The Cambria Daily Leader

NEW P.M.G. NEW .I\.G. I Appointment for Sir J. T. I Walters. i authoritatively announced that Sir John Tudor Walters. M.P.. has been of- fpred the post of Paymaster-General, ren- CcmPtoS the ?th of Sir J?ph 4eit Liberal member /sil Coalition Liberal member fz.,r  Bright, 6?xiliticn Lili??,ra.1 member He &-Sirle division of Sheffield. 31" ,vas horn in 1866, and ('({neated pri- School. ie Clitheroe Grammar His t  ??? ?randni.at.h.? Wi?elVi^etslf ev>linn minia?d great grandfather t}f latter By profusion   '.?.   ^4rr s °h" ti ?>, .1«»««* I'<???r Education CoZ m^flrmar,of  -Art of 1902. There k ,?* £ ? thC Q^nlrS

JUDGE'S APP £ AL I "Keep Away From -D;i." I After passing sentence of death cm Aft{ll" t)::¡,Esing spnreuce of death on -?Ar'.hur Beard for th& murder of a scb? frl lit Hyde, Mr. Jnstic? Ba.thacb? at 9.Cheshire A ,sjze on Friday, delivered ?O?ire app€al. W'hn ?? coTidpiun? man had been re- ?t0t-?'-c "rom the doc? his lordship said: j G ccurt is full of young men and o? "/)" ,tJ1("n and I want to say this solemn f Y?oll have "? witne^cd the tr?al <?a'?? ?? S<Md coDn?ction? and a good ?pj,?'??- and yo? have seen to ?bat a IriTik has brought him. ("n T want to ? YO' with all the force I Mn P'lt ,n^' 1)1 word"" to take warning by thi« r.v ?? ? keep **w Gwl 's kte1'

WOMEN & CO-QPTION. Interesting Lecture at Swansea. Miss Anna Munro's meeting at the Central Hail, Swansea ,on Friday even- ing in one respect—there was a disap- pointing attendance—otherwise it can be looked upon as a great gucce&s. Miss Munro dealt with the imporranco of municipal ejections to the community. She was supported by Miss Neal (in the chair), and Miss Kirkland. The main theme of Mies Munro's ad- d^ ress was the nrgen t nero of women being selected on councils, etc., as they were- more p'titxJ to deal with in.JaY matters than were men. GREAT MISTAKES. I She gave illustrations of great mistaken which had been made through not re- cruiting the advice of a woman. She was somewhat inclined to go against the oo- option of ladies on certain committees, a-s the co-opted member was usually chosen because she was- a relative of someone the committee wotlId like to please, or was not likely to give much trouble. This form of co-option of women on public bodies was better than nothing, but it would be much better for the lady mem- bers of any committee to have the elect- orate behind them. (Hear, hear). She urged the ladies in the audience to take more interest in public affairs, and to see that in the forthcoming municipal elec- tions only the best candidates were elected. WOMEN AND HOUSING. I Referring to the present housing con- ditions Miss Munro eaid that she bad heard that there were 38 people living in two rooms in Swansea. She was in fav- our of the temporary houses being erected now to relieve the overcrowding, but the people would have to see that the tem- porary residences did not become per- manent, as in 20 years, no matter how much care was taken of them, they would become hovels. A resolution asking the Sw&nsea Coun- cil to receive a deputation regarding women being elected on the Housing Committee was carried unanimously. MEN SCREENED. I In moving a resolution calling upon the Government to release from prieon a former member of the W.R.A.F.. one EI-sie Catherine Smith, who was sen- tenced to four months' imprisonment for attempting to smother her young, baby, MiSt; Munro said that the father of the child-a 6oldier- who was really respon- sible for the offence, had been allowed to return to Canada. She added that in the past there had been too iquch sup- pression of men's names in moral casm, and referred to a local affair. Women should be allowed to sit on the magis- terial Bench during the hearing of such cases. The resolution v-as carried, ae al60 was one calling upon the Government to carry out its promise regarding the franchise- ment of women. Miss Munro answered a number of questions put forward by members of the audience.

