Llangollen Advertiser Denbighshire Merionethshire and North Wales Journal

TO THE ELECTORS OF WEST VEN-BIGHSIILRE. GENTLEMEN.—Having for the second time been returned without opposition as your Parliamentary representative, I desire to convey ta you my high ap- preciation of the honour you have again conferred upon me, I have held this positio n for nearly fourteen years, and am deeply aenslbleof the continued loyalty and kindness of the member of the party to which I be- long, I desire at the same time to acknowledge the courtesy and good, feeling invariably shown to me personally by my political opponents, I will continue to advocate in the future, as in the past, the grea t principles which are identified with the Liberal F-arty, and more particularly I will give an undeviatirig support to those measures which I be- lieve to be essential to the welfare of Wales, I would, however, repeat the assurance that in local matters it will be to me not only a duty but a pleasure to, 3ferve, irrespective of party, the general interests of the constituency, In conclusion, I again thank you for the honour you have done me, and I will strive to the best of my ability to be worthy of the trust committed to my charge.—I am, your obedient servant, J, HERBERT ROBERTS, Bryngwenallt, Abergele, January, IGtll, 1906. [158911

NOTICE TO BUILDERS, SPENDERS are invited for the Building of a X New Baptist Chapel, Schoolroom and Accom- modation for Caretaker, at Glyndyfrdwy, in accord- ance with Plans and Specification prepared by Robert Lloyd Jones, Architect, Bala. The Plans and Specification may be seen and all Particulars obtained on application to the Secretary [r, Robert Price, Holly Cottage, Glyndyfrdwv or to me at Mount Place, Bala, The Tenders are to be endorsed "Glyadyfrdwy," addressed to Mr, ROBERT PRICE, Holly Cottage, Glyndyfrdwy, Llangollen, and delivered to him oa or before the 9th day of February, 1906, The Committee do not bind themselves to accept the lowest or any tender. (15867) ROBERT LLOYD JONES, MONEY. DEAR Siim OR MADAM, ARE you requiring a prompt and Private Cash Advance ? Then you cannot do better than write for my terms, etc., free of charge, Loans of filO to £ 3QO made on Note of hand alone. No Bills of Sale taken. You CAN BELT UPON STRAIGHT- FORWARD DEALINGS AND STRIOT PRIVACY. Distance no object. Write at once to— F. W. HUGHES, 49, Runcorn EOAD, [15852] BIRMINGHAM

THE NEW POLITICAL FORCE. CONSERVATIVES and Liberals alike were prepared for a change in the strength of parties, and to witness the responsibility of governing the Empire transferred from the hands of those who have controlled its destinies for the past ten years to others who have so far only had opportunities of demonstrating their powers in Opposition; but we very much doubt that anyone in the country anticipated the suddenness and completeness with which the change has been effected. There have been no half measures in the treatment by the electors of the outgoing Government and its suppporters. At times we have encountered statements that persistent opposition to Mr. Balfour and his policies in the House of Commons—opposition that, on occasions owing to the heated atmosphere environing party feeling, has been more vehement than decorous- was not representative of the true feelings of the constituencies. There have been instances in which ministers have waxed indignant over what they described as gross abuses of constitutional usages, and predicted the darkest and gloomiest of futures for a chamber in which the somnolent instincts of "the gentlemanly party" were no longer predominant. Ministers steadfastly refused to see in these energizmga, violent and disorderly in their character at times, the efforts of represen- tatives of the public to voice popular feeling and to find expression, in some sort of way within the walls of Westminster, for sentiments prevailing beyond the limits of the House of Commons. In a word if ministers were not dead, they were fast dying, in political trespasses and sins, and it required a galvanic shock, like the one they have received during the past week, to arouse them from their self-complacent lethargy. We are, of course, only about half-way through the struggle but we have gone far enough to be able to estimate what the ultinaate results will be with some amount of certainty. Sir Henry Campbell Lannerman 3 administration, which without plagarism may be described as "the strongest Goverment of modern times," will take office backed by a majority that will enable them to deal, and deal effectively, with the many legislative problems pressing for solution that have been referred to from Government platforms during the progress of the Elections. This is the first matter for congratulation-that a strong and sane Government will be supported by an overwhelming majority. Without this we might look in vain for solid progress; with it solid and substantial progess is assured. And then, apart from the overwhelming strength behind the Prime Minister, we may consider and rejoice over the component parts of that solid phalanx pre- pared to support him. One of the most striking features in EleGtjqnB of 1906 is, without question, the remarKaoJe increase in the number of Labour members returned to Westminster. 