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To-day, when the national budget exceeds two hundred million pounds a year, and when from a hundred quarters the cry ;s raised for the spending of many millions rnoi-c--iii most crxes upon objects for wbichl at least a plausible case can be made out- besides the incurring of obligations involv- ing commitments upon a scale that cannot be more than vaguely predicted, a certain amount of pessimism is natural. But there are certain reflections of Macaulay made some seventy years ago which are as applic-I able to-day as in the forties, a time when the wealth, population, and industry of the country were appreciably less thain they are to day, when, despite the lesser population, misery was very much more widespread and acute, and the social system was honey-combed by abuses. He wrote "To almost all men the state of things under which they have been used to live seems to be the necessary state of things. We have heard it said that five per cent. is the natural interest of money, that twelve is the natural number cf a jury, and that forty shillings is the natural qualifica- tion of the county voter. Hence it is that, though in every age everybody knows that up to his time a progressive improvement has been taking place, nobody seems to reckon om a.ny improvement during the next generation." To-day a very large number of people do not appear to regard the present as the "natural" situation, and are ambi- tious to effcet a change for the better. But the depression born of the survey that such as these make of existing facts—which, with the pessimism that it engenders, is one of the chief motive powers of the desire for reform—may be dispelled and a sounder basis established by a study of the considerations embodied in Macaulay's further reflections: "We cannot absolutely prove that those are in error who tell us tha.t society has reached a turning point, that we have seen our best days. But so said all w'ho came before us and with just as much apparent reason. A million a year will beggar I", I said the patriots of 1640. 'Two mil- lions a year will grind the country to powder,' was the cry in 1660. Six millions a year and a debt of fifty millions axclaimed Swift; the high allies have been the ruin of us.' 'A hundred and forty millions of debt" said Junius; ivell we may say that we owe Lord Chatham a debt greater than we shall over repay if we owe him such a load as this.' 'Two hundred and forty millions of cried all the frt,:>1tA<¡mp of 1733 k chorus; what abiliti's or w&at aeonomy on thepat:1; of a minister can savo a country so burdened ?' We knew that if since 1783 no fresh deibt had been incurred, the increased resources of the country would hare enabled us to defray tfh/tit debt at which Pitt, Fox, and Burke stood aghast, nay, to defray it over and over again, and that with much lighter tax- ation than what we have actually borne. On what principle is it that, .when we see nothing but improvement behind us, we are to expect nothing but deterioration be- fore us?" When the movement onward and upward, since Macaulav wrote, is considered— the great red uction in the Na- tional Debt, the enormous reduction of poverty, crime, ignorance, and the trans- lormaftion of the condition of the people in their standard of livelihood and outlook— five are encouraged to take fresh heart for a future that may a,ppear overcast bv finan- cial troubles. It is very problematical •whether the money released by a reduction of armaments—a reduction that does not appear to be practicable to begin' witih- would be applied to a corresponding red'UiC- tion! of taxation whoise oppressiveness, real or alleged, is a mainspring of the disarma- ment movement, as "social reform" is po- tentially capable of swallowing up more mil- lions than the mo?t voracious Admiralty or War Office. Whilst regarding it as toler- ably certain that in no .sitate is the present draining away of taxes in return for. seT- vices of vailing exigency and utility likely to be dammed up, we may loolk forward to the continuation and quickening of the pace wit.h a driminiSlhing of a dread of the finan- cial collapse that is so frequently depicted to startle us. At the sa.me time the disarmament party may be invited to remember that in the Middle Ages, when armour bec.a.me too hea.vy to be worn by men. throutgh improve- ments in weapons, it was cast aside, but fitting continued in other fashions. Nor similarly need the discarding of the pro- tective armour of armaments bv the na- tions on account of intolerable weightinees involve the cessation of strife. It was no inconsiderable factor in the prolongation of the American Civil Wa.rthe most costly and sanguinary of conflicts—that the raw levies raised by North and SOIutJI were to incoherent and unskilled for either antagon- ist to drive home its blows and follow up its successes. Whilst the shortest, cheap- est. and least expensive in human life of an v modem campaign was that waged by tihe most higlhly-armed of nations—Prussia in 1866. The military competition amongst the four leading Powers on the Continent, and the naval competition (f Brjtain and Ger- many, absorb public attention