County Observer and Monmouthshire Central Advertiser Abergavenny and Raglan Herald Usk and Pontypool Messenger and Chepstow Argus

Monmouthshire Standing Joint Committee. At the quarterly meeting at Newport, on Wednesday, Mr W. Edwards, J.P., presiding, the Clerk read communications from the Home Secretary with reference to the proposed increased pay to police officers who have made twenty years' service and upwards. The committee's scale increased superintendents 10s per week, inspectors 2s 6d to 5s, sergeants 2s to 4s, and constables from Is 6d to 3s, according to length of service up to 30 years' service. The scheme also suggested that after 26 years' service the payments to the superannuation fund should be reduced to Is per annum. This reduction to Is was the only recommendation the Home Secretary approved. The committee pointed out that the new scale would cost E165 lis 6d per annum, whereas if all the old-service police officers entitled to pensions retired the increased annual cost would be X894 16s 6d. On the motion of Mr T. Parry, it was decided that the Chairman, Vice-Chairman, and Alderman Grove should see the new Home Secretary on the subject, eo as, if possible, to get a revision of the decision. An application was read from the Bedwellty justices for permission to engage a valuer to advise upon the monopoly value of public-house property.—It was decided to refer the engagement of a county valuer to the compensation com- mittee. The quarterly returns submitted by the Chief Constable showecl-apprehensions 421, against 653 in the corresponding quarter of last year, and persons summoned 1,273, or 36 more than last year. The increase was due to the Education Act troubles. The Chief Constable asked for and received permission to incur a small expenditure for the services of an assistant; to a gentleman at Aber- gavenny who was willing to teach a class of policemen the principles of Japanese wrestling. The advantage of the Japanese mode was that prisoners were handled without ruffling them.

Ir Reginald McKenna and the m Unemployed Problem. Speaking at Grosmont, Mr McKenna, Radical candidate for North Monmouthshire, said he had no remedy for the unemployed, and suggested there was none. In reply to questions by Mr R. Hudson Evans, the candidate said he was a Home Ruler, but he did not think the question would come before the present Parliament. He did not consider Chinese indentured labour to be slavery. He was not in favour of a renewal of the Agricultural Rating Act if it expired during the term of office of the Radical Government. ,0"4"

Col. Courtenay Morgan's Candi- dature. On Friday Col. Morgan addressed meetings at Magor and at Newport (Durham-road Schools), where Councillor J. W. Hunt presided, and met with hearty receptions at both places. He referred to the decline in the iron and steel industries, which affected Monmouthshire closely, as compared with fifty years ago. The cause lay in unfair foreign competition. He was not an out- and-out Protectionist. He was a Protectionist in this sense, that he wanted to protect the home industries which were suffering from unfair foreign competition. (Hear, hear.) Nevertheless, he wanted to make it known that he would never give his support to any measure that would be instru- mental in increasing the cost of living for the working classes. In reply to questions, the candi- date agreed to support the Trades Disputes Bill, the amendment of the Workmen's Compensation Act, Poor Law reform, repatriation of the Chinese in South Africa as soon as possible—(applause)—and the removal of the tax on sugar. He was also in favour of British shipowners employing British seamen, the abolition of the coal-tax, and the tax- ation of ground values, supposing that there was a revision of all local taxation. (Applause.) The vote of confidence was carried by a very large majority. A meeting in support of Col. Courtenay Morgan's candidature was held at the Institute, Rogerstone., on Saturday evening, when Mr. E. Steer presided I and the candidate spoke at some length. He was sorry, he said, the religious controversy had arisen, because it greatly retarded education. He was strongly opposed to the elimination of religion from the educational system, because such a step would inflict a serious injury to the moral welfare of the children. He did not think either that the Council managers were proper persons to control religious education; the right persons were the parents of the children. (Cheers.) The Chinese labour question had been greatly misrepresented. The Chinese would never have been imported into South Africa if it could have been avoided, and Chinese would never have been sent if their own people could go. The mines, however, must be worked. The Transvaal Government and the people asked that Chinese labour should be em- ployed in the Transvaal. A representative LABOUR COMMISSION I approved of it, and a monster petition, signed by 75 per cent, of the inhabitants, supported it. However, he hoped that in due time the Chinese would be repatriated to their own country, and be supplanted by native labour. There had been an increase of trade in the United Kingdom, but, un- fortunately, there had also been an increase of pauperism. They wanted more work for the un- employed, and he thought a reform in the tariffs would enable them to open more industries, and give employment to the working people. They wanted to place a tax on the foreigner who injured the industries at home, and compel him to open the markets which were now closed to them. He was in favour of bodies such as trade unions, which were reccgnised by law, being put on a foot- ing of equality with the employers' associations and fair hours of labour for railway servants. A vote of confidence in the candidate was carried. Col. Courtenay Morgan addressed a meeting at St. Dial's School, Cwmbran, on Monday evening, Mr. E. Southwood Jones presiding. In passing the Education Act, the candidate said, the Unionist Government had tackled a thorny question. It might be capable of amendment, but it brought about a