The Merthyr Express

f Every Housekeeper j R* Kno ws that the floor covering makes or mars the appearance of a room, and for that ill ) reast )n particular care should be taken in selection. raf pi By paying close attention to the tastes of our customers and offering only the pick ji|| pi of the markets, we have won for ourselves a high reputation, which our present showing |li will e asily maintain. .:1 .1 K )ur selection of both Floorcloths and Linoleums is large and varied, and we can iff :2 confide utI F recommend them, not only on account of their wear-resisting qualities, but jl| i because c. their dainty designs and charming colourings. g|| TC mention a few we have If k|| STAINES I NLA IDS, in Floral, THe, and Carpet Patterns, from 2s. 3d. per square yard. H jg|| GREENWICH INLAIDS, ?n their Famous Til* Patterns, from 2s. 3d. per square yard. J| pgt CORK CARPETS for Comfort and Noiseless.-<oss, in Plain Colours and Artistic Designs. 8|| ?§j PLAIN LINOLEUMS, for Offices or Public Buildings. • £ IfjJ PRINTS LINOLEUMS, in every quality and Design, from 11 |d. per square yard. linj 4 FLOOR OiL CLOTHS, in all Widths, from half-yard to 4 yards wide, 3vd. per yard upwards. i&' || BY FAR THE LARGEST STOCK AND THE LOWEST PRICES IN THE DISTRICT. K I In our Ideal Store ra there is one; department in which prudent housewives love to linger: and that is iu our S Curtain Department. 11| B Displayed there in lavish profusion are all the latest Lace and Muslin conceptions. ||f B We describe the following with more than ordinary satisfaction, so sure are we of lit B the appreciation they will meet with. At each price the value is the highest possible :— ||s NOTTINGHAM LACE CURTAINS, the Pick of the Market The Latest Novelties from all the Leading l|| B Makers, at Keen Competitive Prices. lf| B An Immense Range of LONG CURTAINS, from 1s. 11 £ d. per pair to 35s. 11d. per pair. ||f B 8H0RT NOTTINGHAM LACE CURTAIN NET, by the yard, from 3fd. to Is. 9fd. A very large range. |p B MADRAS MUSLINS, for Long Curtains, from S|d. per yard. ||| B SWISS CURTAINS, 3& yards and 4 yards, from 8s. lid. to 45s. lid. ||| B SWISS CURTAIN NET, by the yard, for Long Curtains, is. lid. per yard and upwards. f|| !B SWISS CURTAIN NET, for Short Curtains, from 6|d. to 3s. lid. per yard. ||| B MADE-UP CRETONNE CURTAINS, Lined and Trimmed, at Very Low Prices. ||| B To have the windows draped with Dainty Curtains is the ambition of every particular |p B housewife. Take a look at your windows. Perhaps the bright sunshine is showing up ||| B defects that you hardly knew were there. B If that is so, don't worry, call in and inspect our showing, and see for yourself how B B little need be spent to refit your windows. 1j AS F- L w-7 r tw Ar

CORRESPONDENCE. I The Editor wishes it to be distinctly understood that he will not hold himself responsible for the opinions or statements of correspondents, nor under- take to return rejected manuscript. Correspondents MTTST write on one side of the paper only. Correspondents are requested to condense their re- marks as much as possible as. owing to the very great demands upon our space, we cannot undertake to publish letters of great length. Letters of a personal character will not be inserted.

TO CORRESPONDENTS. M. J., Ebbw Vale.—The Sunday morning electric car service at Merthyr has been disoon t.inued. The first cars leave each end—from Dowiais and Merthyr—at 2.0 p.m., then every fifteen minutes until 5.15, from 5.15 every 7 minutes until last car at 10.30 p.m. Cefn eer- vice: 2.15 p.m. from Merthyr. 2.30 p.m. from Cefn; 30 minutes' service till 5.15 p.m., then 15 minutes' service till last car at 10.15.

COUNCILLOR CHARLES GRIFFITHS AND THE MERTHYR "GROUP." Sir,—The action of the "Group" towards Counaillor Griffiths has caused considerable in- terest to be taken in his conduct on the Coun- cil. One of your correspondents, signing him- self "J. H. wants to know "who will pay him now?" May I ask "J. H." who has paid him? Another who signs himself "A Social- list." infers that Councillor Griffiths does not un- derstand the fundamental principles of Social- ism. I, at any fate, would not like to receive lessons from "A Socialist" in his own particular "ism," for in his communication of last week to your readers, he transgressed the very fun- damental of Socialism—justice—for to charge a person with sectarianism because he will not play into the hands of certain members of the Oouncil -is a cowardly action. It enables the faotion to shield themselves behind the popular cry. and thus appear to the community as paragons of virtue, whils the person who dares to be a Daniel is o;,trac;sed. As there is no effect without a cause, it simpiy devolves upon us to examine the detail which have led up to this result to realise the position in Us entirety. Councillor Griffiths has been charged with being' a sectarian because be advocates equal treatment in all schools. Does he advocate this because he is a Catholic or an Anglican? No. but because the schools are not properly staffed. The teachers are overworked and un- derpaid, and the children have therefore to suffer. To remedy this condition of affairs is, of course, a very laudable object, and one would thrink that it would fitvo the entire ap- proval of the Labour "Group," but strange to relate, it is quite the reverse, and one has not to go far to seek the reason. The education policy of the Labour Party is secular instruc- tion, but that is not the policy of the "Group," and here I should like to quote a statement from the letter of last week by "A Socialist": "They knew Mr. O'Grady to be a Roman Catholic politician, and one who, if he had the power, would eladlv put the whole of our educational system under the heel of the priest." That may be so, but we also know that the present "Group" are tools in the hands of Nonconformists, and would gladly put the whole of our educational system under the domination of Nonconformity. For proof of the foregoing, let me draw the attention of your readers to what occurred about two months ago, during the discussion on a motion for secu lar instruction. Soms of the most prominent membesrs of the "Group" left the Chamber be- fore the vote was taken—why? The reason is quite obvioirv These gentlemen have openly avowed that they are Nonconformists, and that they were returned by No-iconformist-v to look after the Nonconformist interest, and reoular -instruction is not the Nonconformist education- el policy. The present system of education in our Council schools suits admirably the palate or Nonconformity, for undr the guise of sing- ing lessons, the children are taucht Torrey and Alexander's Revival hymns. Then what are to" Biblical lessons that are taught there with prayer? Is this not religious instruction? The Nonconformist conscience is at rest because under -Mich a ssytem it can proselytise the chil- dren of Unitarians, Positivi-ts, and Secularists At the expense of the public purse, and the "Group" are the protagonists of such a system and these antagonists of religious inr-truction all charge another with beincr a sectarian, and ostracise him from society.—Yours, etc.. Dowiais. EVANS.

