The Aberystwith Observer

MR J. D. REES AND THE BUDGET. PERTINENT PARLIAMENTARY CRITICISMS. Throughout the Budget dikcussioni in Parlia- ment, Mr J. D. Rees, M.P., hag been one of the most shrewd aaid cometamt critics of itihe Govern. nuetnt proposals. Thie official Parliamentary re. parlt for 30th September (now before ua) furniaih- Jell e'Ome interesting examples of theee eriticiisme. Mr Lloyd George moved the insertion of the following new clause after clause 6: Exemp- tion for agricultural land: Increment value duty shall mot be charged' in respect of agricul- ■tural land while that land hais 00 higher value -than ite value for agricultural purposes, only." Speaking to this proposal, Mr Rees. said I should like the Chaincellor of the Exchequecrto explain how this proposal will affect the land in certia,iin, townis Mi my constituency. The area of the 20,000 acres, and it is situated at the junction of three railways. It -would be described by anybody as 'agricultural Stand, and it is used for agricultural purposes only. It is conceivable that on> account of rail- way accommodation and the proximity of a mar. feet town that some of that land might have .a. potential value other than the agricultural Taluei. I do not think it has, nncl that is the point I want to clieajr up. Would that land have a 'higher value than its value for agricultural purposes only? It is ,1 think, an, extremely difficult question to answer, but, iasit is of some importance to us, I venture to put the CMC. The case of Newtown is similar. The borough in- cludes a great deal of land other than that occu- pied by the town. I should not like to say all Hhe land beoause it is m.omin.a.lly urba.n, hr A mine other them for agricultural purposea .o.-ly, but I am not sure some of it has not. I .a<ppe!al to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, laeo he hap- pe,ns to be acquainted with these towns, if he can, to throw .some light upon this matter. Mr Lloyd George replied If land is purely agricultural it will receive the treatment of agricultural land, but if it is building land it ZD ought not to receive the special exemption ac- corded to a,gri-cultural land. The position of the Government is perfectly el ear.^ We divide land into two categories one agricultural land and the other building land. If tihe real value of the land is attributable to the fact that it is building land, it ought, to be treated as building land. Mr Cla,vell Salter (U.) had two amendments to the new clause on the paper, but he withdrew them on the Chancellor's (statement that the clause would carry out their intention. After a question as to deductions in -calculat ing income for the super-tax, Mr Reeis raised an interesting point on a proposal by Mr Lloyd George to exempt from increment value duty any land "held by any body corporate or unin- corporaite, without any view to the payment of any dividend or profit out of the revenue there of. bona fide for the purpose of gameef or other .recreation." Mr Rees asked What would be .tibe position of the governors .of Harrow School, or any other similar un.in.corporatie body, lún 100- gard to their land? I should like to know how it will fare with bodies unincorporate wihich have bought land solely for the purposes of gaHmes IRnd recreation? IMr Lloyd George If the ho,n, IIIlJember will look at clause 25 he will find that Harrow School will not pay any duty at all as long as the land is actually iin use for the purposes .of .games and recreation!. Mr Rees I am much obliged to the right hon gentleman. I am very grateful to him, and I -anl quite sure that he is anxious to d,issip,ate my doubts, but they still exist. I referred to land outside the fields actually used for the purpose of cricket or football. The Chairman: I do not see how that arises now. This land must be need bona. fide for the purposes of games. Mr Rees: With .great respect, sir, I venture to afik whether or not the words fueed loore are Ttot "games and recreation," and whether those words are necesisarily confined' to such violent and ooncentrated efforts as are represented by cricket or football, and may not extend to coum try walks for which the Iemcls I was referring to are purchased and maintained by the school? The Chairman This land about which the thon member inquiring is kept for the purpose of the Harrow boys walking round it. Mr Rees With respect, sir, I submit it is to a .great extent. If I may go .on for a moment in regard to motives I would say there are always mixed motives, and the motives of the Govern" of Harrow School, may, like those of other in- dividuals, be of that character. Of course there may be the wish to beep off tihe builder which I submit to the clommittee is1 a perfectly legiti- mate and laudable object. I cannot see why the builder who erects