The Aberdare Leader

JUMPING. Best Jumper, any height (confined to South Wales and Mon.): 1, Arthur H. Jones, Merthyr, Little John; 2, Arthur H. Jones, Merthyr, Zena Dare. Best Jumper, any height (open): 1, A. H. Jones, Merthyr, Little John 2, A. H. Jones, Merthyr, Zena Dare; 3, J. S. Fin- nemore, Bristol, Crafty. Consolation Prize to the Unsuccessful Competitors in Classes 19 and 20 (Jump- ing): 1, P. Jones, Merthyr, Raffies; 2, J S. Finnemore, Bristol, Crafty.

TROTTING CLASSES. If Mile Trotting Handicap, in Harness: 1, D. C. Rees, Gwauncaegurwen, Lady (475yds.); 2, D. Llewelyn, Glynneath, Annie Bellina (25yds.); 3, T. H. Davies, Aberdare, Violet D (owes 130yds.). It Mile Galloway Handicap-, 1, E. S. Jones, Heolgerrig, Little Dandy (415yds.); 2, E. P. Morgan, Abercynon, Ladas (170 yds.); 3, J. M. Howells, Penrhiwceiber, Butcher Boy (165yds.). 1 £ Mile Trotting Handicap, under saddle, open: 1, John Rees, Aberdare, Bang Express (335yds.); 2, D. C. Rees, Gwauncaegurwen, Lady (475yds.); 3, F. Evans, Aberdare, Polly C (360yds.).

St. Elvan's Church, Aberdare. With the object of restoring and ex- tending St. Elvan's, the Church-people of Aberdare are asked to subscribe £ 5,000. In addition, we understand there is a scheme for providing the Church with an organ worthy of the building, of the parish and its traditions, and of the musical importance of Aberdare. To re- move, repair and effect some small im- provement in the action of the instru- ment, supply a motor and blowing ap- paratus, re-construct and re-erect the or gan in the new chamber provided for it by the architect, will cost, roughly, .£600, which amount the committee has decided to devote. When the work of extension is com- pleted the Church will require a larger organ, and a suitable instrument has been designed by the organist, who being convinced that the sacred edifice deserves something better than the organ now in use, has obtained the permission of the Vicar and Churchwardens to open a St. Elvan's Organ Fund account at Lloyd's Bank in their names, and has re- quested the Churchwardens to co-operate with him in writing to a few, outside the parish, who are interested in church or musical matters, inviting subscriptions to the fund. There must be many who would wish to assist, especially in view of the fact that the organ, as designed, promises to he a remarkably fine instrument; but as to whether the design is carried into effect or not depends largely upon the music-lovers of Aberdare. Those who attend the services, the organ recitals at the close of the Sunday evening services, or any of the free Re- citals of Sacred Music which are held in the Church, cannot but feel that the organ needs vast improvement, and the only question is whether they feel dis- posed to contribute towards this object. If the order can be given to the builders within the next few weeks they will be able to erect the instrument in time for the re-opening of the Church and for the local celebration of the Coronation Ser- vice in June next. We trust that the organist and church- t wardens will receive cordial support in their endeavour to erect a really good or- gan in our midst, and that the towns- people by promptly sending their dona- tions to Lloyd's Bank will enable the J work of construction to be begun at once. Why not make it a Memorial to our late l King ? The western arch front of the proposed new Coronation Organ "-shall we call it ?—has been promised by Mr W. Haggar, The Bioscope, Aberdare, and in this sense, perhaps, he may be said to be the founder of the fund.

THE CURING OF TOBACCO. Tobacco owes its flavour largely to the process of curing which the leaves undergo after being stripped from the plant. This process has gene- rally been attributed to the action of bacteria, which have been found in considerable numbers on the dry leaves, or to that of ferments developed by the leaves themselves. Recently, however, it has been shown that the so-calied fermentation I of tobacco is simply a process of oxidation, in which iron salts play an essential part as catalytic agents, without the intervention of either bac- teria or ferments.