and discus- mon, but in the relatively secondary field of the naval' exertions of the Continental Powers against each other there is an even more remarkable activity. German naval estimates have gone up from £ 13,609.000 in 1937-8 to £ 22,900.000 last year France's from JB12,800,000 in 1008 to £ 18.600.000: Italy's from exactly £ 5,000,000 in 1904-5 to £ 10.300,000; Austria Hungary's from £ 2,110.cfx) in 1903 to £ 5.980,000; and Rus- sia, which spent less than eleven millions stven years ago, now spends twenty-four and a half million pounds, and lays down shaps that are to oost the extraordinary sum of four and thyee-quarter of a million pounds each. America has raised her outlay from 21 to nearly 29 millions in seven years, and Japan from nearly eight, to ten millions in the same period. The world's warships now total about 3.200, of which only 902 b -e- flong to Britain and the United States put toethf'r, and 6S4 to Great Britain alone— &bout .)nf>-fifth-wmht the Triple Alliance controls 591. In 1906 the Dreadnought was unique to- day there are one hundred and fifty-three replicas built, building, or about to be laid down, of which Britain only possesses 42. The decline in the British proportion is enormous. In the Mediterranean Italy has launched six and Austria-Hun scary four mounting 140 12-inch gum. France has launched s-vcn mounting 78 guns of l' inches calibre or more. and six of an inter- mediate type carrying 24 12-inoh and 72 9- weapons, against which Austria-Hungary possesses three, carrying 12 12-inch and 24 9-inch guns. Greece, with her finances un- der international control, and Turkey, in similar plight, have bought Dreadnoughts Brazil built three and neglected them as soon <?a acquired to a degree that rendered them incapable of service. Chili and the Argentine have bought two more apiece. So far from their abnormal cost placing them beyond even the ambitions of the minor Powers, Dreadnoughts appear to have ex- ercised the magnetic fascination that "rem- nant sales" have upon the ladies, and have spurred them to unprecedented heights of extravagance. it will be observed that the British fleet I ha». in point of numbers, fallen to some twenty percentage of the world's fighting ships. The possession of battleships of the ) first class by minor countries, always pre- pared for a deal upon attractive terms, in- troduce?? a new element into the problem of sea-power. England bought battleships I from Chili in 1903 to prevent them falling into the hands of Russia for use against Japan. Brafeil has just sold the Rio de Jai).eiro--the largest and most powerfully armed Dreadnought afloat at the moment- to Turkey. Greece, on the eve of the Bal- kan war, bought destroyers built for the Ar- gentine Republic. A balance of numerical superiority too delicately poised may be up- set at any moment by similar coups—though as Britain builds most of these ships for the third-rate Powers, we hold as a rule a number of trump cards up our sleeve. On the other hand, at least one German builder appears to make a practice of constructing speculative batches of torpedo-craft of a standardised pattern, and can in that way enable his country to anticipate the esti- mates by a full twelve months, besides the sudden development of formerly secondary and tutelary powers. The naval renaissance of France has been a further outstanding feature; yet even the formidable fleet she has built since the Dreadnought cleaned the slate and enabled a fresh start to be made by everybody does not avail in regard to numbers to establish more than a slight superiority over the Austro-Italian combination in the Mediter- ranean. But in other respects the French Navy has been revolutionised it is now per- meated by enthusiasm, loyalty, and confi dencei. and the political maladies that ravaged it a few years iago have been quelled in their virulence. Equally remark, able has been the Russian effort to create a navy anew from the ashes of the conflict with Japan, an effort made at colossal cost, I and against difficulties of the first order, such as the geographical separation of the various squadrons, in the Baltic. Black Sea, and Pacific.; a short coast line frozen up during a large part of the year the absence of anv body of men with seafaring instincts and habits (the Finns are notoriously dis- i affected) or mechanical aptitude, and the general unsuitability of the average Russian, a peasant of undeveloped intelligence, for a calling that demands a personnel semi- mechanic and semi-mathematician. Yet in spite of all, Russia will in five years' time dispose of eight Dreadnoughts in the Baltic and four in the Blacír Pea. and a Russian writer declares Russian sailors are im- bued with the strongest and heartiest de- j termination to efface the sad memories of the last war, and to win the respect of the nation j for the naval uniform." And Russian activity exerts a reflex ac- i tion upon the Scandinavian Powers, except Denmark, long supine and neglectful of their armaments. Denmark has little reason to love her Prussian neighbour, which has on her borders in Northern Schleswig a little A bace Lorraine of her own, where Danes are prosecuted for such acts