red-brick houses for the few iB a greater benefactor than the farmer who raises food for the many. The Chairman Now the hon member 18 show ing what he really means, and he is Dot in or- der. Returning to the subject later, Mr Rees ask- ed Am I in order in, asking the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, in regard to this clause, he will .consider whether tihe w,orcle, cannot be so amended that they may expressly cover not ,only ground which is actually used for ganlKm. but whether they could be made to cover the larger and more extensive case of Ittud need actually for recreation, though not in the actual '.sCTise of games? The reason. I put this to you is that I gather I was ruled out because the lands to which I referred were used for recreation and not for games. The Chairman': That was not the' point I rule the hon member out for. Mr Rees': May I ask the Chancellor of the r' chequer whether lie would consider the short c. se I put to him ? Mr Lloyd George!: The Ihoii member wants to exempt laind which is not used for football or cricket, but on which boys may have a sort of paper-chase. That wonld cover the whole of the land in the neighbourhood of London. The clause was added to the Bill. On the motion to approve of a view clause, proposed by Mr Lloyd George, extending relief from income tax under schedule' A, Mr Snow- den, the Socialist member for Blackburn, con- demned one of a very long line of similar concessions which Iha. ve been, made and which have had; the' result of relieving the landed interest of a very considerable part of the taxation which, it ought to bear for local and nationail objects." He added: My main ob- jection is that the time is not opportune, .and that the Chancellor of the Exchequer might have devoted tihiis money to a far better purpose. He is proposing under the Development Bill to give a sum which is equal to that which he is giving away to the landlords, and I certainly object to the landlords being endowed as much laB social reform is going to be endowed by that measure." Mr Lloyd George h-aving replied to this speech, Mr Rees heartily endorsed what the Chancel- lor had said. Mr Snowden, he said, has on this occasion., as on. former occasions, frankly adopt, ed the position that property is theft, though I will do him the justice to say he has expressed hie opinion1 that it is not necessary to levy from those who committed this theft the arrears of the rents that they have received from their pro perties since the deluge. We must be grateful to him. for that moderation. I should like to offelr the hon gentleman. some information, as to these thieves from Montgomeryshire. Only a few days ago the 'Small Holdings Committee re- ported .that the chief feature of their operations was the gene-roue support they had received from the landowners of tihe county, one of whom I am proud to say is my hon colleague tihe mem- beT for the county. I protest against, the kind of speech to which the committee has been trea.ted, and as the Chancellor of the Exchequer has already made mincemeat of the hon member I do not think it necessary to follow the speech which he delivered, though I think it desirable that someone else sitting on the same side, as Ithe Chancellor should follow upon the same lines. The hon member has sho wn, his opinion of his own associatee by suggesting they signed the requisition to the Chancellor of the Ex- chequer without reading it. I iask the commit- tee to consider the utter improprie,ty of the spirit which inspired the fhom member's speech. He treated ilia whole property of the inhabitants of this country a& if it was taxable material at the disposal of .the Chancellor of the Exchequer, and he said "If the Chancellor of the Ex- chequer has any money to dispose lie might di« pose of it for some purpose in which I, the hon member for Blackburn am interested." I ask the committee if that is a. responsible and seri- ous miajnner in which to deal with the very sera, ous subject before the House. When the hon. member says, Who aire landowners?" they might rejoin, "Who are the Socialists?" and when it comes to,defin-in,g these different classes I aim really not so sure or rather I am quite sure which would come off second best. I also wish to enter the strongest protest which is permis- sible under the rules of the House against, the manner in which the hon gentleman incites one class against .another by speaking of classes of which he disapproves afl being dangerously rich. The Deputy Chairman The hon member is not confining himself to the amendment. Mr Rees: I followed the hon- member for Blackburn, although such speeches are easily discounted in th4; House. they have their effect outside. I -have in my own, humble way per- formed my duty in expressing my opinion, and I ,heartily support the