REAL BLACK DIAMONDS. "Black diai-noiid-, is a tewn often applied to ordinary coal, but the real "black diamonds" of commerce are unique mineral products. Though black diamonds are pure carbon, they in no outward appearance resemble the diamonds worn as ornaments. They are slightly harder than the crystal or gem diamonds, and in fact about the hardest substance known. Black dia- monds or carbons are without crystalline form, and are found in irregular pieces ranging in size from half a carat up to three, four, and five hundred carats. They are dark grey, black, or brownish in colour, and opaque. The real dia- mond of the jewellery trade is also pure carbon, but translucent and crystalline in form. Two objects so alike in composition could not be found so opposite in appearance as these two forma of carbon.

A TREE'3 SUNNY SIDE. In Charleston, South Carolina, an observant traveller came across a man transplanting pal- metto trees in a public square. He noticed that each tree had a small white string tied to one leaf frond. Not seeing how such a thing could identify any particular tree, as all the strings were exactly similar, he asked what they were for. He was informed that before the tree was dug up a string was tied to the part facing the morning sun, so that when the tree was replan- ted, it could be placed with the same face to the east; that a palmetto tree would die if trans- planted in any other manner. The reason appa- rently is not hard to understand. If a plant gets used to having one side warmed first every morning for several years, its sap there con- sequently expanding and becoming quickened, it is extremely probable that certain automatic actions are set up that require the same routine for good working.

« DENMARK'S ANCIENT FLAG. The flag of Denmark, a plain red banner bear- ing on it a white cross, is the oldest flag now in existence. For over o00 years both Norway and Sweden were united with Denmark under this flag. In the year 1219 King Waldemar of Den- mark, when leading his troops to battle against the Livonians, saw or thought he saw a bright light in the form of a cross in the sky. He held this appearance to be a promise of divine aid, and pressed forward to victory. From this time he had the cross placed on the flag of his coun- try and called it the Dannebrog, that is, the strength of Denmark.

RATS IN THE UNITED STATES. According to the experts of the Bureau of Biological Survey, of tne Department of Agri- culture, Uncle Sam has to pay 130,000,0CK)doi. (or £ 26,000,000) annually, for the losses to farm products due to injurious mammals. The omni- vorous and eternally-hungry rat is the most ex- pensive pest in the national bill, and every rat in the United States costs the citizens at least two eents a day for its keep. And if to this is added the cost of maintaining quarantine operations against it and of fighting the disease spread by it, it brings the cost up to from seven to ten cents a day. And considering the fact that these rodents breed three or four times yearly, with a dozen little ones at a time, and the female be- gins breeding at three months, it looks as if the future menace of these pests constitutes a very grave problem; especially to the farmer. The farmer is not alone in his loss from these rodents. The Department of Agriculture has been endeavouring to ascertain approximately the damage done to property by the rat in the eities of Washington and Baltimore, where he attacks foundations and walls, floods houses by nibbling through the lead pipes, burns buildings by cutting with his sharp teeth electric light wire insulations and eating matches, and lie de- stroys quantities of books and clothing. It is offtimated that the loss from rats in Washington is abcit 400,G00dol. a year, and in Baltimore up- wards of 700,000dol.

SMELL AND LIQUIDS. No substance that refuses to dissolve in water has an odour. It is the actual substance itself, floating in particles in the air, that appeals to, the nose, and not simply a vibration of the air, as in the case of light and sound. The damper a thing is the more powerful the odour it gives off. A pleasant proof of the fact can be had by walking in a garden after rain. There is no end to the curiosities of smell. It is, for instance, the vapour of a liquid that smells, and not the liquid in the mass itself. If eau de cologne be poured into the nostril the nose refuses to recognise any odour there at all.

