The Montgomeryshire Express and Radnor Times

I- TO THE ELECTORS OF THE COUNTY OF MONTGOMERY. GENTLEMEN,— A T THE PRESENT TIME FOUR GREAT CX DANGERS threaten the country. They are:— 1. SOCIALISM.-The Budget, with its attack on property, necessarily in- volving insecurity of capital, and consequent diminution of home in- dustry and employment. 2. REVOLUTION.Abolishing the au- thority of the House of Lords, and handing over our liberties, our pro- perty of all kinds, and ourselves to the absolute and unchecked despotism of a Single Chamber, governed by imperious and auto- cratic Ministers. 3. HOME RULE.Leading to the sep- aration of Ireland, and probably to a resort to arms on the Dart of tnp. deserted Protestant minority. 4. INVASION AND LOSS OF THE EMPIRE.—Following upon the ne- glect of our National Defences. All, these I regard as real and terrible perils. I ask you to help to avert them, by refusing to return the present Govern- ment to power. And I feel it my duty to offer myself as a Candidate for your sup- port. My policy is to fight against these great dangers but it is not merely a policy of defence. The positive policy which I support is TARIFF REFORM—a system of import duties combined with Colonial Preference, which will raise additional revenue largely at the expense of the foreigner, and at the same time, by encouraging home indus- tries increase employment and prosperity among our own people, while it will furn- ish additional ties to bind together our great Empire. With regard to Agriculture, the prevail- j ing interest in this County, I am heartily in agreement with the programme put for- ward by the National Farmers' Union. I ought to add one word upon a subject which can never be kept in the back- ground in a Welsh contest, namely, Welsh Disestablishment and Disendow- ment, and the question of Religious Edu- cation in Elementary Schools. As a broad- minded Christian, I strongly oppose the mutilation and spoliation of a religious body which is, by common consent, doing a great Christian work. On the other question, I hold that parents should have the right to determine the -character of the religious education to be given to their children. Should you do me the honour to return me as your Member, you may be sure I shall do my best to promote the interests of our beloved country, and in particular those of my own county. I have the honour to remain, Gentlemen, Your Obedient Servant, A. W. WILLIAMS WYNN. Coed-y-maen, January, 1910.

TO THE ELECTORS OF THE COUNTY OF RADNOR. GENTLEMEN,— THE LIBERAL GOVERNMENT, which JL was elected to office. four years ago, and supported by such an overwhelming and un- precedented majority, has been compelled to appeal to the Country by the unconsti- tutional action of the House of Lords. For more than 200 years the House ot Lords has not ventured to interfere with the Finance of this Country. The refusal to pass into law the financial provision, made by the House of Commons, for the service of the year, is a breach of the Con- stitution and a usurpation of the rights of the Commons. This is the opinion expressed by an overwhelming majority of the Mem- bers of the House of Commons, and I feel sure that this opinion will be confirmed by the verdict of the Country. The main issues before the Electors are (1). To maintain the system of Free Trade, under which our country has prospered so marvellously. (2). To secure the passing of Mr Lloyd George's Budget, which places a fairer share of the burden of taxation on the shoulders of the rich, who are best able to bear it. (3). To take away from the House of Lords that unrestricted veto, by means of which they have destroyed so many measures ardently desired by the Country. I am heartily in favour of these objects of Liberal policy which, in my opinion, are essential to the welfare of our Country, and I appeal to you in all earnestness to support them by your votes. During the 4 years the Liberals have been in office they have passed many important measures, amongst them being some which greatly benefit Farmers and others inter- ested in the land, namely: An Agricultural Holdings Act, securing compensation to Farmers for damage done by game, with freedom of cropping and disposal of pro- duce, and compensation for unreasonable disturbance. A Fertilisers and Feeding Stuffs Act, en- suring that sellers of Fertilisers and Feed- ing Stuffs shall state the chemicals and in- gredients used, thus enabling the Farmer to know what he is dealing with. A Butter and Margarine Act, for prevent- ing the manufacture and importation of adulterated butter and butter substitutes, and imposing restrictions