Rhondda Leader Maesteg Garw and Ogmore Telegraph

The People's Social Birthright We face the issue with unbounded con- fidence. The Budget will be buried, but we have the sure and certain hope of a glorious resurrection vouchsafed to it. Here springs the hope: a conscious- ness that the heart of the nation will respond to the call now made for a final and lasting victory for the commonwealth. The Budget lies bleeding, mutilated to death by the backwoodsmen of the House of Privilege. The criminals are shortly to be summoned to the trial in the great assize of the people." The verdict will soon come. The Peers have laid violent hands on one of the nation's off- springs for the last time. Violence must now cease. The. bar of public opinion will shortly be opened and the mighty power known as the will of the people will assert its authority, and the sinister assembly known to-day as the House of Lords will be no more. It will be swept j away, with all its tariffs and trusts and monopolies and privileges. The issue is not now the Budget, but the issue that emerged over the, defeat of the Budget. What is the Budget, and who gave it birth P It will ever be a grateful recollection to all Welsh people and all who love Wales to remember that the present outpouring of strong national feeling and sympathy has, in the main, been the result of the unceasing, un- remitting labours of that most worthy Cymric hero—now a man of renown famous in the congregation," namely, Mr. Lloyd George. With a heart touched with tenderness for the, aged and poor, the sick and needy; with a heart steeled to the highest pitch of courage and deter- mination to succour and help the deserv- ing poor, the Chancellor of the Exchequer sets out, as it were, to spy the land, to discover wealth wherewith he might relieve the necessitous poor. He discovers the Budget. He unfolds it to an expec tant nation, revealing here a social birth- right, the property, the inalienable right of the people themselves, the increment value in urban land; revealing further a source of revenue in the liquor trade and undeveloped land which the nation could legally and justly claim as its own. These discoveries are proclaimed as the social birthright of the people, out of which estate is to come the comfort and solace of tottering old age and the feeble, the infirm and the invalid. These words of brotherhood and fellowship with the lowly and distressed are written in every line of the Budget. Every speech delivered by the Chancellor, whether in the House, or at Limehouse, or Newcastle, is a living token of the sincerest solicitude for the well-being of those in need. With the fervour of a Celt he clojthes his words with fire, melting the hearts of all who hear him. He holds a nation, yea, even a nation of Saxons, spellbound; he com- mands approval for his proposals; he evokes praise for his efforts; he wins a nation's confirmation, and then comes a crowd of backwoodsmen to despoil the goodly heritage ordained under the Budget for the aged and poor. An enraged nation will, before the end of January, have avenged this great crime. The Mad Mullahs of the House of Lords will find retribution waiting them in the ballot boxes. No great concern need be had for the result in Wales. The return of an unbroken phalanx in support of the Budget and the supremacy of the House of Commons is certain. Two cardinal truths must be held pro- minently before the public eye. No dust of Tariff Reform will be allowed to hide the issue. The financial provisions made by the House of Commons for the service of the year have been rendered of no avail; a serious breach has been made in the Constitution, and the rights of the Commons have been usurped. Guile and cunning have been employed to hoodwink the people, into a belief that the Lords only want to consult the people. The red- herring of Socialism has been drawn over the track. The ballot boxes will show that the country is able to unmask the covering of cant and hypocrisy and to show to the world that the House of Lords is careering along its old wanton and irresponsible ways. We owe the Arch- bishop of York a deep debt of gratitude for his masterly exposure of the policy of insincerity practised by the Lords. It is refreshing to find one holding so exalted a position in a Church burdened and crusted with layers of hoary tradition, and class prejudice, delivering himself of a declaration so instinct with sympathy with democracy, and so repulsive to the majority who constituiod his audience. His Grace of York pointed out that the House, of Lords had often and often retarded progress by the plea that social reform was the thin end of the wedge of Socialism. His Grace said:- The thin-end-of-the-wedge argument has been very familiar in all the debates on social legislation during the last 50 years. It was busy in opposing the Factory Acts, in opposing the ex- tension of compulsory education, in opposing the protection of women and girls, in opposing the control of the hours of labour, or of the sale of liquor, or the regulation of sweated labours." To proclaim this in the House of Lords, with the great bulk of the seats occupied by noble peers, to whom the declaration was odious and offensive, was a crowning act of personal service in the cause of humanity which will long live. The Arch- bishop equalled the Prime Minister him- self in his lucid statement of what is connoted in the term "increment value." He said: "It is land which has acquired a special value from the fact that it is limited in amount, that it is needed by human beings to live upon, and that it acquires its value, not from the capital or labour of the owner, but from the labour and the expenditure of the community." We thank his Grace for this admirable, explicit statement. We recognise in it a j genuine desire to be U true and just in all our dealings," and in effect an ex- press injunction to my Lords to keep their hands from picking and stealing." Righteousness exalteth a nation, and the Budget is just. The will of the people must prevail, and the House of Lords, as at present constituted, must crumble to dust.

