The Montgomeryshire Express and Radnor Times

FEEBLE FALLACIES. Although Colonel Pryce-Jones is visibly becoming hard-up in Protectionist argu- ments, staleness does not wither their in- teresting variety, nor does it lessen the pleasure we always find in hunting down his fallacies before an intelligent com- munity. He was happy on Tuesday even- ing at Welshpool, where, as everybody knows, an atmosphere of political inde- pendence is not the portion of the people. Let us examine his arguments one by one, and discuss them in a manner that will Le intelligible to those who have given least study to the fiscal question. He declares for Protection for the following six reasons:— (1.) That it will produce increased revenue. (2.) That it will reduce taxation. (3.) That it will provide more employ- ment. (4.) That it will increase wages. (5.) That it will prevent unfair compe- tition with our manufactures. (6.) That it will enable us to compete in foreign markets on something like equal terms. The first three contentions must neces- sarily be considered together. Protectionist quackery could not be made more transpar- ent, nor argument more ludicrously illogi- cal, than by this triplet of assertions. He seems to regard it as axiomatic that tariffs will act in two ways, e.g., that they will relieve domestic taxation and create more employment. The intelligence of the peo- ple in these Boroughs is just as keen as can be found elsewhere, and, on their be- half, we must ask the Colonel to explain in his next speech how revenue is to be obtained from the imposition of taxes on manufactures which are excluded as he wishes them to be. In order to secure this revenue with which to reduce present taxation, he must admit the undesirable foreign commodities, and, if they are ad- mitted, what becomes of his argument for more employment? What becomes, too, of his higher wages reasoning? Tax food, said Mr Chamberlain, and it will bring about a decline in wages. It would do more than that—"it would inevitably bring about the loss of that gigantic export trade which the industry and energy of the country, working under conditions of absolute free- dom, have been able to create." The Colonel's fifth contention has not much regard for the economic truth which has been set forth by thinkers since the days of Adam Smith, that imports are paid for by exports, and that if we shut out foreign goods, we lessen the employment that goes to the making of the goods with which the foreign articles are purchased. Obviously, he must bestow more attention upon this fundamental principle. Regarding our al- leged ill-treatment in foreign markets, it may startle Colonel Pryce-Jones to learn, for instance, that in the export cotton trade, our manufacturers can even beat America, where much of the raw material is grown. We exported last year about twenty times as much cotton as did the United States, for the simple reason that we can produce it more cheaply than the American manufacturer, who is handi- capped by dearness of materials. Does he not know, also, that under the most- favoured-nation clause we enjoy advantages over all other competitors in neutral mark- ets? Sacrifice that clause to Protection, and what should we stand to gain indus- trially? Under what Colonel Pryce-Jones calls an "antiquated system," our export trade in 1907 reached the enormous and un- precedented value of £ 420,000,000. Call that system by any name he likes, Britain has reason to be proud of it. It will be a sorry I day in her history when she discards it. The Colonel we have never accused of deliberate mis-statement, but his reiteration of Protectionist stock arguments is re- sponsible for a half truth told at Welsh- pool. A Cabinet Minister, he said, had ad- mitted the other day that England is worse off than Germany. We presume that he referred to Mr Winston Churchill's state- ment that unemployment is somewhat greater in Britain than in Germany, but if the Colonel had read that speech he would have noted the very material tail-end of the sentence—"at the present time." When that statement was made there were thous- ands of people thrown temporarily out of work in this country owing to the Lanca- shire cotton and North-east coast engineer- ing strikes Having, as he thought, made a palpable hit, he proceeded to contrast migration from the United Kingdom and Germany, by way of endeavouring to prove a sounder state of economic conditions in the Fatherland. We have heard the same arguments before now, but if, like the Borough Member, Col. Pryce-Jones has an "open mind" for in- struction in things he evidently has not studied, it may strike him as a remarkable fact that in our boom years from 1905 to 1907, migration from this country was high- est, while last year, when we were feeling the pinch of depressed trade, it dropped very substantially. Precisely the same ex- perience is that of Germany, where Dr Gothein, a member of the Reichstag, ob- served only the other day how non-existent is the connection between German pros- perity and migration. Then having ham- mered home these two fictions, the Colonel went on to tell the Welshpool workingman that his German fellow had a richer bank- book than the average workman here. 