Chancellor's clause. On Tuesday. Mr Rees asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the ccmcesstion allow- ed under clause 50 (2) of the Finance Bill covers the case of Indian railway annuities payable by the Secretary of State in London? Mr Lloyd George Such annuities as fall to be paid in the United Kingdom out of Indian Public Revenues would be covered by the Fin- ance Bill, clause 50 (2). Mr Rees asked whether abatement of Income Tax hitherto allowed to persons residing for less than six months in, the United Kingdom was now withdrawn and, if so, in what clause was the specific provision in this behalf in the Bill contained ? Mr Lloyd George: If a person comes to this country for a temporary purpose only—and not with a view to esta-blishing hie residence here— and shall not actually have resided in this coun- try at one time or several times for a, period equal on the whole to six months1 in. any one year, there is no liability to income tax in re- spect of remittances of income from abroad. In this respect no change is contemplated under the provisions of the Finance Bill. On the subject of publicans' on-licences, the Government proposed to substitute for the exist- ing scale a duty equal to half the annual value of the licensed premises subject to a minimum scale of C5 ricn .areas with a population- of less than 2,000. £10 in tirban areas with a popula- tion of less than 5,000, £ 15 on a population of 10,000, etc. Mr C. S. Henry and Mr Beville Stanier proposed an amendment that dm the case of the borough of Wenlock, which they de- scribed as exceptional, the sianitary divisions should be the area upon. which the population- is calculated and the licence based instead of the borough as a whole. Mr Rees supported this amendment. I am myself, She said, well acquainted with the bor- ough of Wenlock and its- peculiar circumstances. But one of the boroughs which I represent, though not the largest in England, is the next largest, and only 600 acres less than Wenlock. I refer to Welshpool. The circumstances, of this town are al&o extraordinary. It is a small town situated in a very large area which come. within the Parliamentary borough, and I had wished, had not this point been raised on behalf of Wenlock, to raise it on behalf of Welshpool. The circumstances are very much the same. I hope the House will not be prejudiced by the fact that Welshpool is not known as Much Welshpool as Wenlock is known as Much Wen- lock, because -that is a difference which merely proceeds from the fact that the Wels-hpudliana are as modest as the Salopians are proud. Mr Herbert Samuel promised to take the mat- ter into conaide nation.

MACHYNLLETH URBAN COUNCIL. SEWAGE EXPENDITURE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD INQUIRY. The monthly meeting of the Council was held on Tuesday night, when there were present Council- lors John Pugia (chairman), T Parsons (vice-chair- man), Richard Gillart, D W R Williams, Evan Morgan, Edward Jones, John Micah, John Evans, W Sadlier, Heury Lewis, Messrs Edmund Gillart (clerk), J R Leighton (assistant clerk), D Thomas (surveyor), and Dr A 0 Davies (medicai officer.) The Chairman suggested, in view of the political meeting in another room of the Town Hall, that only urgent business fchould be discussed. Among the matters discussed was a letter from Mr John Lewis, Milford House, asking the Council to re- consider his application for permission to extend the frontage of his house.—The Guardians wrote agreeing to reduce the charge for breaking stones at the Workhouse by Id per ton as from Sept. 29th.—The Committee appointed to consider the provision of a weigh bridge not having sufficient information to come to a conclusion, Lhe matter was deferred until next meeting. The Local Government Board wrote that a local inquiry would be held into the Council's application for sanction to borrow zC269 to defray excess expendi. ture in connection with the sewerage works. It was agreed to request Mr David Davies, M.P., Mr J D Rees, M.P., and Lord Herbert Vane-Tempest, to urge the Board to expedite the inquiry. Since the previous meeting rates amount. ing to X127 were collected leaving £143 recoverable. The Clerk was directed to convey to the magistrates the Council's desire that they should co-operate with the Council in preventing contravention of the new common by-laws.—The Clerk reported that the Standing Joint Committee had remitted the fees in the recent prosecution so that the Council were not mulcted in part of the costs.-On Mr Gillart's proposition, seconded by Mr Morgan, a general resolution was passed author- ising the Surveyor to take proceedings for contra- vention of the by-laws.—Mr David Jones, Tanrallt, having written asking for another lamp, the Sur- veyor reported having interviewed the Gas Man. ager who said he could not advise the Company to extend the main. It was agreed to bring pressure to bear on owners who had not made new sewage connections.—Mr Morgan having called attention to the defective lighting at the top of Maengwyn street, it was agreed that the lamp at the Tollgate should be removed to another spot.—The question of the sheep fairs was deferred until a special meeting, as well as the proposed adoption of portions of the Public Health Acts Amendment Acts and the Private Streets Act -The Council then rose after sitting for half an hour. <s