I GORSEINON PASTOR. I I Important Post Under Y.M.C.A. Î The Rev. George Lewis. B.A who has beon pastor of Bethel Congregational Churoh, Gorseinon, for the past three years, has relinquished his duties to take up an important appointment under the Y.M.C.A. Industrial Department, and has already commenced in his new sphere at Cardiff. The reverend gentleman was very popular at Gorseinon, and took a very active pa rt in the social life of the community. Ho was presxlerif of the Gorseinon and district English Free Church Connoil, and wa* one of the pr; me movers in the recenit united evangelical mission, which was held under the auspices of that body. A strong committee has bfen formed with a view of making a puM/c presentation to him in recognition of his great service to the community

SALE OF CARS. I iTr. Joseph Harm conducted e. sale at the Brunswick Motor Garage on Saturday 01 a number of oars and lorries in running order. There was a good demand for the c,ars. A Darracq four-seater went for RIBO. a, Stud^biker tuo-seater 3.t £110, e. five- sester Aiaxwell went for £ £ 0.

 I TO-DAY'S WIRES. I I REVERSED DECISION. Pans, Saturday.—The Matin" states that M. Clemenceau has decided not to send General Mangin to the Baltic pro- vinces, and that the General has been informed of this decision. 1-1 I FELL DOWN HOLD. I Mr. Alfred Lorois, a superintendent I engineer under the French Government, fell down the hold of a British vessel at Immingbam Dock yesterday ifteriioon, i and was killed instantaneously. ¡ ALSACE-LORRAINE. I Paris, Saturday.—The Strasbourg corre- spondent of the Petit Pariskn learns that the French Government has sent a I Note to the German Government protest- I ing against the activities of Count Kapp, in connection with the recently discovered plot to neutralise. Alsace-Lorraine. I I ALTITUDE RECORD. Paris, Saturday.—The military aviator, Proginjest, beat the Swiss height record by attaining an altitude of 8,200 metres, lie became suffocated, however, and momentarily lost control of his machine, which fell 7,000 metres.—Exchange. FRENCH PEACE DECREE. Paris, Friday (re-ceivffi" to-day) .-To- day is published the official decree fixing the cessation of hostilities. The first article says. The day of the legal re- entry into a state of peace is that on which peace is promulgated, which is to- I day.—Central. News. DEFENCE OF PETROGRAD. I Helsingfors, Tuesday (received to-day). —Trotsky is reported to have arrived in I Petrograd in order personally to conduct the defence of the city. Trotsky and I Zinovieff are now sIgning ail proclama- I tions. All theatres are closed, and no- i hcdy is allowed in the streets after eight I o'clock in the evening. GLASGOW UNIVERSITY. I Polling is taking place to-day for the j election of the Lord Rector of Glasgow j University. The candidates are Mr. j Bonar Law (Coalition Unionist), Pro- fessor Gilbert Murray (Liberal), and the Hon. Bertrand Russell (Socialist). Voting is preceding briskly. The students, in grotesque garb, are out in full force I creating lively scenes. TROTSKY'S ESCAPE. Copenhagen, Saturday.—The Reval cor- respondent of the National-Tidende telegraphs a report that Trotsky's entire staff has been captured at Tsarkoe Solo. Trotsky himself jumped out of a railway carriage and escaped in a motor car. The Whites are said to have pursued and fired at him, but he subsequenty reached Petro. grad. SOVIET REPULSED. Berlin, Friday (received to-day).—fn the National Assembly tq-day\ Herr Mueller, thi Foreign Minister, dpci'-i red he was absolutely unwilling to rename relations with the Uussian Soviet Govern- ment so long as lie had no guarantee that tho Soviet Government would not inter- fere with German domestic affairs. As far as the West Russian Government was concerned, it was unrecognised by Ger- many. • AMERICAN LABOUR TROUBLES. Washington, Friday (received to-day).— There are indications that the Labour Unions are proposing to finish the present fight. Mr. Gompers has announced that the heads of the unions will shortly meet liere,a.iid convene a national conference, j The situation is regarded as critical in view of the collapse of the industrial con- ferenee. It is feared that unless a solu. tion of the industrial problem is foflnd quickly two million workers will strike within a fortnight.—Exchange. FUTURE OF TURKEY. Bombay, October 17th (delayed). The Mahommedaji community abserved to-day as a day of prayer and fasting, as a protest against the threatened dismsm- borment of Turkey. Mr. Gandhi appealed to the Hindus to join in the demonstration. As a result business is practically at a standstill. All the principal markets, including those for cloth, cotton, food and meat are closed. A great gathering of Moslems assembled a!: the Jumma Musjid at mid-day, when. after prayers, a resolution was carried ex- pressing the greatest anxiety and indigna- tion at the threatened dismemberment of Turkey, and the removal of the Holy places of Islam from the Khalifa's con- trol. and trusting II is Majesty's Ministers would secure the fulfilment of Mr. Lloyd George's Pledge I regarding Turkey, and thereby restore confidence. The day was similarly observed in numerous centres throughout India. At a meeting in Bombay last night, Mr. Gandhi announced that the Government bad removed the order prohibiting him from entering the Punjab.