'Another stock argument which he has not taken the trouble to verify. Can he forget that this Protectionist nonsense, emblaz- oned upon a Tariff Reform leaflet, was called atention to in Parliament, and dis- owned by Mr Austin Chamberlain, who said fie thought no simple comparison of the amount of savings per head in the savings banks in different countries would lead us to any definite results in regard to the posi- tion or prosperity of the people, and that there are a great many other considera- tions which must be taken into account be- fore any just conclusion could be drawn? It may not be known by Colonel Pryce- I Jones that the people of other countries use the savings bank more largely than we do. If he only inquired into such matters, he would find that probably half of our work- ing class savings are invested in various societies. Finally, while parading German industrial conditions, why did the Colonel forget to tell his Welshpool audience that wages in the Fatherland are as high or higher, the hours of labour as short or shorter, and the cost of living as cheap or cheaper than they are in this country? But there-we are all forgetful at times, and Colonel Pryce-Jones is only human. STILL HOPEFUL. At their half-yearly meeting on Friday, the proprietors of the Cambrian Railways will not have much cause for rejoicing over a balance-sheet which, compared with that of the corresponding period of the previous year, shows a net decrease in receipts of F.1,075, and an expenditure increased by £ 5,706. Passengers, parcels, and mails traffic realised E837 less, and the income from the conveyance of minerals was re- duced by £993. The directors find some I consolation in the thought that the dimin- ished passenger receipts is less than might I have been expected, having regard to the attractions of the Franco-British Exhibi- tion, and also the wet weather which pre- vailed on the coast during August and Sep- tember. Continued depression in the build- ing trade is given as the cause of income shortage in respect of minerals, but the directors assign no reason for the improve- ment in merchandise and live stock traffic, which accounts for an increase of £602. They are encouraged by "a more hopeful outlook" in the current half-year. The increased outlay has been made upon the maintenance of way and works and ad- ditions to rolling stock, the locomotive, carriage, and waggon department absorb- ing £ 4,912 more. At present the Company is undergoing a financial transition, and forming co-operative agreements with other systems, the results of which will be watched with much speculative interest. THE KING'S SPEECH. The King's Speech fulfils general expec- tation. In the forefront is placed an as- surance of an extension of the Old Age Pensions Act, and a resolve to grapple in a practical and effectual manner with the evil of unemployment. We may anticipate an elimination of the pauper disqualifica- tion from the Old Age Pensions Act and other amendments which will bring within the scope of that measure many deserving old people now precluded from participation. Notwithstanding the somewhat fierce critic- ism of the Labour party, we have abundant faith in the Government's intention to deal with unemployment. The Prime Minister has significantly enough declared that it is a shame and a scandal to British legislation and administration that we should be con- stantly face to face, with this evil. Before long we shall witness the production of a scheme upon which the Ministerial mind is now engaged. True to his promise to Wales, Mr Asquith has given a foremost place to Welsh Disestablishment, but our gratification may well end there. The House of Lords will not seriously regard it as "imperilling their existence" to kick out that measure should it ever come within reach of their feet. A SURFEIT. During the past week we have had a sur- feit of politics between Parliamentary be- bates and local propaganda meetings, and to-night the Conservatives are to entertain us at Newtown. Since the occasion of his last visit our old friend Mr Sam Thompson has been taken under the Tory wing, and now he comes forth in the singular guise of a Unionist-Labour' preacher. What he will be finally proclaimed will be what he is-a Tory-Protectionist. The series of Lib- eral meetings so eloquently and impres- sively addressed by Mr Edgar Jones has stirred party enthusiasm in the boroughs and awakened a fighting sense of the great issues that are to be fought by and by. It would appear from correspondence in a contemporary that all is not well with Tory- ism in certain parts of the county. We read that a large number of Conserva- tives are smarting under grievances and feel hurt at the hands of the leaders," and the serious suggestion is made that "a full list" of the malcontents should be handed to Colonel Pryce-Jones for personal atten- tion. So faction, apparently, is not con- fined to one party in the boroughs. Before the next election, however, we may count on extfnet differences, and a fair fight on clear issues. A GREAT ACCOMPLISHMENT. From the chair of the Liberal meeting at Newtown on Tuesday evening, Mr Hugh Lewis omitted from a necessarily brief re- view of the Government's accomplishments an outstanding achievement which must never be forgotten. We refer to the aboli- tion o-f helot labour in South Africa, and the peaceful and prospering condition of that country. Since the repatriation cf these Chinese serfs began in 1907 their num- ber have been reduced by over 40,000, and the remaining 10,000 will go this year. Who forgets the political curses and the lamen- tations of Rand capitalists when it was proposed to squash this foetid legacy of Tory Imperialism? Predictions of ruin to the Transvaal filled every Tory paper, and were trumpeted from every Tory platform. Well, what has been the actual result? The total output from the goldfields has increased, and the dividends of the mining companies, which were to be overwhelmed with financial disaster by the withdrawal of Chinese labour, have been swollen to an 1 -L extent that gladdens the heart of every mining magnate. But better