as painting dog- kennels in the Danish national coloUTs-the bright and cheerful combination of red and white, whilst a few months ago Captain Amundsen was forbidden to lecture in his native tongue upon his experiences at the South Pole, in a town just inside the Ger- man frontier. Denmark is not so greatly affected by the influences that inspires Sweden and Norway to embark upon new 1rava l programmes. naval programmes. These countries, in many respects amongst the most highly civilised in the world, profess to seek thereby no more than respect for their neutrality. But fa<ced with the prospect of a Russian or a German domination in the Baltic they have little alternative in the casting of their sym- pathies and perchance their active co- operation. In Sweden the movement for improving tiio national defences has been taken up with extraordinary power. Mr. Lloyd George, when he spoke of a general "revolt of the peoples of Europe against arma- ments," in the Criccieth interview, was evi- dently unaware that eighteen months or so ago, when the Swedish Government dis- played some hesitation "n laying down a proposed new coast defence battleship of a type suited for, navigating the shallow island-sprinkled coastal waters, the Swe- dish people subscribed the entire cost— gome- £ 600.000—privately a remarkable achievement for a country of no more than five million people. And a. new programme is now under consideration. On Thursday Renter's correspondent at Stockholm tele- graphed To-morrow one of the most ex- traordinary public demonstrations that the history of any countrv has produced takes plnoe at Stockholm. Thirty thousand small farmers, collected from every quarter of the oruntry, and coming from villages, many of which are seven and eight, hundred miles avayr will present themselves before the King at the Royal Palace for the purpose of .rc-preFi-nting to his Majestv their desire for the proper maintenance of the defence of the country, and to demand an increase of armaments without delay." Tn whatever direction we turn, there is visible everywhere save in Britain a rest- I less energy on land and sea in the perfec- tion, increase, and Rccumulation of armaments. In the domain of sea power, insignificant -nations make sacrifices in- ordinately out of proportion to any possi^ ble needs or contingencies. If Britain remains first, she is nearly outmatched by a potential coalition against her; and her position relative to the worid has declined to a start-liner extent. Hardly anyhcdy, seema to realise that there are now four foreign vessels to every British warship afloat; that the quondam "Mistress of the Seas" has been driven to oonnne her, energies to the defence of her territorial waters. The sole exceptions to the rule of great augmentation of fleets have been ,those provided by the relatively moderate srrowth of the Japanese and American fleets, that are to a great degree built against each other. So that America, once second. is now but a doubtful third, rivalled by France, once far out-distanced, and easily eclipsed by Germany, -which has two keels against one that carries the Stars and Stripes. Italy and Austria-Hungary, once secondary Powers, are now vigorous enough to occupy aU the energies of France, and Russia is again becoming a power to be j: reckoned with. Those who pin their faith for the propagation of pacific ideals to the "Anglo-Saxon" Powers may be invited to contemplate the decline of British strength at sea to a iifth of the world's sea-power, and America's fail from a good second to a very bad third. And to consider further that in the enormous accumulation of war- ships in the Mediterranean—eight and sixty line of battleships alone, French, Italian, and Aust.rian-ther-e are to be seen but an insignificant four that oarry our White Ensign.

Our friend the enemy is anticipating the new Session of Parliament with shivering doubts that are good to see. At th- time of the passing of the Parliament Act he was "as bold as brass" now he lays a timid hand on your arm amd hopes he finds you well and will you please let bygones be No opening of a Session within memory \VM quite so interesting as this one. It was anticipated tha.t when the Home "Rule allies got near the consummation of their ho. thev would be seized with something like a panic. Dark rumours have reached them of the terrible machinations contemplated by the Opposi- tion, and their minds are oppressed with the possibility of the, loaves and fishes vanishing into thin aiT before they are n pumj ;roiilo aiql un -ja,plo s^wp Surm they escape the snares set bv the Opposition and if a compromise on Home Rule is not secured they must of necessity go on to the bitter end and pass the Home Rule Bill—with results which no man can foresee. It is not surprising that we should henr of tbtkn gathering in melanoholv little grbups in their clubs and talking lugubriously of the Parliamentary prospect. At the very moment when Mr. T. P. O'Copnor, in the dulcet tones with which he hao;: wooed and won a Ini-,Tet and easilv blarneyed section of the British public, is urging in his most caressing way that it would be an excellent thing to have the Home Rule problem