I was able to sleep at night — a thing which I had not been able to do for months — and in the course of another week there were un- mistakable signs of the eczema being mastered. I persevered with Cuticura, and in six weeks, using two supplies. I was cured. I have every reason to be grateful to Cuticura. for I was able to return to work after eleven weeks' idle- ness. George Harrison, Poole Terrace, nr. 8outh Milford, Yorkshire, June 11,1907." Send to nearest depot for free Cuti- cura Book o^ Treatment of Skin Diseases. For pimples, blackheads, red. rough. > •< and oily 6kins, dandruff, dry, thin. fall- ing hair, shaving, shampooing, sana- tive, antiseptic cleansing and for the toilet, bath, a,nd.nursery Cuticura Soap, and Cuticura Ointment are unequalled. I.Coihplete fttemall and Internal, Treatment for Every ;Humour of Infants. Children, and Adulta consists of Cuticura Soap to Cleanse the Skin. Cutt- cura Ointment to Heal the Skin, and Cuticura Re- solvent or Cuticura Resolvpnt Pills (Chocolate s Coated) to Purify the Blood. A Single Set often Ctre*. Sold throughout the world. Depots: Lon- don. 27. Charterhouse So.: Paris, 5., Rue de la Pais; Australia. R. Towns A Co.. Sydney; South Africa. Lennon. Ltd., CapeTewn. etc.: U S. A.. Potter Drug Cttem. Corp, Sole Prop* Boston. „—

Aberystwyth Discord. MORE TOWN COUNCIL STORMS. Alderman's Ultimatum to Mayor. THE MEETING ADJOURNED. Aberystwyth Town Council on Tuesday was the scene of much discord between members, and ultimately the meeting broke up without the agenda having been dealt witn. The Mayor refused to allow members to dis- cuss a report of the Finance Committee in one instead of two portions, and the proceedings waxed so warm that Councillor Morgan moved that the Mayor be asked to leave the chair. The Mayor If you don't sit down I shall declare the meeting closed. (" Oh.") Councillor Morgan: You allowed those paragraphs to be put together and now you refuse to put them to the vote. Alderman Jones During my 40 years on public bodies I never saw such ruling as the Mayor's to-day. Councillor Gibson He has made the chair a lever for his personal feelings against every- body. The Mayor: At every meeting Alderman Jones's remarks are offensive and irregular. (No, no.), Councillor Gibson (to the Mayor): Listen to the No's." The Mayor: I shall declare the meeting closed. Councillor Gibson Do so and go home, for Heaven's sake. The Mayor You ought to go home, and you sit down, Mr Morgan. Councillor Gibson You are enough to ruffle the temper of an angel. The Mayor Then your temper would never be ruffled. The way things are going on is a disgrace to the town. Councillor Gibson You charged our town clerk with quibbling at one meeting, and now you charge the oldest and most respected member of the Council with having used offensive remarks. The scene was now one of uproar, members standing on their feet and shouting. The Mayor Let that man be sorry for his conduct. Councillor Gibson You have lost yourself. Alderman Jones said he would send in his resignation if the words used by the Mayor were not withdrawn. Members said the Mayor ought to withdraw, but he declined to do so. Councillor Gibson You are adding insult to insult. Councillor Fossett Roberts intervened, and said the pleasure of transacting public life in Aberystwyth was taken away by these rows, The Mayor: Hear, hear. (Laughter.) Councillor Roberts And I hope you will assure Alderman Jones that his conduct is not offensive to us as a body. The Mayor I have not said so. The Mayor Read the reports of the meet- ings, and you will find how I have been abused. (Murmurs of dissent.) Councillor Morgan wanted to put it to the vote that the Mayor should withdraw, and other members appealed to the Mayor to with- draw, but he declined, and Councillor Samuel moved, and Councillor Gibson seconded, that the meeting stand adjourned. The Mayor declared the voting equal, and gave his casting vote in favour of,proceeding. Councillor Samuel insisted that the voting was seven to six in favour of the proposition to adjourn, and asked for another show of hands. The Mayor declined to put it, and Councillor Gibson moved a second amendment for ad- journment. This was then put and carried. Councillor Morgan That's a vote of censure on the Mayor. The Mayor No it is not. Councillor Morgan Yes a dead, sure vote. Students and Minstrels. Early in the meeting a letter was read from Principal Roberts, of the University College of Wales asking that no minstrel performances should take place near the College during the University examination days. Councillor Morgan The niggers are far enough away. If the students of the College had a little more consideration for the people of the town we should consider them. They are a howling lot of idiots. (Laughter.) No action was taken.