'It is not possible, at present, to give the complete numbers, they are being added to from day to day. In the old Parliament there were in all 16 Labour members on Toasfluy, when only 215 of of the €*? members had been returned, no fewer than thirty of tho new members, headed by the Right HOD. John Bur,- ■- of Labour. In all we 11, "snore 'tTian fifty. Of course t.!u/ „■ ITuu-. of Comaions as uncomproriising opponents of any alteration in the fiscal laws of the Plmpire; but they enter it, first and foremost, to safeguard and 'protect and foster the rights and privileges of Labour. Here we nave a new lorce asserting its right to be heard as a t appreciable quantity in Imperial politics. It is toe logical and inevitable outcome of opportunities granted to Labour to organize and to work out its own salvation it is the constitutional alternative to the condition of things that is the outcome @f an insensate policy of suppression in Russia. We have every con- fidence in the working-man representative-men of the type of John Burns and Mabon—playing their parts and playing them honestly and faithfully and well in helping to make the laws of a country that has suffered too long because its public affairs have been largely controlled by what, for want of a better Jhrase we are accustomed to term the privileged classes.' Labour members may be lacking in academic culture, or in the repose that stamps the caste of the gentle- manly party," but if the legacy bequeathed to the country by the late^ Parliament is all that culture and caste can do for us, their supercession by something a little more manly and robust should prove a matter for universal rejoicing. It is, of course, contended that the increased voting strength of Labour suggests that Socialism is gaining ground m the country; au(j somehow or other there are numerous well-meaning people in our midst to whom the word "Socialism" conveys untold horrors, filling their imaginations with unutterable fears. Happily, as Tennyson assures us, the minds of men are broadened in the process of the suns;" and, however we phrase it, there can be no questioning the fact, illustrated as it is, and that most strikingly, by the recent elections, that the old day has gone for ever when the masses of the people of these realms were content to be governed by men below the average in intellect if above the average in wealth, and the present generation has lived to witness, at anyrate the break of the new day, when others prepared to strive for the greatest good of greatest number, apart from con- siderations of class interest or privilege, will sway the baton of political destiny. Here is a list, care- fully compiled, of members of the Labour party who have been so far returned to Westminster and who may claim to have been bona fide work- ing-men ,F p Formerly, Richard Bell Railway guard. C, W. Bowerman. Compositor J, R. Clynes Faotory worker. C, Duncan Engineer Enoch Edwards Collier. Alfred Henry Gill Newsboy, cotton mill half-timer, factory hand. TV. Hudson Railway guard F. W. Jowett. Mill worker Philip Snowden Civil servant (Inland „ Revenue), George D.Kelley Lithographic printer. J. F. MePherson Steel smelter'. J. O'Grady. Cabinetmaker, G. H. Roberts Compositor Will Thorne Gas worker." John Ward Soldier and nayvy. George Wardle. Railway olerk. Alex. Wilkie Shipwright. We extract the table from Thursday's issue of the Daily Mail. It occurs in the course of a very remarkable article which, following upon their leaders" deploring the significant aiga of the times' for which the Midden rise of the labour party is responsible, is of outstanding importance. Quoth our contemporary :—" What has been taking place in the last few days is little short of a revolution in British political life. Gone is the pleasant hobnobbing and bridge-playing among supposed rival leaders at week-end house parties gone is the handing-out of fat patronage to friends who must be provided for; gone, too, is the club, for if we are not much mistaken an early step will be an alteration of the rules of the House by which an attempt will be made to secure more work gone, too, is the lustre of the letters M.P. on the prospectus of a company." Then adds the authority already quoted: Frankly, we much prefer the workers to a good many of