on the sale of these articles. Also a Small Holdings and Allotments Act. They have also passed Acts for the- Protection of Children. Better Housing of the Working Classes. And for providing Pensions for the aged Poor. This last Act will considerably relieve the Poor Rates. An Act was also passed for the Establish- ment of Labour Exchanges, for the purpose of dealing with the question of unemploy- ment, a subject which has engaged the con- stant and sympathetic attention of the Government. The Budget Bill, which the House of Lords refused to pass, has, by a fairer system of Taxation, placed a larger share 01 the Taxes upon the shoulders of those best able to bear it, and that without put- ting any further taxes upon the food of the people or other necessaries of life, or laying any increased burden upon Agriculture, as Agricultural land is specially exempted from the new taxes. Under the Budget, a large sum was also to be raised by a Tax upon Motor Spirit and Motor Cars, which was to be given to the Local Authorities for the improvement of the roads, the expense of which has hitherto fallen heavily upon the Rural Ratepayers. In Administrative work, the Liberal Government has been equally active, and has by its care and foresight saved the Country a large amount of money, and has introduced many valuable Reforms, both in the Post Office and in other De- partments of the State. It has reduced the National Debt by about 40 millions, and taken off taxes amounting to more than seven millions. It has efficiently re-organised the Army, which the late Tory Government left in a state of chaos, and it has also reorganized and enormously strengthened the Navy, which is now more powerful than it has ever been before, and is fully capable of defending our homes, our commerce, and our Colonies from attack. j I have always advocated and am still in favour oi a truly national system of Educa- tion, free from denominational tests for teachers a fair scheme or the Disestab- lishment and Disendowment of the Church of England in Wales Land Law and other reforms on the lines suggested by the Brecon and Radnor Farmers' Union and a measure of Temperance Reform. I am also in favour of a thorough and efficient re- form of the Poor Law a reform of our Electoral and Registration system by short- ening the period of qualification and estab- lishing a system of adult suffrage, and of establishing a subordinate legislature for England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales for the management of their purely local affairs. The Liberal Party in 1906 pledged itself to get rid of Chinese Labour in South Africa, and it has kept its pledge. There are very few Chinese now remaining, and there would be none but for the extraor- dinary action of the late Tory Government, on the eve of resigning office, in licensing the importation of a further 13,000. The Chinese were sent back when their con- tracts expired, and the last of them will have left in a few weeks. The Liberal Government has not only put an end to the disgraceful experiment of Chinese Labour, with its attendant hor- rors, but has also granted Self-government to the Transvaal and Orange River Colony, and cordialy co-operated with the South African Conlonies in procuring the Federa- tion of the South African States, under a representative of the British Crown: This staesmanlike action has brought peace and harmony to South Africa, and has thus materially conduced to the well-being of the British Empire. If you do me the honour to return me to Parliament once more, it will be my constant endeavour to do all in my power to serve your interests to the best of my ability. I am, Gentlemen, I Your Obedient Servant, FRANCIS EDWARDS. The Cottage, Knighton, 10th January, 1910.

ELECTION NOTICES. MONTGOMERY BOROUGHS. PARLIAMENTARY ELECTION, 1910. I EDWARD PRYCE-JONES, a Candidate 9 at the above Election, HEREBY GIVE NOTICE that I have appointed SYDNEY HERBERT JARVIS, of 44, Broad-street, New- town, in the County of Montgomery, Solicitor, to be my ELECTION AGENT, and the address of his Office, at which all Claims, Notices, Writs, Summonses and Documents may be delivered, is 44, Broad-street, Newtown. And I Hereby Farther Give Notice that all Contracts and Payments on account of or in respect of the conduct or management of my Election, must be made with, by, or through my said Election Agent. And that I have authorised and will authorise no other person to enter into any contract or to make or receive any payment on my behalf. Dated this 21st day of December, 1909. (622) E. PRYCE-JONES. MONTGOMERY BOROUGHS. PARLIAMENTARY ELECTION, 1910. I