continuity in the system of education in this counry such as had never existed before. The Act made it possible for children to go from the bottom to the top of the educational ladder. The Chinese labour question had been grossly misrepresented by their opponents. He had been in South Africa, and he had seen a great deal of the life of that country. Chinese labour would never have been introduced there if it could have been avoided. It was not the Unionist Govern- ment that was responsible for the introduction of the Chinese into South Africa. A Labour Com- mission which sat there decided in favour of it, and there was a large petition signed by 75 per cent. of the inhabitants of the Transvaal also in favour of it. He would like to see THE CHINESE REPATRIATED I to their own country when their term of service had expired. He was against Home Rule for Ire- land, and Disestablishment of the Church in Wales. He supported the foreign policy of the Conserva- tives, and urged that as a result of that policy the I United Kingdom was greatly respected by foreign countries. In fiscal reform he would not give his support to any measure which would increase the cost of living to the working classes. But he wanted to see some re adjustment of the tariff system under which the struggling industries of this country would be revived, and so afford more employment for the toiling masses at home. Various industries of the United Kingdom had been hit hard as a result of the unfair competition of foreign countries, and some alteration was needed in order to bring about a more equitable condition of things. MR. FREDERICK MILLS, I in addressing the meeting, referred to the great falling away in the iron and steel trades owing to the unfair competition of America and Germany. The argument strongly applied to Monmouthshire, which had such close connection with those par- ticular industries. He feared the time was coming when foreign coal would be brought into this country. German coke had been imported into West Cumberland. Replying to questions, Col. Morgan said he would be in favour of taxation of ground values if there was a revision of all taxation on a fair basis. He would support immediate benefits payable under the Compensation Act. He was against Sunday closing for Monmouthshire, and supported the last Licensing Act. He would resist any interference with religious teaching of children in the public elementary schools, in accordance with the con- scientious convictions of the parents. On the motion of Mr. A. Williams, seconded by Mr. Simner, a vote of thanks was accorded to Col. Morgan, and a similar vote was passed to the chairman. A meeting in support of Col. Morgan's candida- ture was held at Llanfrechfa the same evening, when Mr. F. J. Mitchell presided and Col. Morgan also spoke. A vote of confidence was carried. On Tuesday evening Col. Morgan spoke at Fleur-de-lis, where, in spite of the heavy downpour of rain, a good number assembled, under the chairmanship of Mr. David Treasure. Later that evening he had an enthusiastic meeting at Maesy- cwmmer, where Col. Morgan Lindsay presided. Referring to the present situation, the candidate said the swing of the pendulum was certainly on one side during the past day or two, but it behoved them to view the scene impartially and judge the past records of both parties. (Hear, hear.) He would like .to see not only new tin-plate works opened, but the old ones re-opened. This would mean an extra demand for coal. (Applause.) Mr. F. E. Simner, M.A., having spoken, the question was asked, Will Col. Morgan support a measure for the taxation of ground values ? The reply was that if a revision of the whole system were undertaken he would certainly favour a revision. (Applause.) The vote of confidence was carried. On Wednesday eveniftg, a large and enthusiastic meeting was held at Bedwas, in support of Colonel Courtenay Morgan's candidature, presided over by Mr W. Rowland Davies. The candidate in bis address denied Sir Henry Campbell. Bannerman's remark that the Unionist ship had gone down with all hands. No one, however, could but regret that the man at the helm—Mr Balfour-had been displaced, for his absence would be a loss to any Parliamentary party. (Hear, hear.) Mr P. R. Simner, M.A., also addressed the meeting, and later the candidate and the speakers motored to Machen, where another meeting was held.

Markets. USK, CATTLE, Monday.—There was a fair attend- ance and supply at the bi-monthly market to-day. The trade in beef was rather slow, but sheep and pigs sold pretty briskly at satisfactory prices. Quotations:—Best beef, 6d. to 6|d. per lb. second quality, 5d. to 6d. heavy-weight mutton, 7d. to 2 2 8d. light ditto, 8d. to 8(1.; ewe, 6d, to 71. per lb cows and calves, L- 12 to EIG yearlings, £6 tojElO two-year-olds, Ell to £ 14; sows and pigs. JE6 to £10; strong stores, 35a. to 45s. each three months old, 20s. to 23s.; weaners. 163. to 20s. each heavy- porkers, 9s. to 9s. 6d. per score, light ditto, 9s. 6d. to 10s.; baconers, 9s. NEWPORT, CORN, Wednesday.—There was very little business transacted and the attendance was somewhat limited. Wheat displayed a firmer tone at last week's figures. Maize, barley, and oats were quiet and unchanged. Flour (fines) was offered at 25s per sack. NEWPORT, CATTLE, Wednesday.—A large supply of cattle was on offer here to-day. The supply of sheep was moderate. Calves and pigs were scarce. The market was well attended. As is usual at this period of the year, a falling off in the prices realised for cattle and fat cows was in evidence. Good, brisk business was done in all departments at the following figures:—Best beef 6d, second quality 5§d, fat cows 4!d to 5Jd, best wether mutton 9d to 9td, ewes 7d to 7d, calves 6td to 8d per lb; porkers 10s to 10s 6d, and baconers 9s per score. NEWPORT, CHEESE, Wednesday.—At the cheese market the supplies fell below the average. Notwithstanding the shortage, the demand was only fair, and the attendance moderate. Quota- tions:-Caerphillys 56s to 68s per cwt., fancy dairies 68s to 70s, Derbys 70s, and Cheddars 65s to 68s.