settled by consent—at that very moment the Opposition leaders cause a new scare in the Radical dovecots by assembling at Lansdowne House and discussing the political sitpation for two hours-which is about the duration of a Cabinet Council in D vwning-street. Wh !1 does it mean? And then on the top of everything comes the black and sinister announcement that the complimentary banquet to Sir Edward Carson at the Constitutional Club, arranged to take place on the day of the opening of Parliament, has been postponed. There must be some bidden wickedness in this! And so our ha^p-l less Radical (res over his halfpenny POIT-er, I momiiug and evening, and looks for com- fort which does not come. Hi? does not know whether his distinguished but austere and reticent leader, Mr. Asquith, is parley- ing with the political enemy behind the scenes, or merely gettin.rr ready (as giuig- giestsd by a clever Punch" crartioon) to play the piano for the bright particular star" of the Ministerial company, the Ohiaaioallor of the Exchequer. We hear it rumoured that the Prime Minister,, in order to show that he is going to have no nonsense from the Little Navy people, intends to push Mr. Churchill to the front in th> big debates of the Session. The little conspiracy, hatched by a few well-known Radicals and Socialists, to get rid of the First Lord of the Admiralty has failed. It has been suggested that Mr. Churchill would not k ve been sorry if it had succeoded, since it vould have assisted him to recross the fioo with some plausi- bil it- wid even with little self-respect, but who is going to believe such a malicious tale as that? A thousand times no. Mr. Churchill joined the Radical party from conviction, not only sincere but ardent, and if any section of the coalition were so grate- ful as to drive him off the Treasury Bench, he would accept his hard fate with a noble resignation and still devote himself to the sublime democratic eauses to which he has I dedicated his life. Anyhow, there is to be no tragedy. We I gather that the First Lord of the Admiralty has the Prime Minister on-his side, and that must mean a majority of the Cabinet. So the Protean Winston, with his genius for adapting himself to conditions, will be-al conspicuous performer on the boards at Westminster once more, and no doubt we shall have the innocent gratification of hear- ing him cheered to the echo by the very men who have been trying to get rid of ¡ him.

Welsh Rugby football on Saturday achieved a triumph of incalculable value in this the crisis of its fortunes. For the decisive, and in some respects brilliant, defeat of the Scotch fifteen cannot fail to induce a rally of patriotic sentiment in favour of the code in which Cymric endeavour has been niofit resplendently ble"s?d with victories, And the eireet will appreciably help clubs exposed to the rivalry of the Association game, with its superior organisation and alluring appeal to the public. The moral value of the win—which excited an enthusi- asm amongst the onlookers that later in- I focted more or less all Welsh lovers of l sport—is only to be appraised by taking into account the probable fleet in the present circumstances of a proved inferiority of Cymric sides in the international tourney. E&ca<pe from this contingency is somewhat of a surprise, for, judging by every avail- able means of comparison, Welsh Rugby had struck a lean patch-made worse by the de- predations of the Northern Union clubs— and the general disposition was to antici- pate the worst in the encounters with tke chosen of England, Scotland and Ireland. The match at Twickenham quite unex- pectedly revealed so high a standard of efficiency in the Welsh forwards that. de- spite the practical' collapse of the third line, the critics with one voice declared the wearers of the Scarlet jersey deserved the victory, only lost by a single point. W itn only a couple of changes amongst the three- quarters, by the displacement of two players by others quite as new to international foot- ball, a, team was pitted against, the Scots v hioh f-o completely overwhelmed them that the latter, in tfie closing stages of the growe, seemed hatf-paralysed. They could neither attack nor defend effectively, and in the ex- pressive language of an old international had not "a gallop nor a kick left in them. This was the more astonishing because Scot/ land, in Siewart, Will and Sntherland. had probably the three fastest three-quart n-s ever played together, any one of whom was capable of showing a clean pair cf heels to the fleetest of the Welshmen. In the course of the first three minutes a perfectly executed movement by the Scotch backs, which placed Stewart. their speediest man, in a position to use his pace, resulted in a goal. This appeared to demonstrate the soundness of the view that the Scotch forwards were not to be hustled as were the English at Twickenham, and that the Welsh defence would be unequal to the task of holding in check the fleet-footed Scotch backs. But the try which, by the apparent ease cf its accomplishment, spread consternation amongst the Welsh spectators was destined to be the only success of the visitors. The Welsh forwards, settling down to