CAMBRIAN RAILWAYS.—Approximate return of traffic receipts for the week ending October 3rd, 1909. Miles open, 280. Passengers, parcels, horses oarriages, dogs and mails, £ 3,381 merchandise, minerals, and live stock, £3,040 total for the wedr; £ 6,421; aggregate from commencement of half- year £ 112,342. Actual traffio receipts for the cor- responcingweek of last year: Miles open, 280. Passengers, parcels, &c. £ 3,426; merchandise, minerals, &e., £ 3,110 total for the week £ó,536 aggregate from commencement of half }ear, £ 111,912. Decrease for the week, passengers, parcels, &c., £ 45 decrease, merchandise, minerals, &c., £ 70 j total decrease for the week, E115 aggregate increase passengers; parcels, &o., zE765 aggregate decrease merchandise, minerals; &c., £ 335 aggregate increase from commence- ment of half-yesir, £ 430.

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THE CHURCH CONGRESS AT SWANSEA. INTERESTING PKOCE ft HIXGS The Church Congress opened on Tue.,(1" Swansea Karly in the forenoon m.-s:nb<u"H of Con- gies.-i were offi itllv *e'oi>ui«d »n t" ■ Guildhaii by the Mayur (Mr Morgan Tutui."), and then the whole body of clergy, from thi Archbishop of Canterbury downwards, wevring vestments and accompanied by bearers of ecclesiastical regalia, walked in procession through crowded streets to St. Mary's Church. The Mayor and memb-<r-i of the Corporation formed part of the procession The Archbishop did not in his sermon exm-ess full satisfaction wi:i, the results of the activities of the Church and of Nonconformist effort sustained over many generations. He dre IV an impressive picture of the week-night service in the village church, attended only bv a few broken women, while the children played aid screamed and the men lounged and smoked outside. This challenged them to some disquietening reflections. One cause, he sug- gested, was" shortness of thought" amongst Churchmen. Controversy his Grace recognised not only as inevitable, but as wholesome and right, but it must keep its place, and must, not absorb and domiuate life and embitter their relations, as it surely did when partisan bias and political venom entered into it. One phrase of the Arch- bishop summed up his claim, advanced on material grounds, for the importance of the Church\< unity. The national Church, he said, is "the oldest living thing on British soil." Simultaneously with this service a second was held at Christ Church, where the Bishop of Southwark made Socialism a promin- ent part of his sermon. If, he observed, Socialism becomes finally materialised, if the Church fails to recognise what is of her own in Socialism, and to inspire it with her spiritual faith and hopes, the tragedy of the modern world will be at its height. The omens are sinister; the Church is the bugbear of Socialism, and Socialism is the bugbear of the Church. The duty of the Church is to draw out of Socialism all that is Christian in it. Dr Owen, president of the Congress, after delivering his address at the Albert Hall, gave a condensed repetition of it at a second meeting in the Central Hail. No portion of it appeared to hold the aud- ience more closely than the masterly enumeration of the causes that have influenced the national life of Wales in recent years, and are even yet produc- ing changes that render an alteration of the Church's relation to the people not only undesir- able, but dangerous. Apart from this, the Bishop had a defence of unity to present which seemed unanswerable. The Archbishop's speech, which followed, was tendered in substitution to the one which Earl Cawdor was prevented delivering. His Grace dealt with the office of the Church. As a trust, iikeanyother trust, it should not be dis- turbed except for such specific reasons as no oppon- ent of the Church has yet established. Apprecia- tion was expressed of the unbounded energy of Churchmen, and of the proffer of solid help in the impending struggle. Lord Hugh Cecil was at a disadvantage in speaking after two such command- ing leaders, but it. is safe to say that no layman could have satisfied choice better, or in more ner- vous, eloquent language have shown the fallacy of supposing that the Church would be enriched and strengthened by disintegration. If the Church in