) Enthusiastic Meeting at Gwehelog. Col. Courtenay Morgan, the Conservative candi- date for South Monmouthshire, addressed a crowded attendance of electors at Gwehelog Schoolroom on Thursday evening. Mr. R. St. John Beasley, Usk, presided, and he was supported by Mr. Reginald Herbert, Capt. Tip Herbert, Mr. P. R. Simner, M.A., and Mr. Gould. The Chairman said he wished to thank them all for coming out on such a very bad night, but he thought it augured well for the success of the son of their old friend Colonel the Hon. F. C. Morgan that there was such a good attendance. By giving their votes to him next week they would be doing the correct thing in putting Colonel Morgan in they would be putting the right man in the right place. (Applause.) Colonel Courtenay Morgan, who was most cor- dially received, said that his time was limited there that evening, as he had to address another meeting on the other side of the water—at Llangwm-if he were able to get there. (Laughter.) He was also sorry to have to call them out on such a night, but in a few days they would have to record their votes on his behalf or on behalf of his opponent, and therefore he would ask them to listen to him for a short time whilst he gave them his views on some of the principal questions of the day. Per- haps he might say a word as to the party which he had the honour to represent. He admitted they had had a rather bad time of it during the last day or two, and had lost some of those they could ill- afford to spare, but he hoped that their leaders would soon be re-instated in some other constitu- encies. Although they had lost them for the time he thought Unionists had not lost heart. He would never lose heart no matter what happened. Why was the tide running so much against them ? For ten years-for 20 years, with a very short break-Unionists had been responsible for the government of this country. For the last few years they had met with the severest criticism from the opposite party. Mr Reginald Herbert and his brother here ar- rived, and were received with loud hunting cries. Col. Morgan remarked that their suupport was a bright spot for the Unionist cause -in South Monmouthshire. For nearly 20 years, he continued, they had had the conduct of affairs, and it was not surprising that there should be a swing of the pendulum in another direction. It was not sur. prising because they must remember that the Opposition had been hungering for office for many years. They had tried in every way to turn out the Unionist Government by prejudice and un- just criticism, and the people of the country had gone against the Government that had been of the greatest benefit to them. The Radical party had accused them of introducing an Education Act which had caused a great deal of religious con- troversy, and he thought everybody regretted it, He thought the Act, as far as secular education was concerned, was the best since that of 1870. He upheld the Act because it had for the first time established some continuity of our system of education, whereby it enabled the child of the poorest parent to mount the ladder to the highest educational fame. Religious instruction in the schools was absolutely necessary. As far as he could see the Liberal Government would amend the Act in this way. Either they would eliminate religious instruction altogether, or it would be left to the Education Committee of the County Coun- cils to decide. He was opposed to both those principles. In the first place they would be doing a serious injury to the moral welfare of their grand nation, and in the second if they handed it over to the County Council, however much they might desire to do right, they could not decide what religious instruction should be given. The parents of the children alone should have the right to decide as to the religious education their children should have. (Cheers.) After having compared the indentured Chinese ordinances in South Africa an. British Guiana, the gallant colonel referred to agriculture, and asked if they could recall anything that was done for the benefit of agriculturists between 1892 and 1895 by the Radical party when they were in power. They knew he was as much interested in agriculture as anyone. He submitted that the Radical party would not assist agriculturists at all. He could not find a single measure that was passed for their benefit by them. During their term of office no Minister of Agriculture was appointed to serve in their Cabinet. He would like to ask them if the Liberals had done anything for them in former years. He ventured to think that the Unionist Party had done a great deal for agricul- turists, and he asked them, therefore, not to go with the flowing tide, but to remember that the Unionist Government reduced the taxes on the land from 4s. to Is. in the 2. They intro- duced the Agricultural Rates Act, which reduced the rates payable by one-half. That certainly was something done for their benefit. Then there was the Diseases of Animals' Act, and several other good Acts, which the Unionist Government had passed for the benefit of agriculture in all its branches. He admitted that agriculture was one of the most difficult industries to deal with, and that agriculturists were heavily taxed. He would like to see a reduction of their taxes. The Agri- cultural Rates Act had been renewed on two or three occasions. The first and second time it was violently opposed by the Radical party, but last time the opposition was not so strong, because they thought a General Election was near. The Act would now be continued until the year 1910, and he hoped it would subsequently become permanent. Notwithstanding the reverses in the country, he was going to stick to the Unionist party, and he wanted to see all the component parts of their Colonies welded closely together, and the unity