their game, asserted a superiority which became more and more marked the Welsh halves outplay d—as they were ex- pected to—their opponents, and the third line, composed entirely, of youngsters, im proved as they gained confidence in their ability to frustrate the formidable quar- tette, rightly believed to represent the chief .strength of Scotland. Only in the case of Wallace, the full-back, were Scotch hopes realised the Cantab was splendidly resourceful throughout. But for him the score might 'have beei colossal. The manner in which the total of 24 points was made up discloses the secret of the Welsh success. When it was 15 points every possible kind of score under Rugby rmles, namely, a dropped goal, a, pen- alty goal, a converted goal, and a try, had been made. Afterwards came another dropped goal and a zoil from a try, the conversion of which, from a moft difficult angle, was Bancroft's most noteworthy con- tribution to the Welsh victory. For it was in what the "Times" described in advance as "quickness in perception," the distinc- tive quality of Welsh rides, and opportun- ism in seizing chances that the fifteen re- presenting Wales excelled. The drops for goal—there were several that failed deplor- ably of effect, which set on edge the teeth of pro-Welsh spectators--testif-ed to the re- spect for the stopping power of tve speedy Scotch backs And this was not unwar- ranted. for only thrice was the Scotch line crossed, despite the big adverse score, and only once wae the defence really beaten in a frontail attack by. the Wesh backs ex ecuted on orthodox lines. The determining factor in the match was the overmastering influence of the Welsh foi wards, wiio not only controlled the scrim mages throughout, and in the loose were m-arly irresistible, but were also so quick in breaking up to help the backs in steriiis- ing the speed of the Scotch three-quarters that the latter were rarely allowed a chance to get into movement. Under the favour- able conditions thus produced the Welsh third line, made up of comparative novices, gained confidence, and with Lloyd and Lewis Mhe latter really splendid in defence as well as attack) serving them well, rendered in- ocnspicuous their inferiority in speed and experience to the Sooteh quartette. If ;here had been on Saturday a four for Wales oqual to Nicholls, Gabe, Morgan and Llew- .Jlyn the score would have been doubled, if not trebled, so frequent were the chances provided by a tireless and triumphant pack and a clever pair of halves. This conclu- sion implies no reproach to the four young- sters composing the Welsh third line. They performed uhcommonly well, especially in defence, and when thev have acquired more experience may serve Wales finely. But one ilmost shudders in thinking of the possibil- ities if the Welsh forwards had failed and th0 Scotch halves had been able to feed swiftlv and often three-quarters of the cali- bre of Stewart, Win and Sutherland. However. there stands the fact indisput- able of a defeat of Scotland by 24 poirr- íi ',c--th{'h{'a ,it 3L on record. It is 22 years since the Scotch won a match on Welsh [ soil. Only once in the last ten years have they succeeded anywhere against the elsh. The record appears the more as- tonishing because Scotch -nfluence on the British Press outside Scotland is such that every season Scottish ducks are made to appear as swans. Fore and aft the pick of Scotland have nearly always been routed by the Welsh, but without disposing of the le- gendary superiority of the sons of Scotia. EHm Saturday's crushing defeat, follow- ing many others, will probably fail to shake this belief.

There isn't a Scotsman in the Swansea Police Force. Two thousand one hundred bad a joy ride in Swansea's prison van last year. Of these only 523 belonged to Swansea. One hundred and fifty-seven stray dogs were seized by the Swansea police last year. Now if they could only seize stray cats The following notice appears in a Taibach t'hop window:—"The d-l wants your souls to ruin. We want your soles to mend." A workman digging a pit at, Llandovery came aoroes a sot of false teeth in excel- lent preservation. Qi-t-stion-was he tooth- less ? Influenza when it visits Swansea is said to jjati from Cwmrhydyceirw, where the ground is low-lying, liable to inundation, and marshy. The average height of the Neath borough policeman is Sit. llin., and the average age, 36. Bit too far gone for a white hope." Are we becoming more forgetful The number of articles found in hackney car- riages, streets, and public places at Swansea during last year was 389. A year ago the clash of grand opera in the two Swnnsô3. theatres was widely de- plored. The recurrence this week of the same defect seems inexplicable C> Go up one, Neath. Of the 58 persons I proceeded against for drunkenness last year only 29 were residents of the borough. We don't keep count, but that's what the annual report say?. During the past year one chief constable, one chief inspector, one sergeant, and two constables were pensioned at Swansea. One sergeant died, five constables resigned, and twelve joined. "Ernani," at the Theatre Royal, was so inspiring as to induce regret that so many lovers of\ the best music, superbly inter- preted, deprived themselves of the pleasure of heal in a: it. ?  