Mr G. L. Norris Again. EXTRAORDINARY SCENE AT PENARTH. The meeting of the Penarth Council on Monday night was brief but breezy. Mr G. L. Norris asked a few questions arising out of .the minutes of the last COuncil m.eeting. The ques- tions having been answered the chairman (Mr Sam Thomas) put the minutes, which were carried almost unanimously. God bless my soul exclaimed Mr Norris. I have several other things to ask, to cor- rect, and yet you say the minutes are passed." The Chairman They are passed. I say they are not passed," shouted Mr Norris. God bless my soul, I have things I want to ask about. And I'm going to ask. Make no bally mistake." Order, order," said the Chairman. Order, order," repeated the members. Order be d d," shouted Mr Norris. What is the use of my coming here if I'm going to submit to you." You must sit down, please," said the Chairman. i, I won't! I won't shouted Mr Norris, Bis voice drowning all else. Then stand," retorted the Chairman, adding, I would be glad if you would kindly oblige me by ignoring the gentlemen at the other end of the table." The members greeted this with a chorus of Hear, hears," at the same time looking towards the Pressmen. The Chairman (to Mr Norris) I understand you have objected to one of the visitors in the room. Mr Norris Oh, he's gone. Mr Norris then directed attention to an item of £1 9s 4d for screws. What did they mean ? he asked. The chairman, he proceeded, was not in Andrews Hall. Make no bally mistake about that. Mr Norris was now shouting at the top of his voice Oh, you may laugh You have screws down here twice. What is the meaning of it ?" The Chairman asked the (members to agree to the Finance Committee's minutes. Aye, aye," answered all the members in unison— except Mr Norris. All in favour of the meeting being ad- journed ?" asked Mr Thomas. Aye, aye," came the response. The meeting is over, gentlemen," said the Chairman, and the cheques will be paid and the men will have their money. (To Mr Norris): Will you please go out ?" I won't," retorted Mr Norris. You are not in Andrews Hall now, remember." The Chairman But you are in the District Council offices. Yes, I've as much right here as you have," exclaimed Mr Norris. I'm not going to pass accounts without knowing what they are about." The Chairman Will you leave it to the clerk and myself to call the next meeting ? (The members expressed their assent.) Well, good-night, Mr Norris. Oh! it's not good.night," replied Mr Norris, who, amidst the hubbub, was heard to say something. to the effect that Mr Thomas would not allow things to be dealt with in that way at his office. Don't you talk about my office," com- manded the chairman, and you should treat people in a proper manner." Oh," laughed Mr Norris, I don't take off my coat." The Chairman: The minutes have been passed, the Finance Committee minutes have been passed, and the cheques will be-" They have not been passed by me," exclaimed Mr Norris. You are afraid to give an explanation. The members then walked out of the room, the meeting having lasted 10 minutes.

Trade in Fox Cubs. COMPLAINTS ABOUT CARDIFF. The annual meeting of the Masters of Fox Hounds Association was held on Monday morning at Tattersall's, London. Lord Bathurst presided, and in moving the adop- tion of the report said that the association consisted of about 260 members, about the same as last year. Rev. E. H. Milne drew attention to the question of selling and buying of fox cubs. The subject, he said, had been brought to his mind lately by a circular sent out by a man at Cardiff saying he had fox cubs for sale and guaranteeing that they were Hot taken from any hunting country. A litter of cubs had lately left his country, and he had traced them to Cardiff. The cubs when they got to Cardiff were very often sent up to Scotland to calm the consciences of some meters, who would only buy Scotch foxes. In the event of fox cubs being given to any master by a land- owner or tenant in any country it would be at least civil to write to the master from whose country they came to ask if he was aware of it. Last year a litter of cubs was sent from his country, but he only heard of it casually. Colonel St Leger Moore said he had in his pocket a letter he received the previous morn- ing from a man in Ireland, complaining that litters ol cubs had been dug out of the centre of his country and sent over, so far as he could trace them, to Cardiff. It was not the only complaint that he had over there. He had received a number of letters during the past three months-complaining that litters had been dug out and sent to Bristol. Masters of hjounds should refuse to take cubs unless they knew exactly where they came from. Mr J. R. Rawlehce, hon. Secretary, said the matter had been brought to his nptjice, and he ,thought it rehiaSihed with the"miasters thdm- selvei. II'

In the Pontarduldis district the coal trade is in anything but a flourishing condition. The Graigola, Merthyr Colliery are for the present, restricting their output, a.ad about 180 men re- ceive notices in consequence.