WHAT DO TRADE UNIONISTS THINK? Sir,-Alas! I find that Councillor Griffiths has been excommunicated from the Labour Group on our Borough Council, and deprived of th? comradeship of his fellow Trade Unionists. He is therefore treated as an enemy to his class. This appears to me to be a very serious ques- tion for the Trade Unionists of the distrid-tha.t they should have a representative on such an important local authority. who sits there as an nne'viv to their interests. As a Trades Union- ist for some years, I have given -ome time to- wards fbi returning" of Labour men on the C(-,tinc;l. ind I afck in what way has Councilor Griffiths merited th; degradation? There mivi be something other than the Catholic teachers' question. Surely they have not ftipelled him for that alone. If so," then I must say it is &

very high-handed game, and contrary to all principles of Trade Unionism. The rank and file of the workmen should be made acquainted with the facts of the case. So much for the present. I am still waiting for a reply from the Merthyr I.L.P. and the Labour Group.— Yours truly, CAESAR,

THE PURCHASE OF CYFARTHFA CASTLE AND PARK. Sir,—A few days ago I read the story of the negotiation.9 for the purchase of the above pro- perty, and I have no hesitation in protesting against the whole affair. The ex-Mayor ap- proached Mr. Crawshay without any mandate from the Corporation, and when all his schemes were ready, he dazzled tho Corporation with the glorious anticipation of possessing a castle, and he found no difficulty whatever in rushing his scheme through before even the vigilant Presidern of the Ratepayers' Association had opened his eyes to the cost of the scheme. In my opinion, it would have been better for the Association to permit the Council to build half- a-dozen reservoirs than touch this'castle. There are only two large employers of labour who have residences in the Borough, and we cannot afford t-o lose one of them. If the Develop- ments Committee succeed in, finding capitalists who may be willing to speculate in new indus- tries in the town, one of the conditions will cer- tainly be that the Corporation should guarantee a dividend or provide residences for the employ- ers t liv.e m. That would be quite reasonable. Less than twelve months ago, the Editor of the "Merthyr Express" warned the Corporation against speculating in useless enterprises, and called attention to the fact that trade WN3 bad at Cyfarthfa. He also said that he remembered "the, works being closed for years, and struck off the rate-book, and Heaven forfend that the same should happ#n acrain." At the inquiry held by Inspector Willis, I read the above paragraph; yet, in the face of that warning. Alderman D. W. ones and Mr. Frank James. the joint promoters of this scheme, persisted in pressing forward the purchase, and that very evening Mr. Frank James affixed the seal of the Council to the agreement without waiting for the consent of the President of the Local Government Board. Strange to say, the pro- phecy of the Editor was fulfilled next morning, and all arrangements made for closing Cyf- arthfa Works, and they have been nearly knocked off the rate-book. This has cost the town a:nce the 1st. of January a loss in wages of over £ 50,000. What about the poor people in the neighbourhood of the works, who are half-starved, and the 250 children who are com-' pelled to partake of the benefits of a soup kircher. ? To my knowledge, scores of families have not had half enough food during the win- ter, whilo others are only able to go out of doors by borrowing neighbours' boots. I believe that the time ha3 arrived when the Corpora- tion should put an end to all this suffering. Why not call upon our members of Parliament to assist us in the matter? If the Corporation would only ask them. no doubt Mr. D. A. Tho- mas and Mr. Keir Hardie would be only too pleased to fix us up again.—I remain, yours truly, April 27th, 1909. T. J. RICE.

I DISTRESS AT* CEFN COED. Sir.-As a result of the charity concert given at the Drill Hall, Cefn, by the Penydarren United Church Glee Society and other friends. in aid of the Church of England Home for Waifs and Strays, and the Cefu Church Distress Fund, the sum of £ 11 5; 4d. was realised. This has been equally divided between the above funds. The accounts were duly audited by Mr. R. N. Jones, Cilsanws, and certified correct. The following ladies and gentlemen are also generous subscribers to the above Distress Fund:—Ven. Canon Wade, Merthyr; Rev. E. Jenkins Davies, Brvnamman; Col. and Mrs. J. J. Jones, "Fronheulog" Mrs. T. J. Jones, the Misses Jones, and Mr. Reginald N. Jones, Cil- a.nws; Mr. and Mrs James Betterton, Brewery Howe; Miss Peters, "Poplars," Nelson; the Misses Bond, "Royal Oak" Messrs. T. Hunt, E. H. Musgrove, Alex. Hopkins, Harry Thomas, Cefn; and Mr. Aneurin Reynolds, Merthyr. The members of the Distress Committee take this opportunity of tendering their sincere thanks to the above ladies and gentlemen for their continual support to this most deserving cause.—On behalf of the Distress Committee, I remain, yours gratefuHv, T. J. WILLIAMS, Secretary.