of England and Ireland maintained as it had been in the past. He would always uphold their Estab- lished Church, and he would never agree to have Disestablishment and Disendowment. (Cheers.) Last of all they must have-whatever party was in power-confidence in the firm foreign policy which was introduced by the Unionist Government, carried on by Lord Lansdowne, and which had made us re- spected and feared by foreign nations, to the bene- fit of the world by assuring the maintenance of peace. (Cheers.) Mr P. R. Simner, M.A., also addressed the meeting, and said that last week Colonel Morgan had visited the enemies' dominions in the Western Valleys, and had been exceedingly well received, and, he trusted, had converted many of them. Referring to the Education Act, he said they wanted to bring the education in the schools up to the standard of Germany and America. He particularly asked them to bear in mind the way in which the Radical party had stalked about the country telling gross and malicious lies about Chinese slavery. He pointed out that Chinese labour was asked for by the people of the Transvaal. They had something to be proud of in the neighbourhood, and justly proud, and that was the house of Morgan. They were face to face with a great fight, and they must remember that they must put every ounce into it if they meant to win. There was no reason why South Monmouth should not follow the lead of Birmingham. (Cheers). They were seven there, and let South Monmouth be the eighth. Upon their votes and their votes alone, perhaps, may rest the issue of this fight. He had no doubt if all were to put their shoulder to the wheel Colonel Morgan would be returned at the head of the poll. (Cheers). Questions were invited, but none were asked, after which Mr F. W. Gibson proposed, and Mr J. Haggett seconded, a vote of confidence in Colonel Morgan which was carried unanimously. Colonel Morgan, after briefly returning thanks, proposed a vote of thanks to Mr Beasley for presiding. Mr Reginald Herbert seconded, and, referring to the fiscal question, said that their adversaries had been appealing to the people's intestines, but the Unionists appealed to their intelligence. Their intestines bad a habit of getting out of order, and intelligence would have to be brought in to put them right again. The Morgan family had represented Monmouthshire for generations, and he was there as the representative of another County family to help them, by putting their shoulders to the wheel, to return their popular candidate Colonel Courtenay Morgan. (Loud cheers.) The vote was carried, and cheers for the candidate concluded a most successful meeting.

Colonel Morgan at Llangwm. Colonel Courtenay Morgan addressed a crowded meeting in the Schoolroom, Llangwm, on Thursday evening, with the result that a vote of confidence in him was enthusiastically carried. Colonel E. Curre presided, and, in his opening remarks, said the candidate hardly wanted an introduction. They had helped to return his father to Parliament for 32 years, and he was sure they would help to return him. (Cheers.) With regard to politics there had been a terrible upheaval in the country at the polls, but they would not lose heart. They would support Colonel Courtenay Morgan and law and order and the upholding of the Empire (Cheers.) I COLONEL COURTENAY MORGAN. who was enthusiastically received, thanked them for his reception. He had to confess, he said, that the Unionist Party had had one or two hard knocks in the general election, but they were nothing like dead yet. (Cheers.) They would fight to the end for their cause, and do their best for the whole nation in the finish. (Hear, hear, and cheers.) Sir Henry Campbell Bannerman was very pleased with himself. According to him the Unionist ship had foundered with all hands. He (the speaker) disagreed with him. It was perfectly true they had for the moment lost their skipper— the man at the wheel—but he hoped they would soon find him in his old place again. (Cheers.) But Mr Chamberlain was there to take up the position, returned by an increased majority. (Cheers.) No, the old ship had not yet foundered she was not going to founder. (Cheers.) Would not they in South Monmouthshire help to keep her going? (Hear, hear.) He believed they would stick to her after helping her to keep going for so many years to the benefit of everybody. (Cheers.) Why had the great change come over the country ? (A voice: You have done wrong). He disagreed with that gentleman. (Cheers.) He thought the Unionist Government had done more for the benefit of all classes of the community than any other. If they went logically into the work they had done they would find very little the matter with it. (Hear, hear.) The fact was the people bad begun to believe what the Radicals told them, that there was something wrong. But let them take anything they liked. (A voice The Chinese Ordnance). Yes, said Colonel Morgan, promptly, I will and at once. (Cheers.) There are some people who imagine that Chinese labour was introduced merely on the word of the Unionist Government. You don't know, perhaps, that the people of the Transvaal were the people who themselves definitely decided the matter. (Cheers.) There was a commission of twelve men appointed, representative of different trades, who went care- fully into the question, and by a majority of 10 to 2 decided in favour of indentured labour. Then a monstre petition in its favour was signed by 75 per cent. of the whole population of the Transvaal. You can, therefore, see that it was almost the unanimous wish of the people interested in the matter to have Chinese labour, and because it was necessary for the development of the mines. If it could possibly have been avoided it would have been. Our own unemployed could not be engaged on the work the Chinese did. (A