Neath residents are getting more careful about their possessions. But still 138 doors and windows were found by the police to be insecure during last year. The previous year the number totalled 288. Things are getting warm at Llandovery Workhouse. At the last meeting of the Guardians the master applied for a pair of handcuffs and a staff for defence against the vagrants—who seem very "wild that way. The Barnslev team on Saturday contained the names of three parsons and two doctors. This should be choerv news for their o;: ponents, for in the event of injuries there is physical succour at hand, or spiritual consolation if they chance to be mortally wounded. The Welsh fifteen who ran through the Scotch on Saturday had a "good press" on Monday. It WAS generally recognised that the Rev. Alban Davies was an inspiring leader of a great side. Almost unanimously the Welsh forwards were acknowledged to be the best eight brought together for many yeaTs. i "D. D. S." (Neath) writes in reply to a query in this column by a contributor, who alluded to the patronage of the places of amusement locally, and who asked "What class is being pinched?" He ("D. D. says: "They can find a shilling to>go to the field or to entertainments, but the grocer has got to wait, and that is the reason for so many bankruptcies." Mr. Thompson (defending in a vehicle on the wrong si.j )f the road charge at Swansea) questioned whether there was space for a motor-c-ii between a tram stopped outside the G.P.O. and the pave- ment. "I have just been stepping it," Mid Mr. Thompson. So have I, sir, re- piied the police officer in the Nue. Mr. Thompson replied that perhaps he didn't have and delicately left it at that. Overheard in Windsor-road. Neath :— Mrs. Jones Indeed, Mrs. Wil- liams, and you are looking well. And 'ow is the baby?"—Mrs. Williams He's champion for six moiuhs, isn't he?" —Mrs. Jones Iss, indeed. Been shop- ping, I s'pose?"—Mrs. Williams: "No. p I ri g I've been to the pictures. I takes 'im every Saturday night. He 'ave been since he were six weeks' old." A Swansea man, Dr. R. T. Edwards, has been re-appointed, at an enhanced salaiy, as medical officer of Merionethshire. Some little time ago Dr. Edwards sent in his rr- signation. and his re-appointment has given great satisfaction to a large circle of friends. He is the second South Walian on whom the plums of the county have been be- stowed. The other is Chief-constable Richard Jones, a Cardiganshire man. will* 0k nl> Welsh half-back play ii.)w possesses more or the robust nature of rl Rugby and lei,, of the deep strategy common to the "Dickv Owen era. The old Irish national packs were rather wonderful. We have been apt to think of them as the most riithlesg megers imaginable. The Welsh Union, how- o\er, has organised a scrummage worthy to be rated with those Irish packs in which Le Fanu, the Ryans, Rook, Tedford, Crean and Clinch were such giants. That great fight which Wales made at Twickenham bad again roused the indigenous enthusriii' ir. of Welshmen for their Rugby.—("Morning Post.") i With the price of ooal at 30s. a ton. Swan- sea has a gold store as well as a cold store coming. 'Amongst the bilis presented for payment at Swansea Guardians' Finance Committee on Thursday was one for eightpence. There was no discussion. The "protesting" of the "limbs of La- bour" at the Neath Town Council on Thurs- day reminded one of the line M'ethinks he doth protect too much." -V -1,P 9 "Ratepayer" (Neath) wants to know whe- ther peoplc, are sent to the 'local Council to represent the public. Well, up to now, we believe, such has been the popular super- stition. -4- "Wanted a boy who can walk," was an advertisement exhibited by a Cardiff trades- man on Thursday, proudly says an up-line paper. Here, in Swansea, we want beys who can run. It made the mouths of some of the people at the Licensing Sessions water to hear the recital of the trade done in barrels and in dozens of flagons, ales, stouts, and gallons of spirits at each house. A membei of the Swansea Town Council was prominent at a committee meeting this week. At the close another member asked if he was a member of that particular com- mittee. Now that was unkind. The big dimeusions ot the flagon trade at the different houses are one of the chief features that strike the eye at the Seas-ioms. Some house; dispose of fiv-s hundred fhugor* a week. Evidently the flagon trade isn't flag-gin. "I'm not going to see any more Soccer until the Swans get the net made larger, or acquire a smaller ball, so that they can a few goals." Thus a well-known Swansea "enthusiast." Perhaps the shilling gate did it. The members of the St. George's Male Voice Party, at iiy rate, are prepared for the time when woman reigns," as at the recent bachelors' social tea thev served up, cleared up, and VZ"A" un. i%?o break- ages reported. Proof of the mild weather, which is pre- vaJing just at present, wa? given on Thurs- day, when a party of Ltdi?s and gentlemen I were seen pi-wading down High-street in an open carriage, and attired in something very nearly approaching summer costume. "Anent