SHEEP DESTROY CEFN GARDENS. Sir,—The sheep from Cilsanws Hill have been responsible for a greet amount of damage to the gardens on the hill-side at Cefn Coed. They come down from the hill, trespass on private property, get into the gardens, and eat up I everything. A great many complaints have been received lately, and I hope the farmers in Vaynor and the neighbourhood will take steps to abate this nuisance. It is no joke, after the gardens have been laid out and the young green stuff is bursting forth, to have all their labour and care wrecked, because sheep can soon play havoo in a garden if they are not disturbed.—Yours, etc., GARDENER

CATHOLICS AND SOCIALISM. Sir,—Mv few remarks on the above question in your issue of the 17Lh ult. seem to have irritated "Elum Menai" very much. I have no desire to jick a quarrel with him, seeing he is driven to admit that he is not speaking for So- cialism or the S.D.F., but for himself and his own private opinion as to what may occur be- fore Socialism can be realised. I, therefore, content myself to treat his opinion with tolera- tion and respect. "Huw Menai" Booms to look on the Catholic Church as one person holding one opinion in religion suci a dt@ opinion in politics. I may here state that the Catholic Church is composed of units, or individuals, who hold varied and different political opinions, some of whom are quite as broadminded and de roocratio in their politics as there are to be found in other organisations. The same may be said of the Nonconformists and other religi- ous bodies. I try to do my little best in ex- plaining to the people the advantages of Soci- alism as compared with the present capitalist system, and I intend to retain mv Catholic convictions, of which I cannot possible be de- prived even if I were to achieve my object. "Huw Menai" seems to take a pride in telling the readers of the "Express" that I cannot look at the universe or Socialism except through my church spectacles. This is the summing up of his philosophy. I never confuse my religious beliefs with my Socialism or politics. I say that we are here in this world, not as angels, but men, and must have bread and the necessities and comforts of life. However we as Socialists may differ as to the wisest means wo should adopt to secure comfort in the next world, we agTee that this world, the earth and all that it contains, should belong to the people, and not to the few to the detriment of the many. In conclusion, let me say that I know nothing about any one trying to expel "Huw Menai" from the Merthyr Vale branch of the S.D.F.-Yours truly, A MERTHYR VALE SOCIAL DEMOCRAT.

WHY A CATHOLIC (MNNOT BE A SOCIALIST. Sir,—In your issue of the 17th of April, there appeared a letter from "Merthyr Vale Social Democrat," in which he informed "Searcher of Truth" that there existp various Catholic societies founded on Socialistic princi- ples. But I think if he read Catholic papers a few weeks ago, he would find that a Catholic Bishop would not recogriisa another society be cause there were in their midst some of these Socialists. If they do exist, they are very few, and in no way confirm the statement that a Catholic can be a Socialist. Again, he sa/d that Father Hegearty, of Glasgow, advocates Socialism whenever and wherever he gets the opportunity, but if he would investigate he would find that Father Hegearty spoke on his own authority, and not on the authority of the Catholic Church and, further, I do not think at the present time he advocates the famo. "Merthyr Vale Social Democrat" concluded by saying, "What has Socialism. or in other words, socialisation of production, to do with Catholicism?" Does Socialism end there? I, for one. think not. I maintain that a Roman Catholic cannot be a Socialist, because the Church docs not recognise it, but condemns it because it tries to rob the rightful possessor. The authority of Divine law forbids Roman Catholics in the gravest terms even to covet that which is another; (Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his house, nor his field, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is his). The Tenth Commandment says: "Thou shalt not covet thy neighbours' goods," the rights here spoken of as belonging to each indi- vidual man. The Catholic Church teaches the workman to carry out his task honestly; never to injure capital, nor outrage the person of an employer; never to employ violence in repre- senting his own cause, to have nothing to do with men of evil principles who work upon artful promises and raise foolish hope; n-ever to forget his duty to an employer of labour, who is taught in a. graver and firmer tone that his great and principal obligation 's to give to every one that which is just. and that to de- fraud any one of wages that are due i.j¡ a crime which cries to the avenging ang-er of Heaven. This refutes the charge of Mr. Stitt Wilr-on and Company that the Church favours and protects the capitalist. Again, "Merthyr Vale Social Democrat" cannot deny the fact that So- cialists are hostile to religion. He should read what Socialists have done in Franco to try to abolish the Church, and read the addresses of the Italian Socialists at their recent Parlin- mentary election, and their intentions towards the Church. The Church says that social inequalities are a law of Providence. Here, if nowhere else. Socialism would bo in contra- diction to Catholicism; thus making it im- possible for a Catholic to be ft Socialist.—I remain, vours, etc., A MERTHYR CATHOLIC.