BOOTS. j Low Prices at Army Sale. Over half a million pairs of discarded Army boots were offered for sale by the Disposal Board at the White City yester- day. They included Canadian, Australian, German, and Russian boots, thigh boots, and gum boots in every stage of decay. Army gymnasium shoes and hospital slip- pers and leggings were also included. The prices were generally low, Five shil. lings a pair was quite a high price, and was given for a pair of Colonial boots. Grad e five boots, the lowest, were sold in lots of 100 at a penny per pair, while grade four boots fetched 4d. per pair for a lot of 20,000. German boots fetched 6d. for grade four, and 2d. for vrade five. A shilling was Sliven for three pairs of German half-Well- ington boots with wooden soles. WHAT CAN BE DONE. I There were some interesting specimens prepared to show that could be done with old boots. If you take a pair of even grade four boots, apparently not worth kicking." said an experienced bootmaker, and wash them in warm water, then oil them, and last them, repair them, and last them again, you will be surprised to find vliat a etrocg pair of boots you can make" In another part of the White City the .sale of household furniture was continued Bedding was most sought after, and house- wives eagerly bought blankets at 32s. for four. Pillows fetched 3s. 6d. the half dozen.

 BODY. I PATTI'S BODY.  Resting in London Catacomb. At St. Mary's Catholc Cemetery, Ken- sal Green, this morning, the remains of Madame Adekna Patti weie placed in the lower catacomb, where they will re- pose untiil the special tomb in Pere-la- Chaise Cemetery, Paris, is ready. There was a committal service and among the mourners were great singers, Ithe husband (Baron Cederstrom), wirh h;8 brother Baron Gustav Cederstrtom.

MRS. ATHERTON. Tragic Death Recalled. Letters of administration have now r> ef:"ntpd o* pfQ'.Wty glow, with, net personalty amount- ins; to .62,123, of Mrs. Mabel Louisa Eliat, !>etter known as the beautiful Mrs. Atherton," who rlied in tragic circum- stances in July last, intestale. and not possessed of any real estate.