JOHN DAVID REES, a Candidate at the 9 above Election, HEREBY GIVE NOTICE that L have appointed MARTIN WOOSNAM, of Newtown, in the County of Montgomery, Solicitor, to be my ELECTION AGENT, and that the address of his Office, at which al] Claims, Notices, Write, Summonses and Documents may be delivered, is "Salon Chambers," No. 8 Broad-street, Newtown, in the said County oi Montgomery. And I Hereby Further Give Notice that all Contracts and Payments on account of, or ir respect of, the conduct or management of mJ Election must be made with, by, or through mJ said Election Agent. And that I have authorised and will authorise, no other person to enter int< any contract or to make or receive any paymen' on my behalf. Dated this 24th day of December, 1909. L627 (Signed) J. D. REES. COUNTY OF MONTGOMERY. PARLIAMENTARY ELECTION, 1910. I DAVID DAVIES, of Pissdinara, Llan- 9 dinam, in the County of Montgomery, a Candidate at the above Ejection, HEREBY GIVE NOTICE that I have appointed LLEWELYN PHILLIPS, of Llanidloes, in the County of Montgomery, Solicitor, to be my ELECTION AGENT, and that the Address of his Office, at which all Claims, Notices. Writs, Summonses, and Documents may be delivered 26, High-street, Newtown. And I Hert-by Further Give Notice that all Contracts and Payments on account of, or in respect of, the conduct or management of my Election must be madH with, by, or through my said Election Agent. And that I have authorized, and will authorize no other person, to enter into any contract, or to make or receive any payment on my behalf. Dated this 24th day of December, 1909 L626 (Signed) DAVID DAVIES. COUNTY OF MONTGOMERY. PARLIAMENTARY ELECTION, 1910. ]" ARTHUR WATKIN WILLIAMS-WYNN, !• of Coedymaen, Meifod, in the County of Montgomery, a Candidate at the above Election, HEREBY GIVE NOTICE that I have appointed CHARLES SHUKER, of La- burnum House, Welshpool, in the County of Montgomery, to be my Election Agent, and that the address of his office at which all Claims, Notices, Writs, Summonses, and Documents may be delivered, is Laburnum House, Salop-road, Welshpool. And I hereby further give Notice that all Contracts and Payments on account of or in respect of the conduct or management of my Election must be made with or through my said Election Agent. And th&t I tieve authorifKvl and will authorise no olhir pc* un to entei vuto ally contract or k> make o' receive any payment on my behalf. Dated this 24th day of December, 1909. (Signed) A. W. WILLIAMS-WYNN. PUBLIC NOTI CBS. PUBLIC NOTICE. I HEREBY GIVE NOTICE that I will not be Respoi sible for any Debts contracted by my Wife—Ann Harding-after this date. (Signed) B. HARDING. Nantypatby, Beguildy. January 15th, 1910. M72 Mr, A. J. BIBB. F R.C.O., (Organist of Newtown Parish Church), HAS VACANCIES FOR A LIMITED Number of Pupils. TERMS: Organ and Theory Lessons, 2 Guineas per quarter; Voice Production and Pianoforte, 1 Guinea. Candidates prepared for Musical Examinations.—Address Cotind Villa, New-road, Newtown. (466) MISS GITTINS, L.R.A.M. LESSONS ON PIANOFORTE AND VIOLIN. If art Term Commences Tuesday Jan. 18. Terms on Application. The Elms, Newtown. (28) D. PUGH, F.B.H.I., WATCHMAKER AND JEWELLER, CEKKES BOAD, Has an IMMENSE STOCK of Table and Dessert Knives, Spoons, Carvers, Pocket Knives, Razors, and Scissors: Presentation Sets, Wedding Rings. CLOSE TO CEMMES ROAD STATION. Orders by Post punctually attended to. WELSHPOOL GRAMMAR SCHOOL PREPARATIONS for the University Locals, Preceptors, Public Schools, Shorthand Certificate, and Civil Service Examinations. OVER 100 PASSES during the last five years in the above Examinations. Thirty Shorthand Certificates gained since 1893. CAMBBIDOB LOCALS. ALL PASSICD. HONOURS. RESIDENT MASTER, UNIVKRSITT GRADUATE. Cambridge Local Examination Class now forming Comfortable Home for Boarders. Moderate Terms.. i87 T. F. HILES, Head Master. UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF WALES, ABERYSTWYTH (One of the Constituent Colleges of the University of Wales). President: The Right Hon. Lord RendeL Principal: T. F.Roberts, M.A. (Oxon) LL.D. (Vict) STUDENTS are prepared for Degrees in Arts, ks Scienoe (including the applied Science of Agriculture), Law and Music. Sessional Com- position Fee, X10, with additional Laboratory Few for Science Students. Registration Fee, iCl. Men Students reside in Registered Lodgings in the town, or at the Men's Hostel. Warden: Prof. J.W. Marshall, M.A. Women Students reside in the Alexandra Hall of Residence for Women. Warden: Miss E. A. Fewings. For full particulars respecting the General Arts and Science Departments, the Law, Agriculture, and