"HUW MENAI" AND COUNMLOR\ DAN THOMAS. Sir,—Councillor Dan Thomas, by hurling in- vectives with a medley of incompetent praise and clumsy sarcasm at the heads of his oppon- ents, manages triumphantly to make himself look ridiculous in the oye.-s of every lover of honest argument. A typical instance of his con- stitutional inability to be fair was furnished in your last issue, when he quite irrelevantly re- ferred to me as "that eccentric. p-aregrinatinir Socialist who now sojourns at Mer- thyr Vale." What earthly benefit c-n an in- telligent mat: derive from writing roach trans- parent nomenso, I fail to understand unlefc it be expected to suffice in place of argument, or else it is employed as a. sort of mongrel abuse which Mr. TTiomas thinks it politic to indulge in. Whether I am "eccentric" or "peregrinat- ing" has no more connection with the readers of the "Merthyr Express" than it has with the man in the moon. If Councillor Thomes is conscious of his inferiority to those whom he unjustily vilifies, why in the name of Everything sensible do«s he not cease deriding his oppon- (,nt.s? With marvellous celerity, the worthy Councillor disposes of everybody who fails to agree with him on the intricate questions of moral philosophy and "local contracts." In- stead of feubj-ecting even Council questions to the test of argument. Councillor Thomas is satv-Red ;n calling the nssin vh-. h:" not ap/roe with him that other rr-nii "an am- biUOiM impOltt8- ftQ someone else the "eccentric, peregrinating Socialist." A writer of this kidney is appar- ently in a. desperate muddle. Mr. Thomas's soul is saturated with superlatives, derogatory or otherwise. He cannot refei to any man as Mr. So-and-So. The reference invariably takes the form of "eccentric. Socialist," "ambitious young man," etc. I am prepared to forgive him for his little weaknesses, al- though there are many who will not. How- ever, I wish Mr. Thomas would give up cack- ling about Socialism, because it is patent that he does not understand anything about it. It has been suggested that I and my friend, Mr. Hugh Jones are here for the purpose of teach in "the Hwntws." If Mr. Dan Thomas in- cludes himself in that designatory, I may tell aim that he never uttered a neater truth in his lifetime. I suppose both Mr. Hugh Jones and myself have a right to he in South W;<lcs. If not. let Mr. Thomas say the word. and we instantly retrace our footsteps. Councillor Thomas, when I accused him of effrontery when demanded that schoolmasters should not pre- sent themselves on public platforms in company with Socialist politician- scribbled in answer a lot of wretched platitudes, and talked feebly about "discretion." I am still waitin" for an effective answer before I will leave the neigh- bourhood on my next peregrination.—Yours sincerely, I HUW MENAI.

TREDEGAR SCHOOL MANAGERS PROTEST RE ACTION OF TRADES COUNCIL. Sir,—I was somewhat surprised at the Ie. marks of both Alderman J'ower. and the EUJV. D M. Rees at the meeting of the Tredegar School Managers, as reported in your last issue. Both gentlemen are of a status some- what above the ordinary individual in more senses, than one. They are gentlemen for whom I have always had the greatest esteem, and i always thought they were of the people, and for the people. Alderman Bow-en says the members of the -Trades Council were not elected by the ratepayers. Perhaps the Al- derman will ba good enough to teli us by whom the members of the Council were ejected, since we are all ratepaynrs, more or le; If we wore not elected bj public baLot, we wero elect- ed at public meetings of the many trade OT- ganisations which go to make up the Council. I think Alderman Bowen would have done well to have left that matter alone, and said nothing about the mode of election, seeing that the school managers are not elected by I public ba.ilot If the managers were elected periodically by the general public, thoM would probably bo some changes other than those caused by death and removals. I might tell Alderman Bowen and those who do not know the facts of the caee of alleged excessive punishment referred to, that the matter was in the first instance reported to Messrs. Onions and Hughes, who a.re both I managers of the Tredegar Group of Schools. That mode of procedure, I think, the Alderman will admit, was perfectly in order. The mat- ter was also reported to the medical officer for the district. Then the father of the child. being a member of the Trades Council, natur- ally asked for advice at the meeting, and I think now, although at the time I thought more drastic measures should be taken, the father was well advised, and he evidently had more confidence in the managers than some of the managers eeem to have in the members of the Trades Council. Although I might be pa.rdoned for saying so. the members of the Trades Council are quite capable of looking after their own business, ana a little bit of somebody else's. I think I have shown beyond the shadow of doubt that the managers were not ignored in this case, as Alderman Bowen suggests, as the managers were the first per- sons to be acquainted with the matter. With regard to the pressure which Mr. Bowen says the Council is bringing to bear on the case, I fail to see where the pressure is being put on. Surely members of the Trades Council have a right to an opinion and to act in the manner rhey think best. Perhaps if Alderman Bowen knew the constitution hotter, he would not have spoken as ho did. It is not the desire of the Trades Council to dictate to any body as to how and when they shall do their business. All we want is justice nnd equality for all, and justice and equality we mean to get, no matter who or what the body is we might approach. Personally, I fail to see why Alderman Bowen or the Rev. D. M. Rees can conscien tiouslv say that the Trades Council had no right to discuss this matter. It is a well-known fact that according to law, corporal punishment has long since been abolished. It is also an- other well-known fact that corporal punish- ment is still in existence in nearly every school, and practised by nearly every teacher. Please mark, I said nearly every teacher; happily. I. know a few teachers who seldom, if ever, re- port to the practice, and I think it the duty of the managers to see that the law is carried out otherwise we should be better off without man- agers. Alderman Bowen wants to know whe- ther the managers have failed in their duty. Well. judging by his remarks, I should say they have failed in their duty, because he cays this is not the first case to come before the managers. If that is correct, then the man.- agers have not carried out their duties as they should have done, because the schoolmaster has sole charge of the teachers and pupiLs dur- ing school hours, and he should see that the rules and regulations are carried out according to law; and if he allows corporal punisnment by the teachers without having the fact record- ed in the Jog book, then the managers should have the reason for his doing so. Of course, if the law was carried cut as it should be, there would be no cause for complaint; but Alder- man Bowen, by his own utterances, proves the fact that the managers have been lax in their duty, and it is time they woke un and took more interest in their business. So long as things are allowed to drift in this fashion, drift they will from bad to worse. With regard to the protest lodged by the Rev. D. M. Reee, I should like to ask that gentleman, on what grounds bo did so? The case, as I said before, was brought to the Coun- cil for advice, after being reported to two of the managers, and was referred to the body of managers. Could the Trades Council have been a.ny fairer than that? We have not dealt with the matter at all; we have left that to the managers, and I am sure my friends of the Council will all join with me in hoping that the managers will judge the case on its merits and not go by any hearsay evidence, or be pre- judiced in any way either for or against. I should like to congratulate Councillor Hughes for the able manner in which he put the case before his colleagues, and for his courageous utterances; also Mr. Pope—Yours faithfully, HARRIE RHYS. P.S.—I should like it to be known that I have written this without the sanction or knowledge of the Trades Council. TIe the letter of "E. A. I. I can vouch that this is no "supposed" case, and if the writer will furnish me with name and address. I will enlighten him through these columns.—H.R.