MILK PRICES. I Gower Committee to Act I Through M. P. Gower Rural T.Mstbrict Food Control Committee met on Saturday if the office in Fish er-street, Swansea, the R-ev, J. C. 15. Morgan presiding. It was stated that. the audit had ry'è'e1, fixed for November 14th. A circular from the Divisional Com- missioner, read hy the executive officer (Mr. A. T. Smith), thanked Food Control Committees for the,r assistance in food supply during the railway strike which was eaid to be much better than could have been expected The Divisional Com- mrssioner added to the circular his own personal thanks. MEAT GRADING. I Some discussion ensued on the vexed question of meat grading or weighing, the chairman" remarking that the Order :n this respec: seemed most unreasonable, so far as they oould see. On rhe motion of Mr. W H. Davie.5, it was decided that a resolution be for- warded to London protesting against the action of the Ministry of Food in pro- hibiting the weighing of sheep at tie mart. MILK PRICES. I The %xeci*:ive officer read correspon- dence with the Divisional Commissioner on milk prices in the course of which the executive ofif^w. had stated that there might be trouble, as there were miners who had been talking about it at the collieries and in tbl-'r lodgiiigrl_ ilaugh- ter.) The chairman said the comraUfe-i- was o opinion that fht prices fixea "by them were fair, and that the prices fixed by the Ministry; of Food were excessive. Mr. W. Davdes (Dunvaxat) thought it was only a farce their meeting there, as everytbing they did was turned down. Mr. W. H. James, however, disagreed with th?6 A letter from the Northampton Food Control Committee was also read. They asked for support oi a resolution protest- ing against excessive milk prices. TO APPROACH M.P.'s. I The chairman said they were of opinion ,th.itr the Gower Committee, with its knowledge of locil conditions, had not been properly considered by the Ministry of Food ;n the fixing of milk prices. M was decided that Ald. Davies should take up the matter with Mr. John Wil- liams, the Gower M.P. ii

SINGING FESTIVAL. I The annual singing festival in connee- tion with the churches and chapels of Pontardawe distrait took place at the Public Hall Pontardawe, on Saturday. The morning session was devoted to the 'children. The. conductor wa Mr. W. I). Evane (Aberdare), whilst the presided was the Rev. Pugh Jones. An address was given during an interval by -Air. D. Thomas, B.A., Pontardawe. The officers were: Chairman of committee, Jh. J. J Emanuel. treasurer. Mr. D. Humphreys, Nl r D. Jones, Ynis- Trebanos. secretary, Mr. D. Jones, Ynis- meudwy During the afternoon sessior the Rev. D J. Rees (Alltven) presided.