British Hospitality. PROPOSED CENTRAL BODY. A definite scheme for giving a more organ- ised expression to the nation's desire for international amity and hospitality has been prepared by Sir Edwin Cornwall, M.P., and is about to be placed before the Government. It will be remembered that last month Sir Edwin addressed a question to the Prime Minister and received a sympathetic reply. and since then Mr Lloyd George has announced that the Government has decided to set apart a sum for the purpose of regularising the hospitality that is undertaken by them from time to time. Sir Edwin Cornwall's scheme provides for the creation of an organisation to be main' tained and controlled by the Govern ent, who would provide central offices and the neces- sary staff, the title suggested for the organisa- .tion being The British International Hospi- tality Centre." A consultative committee representative of the Government, Parlia- ment, municipalities, commerce, educational authorities, religious, scientific and other learned bodies would be appointed to guide the policy of the centre, and would act a* intermediary where necessary between British and Colonial and foreign municipalities, groups and scientific and other organisations desirous of exchanging visits. The scheme aims at consolidating and supplementing rather than supplanting existing arrangements for promoting an interchange of visits, and while the Government would be asked to defray the cost of establishing and maintaining the centre, and on special occasions themselves entertaining on behalf of the nation, it is recognised that for the successful carrying on of the work the need is not so much the expenditure of public moneys as the accept- ance of national responsibility, Government control and an organised scheme which would deal with what it is stated must become a world -wide movement.

GARW NOTICES WITHDRAWN, The outlook in the Garw Valley with regard to the Federation is most promising. Notices were tendered at the following collieries on the 1st of May as a protest against the non- Unionists —Ocean, International, and Ffal- dau, During the past month every effort was put forth to induce the men to join the Federa- tion and pay them dues, with the result that all the notices have been withdrawn, It is stated that the employers of the Inter- national have given word that no man shall descend the shaft unless he can produce his clearance card, and also that the Ocean officials have promised that the men shall be stopped unless they pay their contri- butions. The Ffaldau workmen are all become organised. This was announced by the criet on Sunday.

SEN6HENYDD NON-UNIONISTS. Drastic Resolutions. One thousand five hundred men on Satui" day ceased work at the Universal Collieries, Senghenydd, due to the non-Unionist trouble. It is anticipated however, that the 130 men now outside will be brought into the Federa- tion during the next few days. A mass meeting of the workmen engaged at the Universal Collieries, Senghenydd, was held on the mountain side on Monday, Mr Tom Hitchins presiding, when it was reported that on Saturday 52 persons had brought in their transfer cards, 51 paid up their arrears, and 41 joined the Federation, making a total of 144, leaving about 100 to be accounted for. Mr Hubert Jenkins said that on Saturday and Monday large numbers of men were seen crossing the mountains with their packs on their backs. They were (he said) more numerous than the mountain sheep. It was decided that the doggies (or semi-official men) should be compelled to join the Federation in the same manner as the ordinary men. Mr Jenkins further asked the men if they were resolved to remain out for an indefinite, period, in order to fight this case once for all.1 The coalowners would in all probability be supported by their own associations, but the workmen were not at present in that position., If, however, after the whole of the non-Union-, ists had been brought into line, the owners | refused to allow the men to resume work, they would be supported from the central fund-' Several workmen addressed the meeting, and the speeches' throughout were t character- ised by a 'firm' determination not to resume work until the whole of the men joined the Federation. Finally a deputation was appointed to inter- view the management to ask (1) for the names of those who had left or had not paid in at the, colliery on Saturday, (2) that committees be formed to interview the non-Unionists now residing in the district, (3) that the manage-. ment be asked to allow the Federation officials to haye show cards at the lamp room, with power to stop th^Jampa of miui who wa# more than 2s in arrears with his subscriptions: Another mass meeting of the Senghenydd workmen was held on Tuesday morning on the mountainside, Mr Thomas Hitchings presiding. It transpired that a large number of the non- Unionists had joined the Federation. It was unanimously resolved to continue to canvass the district and more volunteers were called for. The resolution of Monday was unani- mously confirmed, viz., to refuse to resume work until all had enrolled themselves as members. One young man whom the men had failed to persuade to join was taken by a party of women, who marched him trium- phantly from the cricket field up to the com- mittee room, where he was enrolled in the Federation. It was anticipated last night that the whole of the non-Unionists will have joined the Fed- eration by to-night. Some question prevailed, however, on the point as to whhether, in the event of this end being accomplished, the man- agement would allow work to be resumed before the holidays on account of certain alterations which are now in progress in the shaft. The men, acting upon the advice of Mr Hubert Jenkins, their agent, are preserving an orderly demeanour.