far than that, the country has been cleansed of moral putrefaction, and with the enjoyment of self-government under the aegis of the Brit- ish flag, Boer and Britain have settled down side by side to build up a new South Africa, so recently swallowed up in the maelstrom of militarism and racial ill-will, and defiled by the ugliest form of serfdom. THE RADICAL DESCRIBED. Addison tells us that when he read rules of criticism, he immediately inquired after the works of the author who had written them, and by that means discovered what it was he liked in a composition. Mr Horace W. Chatterton, who oratorically en- tertained the Welshpool Tories the other evening, scorns the Radical with passionate intensity. In picturesque language he describes that political opponent as "a superficial, probably half-educated muddle- head, who has never taken the trouble to get to the root of anything." This, no doubt, because the Radicals of Crewe and Tottenham were muddle-headed enough not to appreciate the wisdom of returning Mr Horace W. Chatterton as their Parliament- ary representative To him the Radical composition is an insufferable thing. "I have made it a rule of my life," says this cultured politician, "never to let political differences interfere with private friend- ships." Shall we smile most at his pedan- tic audacity or the rule so elegantly em- phasised? There was another Horace who conceived of a person that "swells with the praises which he gives himself, and, taking sanctuary in the crowd, brags of his impudence and scorns to mend." Mr Horace W. Clatterton may never attain to Parliamentary distinction, but beyond doubt he is pre-eminently qualified to take high rank among the hacks of the Primrose League. A NEW INFIRMARY FOR MONTGOMERYSHIRE. There is no form of philanthropy more practical, more sane, more human, than that which is devoted to the erection of in- stitutions for the cure or lessening of human suffering. Such institutions are monuments of the noblest of Christian virtues-charity —and they represent a human fellowship than which none other yields greater or more enduring delights. The Montgomery- shire Infirmary has worthily won the sym- pathetic support of all classes in the com- munity, and greater, surely, must be the pride they will have in maintaining the new building which it has been resolved to erect upon an ideal site so generously gifted by Mr Edward Powell, of Plasybryn. This most desirable project was made pos- sible by the magnificent help of the County Member and the Plas Dinam family, who offered to subscribe £3,000 on condition that a similar sum was raised publicly. Already more than half of this money has been promised, as the result of an appeal addressed only to our gentry. Among the subscribers are Lord Joicey ( £ 500), Lady Joicey (E200), Sir Pryce and Lady Pryce- Jones (E200), Mrs Arbuthnot ( £ 200), Mr Edward Jones, Trewythen (9100), and sev- eral sums of £50 and less have been in- timated from sympathisers with a cause that calls for many helpers. By and by a public appeal is to be made throughout the county, and we confidently anticipate a re- sponse such as will not only yield the requisite building fund, but provide a sub- stantial surplus with which to equip the new institution with every up-to-date re- quirement. It should not be forgotten that the infirmary is a county institution, and, therefore, has a strong claim upon every borough and parish which is privileged to enjoy its beneficence. WELSHPOOL HEALTH CONDITIONS. Many interesting observations are con- tained in the annual health report of Dr Crump, the medical officer for Welshpool, where no small amount of courage is re- quired in an official who would deal thor- oughly with unwholesome conditions. And of such conditions there are plenty to be found in the slumdom of Pool, which con- sists of "worn-out cottages, crowded to- gether in narrow courts, where little sun- light and fresh air <?a» h.t.htmI; Tt seems that nothing short of an earthquake can obliterate this black spot which dis- graces a country town set amidst surpassing natural beauty. Dr Crump makes some timely and instructive remarks upon the state of the water supply and the sewage and refuse disposal systems, to which the Corporation must give serious consideration. It is satisfactory to learn that the sources of the town's milk supply are "much im- proved," but it is regrettable that, unlike other towns, Welshpool has no foods and drug inspector keeping a watchful eye upon the milk standard. It ought to have. We are looking' forward with considerable in- terest to the Council's treatment of the various important suggestions in this re- port. THE BATTLE OF CONDUCTORS. We have always understood that in choral singing harmony is the aggregation of con- cordance. Yet is it not remarkable that nowhere else than in musical circles is dis- cord more pronounced. Jealously, rivalry. envy, and numerous other enmities splut- ter, sparkle, and not infrequently blaze up in musical organisations, as we have seen lately at Llanidloes, where still lingers the smoke of a battle of conductors, described at some length in last week's 'Express.' One can, of course, understand individual preference for particular style and even per- sonality in conductorship, but if the ma- jority are not to rule, then good-bye to all principles of peace and harmony. We know nothing of the respective merits of the three conductors who. have- bid for the glory of leading a trumphal chorus among the hoary hills of Llangurig, but Llanidloes will for once play false with its traditional spirit of all-conquering unity if its singers do not rally under the lead of the chosen batonist.