♦ THE FIIST LIGHTNING CONDUCTOR. Though Franklin will continue to receive honour as the inventor of the first practicable lightning-rod, the study of atmospheric electri- city goes back at least to the time of Tullius Hostilius, who perished in an attempt to draw fire from the sky." Cicero, in one of his ora- tions against Catiline, calls attention to the destruction of the gilded statue of Romulus by lightning as an evil omen. A learned priest by the name of Divisch is said to have erected the first lightning conductor in Europe, at Prendiz, Bohemia, in 1754, and it was 130 feet high. Though the Emperor Stephen and the Empress Maria Theresa publicly proclaimed their con- fidence in the inventor, a most disastrous drought that afflicted the country a year later was ascribed by the superstitious populace to the new-fangled device, and Divisch was compelled to take it down.

-♦ DWARF-TREE CULTURE IN JAPAN. The art of producing dwarf trees in Japan is a very old one. No record of its origin remains; but its secrets are handed down from father to son in a few families, and are guarded with scrupulous care. On the outskirts of Tokio the tree artists have formed a little colony of from twenty to thirty houses, and from this centre their work finds its way to all parts of the world. In the old days trees were exported extensively to China, to be used in the decoration of houses and gardens. To-day the Celestial taste for the quaint works of art seems to have declined. Yet the little colony in Tokio still flourishes, for of late years it has had to supply the growing de- mands of Western civilisation. In England and America especially dwarf trees are finding great favour, being hailed as novel and attractive table decorations. Exactly how these tiny trees are produced is known only to a score or so of I individuals, says the Windsor azine. It would seem that the quality essential to the successful dwarf-tree grower is patience—infinite patience, backed by a fund of calm resignation unknown to the Western mind. Fifty years is named as the shortest period in which a really good and saleable dwarf tree may be grown, while a lifetime is not long enough to produce the highest examples of the art. The tree artist merely makes the beginning: his son, or perhaps even his son's so reaps the reward of hit labour

CONCERNING FRUIT. The juices of fruits are highly valuable as a means of exercising the stomach and alimentary canal. Disease-producing germs cannot grow in them to any extent. This is particularly true of the juice of raw fruits. Cooked fruits,' such as baked apples, prune puree, and other soft fruit pulps, may be used without injury if free from cane sugar, and not eaten with cows' milk. Fruit should be taken at regular meal-times, not between meals. It combines especially well with cereal foods. About the only precaution which w I need be given in relation to fruits is that they do not form a good combination with coarse vegetables. This fact explains many cases of serious gastric disturbance. Thoroughly healthy persons do not always need to observe the rule to avoid the use of fruits and vegetables at the same meal, provided ail the food is thoroughly chewed, but invalids, aixi especially persons with dilated stomach or slow digestion, will generally be greatly benefited by observing this precau- tion.

TAFF AND CYNON MINERS. The annual Demonstration of the Taft and Cynon Miners was held in the Public Institute, Mountain Ash, on Saturday. The miners paraded the main streets earlier in the day, headed by the Moun- tain Ash Volunteer Band, who played several marches. I The meeting was presided over by Councillor Wm. Jones, Treharris. He was supported by the speakers, Mr. Lewi-j Williams (vice-chairman of the district), Mr. Peter Gardner (treasurer), Councillor J. Powell (secretary), Ald. Enoch Morrell, and ethers. The resolution was proposed by Mr. D. Lewis, checkweigher, Mountain Ash, and it ran as follows: — That this Demonstration calls the attention of the Government again to the imperative necessity of amending the Coal Mines Regulation Act, so as to secure a more efficient Inspection of Coal Mines, and taking other precau- tions necessary to bring about a reduc- tion in the enormous loss of life and serious accidents to the workmen. We also urge upon the Government to initiate and carry through the necessary Legislation for relieving Trades Unions from the disabilities created by the Osborne Judgment, and until this is accomplished, we call upon all the members of the Federation to volun- tarily contribute the funds necessary to secure direct representation in th- House of Commons, and upon Local Governing Bodies. We enthusiastically support the Labour Party in its social legislative re- forms, and urge the importance of the nationalization of mines, unemploy- ment, poor law, registration, and other measures advocated by the Party. We consider that the Federation will not secure for its members the full pro- tection possible until the contributions are increased, and an Oul-of-Work Fund established." Mr. David Lewis said that the posi- tion of the workmen would be greatly improved if the provisions contained in the resolution would be carried out. The alteration in the Coal Mines Regulation Act which they desired was to strengthen the right of workmen to examine work- ing places in the collieries. At present the miners, who examined the working places, were almost afraid to report ad- versely, lest they might be victimised. The' workmen ought to get experienced men to examine the mines, not necessarily men who had passed examinations. Many of those who came with certain qualifica- tions to act as managers, etc., did not know the difference between the smell of gas and fresh air. Voice: There are plenty of firemen who don't know the difference. (Laughter.) Mr. Williams: That is what I say. We are practically in the same place. Mr. Williams went on to refer to the Osborne Judgment, and appealed to the workmen to contribute voluntarily to- wards the expense of Labour M.P/s He had seen in the papers that Mr. Osborne, who had contested his society on the question of Parliamentary levies, had received financial support from many wealthy men as well as poor men. This was rather significant. Mr. Thos. Thomas, Merthyr Vale, seconded the resolution, in English.