EBBW,VALE CHURCH LADS' BRIGADE. Sir,—On Saturday, April 24th, we were fav- oured with a parade at Ebbw Vale from the bottom of tho town to the top by the Boys' Brigades of two chape 1-s combined. I was given to understand that the object of these brigades was to instruct the boys in "Christian manli- ness," but I think it would be wgll for some of the leaders to consider the object of the movemept,. because I really believe that they aro overstepping some of the principles of the "Free Churches." I noticed that they were distributing handbills announcing a concert to I be held under the auspices of their company. I have not anything to say to that, but on turning the handbill over, I saw it advertised a Sunday paper on Tariff Reform and all kinds of sport. I should like to ask some of them if they advocate such. newspaper reading on a Sunday. I have no doubt someone will bo 130 kind as to enlighten me. Thanking you for a little space in your valuable paper.—I re- main, yours sincerely, W. J.

THE MINERS' OUT OF WORK FUND. Sir,—In your last issue there appeared a letter under the above heading, and in it an appeal is made to the South Wales miners 'to vote against the Out-crf-Work Fund until we can have the management of this fund in our own districts." The writer admits that the only objection he has to the acheme is to the pro- posed method of administering it, his contention being that it would be administered more econ- omically and judiciously from and by every dis- trict than from one common centre. As this is a view I have not heard expressed before, I should be) pleased if "Federationist" would, in a future issue, explain a little more clearly his reasons for thinking so. Here are mine for believing the opposite: The Federation, as at present constituted, is composed o! nineteen dis- trict committees, and to say that nineteen com- mittees could distribute the monies collected for an Out-of-Work Fund more economically than one central committee appears to me un- reasonable, and will allow of a more detailed explanation than "Federationist" gave in your last issue. The little "supposition case" quoted in his letter, and which h° applied to the Exe. cutive members, could quite as easily be applied to district members administering this fund; and not only that, but as there are nineteen district committees to the one central council, this supposed evil would be nineteen timo3 greater under the scheme he advocates. I will admit that each district knows its own n'3od" best, but each district would bo represented on the Executive Council, eo there is nothing to complain of on that score. The danger of district administration is that they administer for themselves alone, and are too prone to for- get other less forunate districts. This cannot happen when the funds are administered from one common centre. the direst needs would call for the most pressing attention. And the interests of the Federation as a whole would be considered, thus serving the true pur- pose of a Federation. Then the remark re obtaining a balance sheet of the South Wales Miners' Federation. These balance sheets are printed for the use of members only, and as numbers of our fel- low-workmen are not members, they are not entitled to have one. Then th0re Is another class of workmen who often say they cannot get this and that. They belong to the who have not sufficient interest to attend their lodge-room to get one. I don't 8è3 what. they want with one they are not interested—they only follow the crowd. Do we come under this head- ing, "Federationist." or do we belong to the othN class of workmpn who take an interest in j the forth- Á coming-, want to know the reason why? It is the members of the Federation who decide how many of these balance sheets shall be printed, and if "Federationist" belongs to the last class of workmen, he should have no diffi- culty in getting a balance sheet. If he belongs to the other two classes, ho does not want one. Then he made a statement that £828 10s. lid. was paid la-st year for railway fares and con- veyances, and said that if a little of this money went to the out-of-work men, it would be a good thing. I agree with him entirely; it would be a good thing. But how can it go to the poor out-of-work men, when the rich out-of-work men won't let us travel on their railways unless W-è pay this fto us) enormous sum? I entirely agree with "Federationist" that it is too bad. and I feel sure that he will agree with me that our time and energy would be more use- fully employed if we used them for agitating for cheaper and better travelling facilities than in criticising any honest attempt made to deal with the out-of-work question—a. question that effects us who are in work more than iny ques- tion that I know of. As "Federationist" gave some advice, and also made an appeal. I cannot do botter than follow his example. My adviu, is: Support the scheme in its entirety. If an a.mendmen" is needed in the scheme, it i, that the number of days lost in any one month before any cla;m can be made under this schema should be reduced from twelve to eight: I think twelve too high. My app?al is: Crowd to hear the speakers who been engaged to explain the schema at me-ctings to be heJel in the Mer- thyr District of Miners during this week and next. and don't come from those meetings without fully understanding it. The speaker- will be only too glad to answer questions, if they can.—I remain, yours sincerely, JOHN GRIFFITHS. 15, Poplar-street, Troedyrhiw, April 24th, 1S09.