Day Training Departments, the Department for the Training of Secondary Teachers, and the Hostels, apply to J. H. DAVIES, M.A., Registrar. MONTGOMERYSHIRE EDUCATION AUTHORtn TEACHERS, as indicated, are REOUIRED IMMEDIATELY for the following SCHOOLS:— HEADS. Certificated-Dylife C.E., Mistress (Welsh essen- tial), £ 65. ASSISTANTS (Female). Unoortificated-Carno Cl. (knowledge of Welsh), 1 £ 40. Penybontfawr C.E. (to teach Welsh and Sewing), £ 45. Llaugadfan C.E. (Welsh essential), to take sewing, £ 40. Darowen C.E. (Welsh eafieritial). X40. Bettws C.E., X40. Arddleen Par., £ 40. Chorchstoke C.E., £ 40. Montgomery C E. (2 vacancies), X40 each. Llaagynog CI., £ 40. Supplementary-Bedan C.E., .£35. Dwyrhiew CI., .£25. Forms of application may be obtained from W'1 the undersigned, on receipt of stamped addressed foolscap envelope for reply. Canvassing, directly or indirectly, a disqualiifcation. LLEWELYN PHILLIPS, I Clerk to the Education Authority. County Education Offices, Newtown, January 14th, 1910. jfgi AND SONGS FOR THE PEOPLE," with JU music (folio size).—One Penny (postage, kd).-Mudo Salon, Newtown.

GENERAL ELECTION, 1910. MONTGOMERY COUNTY. TO THE ELECTORS OF MONTGOMERY- SHIRE. Gentlemen,— THE COUNTY LIBERAL ASSO- JL CIATION has again unanimously adopted me as the Liberal Candidate for this County, and I therefore venture to offer you my services as your Representative in Parliament. Since I was returned four years ago, I have endeavoured to fulfil the trust reposed in me to the best of my ability, and, if I am again elected, I shall continue to do my utmost to pro- mote the best interests and welfare of the country. When I last appealed for your support, I commented upon the disadvan- tages of our system of party government, and I have seen no reason to modify my views on this point. Before referring to the various items in the Liberal programme, and particularly to the vital issue of the Lords' Veto, I would remind you of some of the important facts in the history of the late Government. LIBERAL RECORD-1906-1909. The Liberal policy with regard to the Navy has been, and will continue to. be, to preserve its overwhelming supremacy by ensuring that it is strong enough to overcome any probable combination of foes. The safety of our Empire must be above all other considerations, and no question of economy should prevent us from continuing this policy. The Regular Army has been thoroughly re-organised, and the Territorial Army has been created as a second line of Home de- fence. The policy with regard to the Colonies commands my entire approval. There is nothing which can justify the Conservatives | in dfiscrihins' the late Government as "Little Englanders." Three Imperial Con- ferences, attended by representatives of the various Colonies, have been held. The first took place in 1907, and was productive of several important improvements in Imperial organisation. This Conference has been made a permanent institution, and will meet every four years to discuss the affairs of the Empire. The second was a Colonial Mer- chant Shipping Conference, held in the same year. The third, which followed on the generous offer of Dreadnoughts by Aus- tralia and New Zealand, was a special Con- ference on Imperial Defence, held last sum- mer. This Conference has resulted in co- operation between the Mother Country and the Colonies for the purpose of mutual de- fence, one of the greatest and most import- ant events in the history of the Empire. In 1906-7 the Liberal Party granted Self- government to the Transvaal and the Orange River Colony. The wisdom of the adoption of this course is proved by the subsequent union of all our South African Colonies un- der one Parliament. The Empire now has a united and loyal South Africa. The administration of foreign affairs is often fraught with great and us, diffi- cuties, but owing to the ability, foresight, and tact of the Foreign Secretary, peace has been preserved and British prestige has been strengthened all over the world: Turning to Home affairs, and first to Agriculture, the record of the Liberal Party has, in mv judgment, been exceptionally good. The Small Holdings and Allotments Act, 1907, provides further facilities for es- tablishing small farms throughout the coun- try, with the object of preventing rural de- population. The Agricultural Holdings Act, 1908, has effected important improvements in the law relating to tenant farmers, and the Devlopment and Road Improvement Funds Act, 1909, contains provisions for aid- ing and developing agricultural and rural industries, such as forestry and the breed- ing of stock, and the construction and