INCREASED CONTRIBUTIONS. PINT A WEEK" NOT SUFFICIENT. Mr. John J. Jones, checkweigher, Cwm- gorse, supported the resolution in Welsh. He first dealt with the non- unionist trouble, and said that in his district, which was a small one, they had not the same difficulty to contend with. He did not wish to aver that the Cwm- gorse people were better men or better workmen than those on the banks of the Taff and Cynon, but he did claim that they were truer and more thorough trades unionists. He would not say that the Miners Federation was a perfect organ- isation. It had its faults, and those faults and weaknesses were only too ap- parent in the New Wage Agreement. The employers knew where the weak spots were, and so they were able to direct their "guns" in those directions. He (the speaker) would therefore appeal to those present to close their ranks and do all in their power to perfect the Feder- ation machine. How could this be done ? not by becoming non-unionists and leav- ing the work for others; .not by condemn- ing, in public-houses and street corners, the officials and the committee, but by attending the lodge meetings and helping with new suggestions. Another way of helping would be to increase the contri- butions. At present they only paid the price of a pint of beer per week. Hun- dreds of workmen thought nothing about emptying their pockets at the Red Lion or White Horse, but they grudged paying more than 3d. towards the Federation. This would never do. How could they get an Out-of-Work Fund out of so small a contribution, and how could they expect the support of the Scotch and English miners while the South Wales miners re-' fused to increase their Is. per month con- tribution ? At the close of Mr. James' address a large number rose to leave, and the chair- man appealed to them to stay to hear Mr Stephen Walsh, M.P. THE OSBORNE JUDGMENT. Mr. Walsh was then called upon, and he was well received. He said that he had never been able to understand, since he reached the age of reason, why it should be necessary to preach to work- ing people the value of combination. What in the name of common sense could we do without combination? What -m_ _w- human movement, whether political, J social, or industrial, could make any progress without co-operation? If that I was true of men who worked on the sur- face, it was overwhelmingly true of the mining industry. The very fact that '¡ the industry had to be carried on in darkness lent itself to deeds being inflict- ed which could not be done in the light ¡ of day. A thousand and one customs could be broken and there was an infin- ite number of ways by which the miners could be oppressed. Notwithstanding- many drawbacks, some progress had been made in the coal industry. That pro- gress might have been greater had every man joined the Federation and stood by his union and took an active part in its counsels and its work. (Applause.) He appealed to workmen not to insult their I leaders. The leaders were but an embodi- ment of those they led. He (the speaker) had been connected with mines since he was a boy. Referring to the Inspection of Coal Mines, he said the Government paid too much attention to mathematical capacity and too little to practical knowledge. (Applause.) Many people knew how to pronounce hydrogen and carbon mon- oxide, etc., but knew very little of the inside of a mine. When such men were appointed inspectors they became the dupes of thftse who were in charge of the collieries. What the workmen wanted was practical inspectors—men who could ventilate the whole recesses of the mine. Coming to the Osborne decision, he thought there was a great deal of hazi- ness about this question. The five judges in the House of Lords were unanimous that Labour Representation could not be an object for which a Trade Union exist- ed, and that no Trade Union could legal- ly spend a penny upon Labour Represen- tation either in the House of Commons or any of the subordinate bodies. Therefore they would see that direct labour repre- sentation had gone on illegally for a number of years. John Burns, who was now a. Cabinet Minister, had been main- tained in Parliament by his society, and so had Thos. Burt, who was now a Privy Councillor. But the ridiculous part of it was that they were in Parliament ille- gally, for it had now been discovered that it was high treason for unions to main- tain their This reminded him (the speaker) of one of Moliere's charac- ters. who had ,been speaking prose for 40 years, and never knew it. In the same manner Trade Unions for 40 years had been maintaining their representatives in Parliament, and they never knew they were doing an illegal act. (Laughter.) Mr. Walsh passed on to deal with var- ious reforms which the Labour Party had been able to win, particularly concessions in connection with the Compensation Act. By altering the Act so as -to make compensation payable from the day of accident, they had won for the workmen a sum of < £ 156,000, an amount sufficient to pay 300 Labour Members at the rate of £ 500 per annum. (Applause.) Councillor J. Powell announced that Mr ¡ T. Richards, M.P., had wired his inabili- ty to be present. The resolution was carried unanimous- ly-