WELSH DISESTABLISHMENT. Sir—I maintain that "Churchman's" questions are not to the point, as they imply that he does not distinguish between State endowments and private benefactions. The question as to what legally belongs to the Church of England and what does not, is not for me to decide, and is irrelevant to the subject. I stated distinctly, in my last letter, that all Church property and endowments previous to 1703—the date of Queen Anne's Act empowering her to estblish by let- ters patent a corporation and to settle upon it for ever all the revenue of first fruits and tenths, to he applied in augmenting the main- tenance of poor parsons, vicars, curates, etc., officiating in the Church of England—is the property of the State, as the Church was then oo-extensive with the State, and was the State in its religious aspect. Mr. Asquith, in his Welsh Disestablishment Bill, has been too gen- erous in drawing the line at 1662, because we find that so late as the reiern of George III. "a sum not exceeding £100,000 was set apart from State funds to promote the buildinrr of new churches." Five years later George IV grant- ed an additional State aid of £500.000 for the same purpose. But the reason why the date 1662 i rhosen is because the Act of Uniformity drew the line of cleavage between the Church of England and all the progressive religious forces in the country. It is indisputable that previous to this date no distinction can bo made be- tween the State and the Church. A great au- thority says in regard to Church property pre- vious to the Norman Conquest, "In each par- ish an independent body of Church p1"Operty was formed, in the first instance by donations from the lord of the soil and by irregular gifts upon occasion of divine service, afterwards by tithes and a whole series of other taxes, volun- tary at the outset, but soon transmuted by ec- clesiastical or civil ordinances into enforceable services." (Makower, Constitutional History of the Church of England, page 12). This is one way by which church property was accumulated in early times. No distinction was made be- tween revenues drawn by the crown from ec- clesiastical sources and other incomes with re- gard to their management. They all flowed into the same coffer. It was at the time of the reformation that certain special authorities were temporarily established for the (separate man- agement of several of such revenues. The first authority of this kind was created by Henry VIII. to "administer the property which fell to the Crown through the first Act for the dis- solution of monasteries." It bore the name "Court of Augmentations of the Revenuas of the King's Crown." But even if it could be proved that all Church property previous to the reign of Henry VIII belonged to the Church apart from the State, it could easily be shown that the Church of England has no moral nor legal right to that property, as a portion of it, at least, was given or confiscated when the Church was connected with Rome. It was Henry VIII who was the instrument of snapping the chain that bound the Church to Rome, and. who constituted him- self the temporal head of the Church, and who, by doing so, incorporated in himself the prin- ciple that tho State and Church of England are one, and as such it was recognised until the civil revolution under Oliver Cromwell, when the Rump Parliament demolished epis- copacy, and placed at the disposal of the State, apart from any particular church, all property which had pertained to the offices and corpora- tions so abolished. Sufficient has been said to expose the crude and silly questions of "Church- man"—"When, where, and to what extent did the State endow the Church," as if endowment of the Church by the Sta.te took place in a. day or a week or a year. No intelligent Churchman disputes that the Church has been endowed by the State, and by the State we mean ultimately the people. What we have to recognise is that the endowments have grown and accumulated through many centuries side by side with pri- vate benefactions, until it has become diffi- cult in many instances to draw the line of de- marcation between them. The Welsh Church Commission was appointed as one of its objects to find this out. The "Ecclesiastical Commis- sioners for England" were established and in- corporated by Act of Parliament in 1836- com- posed of the Archbishops of Canterbury and York and other bishops and laymen, to admin- ister and manage all endowments, private and public, and they are to make an annual report to one of the Secretaries of State, and the re- port is to be laid before Parliament. For fur- ther knowledge of the matter I would refer "Churchman" to Makower's great and learn- od work on the "Constitutional History of the Church of England." I once more repeat my questions to "Churchman"—Does he deny that the Church is endowed by the St.ate? If so, let him give his reasons. If not, why is it incon- sistent for the Church to be endowed and to raise big sums of money? Also, will he kindly prove from the teachings of Jesus Christ that the Church of God is to be esta.blished by the State.—I respectfully await his answer. ANTHROPOS.