CAERSWS. TEMPERANCE MEETING.—On Tuesday evening a grand gathering of members of the temperance cause was held at the Temperance Room (the Buck Temperance Hotel). Mr Richard Evans, Main-street, presided, and addresses were delivered by the Chairman, and Mr J. E. Mills, Veterinary Surgeon; Mr J. T. Williams, Rhianfa; Mr J. Rees, Headmaster of the Counoil School. The attractive duett by Misses Mavis Lewis and Annie Humphreys, and the fine solo by Miss Breese, of tne Council School, was listened to with rapt attention. THE ANCIENT CITY CHOIR.—After the per- formance of the excellent cantata, A Day with our Lord," by the above choir (conducted by Mr E. Wilson, stationmaster, Moat Lane Junction), a meeting of the members was held at the Wesleyan Chapel, when a musical committee was formed of the conductor, Mr E. W ilson, accom- panist, Miss Rosa Thomas, secretary, Mr R. Thomas, treasurer, Mr T. Wilson, Postmaster, Miss P, Owen, Mrs Wilson. Moat Lane Junction, Mr W. Russell Rogers, and Mr Henry Preese, denfrvn. The practicing of some fine choruses commenced on Sunday evening last at the Wesleyan Chapel. The choir has the best wishes of the inhabitants of the Ancient City, who anticipate a grand musical future for it. THE NEW BAPTIST MISSION ROOM —One of the most sensational topics at present in the Ancient City is the departure 'of about forty influential members of the Baptist Church to a commodious and well furnished room in the Ruck Temperance Hotel, known as the Club-room. The deacons are Messrs Ed. George, Pontdolgoch Mill; Thomas Wilson, Postmaster; Rd. Jones, Tybryrh; John Nicholas, Glyn Square. Musical conductor, Mr Edward Wilson, stationmaster, Moat Lane Junction; organist, Mr. T. Wilson, It is pleasing to note that the singing and the meetings in general from the commencement have been very bright and popular. The whole neighbourhood wish the new Mission Room every success. <

A NEW COUNTY INFIRMARY. Free Site Gifted by Mr Edward Powell. Munificent Subscription by Plasdinam Family and Others At the annual general meeting of the Governors of the Montgomeryshire Infirm ary, held at Newtown on Thursday after- noon (Mr Hugh Lewis, of Glanhafren, pre- siding), gratifying progress was reported in connection with the project of erecting a new institution upon an admirable site generously gifted by Mr Edward Powell, of Plasybryn The Board of Management reported that, in accordance with the instructions of the last annual meeting of the Governors, they referred the question of ascertaining the cost of a suitable building and of appealing for the necessary funds to a committee. That committee met, and passed the fol- lowing resolution:— "That an appeal be made to the public for funds to build a proposed new infirm- ary at Newtown at an estimated cost of from £4,000 to E5,000, and that in the first instance a deputation be appointed to wait upon a few of the wealthy gentle men in the county, with a view of obtain- ing from them promises of financial sup- port." "That the deputation consist of Messrs W. Scott Owen, W. P. Phillips, and Wm. Watkins, and that they have power to add to their number and to decide upon whom to call." The deputation referred to had reported that day to the committee that they had received promises amounting to the grand total of £ 4,675. The principal contributors to -this amount are Mr David Davies, M.P., Mrs Edward Davies, and the Misses Davies, who offer £3,000 on the following condi- tions :— 1. That at least a further 1:3,000 is ob- obtained from other sources; and that at least £6,000 is spent upon the build- ings and fittings. 2. That the building is erected on the site which has been so kindly offered, free of cost, by Mr Edward Powell. 3. That an operating theatre and a dispensary are provided in the new building. 4. That the building is planned with a view to possible extension if it should be found necessary in future. The deputation being of opinion that a building costing from £4.000 to £5,000 would meet requirements, suggested to Mr Davies that the S:6,000 should include furnishings and equipments, and to this Mr Davies readily consented. The committee considered that the time had now arrived when an appeal to the public should be made, and, provided that Mr David Davies' sanction can be obtained, plans be advertised for on the basis of a limited competition, and the committee asked for authority to carry this out. Following the presentation of this report, Mr Scott Owen (chairman of the Building Committee) rose and moved the following resolutions:— (A) That the Governors accept the gen- erous offer of Mr Edward Powell, of Plasy- bryn, of the site for the proposed new infirmary, and that the best thanks of the Governors be tendered to him. (B) That the Governors tender to Mr David Davies and the Plas Dinam family their sincere thanks for the munificent gift of £3.000 towards the building fund of the new infirmary, the conditions at- taching to which they gladly accept. (c) That the' Governors authorise the Building Committee to negotiate for the sale of the present infirmary building, and to dispose 01 the same, together with the house adjoining, at such a sum as they (the Build fag Committee) consider fair and rc?r>w^>tbie; an", trustees to execute any ne*\jisary docu- mens for the purpose. Those three resolutions, he said, had been passed by the Building Committee for sub- mission to the annual meeting. He need not say much with regard to the first two, because the substance of them was common knowledge. Concerning the third, if the project was realised, they should have to take steps for the sale of the old building. Probably the best committee to refer the matter to would be that which was now meeting constantly, and which would be in touch with any persons who might be looking out for a building. Mr W. P. Phillips, in seconding, pointed out with regard to the third resolution that the powers of the Building Committee were very large and far-reaching, entitling them to take out of the hands of the Governors the sale of the present property. Before any board-especially a board of this char- acter, which was eminently business-like in its dealings—would do that, he felt sure that those who were present and also ab- sent would like to know of whom that com- mittee consisted. Having enumerated its personelle, Mr Phillips ventured to think the Governors would confidently trust the committee to deal with the important duty committed to it, without the slightest fear of their disposing of the property too cheap- ly. Respecting the first resolution, he did not know whether all of them had visited the splendid site which Mr Edward Powell had offered to the Governors, and, through them, to the county. It afforded the Build- ing Committee the greatest gratification to learn that all the competitive architects (about a dozen in number) were unanimous and loud in their praise of that site. There had been several questions raised in regard to the amount of