"Ihe Church in Wales." To the Editor of the "Rhondda Leader." Sir,—The Rev. S. B. John opened the present controversy, and, according to rule, it is my privilege to be allowed to say the last word. It is not necessary for me to trespass upon your space very largely, seeing that my opponent now admits all that I have been contending for, viz., that the Church of England did not come into existence at the. Reforma- tion. In his last letter Mr. John says: The continuity of the Church as an insti- tution is not in dispute," &c. And when he quotes Macaulay as referring to the Reformers in the words-" founders of the English Church "—Mr. John is care- ful to add: At the same time, I want to make it clear that this is not my con- tention." Very well, then; I want to know what is the contention? Sure am I that I have not throughout the contro- versy contended for aught else. I have not sought for a moment to deny that the Church was reformed, or that she re- ceived a distinctive character (whatever that miht mean) in the reign of Henry VIII. From the premisses Mr. John draws one conclusion; I draw another. I suppose that, as long as the world lasts, men will draw different conclusions from the same premisses. Rhydd i bob dyn ei farn, ao i bob barn ei llafar." Mr. John complains of the unkind snirit of my letters. There cannot be the slightest doubt that the controversy has been carried on in anything but a gentle spirit. But who is to blame for that? I ask, did Mr. John begin it in a Christian snirit? Was it kind of him to describe Churchpeople as hypocrites? And was it kind of him to impugn the honesty of myself and the people of St. Thomas? He did all this in his very first letter. I think I am as capable as he is of carrying on a debate or a controversy in a Chris- tian spirit. Let Mr. John admit that he wrote his first letter in a bad spirit, and I. for my part, will readilv admit that I said some things which I certainly would not have said but for the provocation. In reference to the Archbishop, I leave it to the judgment of the readers whether Mr. John wished to imply that he (i.e., the Archbishon) denied the continuity of the Church. I have read over again, care- fully, the letter in which Mr. John men- tions the Archbishop, and I can come to no other conclusion than that the im- pression was sought to be conveyed that his Grace of Canterbury was opposed to my views. As to the English Church Union, I respectfully beg to submit that Mr. John has nothing whatever to do with that matter. I have. nothing to do with his societies (if he has any), and I am certain he has nothing to do with mine. Since, however, he thought it worth his while to mention the E.C.U., he might just as well have spoken the truth. It is an absolute lie, and a malicious lie too, to say that the avowed object of this Union is re-union with Rome." I cannot understand how a responsible man, and a minister of the Gospel withal, should give deliberate utterance to such an unfounded statement. I am bound, sir. in self-defence, to ask you to allow me to quote the rule of the Constitution setting forth the objects of the E.C.U. Here it is: Its main Objects are to defend and maintain unimpaired the Doctrine and Discipline of the Church against all assaults, whether from Erastianism, Rationalism, or Puritanism, from within, or from the efforts of Roman Controver- sialists and others from without; to afford counsel, protection, and assistance to all persons, lay or clerical, suffering under, unjust aggression or hindrance in Spiritual' matters; and in general so to promote the interests of Religion as to be, by God's help, a lasting witness for the advancement of His glory and the good of His Church."