Wales is severed from the Church in England it will not be for lack of powerful opposition at the Swansea Congress. j On Wednesday, with the Bishop of St David's again in the chair, the subject of Socialism from the standpoint of Christianity was the main sub- ject of discussion. The Biskop of Truro, who f opened the discussion, held that au attitude of aloofness on the part of the church could only ■ mean failure in its work, and tend to strengthen ( the feeling among the wage-earners that the Church was the ally of the comfortable rather than of the poor, and that it was the duty of the Church to apply the truths and principles of Christianity | to this great question. Dr Arthur Shadwell, of Ham, Surrey, held that class warfare and greed were the very essence of Socialism it was the mortal enemy of Christianity. On the other hand, Rev John Wakeford contended that the root con- t ception of Socialism was derived from Christianity. ( The Bishop of London asked if there was anything essentially unchristian in the common ownership c of land, and he means of land ? But they had got somehow to make the transfer without break- ing either the sixth or eighth Commandment. What he could not agree with in Socialism was the unchristian setting of class against class in public speeches, that capital and labour were enemies, and that absolute equality was possible.. There was just as much selfishness and greed amongst working men as amongst any other class, and if we are going to have a Socialistic State we should want more religion than ever we had before. The Dean of Manchester said there were two consider. ations which forbade him to become a Socialist as Socialism waa now understood. He considered it both undesirable and impracticable.-The Bishop of Southwark thought he was Socialistic, and not merely in the sentimental sense, but in the practi- cal sense. Some of the very best thought and life in the Church moved in that direction. When they came to materialism, he thought it lay very much not on the side of Socialism, but on the other side. Society in its existing form gave more and more the impression of a great, ruthless, non-moral machine.—The Rev J E Watts-Ditch field contri- buted to a discussion on The Neglect of Public Worahip," which he attributed to indiffer- ence, discontent and a variety of other things. Frivolity was in the air.—The fashion of atten- dance at church bad changed, and not for the better. Motor-cars, week-end and Sunday dinner parties, dining at restaurants instead of at home, the growing custom of well-known English football teams going to the Continent to play matches on Sunday-all thE-se things had caused church-going to suffer to an alarming extent. Doubtless there was a Biblical criticism which was most useful, but the higher criticism bad done much to promote unrest. A great mass of the population not yet lapsed into infidelity was in a state of uncertainty 'which might lead to serious consequences in the near future unless the Church awoke to the danger and resolutely faced it. The social condition of millions, the strong hold which politics held upon many men, increased competition in business, which filled men's minds with business to the exclusion of religion, were all factors in producing the change so also was the change in English home life, the influx of women and girls into business houses, of men into clubs, and of young men into the arena of sport. But the case was not hopeless. Englishmen are not hostile to Christianity, but were waiting to be reached by it. If ever there was a time when good preaching was required, it was now. If men were to be won to public wor- ship, the service must be such as they could under- stand and enjoy and profit by. The Church must reorganise her methods so that her greatest efforts were made to reach first not the child, but the man. —"Authority in Belief and Practice" and the Shortage of Clergy," were among the other subjects discussed. LORD IIALSBURY ON ENDOWMENTS. On Thursday the principal speakers were the Archbishop of York and Lord Halsbury. The subjects discussed by Congress included Church Endowments," the Position of the Layman," Christian Science," and the Poor Law Commission report. Ou the subject of Church Endowments, Lord Halsbury, who was described as the greatest living authority on the question," said it had been assumed in the formation of every human society that the very existence of society was founded upon the sanctity of property. Until tome new scheme was devised which should abolish property altogether he should assume that the Church had but to establish her right in the same way, and upon the same principles, as enabled any ordinary citizen to claim anything as his own. When the property of an individual was chal- lenged i& was generally easy enough to bring the question to a test, but in this case the origin of the right must be sought for centuries back. An eloquent judge had said, in dealing with the ques- tion of long possession, that time was a great destroyer of evidence, but he was also a great protector of title (cheers). In England 14,558 parish churches and 111 chapels of ease had been set apart for the perpetual use of the Church by irrevocable gifts, and whatever was most valuable