main- tenance of roads. Apart from these Acts of Parliament, the Departmental Committee on Agricultural Education, upon which I served, was appointed in 1907, and made their Re- port in 1908. Funds have been provided under the Development Act referred to for carrying out some of the recommendations of this Committee. The Report of the Royal Commission on the Poor Law has been published, and the Liberal Party will, it is hoped, now be enabled to frame legislation for dealing with the permanent causes and conditions of un- employment. In the meantime, the Labour Exchanges Act, 1909, has been passed, and the Unemployment Insurance Bill would, if the Liberals had remained in office, have been introduced this year. Much of the general legislation, such as the Small Hold- ings, the Patents, and the Development Acts has been of a nature to lessen unem- .1_ __L piuyxnenTj. The Old Age Pensions Act, 1908, has been the means of conferring incalculable bene- fits on the aged poor of our country. When the Bill came before the House of Lords an attempt was made to insert various amend- ments, but the most important were ruled by the Speaker to be breaches of privileges of the House of Commons, and the Bill was passed. The Lords contented themselves with a resolution of protest. The Education (Administrative Provisions) Act, 1907, contains provisions for the medi- cal inspection of children admitted to and leaving school. The Children Act, 1908, consolidates and amends the law in many ways so as to give greater protection to children. I may add that during the three years ended 31st March, 1909, the National Debt has been reduced by about £ 47,000,000, and if the Budget should be passed, it is esti- mated that the Sinking Fund will be re- .1nnarl 1m V-q--rM nnn onri thØ nØht- hv a fur- ther E6,500,000 in the year ending 31st March, 1910. FURTHER LIBERAL REFORMS. The injustice imposed upon the Noncon- formists of Wales by the Education Act, 1902, has not yet been removed, although four separate attempts have been made by the Liberal Party. The resistance of the House of Lords has hitherto made legislation I on this subject impossible. I adhere firmly to the two great principles-that taxation and control must go together, and that there must be no sectarian tests, and I earnestly hope that amendments of the Act of 1902 on these lines will be obtained in the near future. The proposal to Disestablish the Church of England in Wales occupies a prominent position in the Liberal programme, and the Prime Minister has promised that the long- delayed claim of the Welsh people for com- plete religious equality will be one of the first to be realised. Bill (l) to reduce the number of public houses, and (2) to put an end to the present Licensing system, so that the State might obtain full control of the retail trade, was passed through the House of Commons in 1908. Although the majority in that House when the Bill was read the third time was 237, the House of Lords rejected this urgent reform. Any similar Bill which would have the effect of minimising the evils of drink would command my heartiest support. I am not a Home Ruler, and I could not vote for any scheme for the political separa- tion of Ireland from Great Britain. Before legislative powers are granted to the people of Ireland, they should first be placed in a position to administer their own purely local affairs. This is an agricultural constituency, and, believing that agriculture is the mainstay of every country, I shall always support fair proposals—legislative or administrative—cal- culated to benefit the agricultural industries. I am aware that there are several matters in which reform is desirable, and, if re- turned to Parliament, I shall continue to regard agricultural interests as having a special claim on me. Whilst disagreeing with certain provisions of the Budget, I do not oppose it as a whole, and I voted for the third Heading. I con- sider that it is a better Budget than could have been produced by the Tariff Reformers. It is expressly provided in the Budget that agricultural land is not to be taxed, but apart from agricultural land, I am not in favour of the taxation of land values except for the purposes of local rating, and I voted against the proposal. The only alternative for the Budget sug- gested by the Conservatives is Tariff Reform, and Tariff Reform is also their remedy for unemployment. It is obvious that taxes on foreign imports cannot supply revenue and, at the same time, keep those imports out of the country. I have given the question of Tariff Reform my most careful and earnest consideration, and, during the