The Welsh Coast Pioneer and Review for North Cambria

The Social Betterment of the People. No. 2, By Ernest Rowland. Earl Beaconsfidd showed true insight in recognising that under a democratic franchise Conservatives should be the pioneers of social refoim, and during the past twenty yearn much useful work has been dme by Unionist (Jovern- ments in improving the condition of the people. But it is evident jnnn the rtsnlt of the General L, lectioti that there is a serious a anger of the artisans arid labourers of Great Britain being misled by the Socialistic propaganda To check this tendency it is necessary to piromote more sympathetic relations between the Unionist party and organised labour, and to convince the workers of the country tint their best hope lies, iut in the revolutionary ideals of Mr Keir Hardie or the reckless promises of Liberal, statesmen but in moderate and practical legislation by the Conservative party. The Editor of the Pioneer has accordingly decided to publish in these columns a series of specially-writtn articles, dealing with the Betterment of the People. Appended is the second of the series. THE impracticability of buikiijig up a political party on a cla&ts basis is already showing it- lielf, and it is evident that the same differences of belief and interest which divide the middle class will sooner or later assert themselves amongst the supporters of the Labour Kepre- sentation Committee, or, as it is now to be called, "The Labour Party." It happens that for the moment the leaders of the movement are Free Trade Hadicals or Socialists, but the electoral support given to the Labour mem- bers at the recent election plainly indicated that mftny recruits were drawn from the Unionist ranks. Now it needs no argument to show that Unionist working men who were cap- tivated by the idea of direct Labour represen- tation will not be prepared to support the ex- travagant Socialistic proposals of Mr Keir Hardie or the Radical nostrums of Arthur Henderson. There is too much honesty and in- dependence among British working men to en- able them to support a long list of cut-and- dried proposals merely because they are formu- lated by a political association which bears a class label, and it may be taken for granted that a few montiis' experience of the Labour members in the House of Commons will con- vince Conservative and Liberal Unionist work- ing men that their interests are far safer in the hands of Unionist representatives than of the Socialistic members who are led by Mr Keir Hardie. Important as industrial and social problems must always be to working men, they are not the only issues which come before Parliament, and it would be a very poor compliment to our artisan population to believe that they will be willing to subordinate such questions as the unity of the Empire, the maintenance of a strong army and navy, or the defence of re- ligious education to mere class advantage. I am led to indulge in this reflection by the pro- ceedings at the recent conference of the Labour Representation Committee, which have already prompted the question whether a. political party is likely to hold together which has no other bond than class sympathy and interest. Vi: the second day's sitting of the congress, a long resolution was proposed condemning the educational settlement of 1902, advocating a purely secular system of instruction, and de- manding that at least one free meal a day be given to all children. As was to be expected, such a resolution disturbed the unanimity of the conference, for it is manifest that there are thousands of working men who would strongly object to the exclusion of religious teaching from the elementary schools. As Mr Sexton, of Liverpool, said, "There are in the rank and file of the Trades Unions men and women of different political and religious per- suasions. They contributed to the levy for purely Parliamentary representation, but the feeling of unrest was growing, and if the levies were to be used for the purpose of abolishing religious education in the schools they would not only withdraw their levy, but membership of the Union." Mr Sexton was equally emphatic in objecting to relieve par- ents of their natural responsibilities by pro- viding school children with free food, and though he was in a hopeless minority and was subjected to rude interruptions, there is no doubt that his views will have a considerable measure of support in the various Unions. In Lancashire, for example, where the voluntary schools have so strong a position, there will be a very sft-ong working-class opposition to the exclusion of definite religious teaching from the elementary schools. Nor is the question of education the only one on which there has been a clash of opinion in the labour ranks. It will be remembered that on the eve of the recent electoral struggle the Nationalist party of Great Britain gave the Irish voters a general recommendation to sup- port the candidates of the Labour party. Part- ly as the result of this recommendation there has been a good deal of talk of a working alli- ance between the Nationalist and Labour groups. But, as might have been readily fore- seen, the Unionist working men of Ulster naturally object to an alliance which would commit the Labour group to the support of Home Rule, and the conference found it neces- sary to declare that the clause in the consti- tution of the Labour Representation Commit- tee which forbids the Labour members identi- fying themselves with any other party in the House of Commons applies to the Nationalist section as well as to the two older political parties. Education and Home Hule are typical of a number of questions in home politics on which working men are as much divided as the rest of the community, and I need only recall the South African war to show that a similaJr difference of opinion my be looked for on the great problems of the Empire. Working men will not take their opinions to order either from Mr Keir Hardie or Mr John Burns, and the more sensible of titem will ultimately ar- rive at the opinion that in choosing a Parlia- mentary candidate there are more important considerations than the texture of his coat or the shape of his hat. The vital consideration is not the class to which a candidate belongs, but the opinions which he holds, and it may be hoped that by the time the next election comes round the working men of the country will again give their allegiance to the Unionist party, which has done so much to promote in- dustrial and social reform. It is possible, however, that it may be necessary to meet the present Socialistic Labour movement by run- ning a number of Unionist Labour candidates in the industrial constituencies, for it is ridiculous to suppose that the working men of the country are adequately represented by the nominees of the Labour H-epresentation Com- mittee. The Labour conference was certainly well advised in declining to formulate a programme for the new political group. As Mr Pete Cur- ran confessed, the formation of a programme would tend to emphasise the differences in the Lalxnir movement instead of solidifying it, and would show how slender is the present basis of union. But I wonder how long the Trade Unions will be willing to find funds for a Labour Representation Committee which, though it is prudent enough not to draw up a complete programme, has already become the tool of the Socialistic faction. Can sensible working men really suppose that the interests of labour will be promoted by piling up the expenditure of the country and making it more than ever difficult for manufacturers to obtain a return upon their capital? Universal pen- sions. employment for everybody, and free food for school children are chimerical schemes which would greatly increase the burden of local and Imperial taxation, a large proportion of which must directly or indirectly fall upon the workers of the country. No one will be disposed to blame the Labour leaders for reminding the Liberal Government of the political promissory notes it has given during the election campaign. It may be doubted, however, whether the individual Ministers who have been interviewed have at all enjoyed the pressure which has been brought to bear upon them. Save in the re- cognition of Trade Union officials in stating the grievances of Government employees, the deputations who have waited on Ministers have only obtained profuse expressions of goodwill and vague promises of inquiry and considera- tion. Nothing, indeed, could show more plain- ly the weak position of the Government than the speeches of the Prime Minister and Chan- cellor of the Exchequer concerning Old Age Pensions, for while Sir Henry Campbell Ban- nerman declared himself a supporter of a universal system of pensions, and expressed the opinion that it would give people an increased sense of independence, Mr Asquitk had the candour to admit that there are no funds available for such a scheme, and that he has no hope of obtaining them. The workers of the country will be able to form their own opinion concerning statesmen who raise hopes during an election campaign which they are utterly unable to fulfil. It is certainly not surprising that at the Queen's Hall demon- stration Mr Keir Hardie should have used strong words concerning politicians who "trafficked upon the misery of the aged poor in order to win a party success." and we may expect as the weeks and months go by there will be an increasing sense of disappointment with the performances of the new Government. The deputations which have waited upon the Home Secretary and the President of the Board of Trade have been no more successful than their comrades, and it is already evident that the Liberal Ministry will be no more able than their predecessors to ignore financial considera- tions, and, by a stroke of the pen, to bring about an industrial and social millennium. The financial difficulty pleaded by the late Government and, now tardily acknowledged by their successors, is a forcible reminder of the close connection between social reform and a change in the fiscal policy of the country. It is true that Radicals and Socialists have a hazy idea that all public charges can in some mys- terious way be transferred to the land, but to those of my readers who have really studied social problems it will be apparent that addi- tional taxation on sites must ultimately fall upon occupiers in increased rents. This is too large a question to enter into this week, but I refer to it for the purpose of pointing out that a moderate scheme of old-age pensions and other schemes of reform will only become possible when there are fresh sources of reven- ue. As Mr Balfour showed in his recent Glas- gow speech, there is no reasonable hope of any substantial reduction in the three great causes of expenditure—the Army, the Navy, and edu- cation—and if the working classes are in ear- nest in demanding social and industrial reform they must support a system of revenue duties, which would serve as a toll uponthe foreigner, and at the same time provide funds for bene- ficent schemes of reform. I hope next week to deal more fully with the financial question which underlies all proposals for social reform.