voice: It was not cheap enough). Quite true; that is one of the reasons why it was impossible, but there are others. Continuing. Colonel Morgan said a white man could not be fed and kept under 12s a day. The mines were poor; there was only a profit of 10s on a ton of ore, and that made it impossible to pay 12s a day. Besides, if they understood South Africa, they would know that a white man would never consent to work with a coloured man on the same labour. (Cheers). (A voice: How did they work before ?) Kaffir labour was employed before, but Kaffirs could not be got, because having made money' during the war on other work they were disinclined to gu back to the mines. (Cheers.) Now, however, curiously enough, they were going back to the mines, and he (the speaker) hoped that soon it would be unnecessary to employ imported Chinese labour, and that the Chinese would be repatriated. The Unionist Government had only given effect to the wishes of the Colonists, and Sir Henry Campbell- Bannerman had intimated that he should continue to do the same. (Cheers.) There was never a question of slavery in connection with the matter. Slavery never exists under the British flag. (Cheers.) But if, as had been said for poiitical purposes, it did exist, why did not the Liberals at once put a stop to it when they came into power? (Cheers.) (A voice: They had to stick to the (Cheers.) (A voice: They had to stick to the agreement.) No, sir, replied Colonel Morgan the agreement proves there is no slavery. (Cheers.) Mr Burt, the labour member, had gone out to South Africa to see for himself the state of affairs, and he had returned and bad told them that there was no evidence of slavery." (Cheers.) It compared most favourably with the ordnance passed by the Radical party in respect of Btitish Guiana in 1894:; and it caused the employment of 5,600 more white men than would otherwise have been possible. (Cheers.) Sir Henry Campbell- Bannerman, in the opinion of a Boer General, was responsible by his utterances for the prolongation of the Boer War for seventeen months. Unionists had been accused of unpreparedness for war, but records proved that the Radicals had been, at least, worse sinners in that respect. In the Crimea, for instauce again, with regard to the Soudan, it cost seven millions to lose it by the Radical party, and one and a third millions to win it back by the Unionists. Those were facts and not fancies. (Cheers.) They could hope for no reduction of taxation from the Liberal party. Questions were asked by three or four persons and satisfactorily answered, the candidate showing marked straightforwardness and ability in his replies, which elicited the applause of his hearers. Indeed, he came out of the ordeal of heckling throughout with marked success. Mr P. R. Simner made a telling speech, after which Mr R. Hall proposed a vote of confidence in the candidate, Rev E. M. Prothero seconded, and it was carried with acclamation, The candidate replied, and a vote of thanks to the Chairman terminated a splendid meeting.

UNIONISTS VOTE FOR YOUR LATE MEMBER'S SON COL. COURTENAY MORGAN ON WEDNESDAY NEXT.

Llandaff Rural Deanery. I At the quarterly meeting of the Chapter of Llandaff Rural Deanery, held at the Vicarage, Llandaff, on Thursday, the Rural Dean submitted the following resolution, which was carried unani- mously :— That we, the clergy of the Rural Deanery of Llandaff, while desirous of ending religious strife in national education and of granting to others th6 liberty which we claim for ourselves, will resist any legislation which will have the effect of de- priving Church people of the right to have their children taught the religion they profess in public elementary schools, by teachers who believe what they teach, during school hours. That we will do all in our power to oppose the dismemberment of the National Church by cutting off from her the ancient dioceses of Wales, and the alienation of endowments given for the main- tenance of religion in the country.

I Football. I USK V. RISCA. The return match was played at Risca on Saturday last, in wretched weather. Usk played two substitutes from Risca, George Smith and Jim Morgan being unable to turn out. The homesters kicked off and at once commenced to press, and after good play by Saunders, Jones was enabled to score wide. Two more tries were added by Williams, and Usk retired defeated by three tries to nil.

I NorTh Moiontl. Candidature of Sir Charles Campbell. I On Friday Sir Charles Campbell addressed a well- attended meeting of agriculturists at Llanddewi- Rhydderch, when Mr Reginald Herbert, of Clvtha, presided, and, in his opening remarks, said it made his blood boil to think that the destinies of the Empire might rest in the hands of the Irish crew who howled with delight when they heard of any disaster that had befallen our troops in South Africa. Sir Charlee Campbell, who was well received, said that Mr M'Kenna had been a little ungenerous in saying that he did not know much about politics. Perhaps he was not a professional politician, but he had looked on politics outside of this country for ft great many years, and he knew very well that the Britisher abroad was respected far more when there was a Conservative party in power than when the Radicals were in office. He was sufficiently edu- cated in politics to know what he was talking about. The Rev. Manse! Townsend, on behalf of the Church Association, said that certain questions had been put to the candidate, and Sir Chtries's re-olies were satisfactory, and the Rev. gentleman assured the audience that the Protestant vote, which is very powerful one in the constituency, and at the last election was given to the present Financial Secretary to the Treasury, would now go in Sir Charles's favour. On Monday a crowded meeting of miners was held at Six