The Montgomeryshire Express and Radnor Times

Mr. Humphreys-Owen "Takes His Coat Off." "That's a good sign!" exclaimed a delighted delegate, as Mr Humphreys-Owen took off his coat, whilst the Liberal audience cheered and cheered their new candidate. The young Squire then spoke 40 minutes without any notes. There was one remark, which I caught from Mr Phillips just now (he said), and that was that the withdrawal of Mr Hugh Lewis and Mr Edward Jones made the task of the Executive Committee a much easier one. I should like to correct that; I should think it had made the task of the Execu- tive a much sadder one (laughter). When you have such old and tried servants of Liberalism as Mr Hugh Lewis and Mr Edward Jones—especially Mr Hugh Lewis, who, as you have heard from his own confession, has had such a long service in the career of Liberalism-I do feel it somewhat sad that they do not receive some of the honours, the empty and hard-won honours, at the end; but that is merely a matter of taste, and I am sure Mr Hugh Lewis probably feels that these are empty honours, and possibly he felt that he had to withdraw in the interests of himself in favour of others, who do not mind so very much the hard knocks and the strenuous energy that is required in political work now-a-days. THE CANDIDATE'S TASK. I can only say, as a personal explanation, that I allowed my name to be put forward simply in case there was nobody better than myself to help you out of the difficulty (hear, hear). I wanted to see the men, who deserved the honours and the men who had worked for Liberalism in Mont- gomeryshire and in the Montgomery Boroughs, ]Lr taking their proper position. And, as I had im- pertinently interfered in politics sometimes in Montgomeryshire—(laughter)—it was obvious I could not avoid my name being discussed and gossipped about as a possible candidate in one direction or another. And this appears to have been the case. I may say that, had it been other- wise, I was prepared to come down at a moment's notice to throw my whole body and soul into the fight on behalf of Mr Hugh Lewis or whoever would have been your candidate (hear, hear, and applause). You have done me a very great honour, and chosen me as your champion in this fight. It is an arduous task, and, personally, I don't regard it as an empty honour and as one that can be won without a tremendous amount of labour and energy. The course in front of us at this election is an exceedingly clear one (hear, hear). The Mont- gomery Boroughs have for some years been hang- ing on by the skin of their teeth to Liberalism (laughter). They have done so with a courage and with a sincerity which. I think, is tremend- ously to their credit (hear, hear). In 1906 they joined hands with the Liberal forces and carried an unanimous vote in favour of Free Trade and sound finance in this country (hear, hear). In 191U they again joined hands with the Liberal forces, and gave an unswerving voice—it was only 13, but a very good 13 (laughter)—in favour of the practical enforcement of sound finance as represented by the Budget (hear, hear). LORDS' DEATH-BED REPENTANCE. There were some at that time who felt that election would settle the Veto of the House of Lords. I thnk that those who looked into politics, and understood the political situation, must have felt that it would require possibly some years, if not an election or two, before that question was finally settled. I must say I think the final solu- tion is coming far more rapidly and far more deci- sively now than any of us could have hoped for or expected. There are some people, who go about grumbling, wishing the election had come a few weeks sooner or later. But I assure you that it would have been immensely more detrimental to the country's interest, and that a few Christmas presents, bought or unbought, cannot possibly be allowed to weigh in the balance. The position in front of the country to-day is an exceedingly simple one. As Mr Hugh Lewis said, the death-bed repentance of the House of Lords has come rapidly and strenuously and in a very concentrated form; and he almost hinted that their confessions and offers of repentance almost met the whole case. Well, they have gone a long way towards Reform themselves-so far as suggestions and pious resolutions go (laughter). They have offered to give up the hereditary posi- tion they have offered to cut down their num- bers they have offered to appoint Standing Com- mittees of the House of Commons to discuss cer- tain debateable and important Constitutional points. STUDYING THE ARISTOCRAT. But behind all this they have never given up what lies behind the mind of every aristocrat, of every blue-blooded and full pursed individual in this country. And I say so without any personal feeling, but simply as a point of human nature— there lies behind such people an indefinite feeling that they are a bit better than the rest of man- kind (laughter and hear, hear). This may come from ages and centuries of blue blood, or, as you often have experience to-day, and in the public life of the present world, it may come from aim over-full purse (renewed laughter). The purse may have been filled in a hurry or not, that does not matter (more laughter). But it is a curious thing, when that happens with a man when he gets on in life, he gets a kind of feeling that he can settle down and take things as they are so far as he is concerned, and he rather wishes to enforce his own views on the rest of the rushing, strug- gling, battling people in the world, who are still struggling to rise to conditions, which they feel they deserve and which in these days of progress and betterment we consider should be the