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n them bad been given by voluntary contribution. Whatever secular power might do, and it had done many unjust things in the c-mrse of our experience -(cheers)-no State anth »ifcy n nld ever take Lway from the Church her sp ri r.al character as a true branch of the Ciiuroh.of Ohiist. and though t might be possible by the physical power of the State to take away her endowments there was no •ight in the State to do anv such things. What- wer else might be said of tithes, the State never ,ave them. Those most prominent in asking for lisendowment were careful enough of their own property, and would feel very strongly if it were jroposed to deprive them of it (cheers). Mr jrladstone said that if the Church was robbed of ler property her vitality would be equal to all the aeeds of the occasion; but would that justify iaking away what WIJ8 her own ? That would be persecution pure and simple for religious opinion.— Sir C A Cripps, K C, said the income of Church mdowmenls was in the main derived from land nvestments. According to a school which during •ecent conti oversies had come into much promin- jnce, landed property should nob be regarded as a subject of private ownership, therefore it should 38 expropriated by the State. But so long as it iontinued to be regarded as a proper subject for j private ownership the title of the Church to it-j indowments was absolutely unquestionable. Unable to substantiate any case for confiscation, either on the ground of maladministrator) or superfluity, the assailants of the Church took a iifferent attitude, aad professed to believe that bbey were really acting for the benefit of the Ohurch in seeking to alienate its endowments by wrongly classing them under the name of State grants or subsidies. That plea was not free from the suspicion of sectarian cant (cheers). It would be a guarantee of the sincerity of opponents who idopted this attitude if they would commence by 1 total surrender Hf every form of trust property which they now held, and to which they had no better title than the Church had to her endow- ments (cheers). On the subject of The position of the layman," the Archbishop of York said the clergy should see bo it that opportunities were giv-^n to the layman For participation in mirtister ai work, not that the ambition of the layman mmt be to approach to the dignity of a clergyman, but to give witness to the dignity of a layman. The spiritual work of the Church could only advance if it was undertaken by the whole body of clergy and laity combined. As an instance of what can be done to secure a ret- ponse to the ideal he set out, the Archbishop cited the work of the Church of England Men's Society, of which he is chairman. That organisation has now 2,380 branches and 81,000 members pledged to obey thicall to 3ervice.—The Bishop of Salis- bury enumerated offices open to laymen more numerous than many are aware of. While, he said, laymen cannot confirm or ordain or consecrate the Holy Communion' they may in cases of necessity baptise, witness marriages, ano'r.t the sick in the hope of recovery, receive the confessions of the dying, and assure them of God's pardon, and perform a burial service, in all cases, of course, pre-supposicg that a priest could not be had. But, arided the Bishop, the laymen who exercise any of these powers and pri. vileges ought to be genuine Church members, not only baptised and confirmed, but regular communi- cants.— Mr Eugene Stock (secretary of the Church Missionary Society) said they wanted no half- fledged clergymen, but genuine lay work by genuine laymen, leaving the sacred ministry intact, distinct, and separate. It was objected that, con- gregations would resent being preached to death by wild lay readers, but what developed in church work could ever be carried out if they waited till the parishioners demanded it ? There were no doubt, old fogies who would be glad if they made no improvements, but be was not one of those venerable anciems (laughter and cheers).— Dr Stephen Paget, secretary of the Research Defence Society, discussed in a powerful address the subject of Christiau Science, while Mr George Lansbury, one of the signatories of the minority report of the Poor Law Commission, dealt, ably with the Church and Poverty," Rev Dr Russell Wakefield being another of the speakers.