land. Some thought that Mr Powell might stint them in the absolute quantity of ground which they should de- sire or the architect require. He, however, nad Mr Powell's word for it that whatever the new institution required in the matter of land that quantity would be placed at their disposal (applause). As regarded Mr David Davies and the Plas Dinam family he thought their very highest and warmest th?.nks were due to them for their magnifi- cent contribution to the needs of the suffer- ing poor of this district (applause). He had asked Mr Davies to donate the whole of the £ 6,000 required—(laughter)—because the in- firmary was essentially a county institution, They would find in the annual report a list of the parishes which the institution served; and anyone who thought that it was simply a Newtown infirmary would be quickly undeceived by noting the various parishes which year after year sent their wounded there for repairs, should he say. They were all agreed, he thought, that the conditions which Mr Davies and his family had attached to their munificent offer were eminently wise, and, he would almost say, statesmanlike. Mr Davies, when he (Mr Phillips) suggested his giving the whole of the E6,000, said he thought there would be many other persons who would feel verv anxious to give, and he did not, therefor/ care to deprive them of that excellent nn- portunity (hear, hear, and laughter1) Tt. teeS as°f ]th6 Buildin? Commit- tee, as soon as the plans came to hand to forward them to the assessor. A gentleman be?n 1ar)noinl.rdChiteCtUral Profession> had oeen appoin^d assessor—a friend of tho Rev Canon Woosnam—and when he had made his award, his report would come reSinJ ?hCOm-mAtKe- But that oommTtS retained the right to accept or reiect his award, feeling as they did that there were reasons why one set of plans would be wb[chSfhpanIC f°r thiS- di.strict than the one and i i! ^lgh consider the best, suitable fnr rtbJy. ,WOuId be the m°st SlSr W A idl31t.nct ln which the as- sessor happened to live. The Rev R. Evan-Jones: Will the asses- sor come down to look at the site? Mr Phillips: Yes. The Rev Evan-Jones: Then why depart from his decision? Mr Phillips: We have certain good reas- ons, and the architects fully approve them. As soon as the plans are finally determined, the Building Committee intend issuing a public appeal, and the successful architect will have to supply the committee with a water colour sketch of the new institution. I hope when this public appeal is floated, so to speak, that the shares will be readily taken up (applause). Only £1,350 is now required, and I believe that it will soon be obtained. I am extremely sorry to think we shall not have Mr Hugh Lewis's name figuring among the first three or four sub- scribers on the list, though, if I be allowed to say so, I am still in hopes that he will not consent to let this appeal go to the public, and the results of it handed on to ages to come, without his name and also that of Mrs Lewis appearing on it (hear, hear, and applause). His interest in the institution everybody knows; he has done much for it. I know he has its welfare at heart, and if he may not give £500, I hope his contribution will run, at least, into three figures (applause). This allusion to Mr Hugh Lewis arose from that gentleman's remark in reluct- antly accepting the post of hon. treasurer to the infirmary in place of Mr R. E. Jones, who resigned owing to increasing years. Mr Lewis said he intended doing something for Newtown which would cripple his re- sources for some little time, and therefore his name would not appear on the list of subscribers to the new infirmary. That was the reason he felt reluctant to accept the post, and he desired the Governors to understand why he could not subscribe, as he had given his attention to another mat- ter which he thought was much needed in the town (applause). The resolution was put and unanimously agreed to Mr Edward Powell, after acknowledging the kind personal allusions, said he would like to make a few remarks with reference to the proposed new institution. It was more than thirty years since he was first elected on the infirmary committee. He had taken a very active interest in its wel- fare for a good many years. Of late years he had not had the opportunity to do so, in consequence of being engaged elsewhere, but hoped in the future to renew that active interest (applause). It had always occurred to him that they ought to have an infirm- ary building worthy of the county. He re- membered as a boy when this institution was first established-he thought they would find it on the minutes-that it was decided to use the present buildings but temporarily. It was never intended that this should be the permanent habitation of the infirmary, and it had always been his wish to see a building thoroughly adapted to the purposes of the institution. When those fields on the Llanfair-road were offered for sale a few years ago, it occurred to him that they were admirably suited for such an institution. That was his main ob- ject in buying them (applause). He had not thought of offering the committee a site simply that they might have a site for a new infirmary. He was aware there were many other sites near Newtown which could be obtained, but with all due respect, he did not think they could find a more preferable one if they went round the whole district (hear, hear). Mr Phillips had re- ferred to the amount of land. The com- mittee could mark out the amount they required (applause). An institution like an infirmary must have something more than a site for itself and a backyard. They had no convalescent home in the town, and if on this site they reserved a portion of land in front of the building, and planted it with trees, flowers, and shrubs, it would prove of immense value to the patients, who, at present, had only a small garden in which to recreate, neAr the fogs and mists of the river (applause). He remembered of saying to Mr David Davies when he took him to see the site, "I will give the site if you will build the infirmary," to which Mr Davies replied, "It is a public institution for the benefit of the county, and I there- fore think everybody ought to consider it a privilege to give something towards it." Mr Davies assured him then that he would -0-7 :t'k"a AA.J.- "0-1.1., "1 expressed his satisfaction with the site. They ought also to recognise the promises of financial assistance from other ladies and gentlemen who had been approached.—(Mr Phillips: Hear, hear.)—He had no doubts as to the committees ability to raise the necessary money. As to the architects, whilst one could not always be expected to accept the opinion of experts, it was very pleasing to hear from them that they thor- oughly approved of the site. The subsoil was excellent, and he believed they would find rock about two feet beneath the sur- face. He hoped they would not erect a shanty, but a building which posterity would be proud of (applause).

