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UNIONIST MEETING at RHYL

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UNIONIST MEETING at RHYL TAME PROCEEDINGS. SPEECH BY LORD ONSLOW. MR. J. ELDON BANKES CONDEMNS i THE EDUCATION ACT. The 14th annual meeting of the North Wales Division of the National Union of Conservative and Constitutional Associations took place on Firday evening last at Rhvl. Varions committee meetings were held in the course of the day, and in the afternoon the Council met for the transaction of the yearly buisness at the Queen's Hotel. There was a numerous and representative attendance, whice included Earl Powis (president of the division), Lord Kenyon, Lord Mostyn, Mr H. St. John Raikes, Hon. L. A Brodrick, Col. Meshan., Sir Hugh Ellis Nanney, Colonel Howard, C B (Conservative candidate for Flint County), Mr. J. Eldon Bankes, K C. Conservative candidate for Flint Boroughs), Mr. R A Naylor (Conservative candidate for Car. narvon Boroughs), Colonel Mytton, Major R. W. "Williams Wynn, D S O. (Conservative candidate for Montgomeryshire), Nlr. Charles Shuker (secretary for the North Wales Division of the Association), Mr I E. Southwell (secretary of the Natioal Uuion), Mr J E. Fincham (organiser of the Primrose League for North Wales), Dr. Jones Morris (Portmadoc), Mr. Richard Thomas (Carnarvon), Rev. T Edwards (Aber), Mr. W. Forester Addie (Welshpool) Col H. Lloyd Mostyn, Mr. Edward Griffith (Bryn Adda), Dolgelley. Mr J Lloyd Price (Holywell), Mr. Cledwyn Owen (Pwllheli), Mr ME. Nee (Carnarvon and H. Kneeshaw (Penmaenmawr) The Council proceedings were conducted in private, and at the close the press representatives were informed that Earl Powis had been relected president while the Hon George Kenyon, M P.. Mr. St. John Raikes, and Mr P P Pennant were re-appointed to serve on the Central Committee of the National Union. The executive, finance, and press committees were also re-elected. The annual report was submitted and adopted after considerable discussion on the proposition of Lord Powis seconded by the Hon. L. A. Brodrick. Subsequently the Hon. L. A. Brodrick en- tertained the members of the Council together with the Right Hon. Lord Onslow, to an ex- cellently served dinner at the Queen's Hotel Cafe. EVENING MEETING. In the evening what was termed a mass meeting was held in the Queen's Palace, the principal speaker being the Right Hon. Lord On-low, Minister of Agriculture. Lord Powis presided, and most of the gentlemen previous- ly mentioned were among those present on the platform, as, wll as Sir Watkin Williams Wynn, Mr. H. R. Hughes (Kinmel), and Mr. F. J. Gamlin. There was a fairly large aud- ience, which included a large sprinkling of Liberals, who when the name of Mr. Lloyd George and other prominent Liberals were mentioned burst forth into hearty cheers. The Chairman at the outset explained that the holding of that meeting was somewhat of a new departure on the part of the North Wales Division of the National Union of Con- servative Associations. Hitherto they had conducted their business quietly. Thev had generally met at Chester, but it had been, de- cided that in future the meetings should be held in the different centres of North Wales, and after the transaction of the business mass meetings held in the evening (hear, hear". The Liberal party had for some years had a majority in Wales, and he could not help thinking it was largely due to the fact that their organisation might have been better than that of the Conservative party, and they had been a little more unscrupulous than the Con- servatives (hear, hear). He thought the Li- beral party had lived and fattened upon mis- representation (hear, hear). He thought it was very easy to prove that, for during the last few months they had son the extraordin- ary misrepresentation there had been on the Education Act of 1902. The Liberal party talked about religious liberty, but what relig- ious liberty was infringed by that Act.? If they (the Liberals) had their way they would infringe religious liberty. As to the concor- dat, it was not true to say that it fell through owing to any action on the part of the clergv or of anyone representing the voluntary schools (hear, hear). Mr. J. Eldon Bankes, K.C.. moved the foll- owing resolutioi- --That this meeting desires to express its entire confidence in the foreign, colonial, and domestic policy of his Majestv'< Government, but wishes to draw the attention of his Majesty's Government to the injustice to teachers and children in the non-provided schools caused by the action of the countv councils and education authorities in Wales, and urges upon his Majesty's Government the nec ssitv of taking up and dealing with the matter in the interests of education and of justice to the children and teachers" ihear, hear). He said that personally he did not think that the Government had adopted, the wisest policy when they brought in the Edu- cation Act of 1902. His firm conviction was that what was required in the country was first of all efficient religious education in every school, and secondly that that efficient relig- ious education should be the religious educa- tion that the parent desired the child shouid have (applause). He believed that a settle- ment of the question on those lines would have been accepted, at any rate in Wales, un- animously, and it could have been perfectly well worked without a surrender of any of the privileges or the property of one parti- or the other. He regretted the opportunity was missed, though he did not think it was lost. There was no ground, moral. legal, or equit- able, en which the county councils could de- fend their present position. They were law breakers, and what he complained" about was this, that the men who did not like administer- ing any branch of the law could refrain from putting themselves in the position in which they werr obliged to enforce it, but still they sought the positions in order that they might break the law (hear, hear). It was the worst possible example that men in their position could-set (hear, hear). Colonel Howard, C.B., seconded, remarking that the present Government was the best on-e in the market (laughter). What kind of a Government could they get in its place? What were they to think of a Government with the great apostle of illegality as Home Rul? Secre. tary (laughted Seeing the critical times which South Africa was at present passing through, it was of the greatest importance that hre should be no change of Government in country (aplause). The resolution was then put to the meeting and declared unanaimously adopted. Lord Onslow, wso was cordially received on rising to acknowledge the resolution, referred to a fomrer visit he paid to the Principality, and said he was very glad that he had been able to grant a sum, of money to Bangor to enable them to establish a school of forestry in connectin with the university. He was told that there had been a good. deal of feel- ing on the part