For To-day's Latest News and j Sporting See Paae 3. J

LORD FRENCH I ATTACKED. I I Staff Lost Ilieir I Heads. I SMITH-DORRIEN. I i Misstatements And I Misrepresentations." I The official historian of the war, the Hon. J. W. Fortescue, is responsible for j a slash ing attack in the Quarterly Review upon Lord French for his account and conduct of the earlier part I of the Flanders campaign. After the tribute to the Field-Marshal's military talents shown in South Africa— at Colesberg particularly-then as Army Corps Commander, as Inspector-General of Forces, and as the man who helped I llaldano to put into the field forces adequate to their role in the great I struggle, Mr. Fortescue charges Lord French with: Descending to misstatements and mis- representations of the clumsiest and most II ludicrous kind, and he declares that thi was damaging to the reputation of a sub ordinate, who is forbidden to defend him- sel f. Coming from one in hi? high positi<yn,-1 this brings shame and dishonour not only upon the Field-Marshal himself, but upon the Army. H STAFF LOST THEIR HEADS. j Mr. fortescue also states:— The act, we fear, is that on the 26th iSeptember, 1914), Lord French and his staff completely lost their heads, and that, I in the vain endeavour to conceal this, he has taken leave of all sense of accuracy. I Mr. Fortescue describes the great 1 German attack of the 23rd, which Lord I' French, he says, airily dismisses rs mere heavy pressure upon our •■^it- posts." "Unfortunately," lie -a s, Gei,man as well as British -co 1 its II show that large bodies of Ger am in- fantry were engaged, and ctiat they suffered very heavily. Btit -t he J'ic-Id- Zvlarshal cares nothing or facts so loug as he can say something unp'icas,art about General Smith-Dorru>n. He im- i plicitly blames Sir -io,- i, e for i-va^tat- mg the untenable sauent of Oboir.'g and drawing back tho whole of his lire slightly to contorni witii the us-o Tcin<>r t; and he sneers at is subo»d;Mf.se for feel- ing anxious when he the august chief, wis cilni. CREDIT GIVEN TO CAVALRY. began, i lu Field-Me.v vhal would have us believe I chat tue First Corps covered the retreat )f the Seoond. This is ludicrously in- coi rect. The Second Corps was heavily engaged all along the line, and fought a desperate flank action on the extreme left with brilliant success; whereas the L?irst Corps was not pre&sed in the least. Lord French gives the whole of the credit for the flank action to the cavalry, though the brunt was borne by the 1st Norfolks and 1st Cheshires, and to the 19th Brigade, which had no share in it I at all. The Second Corps was com- manded by General Si-iltlh- orricii, and v-h ere fore could do nothing right." I MOST UNSAVOURY INCIDENT." I Mr. Forteseue next details the circum- stances which led to General Smith- Dorrien's decision to stand and fight. I' And here," he says, we approach the most astonishing and unsavoury incident ui the whole of Lord French's volume. In his dispatch of September 7, 1'914, the Field-Marshal gave General Smith- Dorrien full credit for the cool courage he had shown in accepting hattle at Le Gateau. Further, he, by implication, blamed the French General Sordet for failure to help Smith-Dorrien. In the volume before us he takes back his praise, alleging +,hat., when he wrote his dispatch he was unaware of the service rendered by General Sordet; and be now contends that, but for General Sordet, Sir Horace would have been pinned to the ground I and surrounded LE CATEAU CASUALTIES. I The Field Marshal's statements upon this point, k m his dispatch and in his book, Mr.. Mescue describes as "not correct." He ayfds the opinion, quoted above, that 1,01'4 French and his Staff had lost their heads. He also contro- verts Lord French's statement that Smitli-Dorrien was opposed by nothing but cavalry, and states that the Brib'sh casualties were grossly exaggerated by Lord French: The British Commander averred that the fight cost us 14,000 men and 80 guns: the actual casualties did not exceed S. ifO men and JUi guns. i:r- *it>raAc\ vsl] a.? malico evibwf to Lord French's narrative of operations around Le Cateau. Lord French himself," it is stated, long before too issue was decided hurried away to Noyon, 40 miles from the battlefield, and there waited, leaving his army for one dv, if not two, to look after itself." YPRES THE ONE GREAT THING. I Full credit is given to Lord French by I Mr. Fortescue for his counter-offensive at Ypres and the defeat of the German at- tempt to reach the Channel ports. This is described as the one great thing Lord r French did." MR. FORTESCUE INTERVIEWED. I The Hon. J. W. Fortescue, in an inter- view, said to a Daily Dispatch repre- sentative: I wrote the article in the "Quarterly Review," and two articles in The Observer," not from any personal or ulterior motives, but simply to warn his- torians not to accept any of the ttate- ments in Lord French's book without careful verification. Asked if he had anything to add to his article, he replied: No, I have said all that was necessary to say in my article." Mr. Fortescue has always been on good terms with Lord French.