Bells, presided over by Mr J. Stansfield, J.P. Sir Charles, who was enthusiastically received, said that whatever the decision of the country might be on the fiscal question at this election he firmly believed that we should eventually come to Retaliation, and that it would be forced upon the Government in a very short time by ths working classes themselves. He was dead against compul- sory service in the Army, but believed in encourag- the people of this country to shoot straight, so that in the event of any nation invading it we should be able to defend our homes, our wives, and our children. (Applause.) Dealing with the question of Chinese labour in the Transvaal, he ventured tor prophesy that if the Radical Government were in. office for five years there would be no change in the policy which the late Government had adopted on. this subject. He attributed the great number of unemployed in the country to the operation of Free Trade principles. Several questions were put to Sir Charles and.. answered satisfactorily. Mr Isaac Butler (Panteg), speaking on the tariff question, said that last week 5,580 tons of steel bars were landed at Newport from the United States, The production of these bars would cost £lO,OO. awd would give a month's employment to their principal steelworks in South Wales, Subsequently, Sir Charles spoke at New Ion, and. was enthusiastically received. In reply to qaestions,, he said he would vote for the Trades Disputes Bill, that he was in favour of a closer commercial union. with the Colonies, and that he favoured an amend- mnt Qf the Education Act so as to give each district at a publicly-convened meeting the power to elect their reprsentatives on the group of managers. He was opposed to the restoration of the old Corn Laws. Sir Charles Campbell, the Unionist Candidate, had a busv time on Tuesday. He first visited the Market, Abergavenny, accompanied by Major J. H. G. Harris, J.P., and then, with Lady Campbell, met a large number of his supporters at the Town Hill, Abergavenny. He is working the constituency well and is daily gaining ground, both on account of his plain speaking and his regard for all measures that would improve the lot of the working classes. He opposes the coal-tax and would support a Trades Dispute Bill as promoted by the Trades Union. Congress. Mr Isaac Butler, J.P., of the firm of Baldwins (Limited), and Lieutenant-c ilonel D. E. Williams, J.P., two of the greatest authorities on the iron and. steel industries in South Wales, are rendering him valuable service in his campaign, while Capt. Sale has made a strong appeal to the volunteers in North Monmouthshire to support tho admiral. On Tuesday night, Sir Charles had a rousing reception when he appeared before a densely crowded meeting at Abergavenny Town Hall, assembled under the chairmanship of Mr Codrington Crawshay, J.P. For a great number of years, Sir Charles said, he had studied tho politics of this country, both at home and abroad, and he had seen the effect of their policy abroad- Under a Unionist Administration an Englishman, was better respected and treated abroad than when. the Liberals were in power. He deprecated any attempt to reduce the stiength of the Army and! Navy; it would be impossible to continue the firm foreign policy of the late G ivernment if they did so.—The candidate was accorded an enthusiastic vote of thanks. Mr T. H. Hazell, of Newport, addressed tha meeting on the tariff question. THE CANDIDATES NOMINATED. Mr Percy Laybourne, under-sheriff for the county, sat at the Town-hall, Abergavenny, on Wednesday, to receive nominatims. The two candidates—Rear- admiral Sir Charles Campbell, K.C.M.G., C.B. D.S.O., and Mr Reginald M'Kenna, barrister and Financial Secretary to the Treasury, where early ill attendance and deposited their nomination papers, the number of the Conservative and Unionist nomi- nations exceeding those of Mr -AI'Kenna by two. Sir Charles's assentors included representatives of all grades of industry amongst its signatories. It was mutually agreed beforehand that no objec- tions would be taken to the nomination papers, and the security money having been deposited on either side, the nominations were declared to be in order, and arrangements made for the poll on Monday next. The nominations were as follows CAMPBELL CHARLES, Rear-admiral, Knight ComtnandHr of the Order of St. Michael and St- George, C.B., D.S.O., of 8, Foulis-terrace, Onslow- square, London; proposed and seconded by John Capel Hanbury, J.P., D,L., Pontypool Park, and A. A. Williams, J.P., Pontypool; the Hon. J; M'Lean Rolls, the Hendre, Monmouth, and Douglas William Graham, Hilston Park, near Monmouth; Codrington F. Crawshay, J.P., Llanvair Grange, Abergavenny, and Evan M. Brvde. The Pentre, Goytre Lieutenant-colonel Philip George Penny- more, Blaenavon, and Benjamin Edwards, The Park, Blaenavon; B. Williams Powlett, Llanfoist, and Fred Young, Abergavenny; Levi Rogers, Talywain, and Benjamin Morgan, Pisgah-road, Talywain; Colonel Mansel, Maindiff Court, Aber- gavenny and William Lloyd Thomas, Tredillion, Abergavenny Joseph Harris and Captain Sale, Pontvpool-road IsaacButler, J.P., and Lieutenant- colonel D. E. Williams, J.P., Panteg; Robert Hudson Evans, Grosmont, and William Charlea Freeman, Grosmont; Charles Lloyd Morris, Aber- gavenny, and William Devereux, Hatherall, Aber- gavenny Emmanuel Bumford and Azariah Lloyd, Pontnewvdd Godfrey Ernest Jones, Snatch wood. Park, Pontypool, and H. A. Gething Havard, St. Luke's-road, Pontnewynydd Edward K. E. Mardea and John Jones, Grosmont; J. Stansfield, J.P., Belle View, Llanhilleth, and D. A. Pritchard, The Hall, Crumlin, H. A. Bowen, Cwmavon, and Charles Winston, Abersychan. The count will take place at the Town Hall, Abergavenny. It is not expented that the result will be made known until &boat 2 a.m. on Tuesday.