CAERRWS BOARD OF GUARDIANS. Mr Richard LAWi" presided at the above Guar- dians on Wednesday in th Union Workhouse. There were also prespnt Mrs M. J. Lq-is, Mrs Bennett, Mpssrs T) LIr-yd (vicp-chairmn). T. Whi'ticase. LI. Humphreys W Alderson, Joseph Davies, Pryce Pugh, Edward Davids. Gwilym Lewis. Edward Thomas, D. T Francis, William .Tonep, John Getbin. P. R Wilson, Thomas Mills J. P Francie. Thomas Evans, Edward Lewis, Richard Bowen, D Hipps, Samuel Powell, together with the Clrk, Mr C. T. M. 'aylor. THE MASTER'S REPORT. The Master reported thai; divine service had b-en conducted at the House during the month by the following: R v j. JOhes (vicar), Mr J. Williams, Kev E. Prry, Nnwtown Mr T. R. Bridgwater and the Vicar also administered the sacrament of the Holy Communion on January 25th, Tracts, periodicals, etc.. wprp kindly given hy Rev E. Parrv, Mr Rees, Mr A. J. Hawkins, and Mr J Lewis. The Mastpr also repnrtfd that the number in the Bous", during the IR,t, week of the month was 85 as compared with 72 in the corres- ponding period of last yoar. Tramps receiving relief during the month numbers 411 as compared with 327 last year. THE LATE DR PURCHAS. The Clerk said that he regretted to report tho death of a very faithful servant of the Board, namely Dr Purchfis, which occurred about a fort- night ago. Under the Clrcumslancs be saw his partner (Dr Shearer). who had for f<om. time been carrying on tho duMee of Medical Officer, and had arranged with continue the work, pending a permanent IIpP"tnt ment. The Chairman saifl he was sorry to hear of the death of Dr Purch&s He was sure that they would ae-roe with hiT4 that t'hey ought to pass a vote of sympathy v;i the relatives. Dr Purchas had been a faithful ,«e>var>t of tin- Board for many years, and he carried (j'lt his »Vi,r-fc vtry satis- factory to all. The Vipo-Chairman seconded and the motion was carried. The Clerk was directed to write to the relatives conveying the condoU-na. of the Guardians The question of the appoint, nt of a va-die-al officer to Llanllwchaiarn and Tw.tt.ws pariah was then considered, and on the proposition of Mr Thomas Jor es, seconded by Mr R L" 't Dr Shearer was appointed Medical Officer vmtil the n^xt meeting when the office will be p-rixanentl v fillpd. THE PRESS ADMISSION ACT. A letter was rpceiv»»d froin the Local Goverr- ment Board, drawing attrition to the local authorities (admission of the Press to meetings Act, 1908. The Cl.rk t xpUiimd that, a resolution would have to be proposed rmrj seconded at each meeting if it was thought nfer-essary to discuss matters privately -=-

TREFNANN A.U. THE Trefnarnau branch of t;, N.W.W.T.A. assisted by the LlariPantffraid, 1\J eif..d, Llan- feebftin, and Grofslwyd brpnc" (- have now already successfully opposed, though their representatives (before the magistrates at Llan- fyllin), Alderman David Pryee, Kylkint, and Rev J. M. Edwards, Sarnau, an appeai made for a iicense to sell intoxicants on the fiell, and th^jr objection was supported by Deputy C. Williams, Newtown. The sisters are also undertaking to do the catering necessary for the day, and have decided to hand over all the profits they may make to the Pleughing Match funds.

THE BATTLE OF THE CONDUCTORS. A meeting to make a final selection from the four gentlemen nominated for the post of conductor of an united town choir to compete at the forthcoming Llangurig Eis- teddfod was held at the Bethel Hall on Tuesday evening. The Mayor (Mr E. R. Horsfall Turner) presided, and there were between 50 and 60 present—a very poor at- tendance, considering the number of singers in the town. At the outset, the Chairman announced that he had had handed to him letters from two of the gentlemen nominated at the meeting held the previous Friday—Messrs David Davies and Lewis Evans. Mr Davies wrote asking to have his name withdrawn from the list of candidates for the conduc-! torship, and added, "My opinion and sup- port will be withheld for the time being." Mr Evans also wished to have his name re- moved from the list of those nominated, as he had fully made up his mind to have nothing to do with it. The Chairman said he did not think these letters harmonised with the feelings of the meeting, and hoped there was a feeling of unity among the sing- ers. They had passed a 'unanimous vote to have a united town choir, and he should like to have seen present on Friday night those who were aspiring to the conductor- ship. He was sorry they were not present that night, and sorry also that thev had -o¿ given information of withdrawal of support. He hoped it would be possible still to have one competitive choir, which would be able to compete at Llangurig. There were things in the meeting of Friday which seemed to him rather uncompromising. It was sup- posed to have been a public meeting of sing- ers of all the choirs of the town to adopt a method whereby all the singers could be brought in. He was not very pleased with the cheering on certain occasions on Friday last, but thought it wisest to say nothing, though it would have been quite as well to conduct the proceedings with due respect to those holding opposite opinions. He hoped there would be