case (hear, hear). It is not a problem of antagonistic feeling between rich and poor or between social classes. It is a carious feeling that exists in human nature, and until the House of Lords have adopted the principle of admitting popularly elected representatives into the Second Chamber, they cannot be free from that indefinite antagon- ism to Liberal measures, which may come up from a democratic House of Commons (hear, hear, and applause). A FALSE BASIS OF REFORMATION. I hope I am not wearying you upon this ques- tion of the House of Lords-(criei of No, no! Go on! ") -because I want to put it as clearly as I can in a few words in so far as I understand it. You know the House of Lords and their Conserva- tive candidates will take great credit to them- selves for having apparently offered enormous sacrifices and practically reformed themselves in a most complete and satisfactory manner. And why should we rush to the country and not accept tneir own ideas of refoimation ? Well, it is simply this: They have offered to nominate half a House of Lords from the present members —(laughter)—and to nominate the other half from distinguished soldiers, sailors and what not besides (more laughter). The whole of that seems to me to be on a false basis, the basis of nomination (bear, hear). Those men are going to nominate half their own nnmber, and I have a shrewd idea that that half will remain in its con- centrated form as antagonistic to democratic legislation and Liberal measures as they are now (hear, hear, and applause). And the other half of the so-called reformed House of Lords will be elected from outside. But who are they going to be elected by ? I don't think that question has ever been settled yet. We must be very careful to find out who is going to elect the outside representatives to this Upper Chamber before we can actually understand the position of the Chamber. SIDELIGHT ON COMMITTEE WORK. And in a question of great constitutional im- portance there is to be a so-called Committee of the two Houses. Well, it has not been settled who is to ppoint that committee. You may know from your own knowledge of private and local affairs that a great deal lies in the appoint- ment of Committees. When you want a certain kind of work done you can appoint a committee in a quiet, hole-and-corner way, where an immense amount of intrigue can be done, and you can get a most undesirable result in a most logical and unsuspecting manner by appointing committees (laughter): I am not very much in favour of this unexplained method of appointing committees. I consider that the House of Lords is a Second Chamber, which should exist. I am not a One- Chamber man, and I consider a Second Chamber must take some of the burdens of the First Chamber, but the Second Chamber must in its complexion correspond to the same oolour of opinion as the First Chamber (hear, bear, and applause). And therefore they must adopt some principle of representation—(hear, hear)—other- wise you will never get a satisfactory Second Chamber. You can then cut it down to so many members and so many distinguished people and all that kind of thing, if you deeire. But first of all the basis of the House of Lords must be some kind of popular representation, and if you think it is likely to be too democratic or too Liberal, you can appoint some such principle of appointing it for a term of seven years. while possibly the House of Commons would exist for five years. In that case you would get a body overlapping the House of Commons, land acting as a small check en the legislation of the House of Commons, if you think necessary. "WE MUST GET RID OF THIS VETO." Personally, I don't think the House of Com- mons, which afer all represents the people, is likely to oarry forth any legislation which is detri- mental to the interests of the country (hear, hear, and applause). If you regard the position of the House of Commons, you find every class and every kind and every degree of man represented in it, and possibly you may even, after this General Election, find a member representing women's interests. Such a House of Commons only requires to have its duties lightened by Standing Committees or a really efficient Second Chamber, and this is what we desire to see. But we must get rid of this veto, which now hani4s over the House of Commons (hear, hear, and applause). I am a strong advocate of popular representa- tion. The House of Lords pretend and offer as another sacrifice the Referendum. Now, I am not in favour of the Referendum. It is a very oumbersome and a very doubtful piece of machinery. I should like to know what ques- tions are to be given to the Referendum ? WHO IS TO JUDGE? Apparently the House of Commons have given in on the question of the Finance Bills, providing they don't affect other interests, and other inter- ests are not tacked on to them. But I should like to know who is going to be the judge of what is to be a pure Finance Bill, and what is not ? (hear, hear). After all, every Finance Bill must affect some interest or other. The Corn Laws themselves, which were Finance Bills, affected the whole of the agricultural interest of the country, and every Finance Bill that has ever been brought in affects some interest or other. I should like to know whether we really intand the House of Lords to be the judges of the interests that may be affected by any Finance Bill (laugh- ter). If that is so, they will still retain the power of throwing out every Finance Bill that goes up to the House of Lords. There is no doubt the question of finance still remains, and always must remain in the House of Commons (hear, hear), And the only question that remains to be