CYFARTHFA CASTLE. APPOINTMENT OF PARK-KEEPER CAUSE OF DELAY OF TRANSFER. A meeting of the Parks Committee of the Merthyr Corporation was held on Wednesday evening, for the purpose of interviewing can- didates for the position of park-keeper at Cyf- arthfa Castle, at a salary of 32.. 6d. a week, rising to £2, together with house and uniform free. The candidates were:—Theo. J. Tho- mas (39), Abernant House, Aberdare; Henry Harris (37), Garden City, Potorson-Super-Ely W. G. Selwyn (36), of Cheshire; David Henry Rouse (36), Cardiff; and Joseph Thomas (39), keeper of the Thoma.stown Recreation Ground. —It was first agreed to select three. The vot- ing wa-a by paper, and the result:—Theo. J. Thomas, 21; Henry Harris, 18; J. Thomas, 14; D. H. Rouse, 12: and D. H. Selwyn, 4. On the second vote, the result was: Thomas (Aber- dare), 20; Harris, 13; Thomas (Merthyr), 12.— Mr. Thomas, of Abexdare, was then appointed. Aid. J. M. Berry asked whether it wAs a fact that the conveyance was not yet. completed, s.nd whether it was true that the Corporation had to pay 4 per cent. upon the purchase money. which came to £14 a week.—The Mayor said they had not yet been able to complete the con- veyance. The Council should have bad posi of the Castle nine weeks ago. It was true the Corporation had to pay Mr. Crawshay 4 per on £18.000, which came to £730 per annum, or £14 per week, so that 60 faT the Council were liable for that amount for nine weeks. But the Council would receive the rents of the la-nd from the 9th of March, so that up to the present the total Iosa would work out at J311 10s. per week for seven weeks. There was a little hitcb with regard to the con- veyance, which could not be avoided. The purchase money had not been received from the Liverpool Corporation.—Coun. Dan Thomas said the delay was through no fault of the Council, and perhaps Mr. Crawshay would not enforce the interem.-Coul1. J. Davies (Cyf- arthfa) Have we bought leasehold and free- hold?—-Coun. Dan Thomas: Mr. Rice will toll you that; he's the only man who can (laugh- ter).—Coun. W. Lewis (Treharris): We a.re now beginning to realise the enormous undertaking. This was a. most speculative undertaking. There's a serious hitch in this agreement.— Aid. D. W. Jones: You are waeting time.— Coun. F. T. James said that at one of the com- mittee meetings he was the only solicitor pre- sent, and he was asked to go through the con- veyance. Certain alterations were made in the draft, and when it came back from the solici- tors it contained one or two red ink alterations and slight modifications, and now the deed had gone back for final approval. To say there was a serious hitch was quite wrong, but there had been a little delay.

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4" HAVE YOU SUSPECTED] jra YOUR KIDNEYS? j,—— A Kidney and bladder troubles ? generally end fatally because the symptoms are so often "Every misunderstood. is MHPicture The great responsibility of I ii nll&rS TpM q n filtering the blood rests entirely 4&ZXB11 MA a 1» with the kidneys. I11 no other g SloYl}" wav can the blood be purified, and when the kidneys fall behind t; yjj. mm i X with their work the body is being j w/h mil V sloidy poisoned. mm ^jl WmLl You can soon tell whether N » |l| your kidneys are keeping the BWlli I ^'Do I get up in the morning i | WI ( ■ with a bad back, or pain in the | sides ? 111 -«rl Are my eyelids puffy ? my f IfliP JlP "Is the urine irregular or I Wm |||[ painful in passing ? Is there lir JMt -f >' a seainieut from it? Do I suffer from rheumatism, dizziness, headache, or neuralgic I ;> pains ? TPfll-JIYPS"! IW Is my complexion sallow? f IsluLUiriiSlIf is the circulation feeble ? j! INSTANCE: "Am i always tired weak INSTANCE: "Am i always tired, weak, low-spirited, impatient, and Mrs. J. Sussex, 16, Angus-street, irritable ?" Troedyrhiw, near Merthyr, says Severe, sharp, cutting pains in my If you have to answer yes jr back troubled me for years, and I used to any of these questions, your j to be unable to turn when in bed. I had kidneys are ill, and you should j rheumatism in my arms, puffy swellings lose no time in profiting by this S beneath the eyes and a tired, languid local woman's experience, and | beneath the eyes and a tired, languid local woman's experience, and | feeling in the mornings. I gradually beginning with Doan's Backache | went from bad to worse I was low- Kidney Pills., 1 spirited, and in a poor condition. g A little while ago I commenced to The genuine Doan's Pills g take Doan's backache kidney pills, and regulate the urinary system, raid | I when I found they were doing me good gently aid the kidneys in their | j I went on with them. Now I am quite great work o' filtering the blood. j| free from pain, and feel brighter and They are a safe and good f better in every way. (Signed) Jane medicine for all—men and | I Sussex." women, old and young. a Of all chemists and stores, 2/9 per box, I six boxes 13/9 or post free direct from Foster-McClellan Co., 8, Wells Street, Oxford Street, London, W. | Ask for Doan's & Have Doan's | Like Mrs. Sussex had. ¡".J'f't'x:¡'; BSH ^11 a-o THE ALL STEEL BICYCLE That carries an ever. 1|§ji Iff lasting Guarantee, f» B J 100,003 Miles and S^ill Perfect. Ji PT'f&ll Mr. H. RYDER, who has ridden his Raleigh Cycle this long distance Mgwfll since lyob, is one of our satisfied customers. He describes the m g/jfa Sw^vla Raleigh as "a wonderful piece of machinery." May we send you "THE BOOK OF THE RALEIGH.* It describes the All Steel Cycle in detail. |||g\ W. P. CRIME & Co., 52, Olekland-street, Merthyr j/Mi J- F,NE' Lawn Rhymney. PICT0N & WORR8S, Dowiais. T- PR08SER, Ebbw Vale. Win ;Y-$|