only one choir, and thought it would be wise to have every choir represented on the committee. Before a vote was taken, Mr Richard Benbow, the only candidate present, gave his views on the matter. He detailed the various stages of the movement which led up to that meeting. A few weeks ago he was approached, and urged to form a choir to go to Llangurig, and consented very re- luctantly. He was not very enthusiastic at this time, but grew more so as time went on. It was agreed, he thought, that he was the first in the field, but it seemed that other gentlemen who had an equal right with himself to form choirs, commenced to do so. Then came the question that there were three choirs, when by right there ought a to be but one. He threw out the suggestion that some sort of a compromise ought to be arranged, and a meeting was called to discuss the matter in an amicable manner. The suggestion was not taken up, but officially or unofficially the bellman was sent round, and a public meeting con- vened. He attended that meeting, and they were all aware of the outcome of it. They were not allowed to meet. One of the other candidates invited him to a meeting a few days after to talk the matter over, and he said he had invited the other gen- tlemen who were aspiring to the conduc- torship, and also representatives from each choir. He attended that meeting, and they had a long discussion, and everything was done in an amicable manner. They came to the unanimous conclusion that a meet- ing of the singers of the town be called, and the Mayor asked to preside. Repre- sentatives from each choir were present, and one aspiring conductor. At that meet- ing it was passed unanimously that one choir be formed to go to this competition, and that a ctonductor should be elected at a meeting to be held that night. The gen- tlemen were nominated, proposed and seconded, and everything done in order. They came there that night, and according to their interpretation of the letters re- .1. +- would not aDicfe by the decision of any meeting. Those two gentlemen had supporters present no doubt, and he was very thankful to them for com- ing. He was disgusted by nothing so much as by singers standing aloof from this move- ment. The meeting that evening showed a unity, and wished to come to some under- standing. He was the only one nominated who was present. In their minds, what was done there would not be in any sense bind- ing upon the other two gentlemen. If he read aright, and he thought it was plain between the lines, that those two gentle- T3 W £ ° letters did not intend to abide by the decision of that meeting. He would like to know if there was anything more they would like him to do. He had offered to put the question of conductorship rlntl lCl +1WaS to sa>r to let the candi- dates be tested in some manner as to their capabilities and merits. He had heard since that his offer was construed into the himself^ All £ ™al5ing very much of himself. All he intended was to make a could make no fairer offer and that the voting should go by the ma- There' abide b* shoufd f a ier Tfrgur»ent which he should put forward. It was said the con- shcmid8 not 3 Tfht -° °ertain sin^rs. He snould not ask singers who sang with another conductor to sing with him. If mZ that th« 5S\ve" quite equal, and no one had a prior rieht as to°hfs tnrney ^°"ld,consider his claims ins a comnotir *1 not been conduct- he^thouih? twef^ ^for some years> but done so «Lr £ mentioned had thins? -id fo; had offered every- wfshedg votinf itIeh?n pre°sent not intend t0 that i-jwas very unfertunate inat the other candidaes were not present \V hdrawmg without coming there was [lv en,0°rmi^,US- had been informed IS i ? gentlemen who held the key when Si* lrS^mef .g u calIed reaI]y had the sole authority to hold the key. A vote by ballot resulted in the election of Mr Benbow by a very considerable majority.

CrUILSFlJjjLD. DAVID JONES AND SON have a few sacks of Seed Oats for Sale Agents for Molasaine Meal, etc.-31, Fligh-stre-t, W-Ishpool.

Cattle Sale at Carno, Me-srs P Wilson J -nes and Davis held their second annual ^prin^r cattle sale at Carno on Thursday last, wt^n 120 fat and store cattle com- posed the cattle, and^pt two entries all passed uv,d-r tho hamrmr Hnri changed hands at very BMtisfucrory pries. The bulls sold remarkably W(dl, thf tol'owinir prie.s being realised Thomas, Craiitfryn. ^24., 10. Messrs Jone*, Wylfa, £ 24* '• and HHm.r. t22 10s All t-hp barrend were d,st,o-pd of, making up to X14 2s, and others from £ 10 t-. £ 13 P* 6d Th-i store bullocks made up to X12 12s 61 apiece and others from £ 9 5s to £ \2. a'i chHn^ingf hands. Amongst the good at't-ridaoc" of buyers were MPPSTS Monk, Birmingham; J OHR, Sutton; Y Rtes, Shrewsbury; Evans, SirfHwshmy. Williams, Woodlands Daviop. 0<>edca- Mduric, Hughes, Pryce James, Kirkham, and mm> v o'h>-rs.

BERlil BW. DllvID JONF. AND ON have a few sacks of Seed Oats for Averts for Molassine Meal., etc.—31, H<tfh strnt-'t, Wflshpool.

MR. DAVID DAVIES' FOX HOUNDS WILL MEET Monday, February 22nd Llawr-y-glyn at 10-30 a.m. Thursday, February 25'h Guilsfield at 10-30 a m. Saturday, February 27th Llandinam Bridge at 10-30 a.m.