j- — SEE ANALYST REPORT ON BOWEN'S I VERETTA. I PAGE S. lb C_=-¡

Forthcoming Marathon I at Aberdare. An innovation will soon be witnessed at Aberdare in the form of a Marathon Race on up-to-date lines. It is organ- ised by Mr. Arthur Norton, the popular and genial manager of the New Empire, Aberdare, on behalf of Mr. Victor Rowe, and the Aberdare Empire Limited, with the assistance of several prominent gen- tlemen in the town. This Marathon Race will be run after the manner of the event at the Stadium, London, last year, and will take place on Thursday, September 22nd. The prizes offered by the manage- ment are: First prize, a massive silver cup, 2 feet high; second prize, a silver challenge cup; third prize, a gold centre medal. The conditions of the race will be as follows: The competitors will assemble at the Empire, and the last man will leave the building at 6 o'clock p.m. The runners will then proceed through Commercial Street, and will jour- ney to Cwmbach end on to Cefnpennar. I From there they will proceed to Moun- tain Ash, and will there take the Cardiff Road, pass Perrhiwceiber, cross the T.V.R. Bridge, and go into Tvntetown. They will make the return journey through Penrhiwceiber, Miskin, Moun- tain Ash, Abercwmboi, and Aberaman. Having arrived at Aberdare, they will run through Cardiff-street and Canon- street, and will pass through the Empire entrance, and arrive right in the centre of the stage, where the judges will be in readiness with a tape extended over the stage. Those who will reach the stage first will have full power to knock aside any artiste that may be performing at the moment. So the artistes had better be in readiness for this little manouvre. Enquiries for entrance fees should be made at Mr. J. Kelly's, herbalist, or at Mr. J. A. Evans'. hatter, or of the honor- arv secretary of the race, Mr. W. Cas- wallon Jones, 13, Herbert-street, Aber- dare. It is especially requested that com- petitors make early application for en- tries. A strong committee is being formed, which will includes prominent trades- men and others who take an interest in the race. All who wish to accompany the competitors are requested to send in their names to Mr. J. Kelly or Mr. J. A. Evans, or to the hon. secretary. This contest should prove very exciting and interest- ing.

BGRWICKS BMGPOHDfR MAKES DELICIOUS CAKES & PASTRY, -M.ri..rr tIØ A beautiful behaviour is the finest of all arts.-Emerso-n.