-T I Merthyr Electric Traction anr f. Lighting Company, Ltd. THE CEFN EXTENSION. The twelfth ordinary general m&eting' of fh< Merthyr Etectrio Traction And Lighting Com pany, Limited, was held on Tuesday at the Electrical Federation Offices, Kingsway, W.C., Mr. W. L. Madgen (chairman of the company} presiding. The Secretary (Mr. H. A. Stagg) having read the notice oonvening the meeting and the Te, port of the Auditors, the Chairman Mid :r suppose we may take tho accounts as read. The additions to capital during the year have been on account of the electric supply oection, £ 1,719, and on account of the traction section a very smaD amount of £ 168. This represent? a very moderate addition to tha capital account, but with the growling popularity of the uses of elcctrical energy for lighting, heating, cookinl,, and industrial power purposes, we shall shortly have to contemplate the extension of our sys- tem, and, secondly, the increase of our capita; expandituro in order to provide for the in- crease in demand. We arc now in negotiation with tho Merthyr Council with a view to ex- tending the mains down the valley so as to pro- vide the districts of Troedyrhiw, Merthyr Yale. Treharris. etc., with an up-todatp systam of public lighting similar to that which has been introduced with such popular effect in some of tho principal streets of Merthyr town atself. There can be no doubt that the introduction of electrio mupply, more particularly for public street lighting, on an adequate scale will add substantially to the amenities of life in tho dis- tricts to which I have referred. Turning to the revenue account, you will observe that the re. turns from the electric supply section continue to afford us encouragement to develop that side of the business. There is a reduction of B497 in the gro« profits from the tramway section as compared with the previous year, but, a.5 in- dicated in the report, this circumstance is rather duo to the particular incidence of our repairs and maintenance than to a diminution in the receipts which were only some £74 lea; than in the previous year. You will observe that in addition to the sum of 21,513 actually expended upon the upkeep of the combined un- dertakings during the year, we have again charged the account with :01,GW towards pro- vision for renewals. The depreciation and re- serve account stands separately. It has not been drawn upon during the year, and you will observe that we recommend a further appropri- ation to it of -21.250. The two reserve accounts re-furred to will then together amount to 96.144, and it is our intention to strengthen these from year to year in addition to charging revenue with the normal expenses of upkeep. Our gen- eral relations in Mert.hyr, both w,:th the muni- cipality and the public, are cordial in charac- ter; and I believe that we are credited with sk considerable amount of enterprises and a reason- able sense of our duty to the district. The only point at issue is the continuance of our line to Cefn. Our system was authorised in May. 1899, but a condition wait put upon us that the lino to Cefn should not be completed until the new bridge across the river, then contemplated by the local authorities was built. At the request of the local authorities, and in orctar to facili- tate matters, we agreed on an amount, to be contributed by the Company towards the cct of the structure. The bridge, however, has not yet been commenced, and, as you will see in the report, we have had to rnakço yet another application to the Board of Trade explaining why, under. the condition referred to, the line has not yet been completed. Those of U6 who came, under the slincrs and arrows to which private enterprise throughout the country was subjected for some year?—in de- creasing das-roe now. perhaps, since thp facts of the business when otherwise administered have begun to assort themselves may. I hope, be forgiven for reflecting upon what would have been charged against us had it been the Company which, by not building the bridge, had -food between the public and im- provoa facilities to Cefn. We how uncW stand that the bridge will be proceeded with this summer. In conclusion, I believe it mav b? said we are providing modern traffic facili- ties and an ample supply of electricity for the numerous purposes for which it is uoSed at popu- lar prices, and that the busmen of the Com- pany has now been well established, both as an investment, and as a public utility." The accounts were ps^se^, and other formal bimneM WAS txjkafactifi

-H I VIM leaves a 1 lustre wherever 1 it goes. For I Copper and I Brass, Marble i or Paint, I Voodwork and Ename'. ,v"/ V do not claim to be able to perform miracles, as the days for these are past, but we certainly can lay. claim to a great number of marvellous cures, as testified to by a multitude of people who have used otir liemedy, viz.. The "MANNINA" HERBAL OINTMENT The cures range over a field of many and varied diseases, as instance, Cancer of the breast, lip, etc.. Tumours, Lupus, Erysipelas, Carbuncles, Abscesses, Ulcerated and poisoned wounds, Sarcoma, Piles. Psoriasis, Scalds Burns, Eczema, Ringworm, Ro- dent Ulcers of the hands. Chapped ditto, Chilblains* Scurvy, Sprains, Swollen Feet, Rheumatism,, etc. And we confidently invite the most thorough invest tigatioii of these our various statements with re- gard to the merits of our Remedy. Presuming that you are ready to take us at oar word, and wish to test "MANNINA" for yourselves, see that you ob< tain the right thing. < "MANNINA" (Trade Mark) is made up in three different strengths, as No. 1, Full, Cancer, etc., cure, at 2s. 9d., 4s. 6d., and 8s. 6d. per pot. Aa No. II., Medium, for all poisoned wounds, at Is. lid., 2s. 9d., and 4s. 6d. per pot. As No. III., Mild, for all skin diseases, at Is. lid., 2s. 91., and 4s. 6d. per po(. The Mannina" Ointment i* sold by the follow- infr Di-pens-ing Chemists, viz. :Vee-,rs. V. A, Wills, 3, Victoria-street, Merthyr; T. Paviee. Porth D. E Davies, Treorchv Emrys Evans, Aberdare; Oliver Davies, Mill-street, Ponty- nridd Mr. D. George, Dispensing Chemist, 153- Bute-street, Treherbert; Mr. T.Thomas,M.R P.S., Consulting Chemist, Cash Drug Stores Co., Treharris Mr. D. Williams, M P.S., Dispensing Chemist, Commercial-street, Mountain- Ash, &c. or can be obtained direct from the Sole Proprietors The "Mannina" Herbal Ointment Co., Idain Street, FISHGUARD. J PLEASE WHITE Foit FREE BOOKLET. 4 Printed and published by the Prnprietor, BARJrl WOOD SOUTHEY, at (ilebelaod-etrect, Merthsv Tydtil, May Int. lQQi.