R.S.P.C.A.'s Work in North Wales. Inspector's Annual Report. INSPECTOR G. H. EAKIXS, the North Wales representative of the R.S.P.C.A., in his report for the past year, states:- "During the month of January, 1906, I did duty at the following places in my district:— Llandudno. Llanrhos, Deganwy, Llandudno Junction, Glan Conway, Mochdre, Brynded- wydd, Tal-y-Cafn, Llanrwst, Penrhynside, Rhos-on-Sea, Llandrillo-yn-Rhos, Colwyn Bay, Old Colwyn. Llanddulas, Glasfryn, Abergele, Rhyl, Prestatyn, and St. Asaph. "I attended the fairs held in Abergele and Llanrwst, and cattle sales in Tal-y-Cafn. Llan- rwst, and St. Asaph, where I watched the driv- ing of animals to and fro, and their being trucked at railway sidings. Generally speak- ing, the treatment of the animals was satis- factory, but in some cases I had to caution those in charge for the unnecessary use of the stick. "I visited several fields and open spaces during severe weather, and saw that animals were not improperly exposed. "I investigated several complaints from the general public and reported the particulars to London. "Three persons were convicted by the magis- trates—two being for cruelty to a horse, and one for gross cruelty to a cat by which the animal lost its life."

Bir Watkin Williams Wynn has consented to allow the British Association Exhibition to remain open for a second day at 20, St..Tames'- square, at the request of many friends who wished to have more time to see the interest- ing loan collection of things from South Africa and the old house.