JONES' SeWING MACHINES. A-iau .8..IöntJ for Bradbury ami OtSurr Makers of Sewing Machines. J BUGLER & SON, 420 Cardiff Road, Aberdare. fTe. hek Wholesale Cabinet Works, 5, Herbert St., Aberdare 17, FFORCHAMAN ROAD, CWMAMAN, HOUSE PROPERTY AND FURNITURE REPAIRED. UPHOLSTERING AND POLISHING. ALL WORK PERSONALLY ATTENDED TO, lVIRS KELLY Gives the best price for all kinds of LADIES' & GENTLEMEN'S Cast-off Clothing, Boots, Shoes, &o. Letters and Orders promptly attended to Distance no object. 23, DYFFRYN STREET, GODREAMAN. Parcels may be left at 34, Canon Strltft, Aberdare. XSTOP ONE MOMENT. M OH, DEAR DOCTOR ? JL MUST MY DARLING DM f THERE IS V-IRY LITTL1 HOPS, BUT TRY Tudor Williams' Patent n balsam of Honey WHAT IT IS! Tudor Williams' Patent Balsam of Honey Is an essence of the purest and mo efficacious herbs, gathered on the Woish Hills and Valleys in the proper season., when their virtues are in full perfection, and combined with Pure Welsh Honey. All the ingredients are perfectly pure. WHAT IT DOES I Tudor Williams' Patent Balsam of Honey Cures Coughs, Colds, Bronchitis, Asthmse, Whooping Cough, Croup, and all diaov- ders of the Throat, Chest, and LuaSs. Wonderful Cares for Children's Cough* after Measles. It is invaluable to wflak- chested men, delicate women aad chil- dren. It succeede where all other rasae- dies fail. Sold by all Chemiata and Stores in Is., 2s. M., and 4s. &d. bottlee. Sample Bottle sent by post for la. iii., 2s. 9d., and .58. Great saving by pnrohu- ing larger size bottle. WHAT IT HAS DONS JOB OTHARIS i A Stipendiary and Magistrate im this County of Glamorgan remarks: — I feel it my duty to inform you that I have been using your Tudor Williams' Balsam of Honey in my family, which is a large one, for many years, and have proved its great value, having used notk- ing else for Cough during Meaalas, Whooping Cough, and Bronchitis, Liiti can highly recommend it to all parents for such complaints. YOU NEED NOT SUFFER 1 Disease is a sin, inasmuch that if yam act rightly, at the right time, it can to a great extent be avoided. Here is a pre. Tentative. The first moment yon atait with Sore Throat, take a dose of Tudor Williams' Patent Balsam of Honey It has saved thousanrla I It will may* yom I It is prepared by a fully qualiflti chemist, and is, by Tirtue of its compoti- tion, eminently adapted for all emen of Coughs, Colds, Bronchitis, Asthma, etc.; it exercises a distinct influence upon tha mucous lining of the throat, windpipe, and small air vessels, so that nothing but warmed pure air passes into the lunfa. The Children like it. It's the product of the Honeycomfc chemically treated to get the beat relmlttJ DON'T ACCEPT SUBSTITUTES. THEY ASK FOR IT I So different from most Medioinea. Nice to Take I Cures Quickly. For vocalists and public speakers it hilt no equal, it makes the voice as clear as a bell. Be not deceived The popularity cO Tudor Williams' Patent Balsam of Honel has resulted in many imitations placed on the market. When buyirf. therefore, see that the name l^idot Williams is on each bottle, t'nd refurl any preparation advanced as being Jutlf, as good," or "A little cheaper." Insiol on TUDOR WILLIAMS'. MANUFACTURER, TUDOB WILLIAMS, M.B.P.S., JPJ.C.L. Analytical and Consulting Chemist &nd Druggist, by Examination MEDICAL HALL, ABEBDAK1- -J- 01' THE URINARY ORGANS Superior to Copaiba, Cubebs and Injections. J No nauseating effect; with these Thousands use theni v Uh universal si j WILCOX. 49, Haymarket, London. Post fiwe, 3;u- PRINTING Neatly and Promptly Executed at the "LEADER" OFFICE, Market Btnwt, Abasftge.