What Is a workman without good Boots < The M'ONDVTY BOOT! whu Sold Everywhere. Art S| Mind ia/B P.O. <P°St tree| tD |i SEED BROS.. r*o Moneybaok

Sir Henry Mather-Jackson submitted that of Mr R. H. Marfell," who had, he said, during his year of office as President, not only reflected credit upon tenant farmers, but given every -Satisfaction to the Chamber. (Applause.) Mr Marfell briefly returned thanks. THE AFTERNOON MEETING. Mr. Marfell again presided at the afternoon meeting, which was very largely attended, amongst those present besides those already named being:- Messrs. J. Maitland Watkins, W. Thom >s (White- hall), J. James (Llancayo), H. Scudamore (Trostrey Court), C. J. Francis, James Parry, E. W. Waters, E. Griffiths, M. Griffiths, S. W. Jones, Thntnas, ■(Bryngwyn), J. Haggett, Powell (Cefn Coch), t „ F. G. Powell (Little Castle). W. Morgan David, W. Crump, J. G. T. Morgan, Jos. Frost, Wm. Lane (Bettws Newydd), Jas. James (Perthcretig), Jno. Frost (Llansoy). James (The Ton, Raglan). W., T.. and J. Lewis (Llangibby), J. Parker (Kemevs House). W. E. Parker (Trostrey Hill), Jos. Williams (Llansoy), J. Bevan (Ty Coch). T. Marfell (The Cwm, Clytha), J. H. Taylor (Oaer- leon), R. Hall, W. Lewis (Llanwinney), Wil- liams (Trecastle), J. Cale, T. Davies, (New Barn), &0. IMPORTING LIVE CATTLE. 1 ,>■ In accordance with notice, Mr. R. Stratton moved :—" That in view of the possible danger of introducing disease, and the prejudicial effect upon cattle breeding in the United Kingdom, it is unde- sirable that there should be any relaxation in the present conditions respecting the importation of live cattle from Canada or elsewhere." Mr. H. Williams, the chairman, supported, and it was agreed to. THE INCIDENCE OF TAXATION. Mr Louis C. Wrigley said he had been asked to open a discussion on the incidence of local taxation and the pressing need of legislation." The question, he said, was one of magnitude and importance. He believed that all men whose interest and welfare was bound up in their great national industry were unanimously agreed that, unless that question were fairly and justly dealt with in the immediate future, and land relieved from some of the iniquitous bur- dens it at present bad to bear, but very few years must see the total ruin of agriculture, and with it the end of every landowner, farmer, and labourer whose livelihood, and that of his family, depended upon his ability to carry on his business. The question was introduced at a very auspicious, and at the same time a very difficult, moment. He wanted to most carefully safeguard the traditions of the Chamber as to party politics they associated themselves with none. The question was not a new one, and he would take them back to ancient history. Mr. Wrigley then showed the promises which had been made from 1846 down to 1884 to reform the inci- dence of local taxation, so that not only houses and rland should be assessed, but every description of property should equitably contribute to all national burdens—promises which WERE NEVER FULFILLED. "In 1896 the Government, though still not tackling the main issue, which was the whole principle of taxation, gave great relief by passing the Agricul- tural Rating Act, and that had been renewed in 1901 and 1903, and they were now, fortunately, assured of its continuance to 31st March, 1910. That had been, undoubtedly, of inestimable benefit, and, in 1896, it saved many a poor man from ruin, and encouraged him to struggle on in the face of ruinous prices and increased foreign competition. But what is the position now ? The half the rates they now paid on agricultural land was larger than was the whole in 1896; and while the general wealth and prosperity of England had been increas- ing in leaps and bounds, the agricultural community had been getting poorer and poorer. As general wealth had increased, so had the comfort of living. The expenditure on roads, education, &a had in- creased. Why should only a small minority pay for them? (Hear, hear.) The present incidence of taxation, as it applied to land, is iniquitous and unfair. The Income Tax is gathered from a capital representing £ 500,000,000. Each person who pays Income Tax is assessed according to what is sup- posed to be his ability to pay, but the local rates are contributed from AN ASSESSMENT MADE I 'upon only E160,000,000 of capital. That leaves .E340,000,000 of capital yielding interest and income which does not pay a brass farthing to the local rates of this country. That means that only 32 per cent. of the wealth of England is subject to local taxation, while 68 per cent. escapes therefore every contributor to local rates is paying rather more than three times his proper share. This iniquity refers to all local ratepayers, but let them deal solely with those paying in respect of agricultural land, and they would find an even more glaring in- justice. A farmer paying X300 a year rent would have his income reckoned at £100 for the purpose of Income Tax by Schedule B, viz., L 100, though in these times that would be a figure woefully over- stated. The local shopkeeper in the same villiage making an income of ;CII)O would, it is safe to Bay, not be assessed at more than L30 for his house and shop and the clerk or small professional man, having the same income, working in Newport, say, but living in the village in a superior cottage, would not be assessed at more than £ 10. Let them -suppose that those three were fortunate enough to live in a village where the rates are only 5s. in the X. The farmer probably would pay on X30 at 5s. for buildings and on £ 270 at 2s. 6d.