HAULIERS' DISPUTE ATABERSYCHAN. The notices under which the hauliers em. ployed at Messrs Hoskins and Llewelyn Aber- sychan Colliery have been working for the past month expired on Saturday. The manage- mfent wished to terminate the tonnage rate of payment and substitute the day rate, but the hauliers refused to accept this alteration. The colliery was idle yesterday, and about 300 men are affected.

BLAENGARW NON-UNIONISTS. Denial of Statement. Mr T. E. Lewis, manager of the Ocean Col- lieries, Blaengarw, writes :—In Tuesday's issce of the South Wales Daily News" it is re- ported that the Ocean officials in the Garw Valley have promised that the non-Unionists shall be stopped unless they pay their contri- butions. Will you please contradict the above statement. Threatened Strike at Abercynon. At the Dowlais-Cardiff colliery, Abercynon about 2,500 handed in notices on Monday fc terminate contracts at the end of June on tb non-Unionist question, there being about 8 men (principally new startess) outside tb Federation. Talywain Hauliers Out. The hauliers of the British Top Pits, Tat" wain, declined to go to work on Monday owiig to the dispute regarding wage rates, toe tonnage system of payment having ben terminated at a month's notice by the roana^* ment. About 400 workmen are affected. Settlement at BJaengarw. On the 1st May a month's notice was ten- dered by the Unionists at the Internatioi&l and Ocean Collieries, Blaengawr as a protect against the employment of non-Unionists. 41* 1he men have now joined the Federatiou, 4&d therefore there will be no stoppage of work. Bwllfa No. 3 Dispute Arranged. A settlement of the dispute at the Old Powell Pit, Cwmdare, now known as the Bwllfa No. 3 Pit, which caused the men to give notice on the 1st of May, terminating on Saturday last, has been effected. The questions in dispute were the fixing of a price list and that of engagement of sub-contractors in the mine. A- diversity of opinion existed as to the proper and real names of two of the seams worked at the colliery, but a meeting between 14* Rees Llewallyn. J.P., the agent of the colliery, and Mr C. B. Stanton has about a satisfactory solution of this question* and it has been arranged that the system sub-contracting shall only apply to- arching and hard heading operations, and work wi" be proceeded with as usual. i Dean Forest Miners' Wages. Orders for Dean Forest steam and houøB coals have been so limited of late that the larger collieries have been losing two days pe' week. The Wages Board has resolved thaj on and from to-day, June 1st, the prices °l fuel shall go down Is per ton, and the work- men's wages 5 per cent. This is the second reduction this spring. Strike at Ponthenry. The Tynywaun Colliery, Pontheney, is i<ll* owing to a strike of the workmen against noo. Unionists being employed. On Tuesday morning all the non-Unionists, with the excep* tion of three, had paid up, and it is hoped tb»^ by to-day work will have been resumed. So 300 colliers are affected. Pontyberem Men's Disagreement. The residents of Pontyberem and district engaged in the Capel Ivan and Coalbroo. .Collieries, are protesting that workmen fr01^ Pembrey and Kidwelly—in fact, all who coBi, up by the workmen's train—should join in paying towards the local doctors" funds > and failing their doing this they (the reside^ 'workmen) threaten to refuse to work with tt* traih people. It is only fair tQ state the Burry Port and Kidwelly district men pd1 doctors in their own pliices. i ',j Whjnber Colliery Dispute. The dispute which existed between lihs jPyt prietori Mr D, R. Llewellyn, and the m -i. the Whihber Cbllieiry, Aberdare, ted in a strike for the past two months, Tuesday amicably settled, the jHrice-lWt ha*1 been agreed upon.