Pars en Passant. BY OUVRIEB." It looks as -f the prophecy that a Gen- eral Election is to take place at the be- ginning of next year is going to be cor- rect. Mr. Winston Churchill, the Home Secretary, is spending his holidays in Greece, and is taking a. great deal of in- terest in the mode of electioneering. Very likely he is looking out for points for himself and his compatriots by the next election.. The situation created by the Osborne j Judgment with regard to the Trade Union Parliamentary levy is getting the atten- tion of persons outside the Labour Party Colonel Seely, the Under-Secretary for the Colonies, speaking at a gathering of miners, said that the Government would be no party to allowing the matter to drift on its unfortunate position. Men of standing and character in the House of Commons were placed in an em- barrassing situation, said the Colonel, and that could not be "tolerated much longer. He went further, and said that steps must be taken to remedy a. position that was never anticipated. The Osborne judgment has a far-reach- ing effect, according to the leaders in the Trade Union movement. A union cannot legaMy send a deputation to the House of Commons, and branches cannot affiliate with. Trades Councils. Perhaps the de- cision is more far-reaching than was even anticipated by Jr. Osborne. What will the Government do in the present trouble? Fair promises will not do for the members of the Labour move- ment. The Government will have to take some action, or the Trades Unions will surely open the campaign. The joint board representing the Trades Unions have met and drawn out a plan for their campaign, and they intend to fight the Osborne Judgment right through from beginning to end. Some persons suggest that the Govern- ment should force the Payment of Mem- bers of Parliament, but Trades Union leaders and others hold that that would not better things, as Trades Unions would be in the same place. The British Weekly in commenting on the Osborne judgment, says that a there is amongst the general body of working men a good deal of division as to the desirability of reversing the judg- ment." They point out that if the com- pulsion is legally permitted wealthy com- panies may levy contributions from their shareholders for the support of members of Parliament who will act as their agents and nominees. Major E..Jones, of the "Shipping World," in criticising a circular issued by the Joint Board of Labour Organis- ation on the payment of M.P.'s, say that the service rendered by the members of the House of Commons is most exacting, exhausting, and wearing men out before time, and that they should be paid by the State as members are in most countries. I gather that the Major is not favourable to the reversion of the Osborne judgment. He fears that after the persons are elect- ed they will propagate Socialism. That is the reason given by Mr. Osborne, I be- lieve. What reasons can our Tariff Reformers give for the meat famine that is taking place in the Protected countries on the Continent? A petition has been sent to the German Reichstag against the tariff, but without success. Further, a petition has been sent to the German Emperor, asking that in view of the continuous rise in the price of meat cattle for slaugh ter should be admitted from neighbour- ing countries free of duty, and that the duties on fodder should be suspended. The Council of Ministers have given the mat- ter attention, and it is to be hoped that the supply will be strengthened on the market. Further, the Cabinet contem- plates alteration in the railway rates so as to facilitate the transport of cattle and meat in the country itself. Protec- tion, oh! protection, thou art losing thy hold on the people! The International Socialist Congress was opened on Monday, and it is rumour- ed that the Social Democrats have a motion for the expulsion of the Labour Party. The case for the Labour Party is in the safe hands of Mr. Ramsay Mc- Donald. Mrs. Pankhurst is admittedly a plucky woman, and she ought to be decorated with a medal for holding a meeting at Carnarvon in the constituency of the Chancellor of the Exchequer. She had a fair hearing, and only a few questions were put to her. The women of Carnar- von are to be congratulated for allowing 'the lady to speak. I The Shop Assistants through their or- gan, "The Shop Assistant," have had a tilt at the Welsh National Free Church Council, because of their interference with Shop Hours Bill. The Council have appointed a deputation to wait upon the Home Secretary. They hold that the passing of the Bill will lead to opening (legally) of shops on Sundays. The shop assistants hold that the whole history of industrial warfare in Wales has been harassed and handicapped by the churches. Reference is made by them to the time when a resolution was passed bv the Calvinistic Methodists that no Trades Unionists should be admitted to churci membership.