debated and upon which we can meet the Second Chamber is possibly a dead- lock upon some constitutional question, or some other very important matter that may arise in future. And that must arrive between two Cham- bers both of which are popularly represented, otherwise there is no guarantee that every Bill which is brought forward by a Progressive Gov- ernment will not be blocked by the House of Lords in its more concentrated form as recom- mended by Lord Rosebery or Lord Lansdowne. That is the position at the present day. I don't know on what ground our opponents-if we have an opponent-are likely to take their stand. I should think they will have a very rotten plat- form to stand upon (laughter). I don't know whether they still believe that they can frighten us with the old bogies of the last General Elec- tion. I see in some quarters that they mean to raise the bogey of the Navy scare, and the Irish- man with the dollars in his pocket (laughter). I haven't very much terror of either of the bogies (hear, hear). THE IRISHMAN APPRECIATED. Whenever I have met an Irishman, I have always found him, especially if you take the trouble to know him well, a very good-humoured person. There is no one who looks more on the rosy side of life; he is able to look a sad world in the face with a better complexion than perhaps most of us. I think the final solution is Self- Government for Ireland. I have no fear of Home Rule-you may call it Home Rule, or Devolution, or Self-Government, or whatever you like, so long as you get at the practical reality of the thing. I am perfeotly certain that under a sound, sane, system of Federal Government of the British Islands—you see I leave a loop-hole for Self- Government of Scotland and Wales if found necessary (loud applause)—we shall be able to carry out the business of the different localities of the British Islands with far more efficient and satisfactory result than can be possibly done by the House of Commons at the present day. I understand from all those who take part in the work of the House of Commons that the time allotted to really-important questions connected with Scot- land, Ireland, and Wales is disastrously small, that there is not the time to thrash out matters which concern these localities, and there is every intention of devolving far more powers on these localities. And, of course, Ireland has for genera- tions suffered from this, and it will be one of the first duties of the next Government to undertake some such measure for the organization of Governmental relief to the parts of the British Isles which are thoroughly efficient and able to manage their own affairs (applause). OPPONENTS' BOGIES. Our opponents will probably raise a. great to- do about the defence of the country. In fact, if you take a lead from local suggestions, I read in a local paper the other day that Tariff Reform and the Veto of the House of Lords are all more or less side issues beside the great question of the defence of our country, which is being wickedly imperilled by the Liberal Government (laughter). That I consider one of the most iniquitous bogeys that the Tory Party can possibly put up. If paying money is any criterion of our desire to defend our country, j should think that the Naval Estimates, going up from £ 40,000,000 to X45,000,000 a year would be enough to satisfy anybody so far as the defence of the country is concerned (hear, hear). Every man desires to do his utmost to preserve the integrity of the defence of this country. I am one of those who consider that the Navy is the first line, and that, if we cannot make that efficient, it is Q0 U86' even dreaming of raising more Regular troops. NO CONSCRIPTION. And certainly it would be a crime to enter into a system of conscription (hear, hear). That is a bubble which has been pricked, and I am sorry that sometimes it arises and is able to gain such favour with our more military-minded and more vigorous politicians on the other side, I see and I know the good effects of martial training and of dibcipline. But the only arguments in favour of conscription that I know of-the sonnd discipline of mind and body for young men generally—are benefits which can be obtained by a sane and healthy system of education in civil life, and far more cheaply than by any other methods (hear, hear, and applause). To look upon conscription merely from that point of view is therefore a mistake. You therefore can only take conscrip- tion from its military point of view, and I look upon it as simply an insiduous attempt to try and undermine the strength of the navy, and finally to obtain possibly an aggressive atmy for foreign war, and probably—thought this is merely an idea of mine-as an excuse to require more money from the Exchequer, which will be necessary, and therefore a stepping-stone towards the system which they call Tariff "Reform," having probably exhausted every other method of borrowing money from moneylenders, &c., because you will find, when it comes to conscription, that there will be a serious financial question in front of the country. "JUDICIOUS SPENDING OF THE COUNTRY'S WEALTH." We can pay our way now out of income without borrowing money (hear, hear). We can support an enormaus navy-more than double the size of any other navy, although they won't allow you to believe it (laughter). We can pay our way with enormous sums to spare for all the vast important social questions of this country. X500,000 has been already set aside as a New Year's gift for old-age pensioners—(applause)—who have been disqualified up-to-date. And further enormous sums have been promised for workmen's insurance. In fact, there has never been an age in which