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Mr. Harold Lloyd's Candidature, Noisy Meeting at Treorky. A Conservative meeting which ter- minated somewhat abruptly and amid scenes was held in the Abergorchy Ambu- lance Hall on Tuesday evening, over which Mr. James Ashley presided. Mr. Harold Lloyd, the prospective Con- servative candidate to oppose Mr. Wm. Abraham (Mabon), M.P., was the prin- cipal speaker, and during his oration, in the course, of which he dealt with various trades such as the slate and joinery trades, everything passed off almost un- interruptedly. The unpleasant fire began to kindle while questions were submitted to Mr. Lloyd, but the major part of the assembly resorted to a sort of uproar after Mr. Treharne, Pentre, proposed, and a member of the audience, seconded, a vote of thanks to Mr. Llovd. Before the applause for this had ceased, a band of Liberals and Socialists standing in the rear of the assembly shouted vehemently, Three cheers for Lloyd George, and there were deafening cheers, after which a few in the heart of the audience shouted for the s.ame compliment to Mr. Lloyd, but nothing could be heard save boo- ing." Mr. Lloyd then rose, and spoke in ironical terms, thanking that portion of his audience which so highly esteemed him and for the sportsmanlike manner they received him. There was a flurry of "hear, hear," "hoo-boo," and a faint I applause. Amid this the meeting ended. Mid-Glamorgan Contest. Conservative Speakers Heckled. A public meeting was held on Saturday evening last, at the Salvation _Army Barracks, Nantymoel, in support of the candidature of Mr. Godfrey Williams, when addresses were delivered by Messrs. A. J. Lawman and T. Ducat, of London. Mr. Davies, of Aberavon, presided over a large audience. Mr. Lawman, in opposing the. Budget, stated that it was a Socialist Budget, and that it owed its origin and paternity to Mr. Philip Snowden. He held up a, pamphlet, entitled A Few Hints to Mr. Lloyd George: Where the Money is to come from." This pamphlet set out very clearly what, in the view of the writer, was the method by which the taxation of the year should be raised, and these methods, asserted the speaker, were identical with the methods adopted by Mr. Lloyd George in his Budget. This pamphlet is published by the Independent Labour Party, and its writer is Mr. Philip Snowden, M.P. He (the speaker) thought it was a bad Budget, and that it would make the cost of living t.uch greater for the working classes of the country (derisive laughter). The speaker proceeded to show what a democratic institution the House of Lords was, and how wise and democratic they had shown themselves in referring the Budget to the decision of the people. How many more than 200 of them had seen active service for the country they love. This proved too much for the audience, and the speaker concluded his speech amidst great uproar. Mr. Ducat, who followed, proved him- self better at dealing with the disturb- ance than the first speaker. In answer to an anneal for an address in Welsh, he said that though he could- not speak Welsh, he, as a Scotsman, claimed that he had the Celtic blood that flowed in the veins of many present. Proceeding, the speaker stated that every honest man that needed work in Protectionist Ger- many could get work, as a result of a system of Protection. He outlined the misery that existed owing to unemploy- ment in Free Trade England, an 1 declared that the only remedy was T-ariii Reform, and Tariff Reform would certainly be adopted at the impending General Elec- tion, for wherever he (the speaker) went, he found the people had grown tired of this bad Radical Government (booing). Touching upon the iron trade, the speaker said that whereas England once held first place in the world's production of iron goods, it had now to be satisfied with the third place, America and Germany claiming first and second places respec- tively. The speaker quoted from the speeches of Messrs. Lloyd George, George Barnes, and Philip Snowden to prove that the conditions of the German working people were much better than the con- ditions of the working people of our island (laughter). The disturbance throughout the meet- ing made it difficult for the speakers to continue speaking, and the names of Messrs. Lloyd George, Keir ffardie, and Philip Snowden were greeted with terrific applause. The meeting concluded with cheers for Lloyd George and the Budget. Many questions were asked and answered at the end of the speeches.