those members who have hitherto used the House of Commons as an aid to money- making by company promotion. A man may be just as good a member of Parliament on Y,200 a year provided by his trade union as the individual who gets his guineas by posing at meetings of directors." These are remarkable admissions; they indicate that men. in the best position to study the true inwardness of the change that is taking place in popular feeling, consider it a deep and abiding movement; one that has come to stay" as the American puts it. But,apart altogether from questions of party politics, may not this change be regarded as the first fruits of the marvellous alteration which, during recent years, has been making itself manitest in the homes and the lives of the people. Education is no longer the peculiar privilege of the few. Far too long it was the bottled up force which only the wealthy could lay hold upon in its fulness, and so it came to pass that those who possessed the good things of this life, being able to command the readiest roads to the acquirement of knowledge, grabbed also the power which knowledge brings in its train. Those were what even yet ia out-of-the-way ooaners of the Empire we hear termed the good old times." They were the days of Protection the age when a prohibitive duty was placed upon learning, and the policy of the closed door" was regarded as a good, a righteous and withal a safe policy, able to save the student with an enquiring mind and an empty pocket from the results of knowing too much." In those days, the men of light and leading would have been quite as much horrified at the idea, say of a man of working-class extrac- tion finding his way to the University, as that a peasant might shoot a pheasant, For centuries they held their fingers on the throttle valve, they pre- vented the motive power entering the cylinders and stirring the machinery, and for centuries the mute blind Samson in the land," failing to realise his strength, was content to be led by his self-constituted masters. Then, in a happy hour of inspiration,came to the great and good men of approaching half-a-century ago, the conviction that education, compulsory, free and unsectarian, was the clamant need of their day and gener- ation. We know what followed there is no need in this place to retell the history of the fight over the different Education Acts that occupy places on the Statute Book it is well, however, to reflect that these Acts, and progress in the direction which they make, were the necessary and the inevitable complement to that increased trust in the people manifested when the Franchise was adopted on a wider basis. Parliament gave men the vote; we must, with enfranchisement, place at tbeir dispasal also the moans of acquiring that knowledge which will alone enable them to make good and intelligent use of the privilege conferred. All along the gla.uaas.-Wla-tnugginti to hold their own they saw the privileges and* the accumulated advantages of centuries slip- piug away from them they saw the power -the immature, the undeveloped power, it might be—placed in the hands cA "King Demos" and they must have known what the ultimate result would be. We have not yet seen the fulness of the harvest, the work of Education is not yet completed—still impediments here and obstacles there are placed iu the way of advance by the rapidly dwindling numbers of those who are quite prepared to attempt to sweep back the Atlantic tide of popular will with the puny besom of an effete order-but the polling throughout the country during the past week has indicated, jn a manner that there is no mistaking, what the masses will do when they fully and intelligently realise the power that lies ready to their hands. The will take the power and use it -use it so that they who bear the toil and the burden of the day shall not go unclothed and unhoused; that they who tread the wine press and grind at the mill shall not go a-hungered and a-thirst; that they who labour in the bowels of the earth or by the sweat of their brow help forward the welfare of their kind, shall no longer be forbidden to participate in the richest and rarest fruits of their labours. The partial triumphs of to-day will be transformed into the complete triumphs of to-morrow; when drawing inspiration from the words of one of the greatest "poets of the people and acting on his command, the masses will Rise like lions after slumber In unvanquishable number, Shake their chains to earth like dew That in sleep hath fallen on you, Ye are many; they are few! —♦