larger sums and larger ideals have been put into practice for the betterment and improvement of the human race. I know there are many who say that we are pampering the poor, and that we are spending money in unprofitable directions. But I don't think that those people who utter these sentiments have any idea of the vast good that can be done by judicious spending of the country's wealth, and that the money spent in this way is a benefit to the country, and returns even in practi- cal dividends to the country, in general prosperity and more efficient work that is got out of the body of workers—of the brain and musole of this country (hear, hear, and applause). WHERE THE MONEY WILL COME FROM. may say that I take all my political views from a fundamental principle (hear, hear, and applause) My fundamental principles are not likely to change so long as I am alive—(hear, hear, loud laughter and smiles)—and the only possible way in which I can possibly come to any argument or disagreement is in the mere details of working out these principles. I believe in a sound system of finance, in paying out of income y rather than borrowing sums of money (hear, hear). That is obviously what our opponents don't wish to do; they talk about JBIOO.OOO.OOO loan and things of that kind. I believe in raising money from where the money is (hear, hear, and loud applause). And it is the simplest thing in the world when you come to think of it. Direct taxation is the fairest and soundest way of raising money (hear. hear). And you must not think because it raises the biggest cries and the loudest shouts of distress, that therefore it is doing more harm. You can oreate infinitely more misery by indirect taxation put in the way the Tariff "Reformers" suggest, and you will not be able to hear the cries of misery and pain, and grief and death, that would arise from such a system of taxation, because those people who suffer have not the power of tbe Press —(hear, hear)—and the power of influence in making their opinions heard by the world, which our present opponents have (hear, hear, and applause). SOCIALIST PRINCIPLE COMMENDED. We hear so much about Socialism, and I may be called-I shall probably be called a Socialist- (laughter),—a Radical, a destructor of all the principles and the institutions of this country, and Heaven knows what not (laughter). It is one of the disadvantages of being a candidate that you may hear your virtues cried up on one side, but you certainly will hear your vices or demerits shouted from the very housetops—(laughter)— during the time that you are in front of the public. As for being a Socialist, that bugbear has never frightened me. I believe-I have never studied Socialism very far-but I know the great principle of Socialism is a very high ideal- (hear, hear)—and has everything to commend it. The only difficulties are between the different classes of Socialists and the methods in which they are going to put their principles into action. I think everybody will agree with me that, if you look through all the Governments of this world during the last century, you will find that each Government has imperceptibly and by degrees been adopting principles which genera- tions ago would have been oalled rank Socialism. Germany and France have gone far further along the road to Socialism than this country, and they have done it for their own benefit and for their own good They have a Sooialist Prime Minister in France at the present day; yet, in spite of that, he was able, when necessity arose, with a firm hand to put down disorder. And yet Tories would probably make us believe that Socialism is nothing but the uprooting of public institutions and the substitution of anarchy for sound government. "THE MAINSPRING OF HUMAN LIFE." But I am not a learnod disciple in Socialism. I only know there are a few men who have studied Socialism so that they are carried away by the force and enthusiasm of their creed, and sometimes they have not been able to stop on the road to think out the practical method of putting I their ideals into action. And that is the only quarrel or argument I might have with some of my Socialist friends. But I know such ideals are the mainspring of human life and the foundation of sound government in human affairs, and that, though we give up the whole of our time and an immense amount of thought to the wise government of this country in all its prac- tical methods, still, as Mr Lloyd George (loud applause)—said the other day, it is something to think of, apart from the gratifying of this interest or that interest, or the enriching of this business or that business, that there has been time to think of the misery and the poverty of the poor (hear, hear). And I look upon the present Liberal Govern- ment, which is united in its principles and stands without any dissension amongst its ranks, as the Party to carry out the principles which I have enunciated. "I SHALL REMAIN A LIBERAL!" Therefore, I am a Liberal. And-I shall remain a Liberal! (laughter and applause). And though there will always be some who will leave the ranks of Liberals and become Conservatives (laughter), and vice versa, still I feel sure that, whatever may happen, I shall never allow my own feelings or my own personal friendships ever to stand in the way of my convictions (hear, hear, and loud applause). I shall always, if I am elected—as I intend to be (laughter and loud applause)—for these Boroughs, do the utmost in my power to find out and to study the needs and desires of my constituents. I shall always be available, and I shall always be at their service. I shall be their very humble servant" (laughter) iu every possible manner, and