Parliament Opens. The Speech from the Throne. Function Marred by the Queen's Bereavement. OWIXG to the sad blow received by her Majesty the Oueen, in the loss of her father, the Kin, was not accompanied by his Consort when he opened Parliament on Monday. The function necessarily lo"t a good deal of its pomp and circumstance in consequence. However, the fact that his Majesty, for the first time in his reign, was to open Parliament directed by a Liberal administration, added to the political interest of the ceremony. In his speech, after allusions to the death of the King of Denmark and various foreign matters, his Majesty stated that new constitutions conferring responsible government wou d be drawn up for the Transvaal and Orange River Colony. The Colonial Conference had been postponed until the earl v part of next ar, with the concurrence of the Colonial Governments concerned. The imports and exports of the country continued to show a steady and accelerating increase, and, together with the growing activity of trade, indicated that the industries of the people were in general in a sound and progressive condition. Earnest attention was invited to the additions made in recent years to the national expenditure and the capital liabilities of the Slate. With regard to Ireland, his Majesty stated that Ministers had under consideration plans for improv- ing and effecting economies in the system of government and for introducing into it the means for associating the people with the conduct of Irish affairs. It is my desire," the Speech continued, that the government of the country, in reliance upon the ordinary law, should be carried on, so far as existing circumstances permit, in a spirit regard- ful of the wishes and sentiments of the Irish people. Among the bills promised was one to amend the existing law with regard to education in England and Wales, and others to amend the Workmen's Compensation and Unemployed Workmen Acts The House of Lords. In the Lords the Address in reply to the Royal Speech was moved by the Marquis of Northamp- ton and seconded by Lord Herschell. The Marquis of Lansdowne, in the course of his criticism, referred to the narrowest of party* lines on which the Government had framed their South African policy, and to the disquieting rumours on tfie subject of the new electoral system for the Transvaal. He asked for further information of what the Government proposed to do in regard to Irish affairs and the grounds on which certain provisions of the Crimes Act had been withdrawn. The Marquis of Ripon defended the steps the Government had taken .with regard to coolies in South Africa and the granting of a Constitution to the Transvaal and Orangia. As to Ireland, he said it was their object to render the present unsound system of administration more suitable to the condition of the country, and that they were advised that certain clauses of the Crimes Act could be withdrawn with safet\. The Marquis of Salisbury, alluding to the posters used during the election depicting Chinese labour, accused the Government of obtaining the verdict of the country upon a false charge. Fhis the Earl of Crewe denied, saying that the word slavery was used as a general description of a system of labour which could not be described as free. The address was then agreed to, and the House adjourned. In the Commons the Address in reply to the Speech from the Throne was moved by Mr W. H. Dickinson, seconded by Mr F. D. Aciand. Mr J. Chamberlain dwelt upon the cartoons issued at the election representing that the Chinese in the Transvaal were in a condition of slavery, and pointed that if such were the case the present Government could not justify inaction in the matter. He also asked tor a clearer definition of the Government's policy in regard to Ireland, and while admitting that there was ground for the introduction of a new Eductaion Bill, insisted that it should give equality to all. Sir H. Campbell-Bannerman replied, and the debate having been continued by Mr John Red- mond and Mr Keir Hardie, was adjourned.

Welsh Universities. Parliament to be Asked for Increased Grants. SIR ALFRED THOMAS, chairman of the Welsh Liberal Parliamentary Party, proposes to summon at an early date a special meeting of the Welsh representatives in Parliament to hear a statement from the members of a joint committee represent- ing the three consituent colleges of the University of Wales, Aberystwyth, Bangor, and Cardiff, with reference to an intended application for an increase of the Treasury grants to these three institutions. During the last three years the late Chancellor of the Exchequer added to the grants already paid to the English University colleges a sum of [100,000 a year, without any corresponding increase in the Welsh grants. The present sum granted to each the three Welsh University colleges was fixed at ^4,ooc some twenty years ago, when those institutions were in their infancy. Since that time the number of University students in the three col- leges has increased more than five-fold, and the total number is nuw app, Oximately 1,400. The promoters of the application for an increased grant urge the great importance in the interests of the people of Wales of an adequate provision for the highest kind of education, and point out that from the beginning the college fees were fixed at the low sum of Cio a year, in order to place the benefits of such education at the disposal of the poorer class of students. It is to the credit of Wales that its local resources are heavily burdened for the support of the system of intermediate and technical education, and that a sum of about ^100,000 has been contributed from voluntary sources within the past ten years for the erection of new intermediate schools.

—— The monthly meeting of the Dolgelley Board of Guardians was held on Saturday, Mr Hugh Evans (Barmouth) presiding. The Chairman complimented the Master and Matron (Mr and Mrs Lloyd) on their efforts to make the house appear more like a home to the inmates. It was the duty of every work- house master to try to make the inmates com- fortable and their surrounding as bright as possible. He congratulated the Guardians on having partly solved the vagrant question. Since the Guardians had imposed extra tasks on the tramps their number had greatly de- creased, over 1,000 fewer tramps having visited the workhouse this year than in the previous year.—Mr Morris Jones: It i" difficult to say which is the main cause of keeping ttiem away —the hath or the extra work. (f,aiigliter.)- The Chairman: We will put it down to both.