Mr. W. P. Nicholas Mentioned for Merthyr Boroughs It is reported that strong pressure from various quarters has been brought to bear upon Mr. W. P. Nicholas, of the firm, of Messrs. Walter Morgan, Bruce, Nicholas, and James, solicitors to the Miners' Federation, to allow himself to be nomi- nated as the official Liberal candidate for Merthyr. We understand that, owing to his numerous professional engagements, Mr. Nicholas has declined the invitation.

Hero of Hundred Fights. Mabon was very aptly described at the Rhondda Intermediate School prize meet- ing on Monddy evening as the hero. of a hundred fights. "I am now about to enter on my hundred and first" was the valiant retort of the veteran leader. He is in excellent fighting form, and many are looking forward to such a huge majo- rity in his next contest as was gained in the 1900 election. Mabon then obtained the largest majority recorded during that election. "Childe. Harold is pursuing his cam- paign among the Rhondda miners with an assiduity that calls forth some praise for his pluck. He has already addressed several meetings, at Cwmparc, Ferndale, Ton, Treorchy, and Treherbert, among other places, and the meetings have been generally characterised by good order and fair hearing to the speaker. Mr. D. Llewellyn Treharne, Pentre. solicitor to the Baglan Estate, is Mr. Lloyd's right- hand man during this contest. We wonder what that gentleman has to say with regard to the Reversion of Leases Clause of the Budget.

Unfounded Rumour. There is no truth in the rumour that Mr. Raymond Asquith, the brilliant son of the Premier, is to be approached to contest the Rhondda in the Liberal interest. The matter was discussed among the members of the Young Wales Liberal League at Pentre, and some of the "young bloods" were very favourable to the idea because Mabon has signed the constitution of the Labour Party. Nothing further, however, has been done, in the matter. This is not the season for triangular contests. The issue at stake is too important to risk a split in the Progressive vote.

Federation Policy. Addressing a meeting of Cwmparc workmen on Tuesday night, Mr. D. Watts Morgan said that until a meeting of the delegates at Porth on Saturday to adopt Mr. W. Abraham (Mabon), M.P., formally for the Rhondda Division, it would not be wise to say anything further than that the position would be soon made quite clear, and no doctrine or its advocates would be spared which was not in accord- ance with the views of the Miners' Fede- ration. Fatality at Ystrad. A fatal accident occurred at Bodringallt Colliery, Ystrad-Rhondda, on Wednesday last, when a young man named Idris Evans, of 16, Tyntyla Road, Ystrad, was instantly killed by a large stone falling from the roof on his neck. The deceased was precentor at Tabernacle (E.B.) Church, where he was much esteemed.

T. DAWSON, winner of the Daily Mirror Bowl. S. Stock, Treas. Dai Howells, Sec. Of the Mid-Rhondda Air Rifle Club,

Throughout the Constitution Charter of the English Church Union, there is not a word said about re-union with Rome. As to the individual opinions of Lord Halifax, the Union has nothing whatever to do. There may be many individual members, from the President down, ho devoutly wish for re-union with Rome, but it is certain there are tens of thou- sands who do not. I am sorry I am compelled to conclude that Mr. John has brought forward t-ds malicious charge against the E.C.U. in order to damage my position as Vicar of the Parish. Few things could possibly do me greater moral injury than to make people believe I am labouring to pervert them to Romanism. It is exactly the same as if I were to insinuate that Mr. John is labouring to pervert his flock to Agnosticism, or to convert them to Anglicanism. I very much regret so outrageous a charge.—I am. Sir, yours, WM. MEREDITH MORRIS.