I shall always do my best to give every shade of opinion that I represent a sound and fair hearing. I shall also, although none of them are present this afternoon, invite the utmost friendly criticism from my con- stituents who may be of opposite views to myself. And I shall therefore merely confine myself—as I shall to the best of my ability—to representing, if possible, these Boroughs. I shall not aim at rep- resenting the whole of my country, which I believe is the modest ambition of our late lamented mem- ber (loud laughter and applause). Thanks to Sir John. The Chairman: To put ourselves right I move the adoption of the Executive report which means that we accept Sir J. D. Rees's resignation with thanks (laughter, and Mr Robert Jones, Llanfyllin: Hear, hear). I move that. [The Rev Charles Jones, Llanfyllin, "I agree, laughter.] The motion was carried without further remark. The Chairman (continuing) said: I am sure you will all agree that our friend Mr Humphreys- Owen has gone through a rather trying ordeal very satisfactorily (cheers, and Mr Robert Jones Splendid "). There may be one or two questions which he has not touched upon, and on which you would like to have a statement of his views. Disestablishment. Mr Humphreys-Owen: I have just had handed to me a slip inscribed What about Disestablish- ment ? I know there are a great many subjects accumulating behind that barrier of the House of Lords, and until we cloar the way we cannot get Ion. Disestablishment, I feel, is too familiar a subject even to allude to. It lies in the front rank of this mass of questions we have to deal with (hear, hear). Again, I shall be accused of robbing the Church and despoiling Heaven knows what (laughter). I think the principle of Dises- tablishment is a very sound one. When I look around on my possessions in this county and go through my accounts and find that I pay so many hundred of pounds in tithe to the Church of England-(f am ashamed to say how much I al- low myself voluntarily to give to the free churches) I consider the support given to spiritual causes in this country is an unfair one (hear, hear). I don't want to interfere unjustly with the rights of property, but there is something at the back of this which smacks of unfairness. And the Church of England itself feels that. Its posses- sions are unfairly distributed among its churches. The whole thing wants to be put in a hotch-pot, and brought out again on a thoroughly sound financial and spiritual basis (hear, hear). I feel sure that under a sound and equitable system of Disestablishment, which is looming in practical politics, we shall have a far more powerful and vigorous church, a national Church of Wales, than we have as the Church of England in Wales. I hope then there will be a healthy and helpful rivalry between the Churohes (applause). At present I believe the feeling has improved, but there have been days when the feeling between them was extremely unchristian. That will be one of the benefits, and it is immensely to be be desired (hoar, hear). There is one other subject-the Osborne judgment. If anybody wants to ask me a question on that or kindred matters, I shall do my best to answer them. The Resolution of Adoption. The Rev. T. E. WILLIAMS, Newtown, then moved the following resolution:— That this meeting of delegates and repre- sentatives of Liberalism from each of the contri- butory Boroughs of Montgomery most cordially and unanimously invites Mr A. E. Humphreys- Owen to become our candidate in the Liberal interests at the forthcoming Parliamentary election in these Boroughs, and pledge itself to use every legitimate means in its power to secure his tri- umphant return" (loud and prolonged cheers). I am inclined to chink, said Mr Williams, that we have one and only one issue before us in this election-Lords versus People (hear, hear). We have fought that question, and we have won again and again, but when the cause we won went to the House of Lords it has been defeated. This has been repeated over and over again, and we feel it is high time that this should be brought to an end. When the people have determined that they wish this, or that, or the other measure, there should be no body, no House that will interfere with that becoming the law of the land (cheers). So in this election we have but one issue, which will' be fought to the end-the people must be supreme against the Lords (cheers). Our own Welsh phrase used throughout the centuries comes to our service now—" Treoh gwlad nac arglwydd (a country is str6nger than a lord)—stronger than all the lords put together (loud oheers). So we want to send up to St. Stephen's one who will represent this principle and make it clear, as far as this part of the land is concerned, that the people mean to be supreme (hear, hear). Such is the cause, and I think we have a grand cause. I don't think we have had a grander cause, and we desire to send up a man who will carefully, power- fully, influentially represent this cause which we have at heart (hear, hear). We had in the late Mr. Humphreys-Owen (cheers) one who admirably represented the cause, and WE CANNOT BUT BE PROUD of the fact that he was our representative. I remember one who represented this county before him. Sometimes I hear from my friend, Lord Ren- del (oheers), and I never hear from him but what he is concerned about the Liberal interests of this county. We had Lord Rendel, then the late Mr. Elumphroys-Owen, and we want to send another representative who will take up their banner in such a way as to be worthy of us, and worthy of the cause we represent (cheers). My friend Mr. Parry Jones' grandfather waa minister of the church of