SEEN AND HEAR Nothiniz extenitatp, nor iwt do-o t malic6. Siff K o-rva 8. I am told that it was really pathetic to witness the intense disappointment that wrinkled the physiognomy of those Welsh- pool working men, who, having scurried to the Tory smoker in high hopes of a swill in glorious beer, realised how cleverly and cruelly hoaxed they had been. Consistently enough, they were hoaxed, too, to sing the transcendent praises of "Good Old Joe," who, by taxes, taxes, and still more taxes on food and every other necessary of life, is going to make them all "multi-million- aires. What a glorious contrast to the present state of existence for self, wife, and children on 15s or 18s a week in a Powys- land slum. How heartily the landlords must laugh in secret over this pitiful credulity; with what contempt must they regard this lamentable servility, which one always finds in a sphere of feudal influ- ence. Poor, pitiful, working men, you are but the political pawns for the sport (of Knights and Dames, who know you not, and value you only for the vote which they strove to deny you of. Poor chaps. Why is it we see these landed magnates tumbling over each other in their enthu- siasm for Protection? Is it not because they see that it will arrest the tendency to tax the superfluities rather than the neces- saries of life? What though the poor be bled to pallor by taking toll of every bite they put into their mouths and every- arti- cle they put upon their backs, so long a the basis of taxation is broadened, and thus removed from accumulated wealth! What has happened in the world of politi- cal economy to affect the great truth so solemnly proclaimed by Mr Chamberlain himself from a hundred platforms that Pro- tection will make the rich richer a"nd the poor poorer? For the plain wayfaring worker, for any whose capital is his labour, and who can only earn that which his hands can dig from the granite rock of his circumstances, Protection simply means that taxes must be placed on food. "You mind your own business!" This was the blunt, boorish, ready response which I drew from a burly farmer the other day. As quickly I assured him that that was precisely what I was doing. The re- tort visibly unsettled him, as he confronted me with evident feelings of annoyance and disturbing doubt as to my identity. I had watched him from the summit of a long, steep hill riding on his cart heavy-laden with coal. Now and then the toiling horse, despite blows from a stout sapling, would stop, swing a little to the side in order to relieve the collar strain, and regain fresh breath and strength for the exhausting ascent. When, after a series of these strug- gles, it reached ryie, I suggested to the cor- pulent rustic that had he walked the hill it would have materially lightened the bur- den of the dumb animal, whose laboured panting all too painfully proved the severe ordeal through which it has passed. I have I already given his unfeeling reply. This opening skirmish provided the oppor- tunity for a homily as I walked alongside. I explained to him how inarticulate crea- tures had a strong claim upon the symD/vthk oi nranKtna, now _Decause.he hath pity on every living creature, therefore is a man called holy," and how close is the bond which links these dumb lives to ours when we remember that they were the compan- ions of the Creator-and so on in this strain, which gradually mollified the big fellow's temper, until finally he descended from the cart, and, to my astonishment, sought my hand, apologised for his hastiness of speech, lovingly patted "the little girl" be- tween the shafts, and then, halting her, called my attention in saddening tones to a bleeding wound on her flank. It was a wound inflicted by that knotted stick, which he flung vigorously far into the adjacent field. I studiously kept silent as the farmer leaned his arm on the neck of the mare and gazed remorsefully into the distance. His finer feelings had evidently been awak- ened. Suddenly turning round to me, and burying both hands in his trouser pockets, he exclaimed, with an accompanying glance at the ugly wound, "I wouldn't take £ 50 to do that again. This little girl has taken me and the missus to market these ten years; she was the favourite of our little Tom, who died last year, and to think I'd lick her so." He turned, to pat the mare, in order, I thought, to control a starting tear, and how gladly she reciprocated the kindly touch of his hand by rubbing her cheek on his breast. "I thank you, sir, for your words," he continued, without looking round, and with a "come away, lass," he left me to ponder. I stood and watched them slowly mount the next hill, the farmer leaning on the point of the shaft to ease the burden of his faithful mare, the while encouraging her with words that hurt not with the sting of anger or impatience. I watched till they disappeared over the crest, and then retraced my steps with in- expressible feelings of joy. He will identify me now. ft 'Twas the same day I came upon a little band of nicely-dressed lads, two of whom carried air-guns. "Having good sport?" I queried. "Yes, sir, two blackbirds and a thrush," replied the elder of the two who dangled the bodies of these dead songsters at the end of a string, like the scalps in an Indian's belt. Invited to reflect upon how dull and cheerless a world this would be if there were no birds to hail us with their matins or soothe us with their evening hymns, he instantly exclaimed, "But they eat all our fruit." Gathering them around I explained how in France the same com- plaint led to the wholesale slaughter of birds, with the result that the orchards were almost irretrievably damaged by an irradicable plague of insects, how our various birds perform various functions for the benefit of mankind, how seriously tisky it is to interfere with the balance of nature, and how hard and unfeeling must become the heart that deliberately destroys these feathered minstrels of the air. I left the lads thinking, and if they bore my little lecture home, I trust their parents have emphasised it. It's wonderful what one may accomplish by dropping a kindly, reproving word here,' and an encouraging word there, and a little lessen everywhere by the wayside. What delights of self- approving conscience are to be found in scattering little seeds of kindness. Luxx SQA&PS.