FESTIVITIES AT LLANARMON. SCHOOL CHILDREN AT THE TOWERS, The children of the Tregeiriog and Llanarmon D.C. Council Schools were invited by Mr. R. H. Storay to the Towers on Wednesday to a tea party and Christmas tree. Over a hundred chilired sat down. Valuable articles of clothing were also given to each child. After the tea, a vote of thanks to Mr. Storey was proposed by Mr. W. E. Davies, master of Tregeiriog School, seconded by Mr, 0'. Trevor Jones, and endorsed with ringing cheers' by the children. Songs were given by the children of both scheols, and a party of girls from Llanarmon School gave a series of Mnsical Drills. On Satur- day evening Mr. Storey entertained all his keepers and beaters with many others to dinner. About ninety sat down, After dinner there were speech- es, and a varied musical programme was gone through. Mr. Dickson (London), in proposing the health of Mr. Fred Jones (headkeeper), spoke of him in the highest terms. Mr. Fred Jones responded, and proposed a vote of thanks to Mr. Storay, than whom he said there was no kinder and fairer master. Mr. Edward Jones (Llanarmon), spoke on the great kindness of their host, and said he was sure that all wished Mr. Storey to make Llanarmon his permanent home. Mr. Reinhardt, who is Mr. Storep's right hand man at the Towers, also came in for a share of thanks. Speeohes were also made by Mr. Beal and Mr. Davies (Nantyr), Mr. R. H. Storey, Mr. Ronald Storey, Mr. Tom Hall, and Mr. Diekson. Songs were given by the Llanarmon and West Arms Quartetts, Messrs. Edward Jones (Gwm-y-geifr), Tom Griffiths (Rhiwlas), —. Woodcock (Nantyr), Tom Williams (Llanarmon), Ed^ward Roberts. Robert Edwards (Gladstone House), O. Trevor Jones, R. Roberts, —. Diokson, R. H. Storey, and Tom Hall. The aoeompanista for the evening were Mr. A, Astles ani Mr, O. Trevor Jones, A.C., Llanarmon.

r DINBREN ESTATE. HALF-YEARLY RENT AUDIT DINNER- The half-yearly audit for the receipt of from tenants on the Dinbren and Tower estates Llanarollen, was held at the Royal Hotel, Llangollen, on Friday afternoon, and was followed by the customary dinner, at which Mr. C. W. Richards (the shooingt tenant) presided, being supported by Mr, Turner (accountant to the estate) in the vice-chair 1 Mr. E. Green-Davies (the agent) and a representa- tive gathering of tenants. Mr. J. S. Shaw placed a splendid repast on the table, in every way worthy of the well-known hotel, and after ample justice had been done to the good things provided, Mr, C c'" W. Richards submitted the toast of "Mr. and Mrs, Scott" which was enthusiastically received. U Dc" fortunately for Llangollen, he said, they had too many empty houses, and they would all be glad to see Dinbren Hall once more eccnpied.—(Hear^ hear.) He ascertained from the assistant overseer that the amount to which the rateable value suffered in the urban district, owing to empty' houses, was about sE-tOO, or something like £ 130 shortage in the rates. Who had to find this ? Those who paid the rates—(Hear, hear.) It would be 8r splendid thing for the town and district if, to ? larger extent, they could induce landlords to come' and live amongst them and he was sure the great popularity of Mr. and Mr?. Scott in Llangollen would ensure them a most hearty welcome," —(Applause.) Mr. Turner, with whose name the toast was coupled, in replying said he could assure' them that Mr. Soott took a deep interest in ths welfare of the property, and they would see that since Mr. Green-Davies took it in hand it waf? gradually being put in better order. He could assure them that landlords were fully in sympathy with tenants, and alluding to remarks made by Mrc Richards he said they could not too frequently' bring to the notice of ratepayers the great bnrdeno that was thrown upon those who are required to pay. The rates had a remarkable way of gradually creeping up, until they assumed alarming dimen- sions. They might pick out a number of keen' business men, very careful and very economical when they were spending their own money, but- when they came together collectively as a public body their actions were by no means characterised by the same amount of care and prudent fore- thought that characterised the management of their own affairs. Of cours in theory they were supposed to pay the same attention, to and attack the same importance to, one as the other, but is many cases that he could mention they did nothing of the kind. They did not appear, when raising loans and so forth to realise how great a burden they were placing upon the future, whilst Parliament vvithin recent years, had materially cut down the time over which the repayment of loans and> interest might be spread. These points he con- sidered should be brought forward and emphasised as frequently as possible and the fact clearly set forth that the matter is one which affects both landlords and tenants. It was all very well to say that the landlord did not pay the rates, and con' sequently did not sulfer. He potated out that in- creased rates meant lower rents, and in this way the landlord felt the pinjfc.