which I am now the minister, and he was one of the ablest men Wales has ever produced. He had a son who was a minister also. This min- ister visited a place in Monmouthshire, and a a friend came up to him and said, I want to shake hands with you on your father's account." I am very pleased to do so," he replied. That friend went to the chapel, and on leaving he saw the minister again. I want to shake hands with you once more," he said, and it is still on your father's account" (laughter). We bear in mind the late Mr. Humphreys-Owen for his ability and tor the service he rendered, and if we had no other reason for supporting the son we would do it on his father's account (hear, hear). But we have just heard his speech and the declarations he has made, and we want to return him on his own account as well as on his father's account (loud cheers). We have a candidate sound in every principle of Liberalism, and on account of the thoroughness and soundness of his Liberalism, and his ability, as well as on account of the fact that he is a Welshman from our own county, and therefore worthy in every way to represent us in the House of Commons, that I have pleasure in presenting this resolution to you, and trust that you will unanimously adopt it (loud and prolonged cheering). The Grand Old Man of Llanidloes. Mr William Ashton (Llanidloes): It is with the greatest pleasure, I can assure you, that I rise to second the proposal so eloquently made by Mr Williams. I don't think that anything has given me greater pleasure for a long time. We have never forgotten the late Mr Humphreys-Owen (hear, hear). I knew him and served under him for many years. There was a feeling in the county that he was a little bit distant, but to those of us who worked closely with him he had a strong charm in his personality. He gave us of his brilliant abilities, and I have often said that if those abilities were put in the market they would have fetched an enormous price (cheers). He gave those abilities to the service of his neighbours, and I thoroughly believe he sacrificed years of his life for that service (cheers). What more could we expect a man to do ? (hear, hear). A man en- dowed with brilliant abilities, a good education and a good position in life sacrifices them for the benefit of his neighbours and for humanity. And now here we have a worthy successor in the son. He is a worthy son of a noble father (cheers). He, too, is offering his service and ability. It is all very well to get a man from somewhere else when we cannot get any one at home, but I feel glad we have got a Montgomeryshire gentleman. We have got two worthy Montgomeryshire sons of fine families in the sons of Plas Dinam and Glansevern (cheers), willing to serve the county in Parlia- ment. Shall we return Mr Humphreys-Owen? (Cries of Yes! "). Then we must do something besides clapping and cheering here (hear, hear). Remember we have work before us. Remember that 13 is not much of a majority; but I cannot think for the life of me, Mr Chairman, that if we were able to win the seat in 1906 and 1910 (laugh- ter) with the candidate we had (renewed laughter) —it is ridiculous to think (laughter and cheers). If we were able to win ithen, what shall we do now P (Hear, hear, and oheers). Talk about 130 majority; I am hardly satisfied with that (hear, hear). It behoves everyone of us in the circle in which he turns to do his very best for the return of Mr Humphreys-Owen. Have you considered the calamity if the present Government were turned out ? Can you conceive of such a oalamity? I am pretty old now, and have seen a good many ups and downs, but not during my lifetime have I seen a Government like this taking such an interest in the welfare of the masses of the people (cheers). Just CALL TO MIND the Tory Government prior to 1906. Are the people willing to turn the present Government out in order to get back to a Tory Government of that kind ? I cannot think of such a thing. Mr Asquith said the other day that the most discred- itable chapter in the history of the Tory party was the dangling of old-age pensions before the public. That was true. As soon as they got back to office they laughed at the people, and they will do the same thing again if the people give them the opportunity (hear, hear). They talk about Tariff Reform and higher wages. Go to them if they are returned and ask them for higher wages, and they will laugh again. Let every one of us do his best now—(cheers)—to accomplish the return of Mr Humphreys-Owen as a supporter of a Government in full sympathy with the masses of the people. I don't think Mr David Davies will have to fight to retain his seat. Let us return Mr Davies and Mr Humphreys-Owen and the Tories will never take the trouble to contest these Boroughs again (laughter, hear, hear, and cheers). Lla.nfyllin Liberals Bea.dy. Mr Edwards, Llanfyllin: I think I may safely say that Mr Humphreys-Owen will have every support we can offer him at Llanfyllin (cheers). We are highly pleased that we have been so fortunate as to find a gentleman of his position in our neighbourhood, and no one we respect more or consider more highly qualified than Mr Hum- phreya-Owen (cheers). I have it from Mr Clement Davies and also from the Rev E. Lloyd Jones that they will throw themselves heart and soul into the election in support of Mr Humphreys-Owen (cheers). We shall do our utmost at Llanfyllin to return him with a triumphant majoiity (cheers). Machynlleth for Mr Humphreys-Owen Rev D. H. Hughes, Machynlleth: The question has been settled at Machynlleth. It was settled on Monday night—(hear, hear)—at a largely attended meeting that Humphreys-Owen was our man (cheers)' We