past four years, have visited countries where the system of taxing im- ports exists. I have now come to the con- clusion that it would be disastrous to the well-being of an old country like ours to de- part from the policy of Free Trade. The experience of foreign countries is that taxes on imports are, in the main, paid by the consumer. Consequently the price of all imported articles, including food, on which taxes would be imposed, would be raised, the cost of living and of production would be increased, and the trade, commerce, and prosperity of the country would be crippled. THE DOMINATING ISSUE AT THIS ELECTION. I have referred to questions with which the Liberal Party will deal if they obtain a majority at this Election, but these ques- tions-important as they are—sink into insig- nificance when compared with the great Constitutional issue raised by the action of the House of Lords in rejecting the Budget. It has been the well recognised rule and practice of our Constitution that the Lords have no power over finance, and that, in the language of William Pitt, The concurrence of the Peers and the Crown to a tax is only necessary to clothe it with the form of law. The gift and grant is of the Commons alone." The House of Lords have trans- gressed this rule, and the immediate effect is to force a dissolution of Parliament. The ultimate effect, if the Conservatives are re- turned with a majority, will be to entitle the Lords to interpret the result of the Elec- tion as authority from the people to exercise a veto on Finance at any future time. In other words, the Electors would give to the Lords power to dismiss from office any Government —Liberal or Conservative-with which the Lords might not agree, and the Lords would, therefore, be the uncontrolled rulers in the country. The great question we have to decide, therefore, is whether the supreme power vested in Parliament is to remain in the hands of the elected representatives of the people in the House of Commons, or be transferred to the House of Lords-an oligarchy responsible only to itself. The fundamental principle, upon which all our institutions at home and in the Colonies are based, is that of representative govern- ment, whereby the will of the people, as freely expressed from time to time, is translated into legislation and executive &vl ^v," *s t^ie adoption of this principle that has saved our country from revolution- ary changes and social upheavals for more than two hundred years, and it is this prin- ciple that is at stake now. The Lords have always disliked reforms. Since the fight for the great Reform Act, 1832, they opposed the Ballot Act, the Act for removing the Disabilities of the Jews, the Acts for removing the Disabilities of Nonconformists at the Universities, the Fran- chise Act of 1884, and many others. During the last four year they wrecked or rejected twelve Bills—including the Education, the Licensing, and the Finance lUUs-and yet, during the previous ten years, when the Conservatives were in power, they did not reject a single Bill. The House of Lords has no claim to be regarded as an impartial Revising Chamber. In the language once used by Mr Joseph Chamberlain, it has become, so far as the majority is concerned, a mere branch of the Tory caucus, a mere instrument of the Tory organisation, and the House of Lords does what the Tory wire-pullers of the Tory party suggest. We suffer because the House of Lords is permanently in opposi- tion to a Liberal Government." This is the greatest political crisis in the history of our country since 1832, and I would impress upon you your responsibility as voters at this Election. By degrees our forefathers have fought and won, for the representatives of the people, the powers, rights and privileges which belong to them. These powers, rights and privileges are now claimed by an unrepresentative body at the bidding of one Party for one object, namely, Tariff Reform. I believe in government by two Chambers, the first instituting legislation, and the second for revision and a check on hasty legislation but I am strongly in favour (a) of a drastic reform of the existing House of Lords, and (b) of taking steps to render the absolute supremacy of the House of Commons in all financial matters unassaila- ble in the future. I appreciate the honour conferred upon me by the County Liberal Association in adopting me as the Liberal Candidate for roy native County, and I sincerely trust that the contest will be fought with absolute fairness on both sides. Believe me to be, Yours very faithfully, DAVID DAVIES. Plas Dinam, Llandinam, Montgomeryshire, 8th January, 1910.