-—(Hear, hear.)—Mr. J a?- Clarke then Bubmitu^pjbe toast of the tenants.' Every tenant on th^^a'te, he felt sure, thoroughly appreciated the meaWes which Messrs. Scott were at all times prepared to take in order to promote- their best interests. He felt sure that they aH recognized the desires of their landlords to meet them in a liberal spirit in every possible way and ,recognizad the value of their efforts to promote* their comfort and true Welfare.—(Hear, hear.) He trusted it would not be long before a suitable tenant might be found for Dinbren Hall, and speak- ing from long-experience he could say how. thoroughly and admirably the estate conduced to the prosperity of the Llangollen district, what a great attraction it was to the town; and how vssjK-riaai in them all that there should be no vacant holdings upon the estate. (Hear, bear.) He was very glad to see the feeling that prevailed between landlord and tenant on the Dinbren estate- It was. an example to them all; and he reminded them that,, in the Llangollen district, they were very fortunate indeed in the landlords who regulated the affairs" of the various estates in the neighbourhood. He could remember a time, and he dare say most of them could remember it, when the landlords in the district did not pull so well together with theif tenants; but those days were happily passed, he trusted never to return. Captain Best, Major Tottenham, Messrs. Edwards, Sir Henry Robertson, and others were all, like Messrs. Scott, model landlords and be trusted that long might they all be spared to exercise a stimulating and a helpful influence upon agricultural matters in the Llan- gollen district for the benefit of their tenants with whom they maintained such excellent relations, (Cheers.)-The toast having been drunk with enthusiasm, the Chairman submitted the health of the agent, Mr. E. Green Davies. They all knew him, he said, and found him most kind and obliging at all times, ready to adopt any and every sugges- tion which they might make and to do his utmost to fall in with their wishes. Might he and Mrs, Davies enjoy a long and happy life was, he was- sure, the wish of them all. (Applause.)—After the? toast had been duly honoured, Mr. Green Davies responded, being received with great cheering upon rising to do so. He expressed the great pleasa rg it afforded him to represent Messrs. Scott as agent to the Dinbren estate and he reminded them that any reasonable suggestion that was made to the landlords always received at their hands prompt and; oareful censideration. Mr. Scott was aa enthusiastic agriculturist, taking a keen interest and pride in all that pertained to the welfare of the Dinbren Hall estate, and he was at all times prepared to lend a willing ear and a helping hand to those desirious of helping themselves. (Hear, hear.) He was anr& they all hoped that the estate would be in hiff possession for a long time to come, and he was confident that nowhere could the tenants find & more desirable landlord, and he might add, from what he knew of them, that no landlord could desire a better class of tenants than those now engaged in the cultivation of the estate., (Applause.)—-Mr. James Clarke then proposed the health of the sporting tenant—Mr. C. W. Richards -who suitably replied assuring the tenants that he' at all times considered the intereats of the farmers, on the estate and reminding them that if, at any time they had any complaints to make, he would bEt always ready to give them his careful consideration (Cheers.)—Mr. Herbert Jones (Tower Farm) thexs invited the company to drink the health of Mr. Turner, of Manchester who, he said, they were at all times pleased to see amongst them and Mr. Turne* having briefly replied Mr. James Clarke proposed the toast of Mr. and Mrs. Shaw, the host and hostess. Mr. Shaw, he said, at all times received his guests with a right Royal greeting the warmth of which was enhanced when he proffered them niz, open Hand.—Mr. J. S. Shaw briefly ackaowledged; the compliment. Mr. Clarke, he eaid,was slightly too previous in suggesting that he was a handy man, but he indicated no more than was true when he implied that he was at all times prepared to do his utmost to accord a Royal welcome to gatherings such as that which, by the indications it afforded of kind- ly mutual relations between landlord and tenant,, indicated the surest solution of the Fiscal contraveray in its relation to agriculture. (Applause!^ »

VOLUNTEER NEWS ORDERS FOR H. COMPANY, Recruiting for the above Company ia new being s carried on, Any young men wishing to join or r., join will please oommunicate with me, or the Sergt,- Instructor, as early as possible. T. NANSON, Lieutenant, 09amaadi.,II. ø..p.IR T.&.W;I"