Thursday's Post Bag anent 'foot- j ball an d sportsmanship,' will you please disassociate most distinctly Rugby football from the implication contained therein. (This is from "Prospero, who has recently bought a new trombone and is using it a lot.) What brou £ .i rtc-.r* ,) rjn or ihc weather beaten old "shell back" who stood on the "round-head" at the North Dock locks were the suggestions for getting off the ship that hid grounded as offered by an elegant young "shoppo" out for a Thursday! afternoon airing. Anybody who wants to understand how important a backdoor ca.n be should attend the Licensing Sessions. The fact that smok- ing room windows can't be opened is another pv>int that becomes of moment on such occa- sions. The real question—whether the b vbituies want these windows oper-iz:n ,T, touched at all. Now that Ffoireistfacih is booming so la rgely, the residents are looking forward to that greater Swansea, when a good service of cars will be running through that and the sur- rounding districts. It will also be a boon to those Swansea ites who have to travel there to and from work daily. The justification of the Swans' directorate for the charge of one shilling for Saturday's Cup-tie at the Vetch Field was not long coming aoout, as on the following Wedlles- day 80 spectators were injured by the over- crowding of the Sheffield Wednesday i ground on the occasion of a cup-tie re-play. Surely the argument of Councillor E. S. Phillips, at yesterday's meeting of the Neath Town Council, was one of the most barren things conceivable. He accused the man in the street of spreading f?Ise rum- ours about the gas undertaking without get- ting at the true facts. Where an earth is the "man in t?e street" or anyone else to  g't them from? asks Hotspur." ) g ?t them froi-n? :Lsks Hotspur What concerns Swansea docksmen is not that Johnson JS a coloured boxer, but that he is a man of colour who prefers not to re- turn to the States to face an odious charge. TllJ black fraternity around the docks are aware of this. What then are they to think of the lionising of such a man in a white man's land?—(" Prospero.") Councillor J. R. Jones made it perfectly ekar at yesterday's meeting of the Neath Tcwn Council that it was not he who gave the show away to the Press. So he can- not bo the hospitable member of the Coun- cil who, over tilie teacups and bread and jam, discursed freely the affairs of the local gas undertaking with a local preseman. A paragraph appeared in Thursday's Postbag column giving a Swansea boy's effusion all the way from Minnesota en- couraging the Swans "on the way to Syden- ham." This was tragic enough, but on Thursday evening an enthusiast who had just returned from a trip to the Mediter- ranean. and hadn't taken the trouble to find out the position, was offering long odds in a local beer bureau that the Vetch Fiptd lot would win the semi-final. And, all honour to them, no one took him on Ilston's Rise to Fame. "-This expres- --ion in capital letters was found at the head of a column in the London Daily Mail a few days ago (says the Gower Parish Magazine "). and one wondered what could have brought the ritme our distant little parish into such prominence. It turned out to be a column of racing new. but that only made the surprise still greater. I: appears that Ilston was the name of a hore, owned by Sir George Bullough, who very cleverly won the Stayers' (three mile) steeple- chase at Birmingham. An enjoyable time was spent at the Hotel Enterprise, Swansea, Saturday night, the occasion being the presentation to Mr. Sid Jones, eldest son of Mr. Eli Jones, sec- reta.ry of the R. and S.B. Railway, who lHV been promoted from Meswrs. BaldwinV King's Dock works to their Panteg works. Mon. The presentation took the form of a euit-case and outfit. also an umbrella, suit- ably inscribed. Messrs. Whittington (who presided), Devonald and W. Morgan spoke of Mr. Jones' sterling qualities, and said he carried with him the cood wishes and es- teem of all his late fellow employes. The à musical entertainment provided was of a first-class order. Iri .tie do! The singing at Cardiff Arms Park was below par. Even Sos.pa.r1 Fach fadled to catoli on. The severest critic of the Welsh team to- day will be the man who did not go to Car- diff but took hi wife to a Swansea theatre matinee. The ordinary Swansea man is prepared resignedly for the days now approaching, when it will be necessary for him to apply at the Town Hall for a permit 60 obtain a glass of beer.—(" Prospero.") 4> 0 <1 »■ Referees get little sympathy foT per- forming their'thankless task, and when Mr. Farrant got in the way of a particularly hot shot from Bassett, and stopped it with the small of his back, there was a general and unfeeling guffavv Wfc en the Llanellv motor mechanics dined together the. other evening the meru con- tained the following items :-Petrol Filler Entree, Petrol Tank Soup. Carburetter Plug, Game, Magneto Meat, Big End Dessert, Exhaust Pipe Wines. 