TO THE ELECTORS OF THE CON- TRIBUTORY BOROUGHS OF MONT- GOMERY. GENTLEMEN,— UPON THE EVE OF ANOTHER \J General Election, and for the fourth time, I gladly accept the unanimous in- vitation of the Conservative and Unionist Association for the Montgomery Boroughs to become their Candidate. As you are aware, the immediate cause of the appeal to the Electors is the Resolu- tion of the House of Lords referring the Budget to the judgment of the Country. Under cover of the Budget, which has hitherto been strictly limited to practical finance, the Government has tried to smug- gle through Parliament a group of conten- tious class measures of the gravest import- ance to the nation. This is a new and un- fair method of securing the passage of party Bills, each one of which demands inde- pendent consideration, and the House of Lords, in declining to pass the new and far-reaching proposals incorporated in the Budget until the people have pronounced judgment upon them, is discharging exactly the kind of National Service which a Second Chamber is designed to perform. Our recent History supplies abundant evi- dence of the SUPREME NECESSITY for a SECOND CHAMBER in our Constitution. The House of Lords, as at present consti- tuted, may not be the ideal form of such a Chamber, but in many a crisis in our Nation's History it haS proved a bulwark against changes of great import-changes fraught with peril to "the State-and its action has subsequently been overwhelmingly approved.by the Electors. The most notable instance is the Home Rule Bill of 1893. In common with what I believe to be the generally accepted opinion, including that of the Peers themselve-. I am in favour of a reform of the H;iusj. tf Lords, but I am wholly opposed to Chamber Govern- ment, winch would leave the country at the absolute mercy of every chance majority. In my view, THE BUDGET IS INEQUIT- ABLE, and, in some of its leading features, DANGEROUS to the best interests of the State. It places the financial burden in unfair and oppressive proportions upon cer- tain selected classes of the community. It unduly taxes capital, the inevitable conse- quence of which will be a decrease of employment. Some of its provisions are based upon distinctly SOCIALISTIC PRIN- CIPLES, which, if accepted, will certainly be extended. Having been an ardent advocate of the movement for some years, I most heartily support THE UNIONIST ALTERNATIVE POLICY OF TARIFF REFORM, being con- vinced that its adoption will inaugurate a fresh era of prosperity for our country, and provide MORE WORK AND WAGES for our people. It will, to a large extent, reduce the present deplorable unemployment, and at the same time produce a revenue which will go a long way towards supplying funds for our increasing National wants. Tariff Reform, coupled with preferential treatment, will also; in my judgment, bring about A CLOSER UNION WITH OUR COLONIES, and thus tend to build up a strong, closely knit Empire, capable of with- standing all attacks from without.' and of providing out of its internal resources for all its own material wants. Whilst a supporter of Tariff Reform and Colonial Preference, I WILL NOT BE A PARTY TO ANY PROPOSALS INCREASING IN THE AGGREGATE THE COST OF THE FOOD OF THE PEOPLE. I am heartily in favour of the Unionist proposals for giving increased FACILITIES TO AGRICULTURAL TENANTS TO PUR- CHASE THEIR HOLDINGS. I was one of I those Members of Parliament who, in 1905, supported and backed Mr Jesse Collings' Bill in the House of Commons with this end in view. With a world-wide Empire like ours, it is the first duty of any Government to MAIN- TAIN UNIMPAIRED IN THEIR FULL STRENGTH AND EFFICIENCY OUR NAVY AND ARMY. They are the guardians of our national existence. Mr Asquith has stated definitely that if the Liberal party is again returned to power, HOME RULE FOR IRELAND and the DIS- ESTABLISHMENT AND DISENDOWMENT OF THE CHURCH IN WALES will form part of its programme. To both of these proposals I am most strenuously opposed, and, if returned to Parliament, will do what- ever I can to prevent their accomplishment. With regard to the EDUCATION Question, it is my earnest desire that some equitable solution of the present difficulty as between Churchmen, Catholics, and Nonconformists should be arrived at, and any measure brought forward which will fairly and justly solve this problem will receive my hearty support. I fully sympathise with the grant of OLD AGE PENSIONS, my only regret being that limitations have been imposed which pre- vent many of the deserving poor from re- ceiving the benefit of the Act. It has been suggested that if the Budget is not passed, there will be a danger of the Pensions not being paid. I can only repeat what Mr Balfour has over and over again said—that there is absolutely no occasion for anxiety. The Pensions will be paid whatever party is in power. It is a National obligation. To quote Mr Balfour's latest assurance "IF THE CONSERVATIVES ARE RE- TURNED TO POWER, THE PAYMENT OF OLD AGE PENSIONS WILL MOST CER- TAINLY BE CONTINUED." I am in favour of the extension pi the Franchise to Women, and have more than once voted in its favour in the House of Commons. In conclusion, may I remind you that my whole life has been spent in your midst. I have been engaged in promoting local in- dustries by which, I am glad to think, a I large community has, for many years, been provided with regular employment. I have also for 25 years-the best years of my life- given my services on your County Council and other public bodies, and if I have the honour of being again elected as your Par- liamentary Representative it will ever be my desire, whilst continuing a loyal member of the Unionist Party, to further, wherever possible, WELSH NATIONAL INTERESTS, and your interests in particular. I remain, Gentlemen, at all times, Your obliged and faithful Servant, EDWARD PRYCE-JONES. Newtown, 8th January, 1910.