are ready to do everything we can, and we can do a great deal (cheers). We Machynlleth people have, I think, a good reputa- tion (bear, hear). We fight hard, and we have won glorious victories, and we mean to fight and win this time again (cheers). If all the other towns will do something similar to Machynlleth the Liberal majority will not be 130. I don't know what it will be, but let me emphasise this: We have been exhorted to do our utmost in the ooming fight; we ought really to do our best to educate the people (hear, hear). That was what won last time with us. We had good meetings and educated the electors, so that the ordinary elector could really overthrow the canvasser. Let us take our inspiration not from the past, but from the facts of the present (hear, hear). A Liberal Foe in Welshpool. Mr John Jones, Welshpeol: We had a meeting in Welshpool last evening and decided unani- mously iu favour of Mr Humphreys-Owen. Of course, you all know very well that Welshpool is 1 one of the blackest spots in Montgomeryshire— j (laughter)—-but that black spot is getting erased. In Welshpool there is one great foe we have to 3 contend with, and that it Professor John Barley- < corn (laughter). He is one of the greater enemies the Liberal party has ever had, and I hope and trust that sometime we may have the polling and all the public houses closed on the election day (hear, hear). Mr Humphreys-Owen is highly respected in Welshpool, and I believe he- will have as grand a support there as was given to his late respected father. We shall do all that lawfully lies in our power for his return (cheers). The Rev T. E. Williams mentioned that the Rev W. Rollason had had to leave, but he had. told him that Montgomery was perfectly unani- mous for the selection of Mr Humphreya-0wen. The resolution was then put to the meeting and carried with prolonged hearty cheers. With Clean Hands and Conscience. Another outburst of cheering greeted Mr Humphreys-Owen's rising. Mr Chairman and gentlemen, he said, nothing. more I can do at present than to thank you for the honour and for the sincere support which T know you are to give me during this election. You have alluded to my father and to his success. I can tell you there is no man in the world who feels and appreciates the influence and the spirit of my father more than I do myself (loud cheers). I am fearfully afflicted by the wicked- ness of the hereditary taint—(laughter)—and on this occasion I hope you will forgive its existence. as I am afraid I shall in the course of the next few days have te say a great deal in opposition to that principle (laughter and cheers). My kind friend Mr Aahton has referred to the fact of my being a local man. It reminds me of the saying that it is better to have a third-rate local man than a first-class outside man. Well, I hope that this third-rate local man will, with the assistance of his friends, manage to give a far more satisfac- tory result than the first-class outside man we have had previously (laughter and cheers). For what lies before us we must not take matters too easily (hear, hear). It is not necessary to make any converts here, but in a shert time we have got to concentrate our efforts upon the education. of friends outside, as has been pointedly remarked. If we do that, and fight with clean hands and clear consciences—(hear, hear)—I am surer we shall not have cause to regret the result (cheers). I thank you for the very candid and sincere support you have given me. I look forward to co-operate with my good friend Mr David Davies -(cheers)-in trying, if elected, to uplift and to improve the conditions of the British Empire as represented by not the least important part of its electoral dominions—the Boroughs of Mont- gomeryshire (loud cheers) On the motion of the Hon. Secretary, it was formally agreed That this Association and local Associations affiliated thereto, be dissolved upon the day the present Parliament is dissolved, and that the duty of summoning the members of the new Associations be entrusted to Mr Hugh Lewis." The enthusiastic meeting thereafter terminated with a vote of thanks to the Chairman.

LLANFYLLIN SESSIONS. The County and Borough Sessions were held on Tuesday before the Mayor (Mr J. Marshall Dugdale), Messrs W. A. Pughe, R. H. Jones and William Jones. GUN LICENSE. Carrying a gun without a license was the charge brought against Arthur Brook Malms Thursfield, of Broseley, Salop. Defendant was represented by Mr Robert Jones, Oswestry. P.C. D. T. Williams said that on October 13th he saw a party of four gentlemen shooting pheasants at Rhosfawr, Meifod. He asked the defendant (who was one of the party) if he had & gun licence. He replied that be had taken one out at Shrewsbury, but he did not have it with him then. D.C.C. Williams said the Shropshire police were communicated with and he produced a letter dated 24th October from Supt. Lake, stating that in an interview with the defendant he bad said that the license was taken out in Shrewsbury and that it had been since burned. Mr Jones produced the licence, which was dated September 27th, and submitted that the letter which Supt. Williams had read was not evidence against his client. The Deputy Chief Constable rose to make a. submission, but was requested by the Chairman to sit down. After a brief retirement the Bench decided to dismiss the case with csts, and an advocate's fee of one guinea was allowed. Sarah Watkins, married woman, Lletty, Llanfi- hangel, was charged with using a trap without a licence on September 25th. P S. Pryce said this was the first occasion on which the trap was used, and defendant had since taken out a licence. He understood that the