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DOLGELLEY. TRIP— Fifty perllons joined the excursion at Dolgelley to Belle Vae, Manchester, on Monday. CHEAP SHEKP— A iheep fair took place oiL Wednesday. The vendors complain that the high, est price attained for sheep wae ten shillings a head. DOUBLE ^ACCIDENT— Whilst some boys were playing near the precints of the old Igaol on Wed. nesday afternoon, Lfno,is Evans, one of the number, fell when running and sustained a nasty gash on the head. Robert Price Owen,: a companion, hastened to dress the wound by washing it with water from a stream close at hand. In doing so he slipped. Noticing that something serioms had happened, Dr Myles and Mr Humphrey Owen, the laà' father, were summoned. The unfortunate boy was placed on a mattress and conveyed home where it was found that he had fractured his leg. THBATKICAL.—Miss Inex Howard's company performed the powerful drama The Midnight Wedding pit the Public Rooms, on Wednesday. The piece was excellently staged and well acted. There waR a crowded house, the play being much appreciated. HARVEST HOME.—Harvest thanksgiving services were held at the Parish Church this week as follows — Tuesday, Welsh service and sermon 7 30 p m. Wednesday, 8 a.m. holy communion, 10 a.m. Welsh service and sermon, 11 30 a.m. English service aud sermon. The preacher at the three services was the Rev Hugh Jones, M.A., curate of Carnarvon. 7 30 p.m. Welsh service and sermon by the Rev R Eustace Jones, M.A., Llan- gedwyn. The services were fully choral and the church was prettily decorated with flowers, fruit ami vegetables. THE COUNTY COURT.— At the last meeting of the Urban Council it was dscided, on the proposi- tion of Mr A E Hughes, seconded by Dr John Jones, that His Honour Judge William Evans be asked not to accede to the request made by the Barmouth Urban Council to have the County Court held alternately at that town. MERIONETH TjtmpFRANcy ASSOCIATION.—Meet- ings in connection with the Merioneth Temperance Association were held at Dolgelley this week. A children's meeting- took place on Tuesday at the Wesleyan Chapel prior to which the juveniles paraded the streets of the town, preceded by the Institute Band. In the absence of the Rev H Ceroyw Williams, Corwen, the chair was talen by the Rev Egwys Jones, pastor. The children were addressed by Mrs Owen, Liverpool, and Mr John Mostyn, Llanelltyd, and they sang under the couductorship of Mr G Wynne Williams. A part song was also given by Mr R J Pugh's party. Mr Edward Owen, Bank Buildings, was the catechist, and Mr D R Meredith accompanist. The first con- ference waa held on Wednesday morning, the Rev W Pari Hnws presiding. The Rev 0 Lloyd Owen Bontddn, the secretary, presented his report, which was adopted. A paper was prepared by Dr E Lewys L'.ovd, Towyn, on "Our Young People and Town Life," was read by the Secretary in Dr Lloyd's absence. An address was also given by the Rev Silyu Roberts, M.A., Tanygrisiau. A meeting for women was held in the afternooou under the presi- deucy of Mrs R C Evans, Eioion House. An address was given by Miss Lewie, Aberdovey, the Secretary for the County. Part was taken in the discussion on "Purity" by Mrs 0 E Williams, Towyn, Mrs Owen, Liverpool, Mrs Party, Bala, and Mrs Morgan, Barmouth. Dr R J Roberts, Corris, presided over the afternoon meeting. The subject under discussion was ThejChildren's Act." Parts were token by the Revs 0 Ellis, Llanuwchllyn, and H R Williams, Corris. Prizes were afterwards distributed to successful candidates in a recent examination. At night a public meeting was held at the Tabernacle chapel, Dr Hugh Jonef1 was the chairman. Addresses were also delivered by Mrs Owen, Liverpool, Revs Ellis Jones, Bangor, and T G Owen, Liverpool. A cordial vote of thanks was accorded the local committee for their arrange- ments. Next years conference will be held at Festiniog.

-+- NEW REGULATIONS IN WEIGHTS AND MEASURES While the public at large has to be thankful for the Standards Department of the Board of Trade, yet the alterations in the regulations are at times somewhat confusing. Regulation 75 which has just come into force affects the following tra,des Gold and silver merchants, dealers in precious metals and stones, jewellers, retail chemists or druggists, silk merchants, retail dealers in tea or coffee and tobacco. The new regulations affect the above trades inasmuch as the seasitiveneBs is iucreased and the margin of error allowed either in excess or in deficiency when fully loaded. It behoves all firms connected with the above trades to see that their Ecales conform to those new j regulations, and the inspector of weights and I measures will in all oases afford the necessary information.