0 o e 4 1b Harmonic" is in accord with" Pros- pero that in the rhapsodial movements leading up to the final triumphant chorus of praise the judicious use of the trombone is very effective. (There's more in this than meets the eye!) "Well, I'm blowed," said the Rugby man, if these Soccer m.anagers don't take the cheese.' The crowd on Satujday poured out of the Vetch Field into the street* already billed with the next week game, which happens to be with Caerphilly. Mr. Mervyn Peel, the Unionist candi- date for East Carmarthenshire, does not mince words about his opinion of his Ma- jesty's Ministers. At the recent dinner of the Gower Unionists he declared that the "spirit of a bookmaker presided at the Im- perial Treasury." o* o As a rule the overnight roysterer pro- tests stoutly that he was not "overcome." Not so he who learned that he bad entered a poiice station, planted down his three- pence, demanding a St-at under the impres- sion that it was a cinema. Then he owned and paid up like a man. 4. Although they were certain of a jolly good hiding, Treharris were determined to do- one thing-stop Bill- Ball scoring. They were ailnws1;" successful, but the elusive -Bailie," afilt-t-being vigorously pounced on ajl .through the game, managed to score < before the end. ¡J (" It is said' the reason why the Carman theiwhire .Coitflty Council meetings are at often rowdy II because the members ar' hungry. They do not adjourn for lunch, but rash tha«fh tic business in order U vatcL: ifc'fir'' w-,» told, are invariably savage, for famine tuawi out the worst qualities in humanity. It seems rather unkind of us to quote the fcllowing from a contemporary on Saturday, but some people are SO 'nfallible :—" When Scotland scored ri.-i-t sensational try of tl.eirs, three minutes before the start,' it looked as though the optimistic utterances of the critics north of the Tweed were going to be justified c: 8:-$: $' Jack Bancroft substantially contributed to the Welsh score on Saturday. He prac- tically compelled the kick-out from behind the Scotch goal-line which yielded the pen- alty goal that the last minute of the first half gave the Welsh a lead of two points, and his shot for goal from the last try—from a very awkward angle—added a couple of paints to the aggregate. Taffy and Sandy fraternised in Swansea on Saturday night, for it so happened that while the Welsh team were running through the Scotch on Cardiff Arms Park, Mr. An- drew Paton, the imperturbable Soot and crack billiard play of the Swansea Salis- bury Club, was at Pontypridd amassing the points that brought him the amateur bil- liard championship of Wales. There wn-s a downfall of old Interna- tionals at the Wales v. Scotland match on Saturday. After the half-time interval the two benches bearing them collapsed to- gether. Happily, no one was injured. Probably the occupants all swerved together over some incident in the game, and thus hrought ab'ut the strange happening of a concurrent collapse of two sefai-ate tiers of seats. Wh en B-e.vnon first m?t Led >ux the bulk of the audience were convinced that the Welsh lad was winning the re-opening of a wound over the > ■- eye placed him at such fk disadvanta.g'; that his principal second deemed it expedient to throw up the sponge. In the course of the second en- count-er on Saturday evening last it was reluctantly recognised that the Frenchman was too strong and clever for him. Fastidious" (Swansea ) writes—we sus- pect with a shade of sark":—" I quite agree with Fairplay.' Let it be a crime of lese m.aiestie to mention the numerous lapses of Mr. Lloyd George in his poet's frenzy. We should not say Toe the line,' or allude to the broken promises and the 'right about turns' of Mr. Asquith. Let there be no hitting on the head, no hitting oi the body, no hitting anywhere' by the Unionists." 9 • Q* Whenever one leaves one's house unoccu- pied information should be given to the police. Captain AH Thomas, the Swansea Chief Constable, in his aimual report states: "I have to thank the householders who were good enough to give the police notice that their hous>b would be left unoccupied, and would take :t as a great favour if all house- holders who have not yet adopted this prac- tice would do so (and state where the keys can be obtained if required), so that their houses and other property might receive special attention during their absence." Some time ago, while the great stack at Llanelly was being slightly diminished in height, the steeplejacks became engaged in a conversation with a Seasider. "No one in this tcwn has the pluck to go to the top of ,?j? I ) i s h re p l-?',l d this stack, said one. "Ruobish replied the Sensider; "there are plenty here who would do it if thev had the chancc, and you can take it from me that someone will do the trick this week for certain." Of course, the steeplejack was slightly amused at these remarks. Judge, therefore, of his surprise the next morning when on preparing to ascena th.e stack he observed something cr someone sitting on top enjoying the scenery. After a tim." this intrepid individual de- scended, when it turned to be the man-with whom he had held the convers.ation given above. "Good heavens! man," ejaculated the stec-pk-jack, "weren't you afraid?" "Not a bit." replied the brave So^panite, "except that I had a terrible fright when I thought I saw a was>p flying around me when I was half-wav down."