Mr. DAVID WILLIAMS. I Under the auspices of the Swansea Labour Association, a complimentary ban- quet is this evening being given to Mr. David Williams in recognition of his ser- vices on the Swansea County Council, and the fight put up by him on behalf of Labour at the recent Parliamentary con- test for Swansea East. The secretary of the function is Mr. C. Harold Merchant, of Windmill-street, St. Thomas, Swansea. IRON MOULDERS' STRIKE. Alderman "Walter Barber, Lord: Mayor of Bradfoid. has. boon asked by owners and men to intervene in Inxn Mcnldere' d epute, which, i a:at ing its way ulto the vitals of the children of Bradford." FFORESTFACH SITE. The Ministry of Health lias now ap- proved house plans for the 75 'houses vhich Swansea Council is to red OR lie excellent little Fforestfack site. Quantities are now to be prepared, and the borough, architect's staff will have, to be increased. TO-DAY S RACING. .Betting: 5 to 2 Brack Cra £ Betting: 158 to 8 Serjeant Hurjjhy. 3.0 (Salldo101).Sea Voyage 1, King's Goat 2, Pennant 3.—12 ran. BlettLt-0 S to 1 Sea Voyage, 3'.0 (Stockton).-—Chalto l,i Black; Lamb ? Xtut Bkaclie 3.-6 rD. 4 to 1 ichaltoi. Betting: 4 to 1 Chaltoi. ?<S?????c?t ? MaiM, -? LI r? ? .Wate?i?r 3.-8 r? 3.? (-S??).?c?t ? ?? 'a Xeartigo IVocarator 8.-31 ?" » i ;v :• %-■*

THE 6th WELSH Death of Lord Ninian. AT HOHENZOLLERN REDOUBT. In the Saturday's instalment of his 6tL "dsh story in the Western Mail" "Ut- R. G. V. M. Bland telB of the loss of lialor R. G S. Browning, of Xeath and ihe d.eath of Lord Ninion Stuart following sn.e anxieti, confusions and withdrawab ?- 'ot?d in the attack with the 18th Welsh on the Hohenzollern Hcdau bt. Earlier Lput. Donald Burnic, the son of the ex- for Swansea, was shot through the ?, ?''? a bullet whilst bravely leading I i:;V ?"' and in ?? early morning' was j d reverentIy the colonel reCJtmg the I t!in r'fS ^rom a borrowed praTer book of Cltiirch of England, the while bullets aued over as a sinister last post." I' WIAJUH BHOWIMING. I ?rd.\mi:tn Stuart, cool, but W!th ¡('lTeB workiIw at terrific tensi., on, moved j, 0 ?"? there, giving counsel and sum- pi-v, ?P the situation from every part ,<?tae allotted line. The absence of fOûd *cr the men worried him, and for lit.'l'b' forty-eight hours the lads were ?hcut rations. The carrying party «!•! w heavily shelled on its ?ay up and knocked ou.: The men got back ?am to Little WiMie and a barricade j !Jut "P' but the bombing was merci- le-- and throughout the night it was a rer'od of chaos and nightmare. Capt. G. S. Browning (Reggie and Dodie as }1E\ was affectionately called), of Neath, whf) was about to receive his majority as ^sc-ond in command, was missing. A 1;ifinificent specimen of a man, his ab- l^c'~ cast a gloom and worried his oolo- 1I13l. Varving tales were brought to the Eta » as to what had become of him, but, ,Ita many another gallant gentleman, v' Jis not found, though not given up." DEATH OF LORD NINIAN. The coloned "decided that a commu- nication trench must be dug to part of. 4 Little Willie from the new trench, and in the daylight cf October 2 the men worked at it from both ends. About three o'clock in the afternoon the Boche spotted the new strategy and hailed down shells and bombs. The unit was miming out of the latter and had little of the former, and Little Willie had to be evacuated. Immediately after- wards the east end of the ivv,v trench was vigorously bombed. Hero there was a bomb stores, and the few remaining bombs were re- moved. While superintending the re- moval and encouraging the men the colonel, in his eagerness to see how the men were faring in the sap, kept his head over the top just a moment too .I.a:ie.. Ija "'? ?"Psd through the (.autre '<? ? his cap,, at the top of the forehed ?tiie?re T'fk no tm hats then), and fell back mto the arms of one of his men "1:he glorious end of a gallant Stuart, Prince in blood and more in nature, His life\.lor all, ho gave his best." The nien got into a frenzv when they heard that the colonel had" fallen, and though they had no sleep for nearly taree days and without a square meal for twenty-four hours, they were undaunted, and with their backs up against the wall they stuck it. 6th WELSH RELIEVED. I Captain Carleton, who had worked lIke a trojan in organisation, was lll- structed to take over the command of I the battalion. Late that night the 2nd liesliires and 1st Suffolks, who had been lR supports in the brigade, made an at- tempt to re-take Little Willie.' For this purpose the 6th Welsh, now de- pleted, were ordered into the support trenches with the 1st Welsh, who had lost heavily, and took up a position in the firing trench soon after the attack, the garrison of the new trench being supplemented bv bombers of the 1st elsh. The attack again failed through Ve great superiority of the enemy in fcneu and bombs. A barricade was put IIP seven yards from the end of the new trench, and an organisation of bombers was made to resist any counter-attack, On thé °? ?'. October 3, wearv i?Octob?-,i- 3, ?eved? ?' ?? battalion was re? JC\oo. ? ?' the 6th lost 9m gaUant ??' a number that ?s i-ilw 1 ,GPy „ ,sma n in comparison to the terrmc seventy of the battle." AT LOOS. I At Loos, Pte. J. H. Thomas had the honour of winning the first D.C.M. in the battalion, and Capt. J. W. G. Mor- ris, son of Major Morris, J.P., of Swan- sea, was one of the loveable and gallant officers who met his death.