trap was used on the day in question for the carriage of an invalid. He did not wish to press the charge.The case was dismissed. A FARMER IN TROUBLE. Robert Edwards, farmer, Garn, Pennant, ap- peared to answer to charges brought against him with trespassing in pursuit of game on October 24th at Llanrhaiadr, and with carrying a gun at the same place and time without a licence. On the application of the defendant to have the charges and evidence interpreted into Welsh. D.C.C. Williams was asked to act as interpreter, and he replied that he was prepared to do so on the understanding that the usual allowance was made for interpreting. The Chairman remarked that it was the first time that point had been raised in that court. Mr Lloyd, the borough surveyor, eventually agreed to act as interpreter, and defendant said with regard to the first charge, he was on the ground, but not in pursuit of game, and pleaded guilty to the second charge The first case was dismissed and defendant was fined 5s and costs for carrying a gun without a, licence. LUCKY. William Edward Jones (16), labourer, Plascria-- fol, pleaded guilty to trespassing after rabbits on land in the occupation of Mary Rowlands and James Jones at Llanrhaiadr on October 27th.-As there was no wish on the part of complainant to press the charge, the Bench agreed to bind de- fendant over to be of good behaviour for twelve months. William Jones, timber haulier, formerly of Llansantffraid, did not appear to answer a charge of driving a timber carriage without a light at Llansantffraid on June 22ad, and on the informa- tion of P.C. Humphreys a fine of 6s and costs was imposed. DRUNKS. David Evans, Penrallt, Pontllogel, was fined 5* and costs for being drunk in charge of a horse and cart at Penybontfawr. P.C. Tudor proved the case. P.C. Tudor also charged David Hughes, lab- ourer, Church-street, Llanrhaiadr, with being drunk at Penybontfawr on November 12th, and he was fined 5s and costs. John Jones, Penycaeau, Meifod, was fined 2s 6d and costs for being drunk at Meifod on November 9th. P.C. D. T. Williams proved the case. Charged with a like offance oa the Meifod road near Pontypentre Farm on November 8th, Joseph Davies, farmer's son, Cilthrew, Llansantffraid, was, on the evidence of P.C, Humphreys, fined 5s and costs. Similar fines were imposed for like offences at Llanfyllin, on the evidence of P.C. Hamer, on Thomas Jones, farmer, Glantanat, Llanrhaiadr, on October 27th, and W. Griffiths, farmer, Dolobran Meifod, on October 22nd. WOULD NOT PAY THE POOR RATE. David Evans, Waterloo-terrace, Llansantffraid, was charged, at the instance of the overseers, with non-payment of 8d poor rate in respect of a garden held by him. Defendant did not appear, but sent a letter in whioh he wrote that the garden was rented from the Cambrian Railsways Campany, and that he had received a letter from the Company stating that they were not assessed for poor rate in respect of any of the gardens leased by them. The Assistant Overseer (Mr J. W. Williams) intimated that defendant had appealed to the Assessment Committee without success, and in the end the Bench made an order for payment of the 8d, with 58 6d added for costs. NO TRAP LICENSES. P.S. Pryce charged Sarah Jones, widow, Llanfl- hangel, with driving a horse and trap in High- Btreet, Llanfyllin. without a license on September 17th. The officer stated that the following month defendant took out a license at half fees, and he understood that she did the same last year. A fine of 7s 6d and costs was imposed. A similar charge brought against Richard Parry, farmer, Varchwel, Llanfihangel, and a fine øf 168 was imposed.

THE LIBERAL CHAMPION FOR THE BOROUGHS. Mr Humphreys-Owen Enthusiastically Chosen. "The Worthy Son of a Noble Sire." START OF A STIRRING FIGHT. When like a boomerang the epistolary reunciation )f Sir J. D. Rees came hurtling' through the Boroughs local Tories swelled with the delightful prospect of victory a, the forthcoming election. They chortled over the thought that Liberals were unable to find a local champion commanding sufficient personal influence to reclaim the seat. To-day, however, they realise that in Mr. A. E. O. Humphreys-Owen they are confronted by an opponent whose acknowledged ability, high character, robust Radicalism, inspiring speech, and honoured family name are forces such as they have not had to contend with for mmy years. Unanimously selected by the Borough Liberals, Mr Humphreys-Owen has the brightest hopes of not only retaining the seat for his party, but of achieving a splendid victory. The excellence of the Liberal party organi- sation is evidenced in the fact that by Tues- day-only four working days after the receipt of Sir J. D Rees's resiguation- there were about a dozen desirable candi- dates to choose from. The same evening all the district associations in the six con- stituent Boroughs had met, and the next day witnessed the unanimous adoption of Mr Arthur Humphreys-Owen, and his acceptance of the candidature amidst de- monstrations of unrestrained enthusiasm. On Wednesday evening he addressed an overflowing meeting in the Victoria Hall at Newtown, at the conclusion of which he was carried shoulder high to the Elephant Hotel through crowds of exultant supporters. A similar compliment was paid to the Con- servative candidate after addressing a meet- ing of his party workers, but somewhat different was the reception of his oration from the hotel balconv. There is no gain- saying the intense vigour with which this great constitutional struggle will be fought in the Boroughs, and Liberals will enter upon it with a grim resolution to beat back the attacks on their rights and liberties.