—thanks to the Agricultural Rates Not-which would amount to over 41 per cent. of his income; while the shop- I keeper would pay only 7 par cent., and the clerk only 2 per cent. Yet each wo ild be paying for and receiving exactly the same benefits (Hear, hear, and applause.) He urged that the farmer ought not to be assessed on the land at all; that was his raw material out of which he manufactured his corn and beef. (Applause.) But if that had to bear a tax, then all the stocks of wool, cotton, iron, &c., out of which our manufacturers make their goods, must, IN COMMON JUSTICE, equally be assessed for taxation. (Hear, hear.) There was the canker wound that was bleeding the agriculturist to death, and they in Monmouthshire were, perhaps, the most unfortunate in England, for the chief power of local taxation was in the hands of the County Council, the majority of whom, owing to a portion of our county being densely populated, were gentlemen, excellent, no doubt, and most ably representing the needs and wants of their people, but who were absolutely and entirely out of touoh with the unfortunate agriculturist who lived within the scope of their powers. (Applause.) For example, education cost 5!d. in the £ in Hereford- shire 9d. in Gloucestershire and Is. in Glamor- ganshire but in Monmouthshire it was Is. 4d. That was unimportant if their rates amounted to 2 or 3 per cent. of their net income, but when it meant the difference between 40 and 60 per cent. it was vital. (Applause.) Again, take the main roads. Extra cost was being incurred in order that motor cars, probably, in the majority of cases, owned outside the county, might proceed at full speed with more comfort, and that heavy motor vehicles could pass over them at a cheaper rate than would be the case in the use of horseflesh for the conduct of various businesses. (Hear, hear.) Surely the people who benefited ought to pay. But no. Quite three-fifths of the amount had to be paid by the agricultural community, who obtained so benefit of any sort. This was a fight for life, and agriculturists must now or never make a stand for C?iUa /4ree^om> equal rights, and equal justice for !• Effuse.) In the interests of their great national mduatry THEY MUST COMBINE. and determine, while they still had the chance, that no support be given to a candidate or party who would not give a deliberate pledge to use every en- deavour to remedy the present iniquitous state of affairs and put the agricultural industry on the same footing as every other trade. (Applause.) They asked not for c 1arity or preference, but for justice and equity. (Cheers.) i £ a move(j.— That this Chamber is of opinion that the time has arrived when a permanent and comprehensive 'measure must be passed giving adequate relief from the excessive and unfair burdens at present imposed upon agriculture, such measure especially providing for one uniform assessment for all pur- poses, both Imperial and local, and urges upon its memhers the necessity of doing all in their power to insist on an early consideration of the subject." (Applause.) Sir Henry Mather-Jackson, Bart., in proposing a vote of thanks to Mr Wrigley for his paper, said he entirely agreed with him in that part of his paper where he dealt with the action of the Monmouthshire County Council in reference to the rating of the agricultural districts under the Education Act. The population was on the industrial side of the county, and, consequently, so was the voting power, with the result that agriculturists were saddled with a heavier education rate than any other county round about them. Mr G. P. Mitchell Innes seconded the vote of thanks, remarking that the paper read had most ably and clearly put before them the injustice in the incidence of local taxation to the farming interest. Mr R. Stratton said he had himself brought forward the same question about 30 or 40 years ago. In proportion to the subventions granted to them local rates rose, so that they found themselves in a worse condition after them ultimately than they were before. Mr Evan Griffiths agreed with almost all of the paper, but he said with regard to the education rate that the industrial portion of the county was more prolific than the agricultural portion, and all had to assist in providing education for the children. The rate per head in Monmouthshire was not more than the rate per head in other counties. Mr Henry Williams said his observation led him to the conclusion that while agriculturists and others in the rural districts found twice the money urban districts did for Poor Law administration, the proportion was reversed in the expenditure. He objected to the landlord being got at through the medium of the tenant farmer. Sir Henry Mather-Jackson, replying to the criticism on the education rate, pointed out that it was in the power of the County authority under the Education Act to put upon the shoulders of the County as a whole only a third of the burden of the loans for school buildings, &c., raised for specific areas upon the security of those areas' rates, but they had had the utmost—viz., a half, thrust upon them. They might have been saved £ 8,000 a year. Mr S. W. Jones urged that the Education Act was not wanted except by the farmers, and that it was opposed by the industrial part of the county. Reprisals were natural. The Chairman said if "it was only natural" it was not right for one section of the community to rob another. The Rev H. A. Williams went at some length into the Education Act, and was at length called to order. The vote of thanks and resolution were agreed to after a reply by Mr. L. C. Wrigley, in which he said that if the whole question of rating was not altered agriculturists sitting there that day would not be sitting there ten years hence. The meeting concluded with an address by Mr W. J. Grant on the report of the Departmental Committee on the Fruit Industry of Great Britain, and a vote of thanks to the Chairman.