I ECONOMY. Labour Minister's Good Example. Sir R. S. Home the Minister of Labour has taken an important step in the direc- tion of national economy by deciding to discontinue Employment Councils as from November 1. This forms part of a general progressive I' reduction in the staff of the department, which is now at the rate of nearly £ 1.200,000 a year. In a letter to the chairman of the Divi- sional Councils communicating the deci- sion Sir Robert Home says:- "The armistice, with all the great pro- blems cf demobilisation and resettlement j which it involved, threw upon the Ministry of Labour and the local Employ- ment Committees an almost intolerable strain At a very anxious moment my predecessors took, as I think, the very wise decision of calling to his aid in that emergency the Employment Councils, to supplement and bring together the work of the local Employment Committees. GOOD WORK DONE. I "That decision was amply justified by the value of the work accomplished by the councils, and if it was sometimes felt by the members that the work they were asked to perform was not sufficiently 'ex- acting this, in my view, is a high tribute to the councils themselves. The absence of serious trouble in this country, during a very trying period, has been largely due to these councils. I had hoped that I might continue for the future to count upon the co-operation of the councils in the heavy task still fac- ing my department. The financial situa- tion has, however, compelled me very leluctantly to come to the conclusion that I am not entitled to seek for this a.ssist- ance. H The council secretariat will, of course bA considerably reduced, but I propose to retain a certain number of officials in each division, so that the experience gained in the service of the counci1 shall not be lost to the department.

COAL CONTROL. j ¡ Big Post For Young Man. I j It: is announced that Mr. Andrew Dun- can lias been appointed Controller of the Coal Mines Department. Mr. Duncan is only 35, but of strong build and vigorous constitution. After taking good degrees in law and arts at Glasgow he became a Scottish so] icitor. I During the war he did splendid work in connection with the emergency ship- building programmes which had to he I undertaken to defeat the German sub- marines. SHIPBUILDERS' SECRETARY. He has p to now, been secretary of the Shipbuilding Employers' Federation, and in various other capacities has served both the great industry of shipbuilding and the nation generally. POST OF IMPORTANCE. Mr. Duncan's post will be of high im- portance in view of the intention of the Government to acquire the royalty rights and the coal deposits themselves for the State. Hitherto the Coal Controller has been regarded as the official responsible for seeing that the public get its coal regu- larly and equitably, but if State owner- ship came a Coal Controller would be much more than that. The post is a permanent one, and not a mere emergency measure. Sir Richard Redmayne, the Assistant I' Coal Controller, has followed the ex- ample of Sir Evan Jones, M.P., the lato Controller, by resigning. I Mr. Duncan has hud great experience in negotiations with trade union leadore in thfe engineering and shipbuilding in- dustries, and his pleasant relations with hem will no doubt stand him in good titead in dealings with the miners