of agriculturists in that part 'n of Wales regarding a difficuly they foumd in sending their produce to market owing to the heavy thailges levied hv the railway com- panies. The Government had no power, as many people imagined thev had, of control- ling railway rates, but he had had a good d'eal of communication lately with the railway com- panies in that and other parts of the country, and he believed that in the course of a very few days he would be able to lay upon the tables of the Houses of Parliament papers which which would give expression to the negotiations that had taken place, and he believed he was safe in saying that the time was fast approach- ing when they would be able to make better arrangements with the railway companies for the conveyance of agricultural produce (hear, hear;. He thanked them for the resolution of confidence in his Majesty's Government, though he noticed that it had been passed with a note of reserve, because they wished to draw attention to the action of the county councils and educaion authorities in Wale". That had not altogether escaped the attention of his Majesty's Government, and perhaps he might be allowed to apologise for them that thev had not as yet taken any action in the matter. He would like to give a reason for that. His Majesty's Government were great believers in the law-observing character of the British nation. The great palladium of their liberty was that they had representation wherever there was taxation either by rates or b'' Imperial taxation (hear, hear). The great principle of the Act of 1902 was that it placed the educa- tion of the country in the haiid.,i of elected re- presentatives. They heard from various parts of Wales that there were members of the county councils who felt it would a violation of their principles and their feelings to administer an Act with which they did not agree and concur. But there had been county council elections within the past few weeks, and why did gentle- men with those conscientious scruples offer themselves for re-election to discharge duties which they said they found in their con- sciences they were not able to discharge? (hear, hear). They had waited for these county council elections with the hope and belief that in Wales, as in every other part of the United Kingdom there would be displayed on the part of those who exercised representative authority a desire to comply with the law, even if they did not agree with it or to stand aside if they were unwilling to carry it into effect (hear, hearl. There were provisions in the Education Act which enabled the Education Department to a prima facie case had been made out that the requirements of the law had not been complied with. They had not neglected those provi- sions, and an enquiry had recently been held at Carmarthen. The inspector's report had not yet been considered by the Government, but there had been no concealment whatever on the part of those whose duty it was to administer the law that they had been guilty of irregular- ity and illegality in its administration (hear, hear). One of the most remarkable incidents of their educational campaign was that on the part at any rate of irresponsible persons it had been a campaign of mendacity (hear, hear). Everybody in Wales had been informed upon every possible occasion that the object and aim of the Education Act of 1902 was to give the money of the ratepayers and the taxpayers into the hands of the clerics to administer. Now, nothing was less true than that statement (hear, hear). In refutation of that statement he quo- ted from a newspaper report of an interview with Mr. D. P. Williams, Chairman of the Car- narvonshire Education Committee. He said The clerical manager has been disestablished. Outside the one matter of religious instruction, he has practically nothing left to do in connec- tion with the school. We determine the salary, the qualification, and the terms of engagement of every teacher we arrange the curriculum and time table we decide upon the subjects to be taught what text books to be used, and when and how each subject is to be taught. The teacher used in many cases to be the Vicar's servant. He is no longer so.' Thus out of the mouth of one of those who in Wales was most opposed to the Act of 19C2 they had the con- fession and the admission that out of the money which was paid by the ratepayers not one six- pence went into the uncontrolled hands of the clergy (applause). Therefore, when they were told that the effect of the Education Act had been to hand over public money for denomina- tional education he asked them to give it the lie direct. The Government had decided to take immediate steps to deal with the education- al situation in Wales, and in a very short space of time Parliament would be invited to take this matter into its consideration (hear, hear). Turning to foreign affairs, he ventured to think that the agreement just concluded between this country and France constituted an epoch in the history of this country. All difficulties which could possibly provoke friction between the two countries had been removed (hear, hear). We were the ally of one nation, and Erance was the ally of the other nation now engaged in a dead- ly struggle in the Far East. It was of the last importance that every cause of quarrel between these two nations should be removed, and that all fear of our being drawn 'into the quarrel which was going on between two other nations at the other end of the world should be abso- lutely removed (applause). As to home affairs, it was not in his power to promise that there would be a very satisfactory financial statement in the course of next week. There were those who said that the Government would be turned out upon the Budget. They should never prr phecy unless they knew (laughter). He did, not believe that because the country had drunk rather less whisky and beer than was expected, and that because the millionaires had not died in such numbers as they ought to have done- (laughter)--that the people of this country were. going to turn out the Government. He deeply regretted that it would not be in their power to reduce taxation, and that, indeed, it might be found necessary to increase it. He believed that one of the principal reasons why the Bud- get would be such a poor one was because ot the growing habit of temperance amongst all classes of the community (applause). He hoped that that would be some consolation to them if they had to submit to extra taxation in consequence of the falling off of revenue. He believed that at the general election, which could not now be far off, the present Govern- ment would be returned to power (applause). They were sometimes accused of aggressive militarism, but that was not the policy of the Government. They were Imperialists, not mili- tarists. Their desire was that, having acquired possessions, they should keep them and main- tain them strong and in good condition, so thal we might present to all foreign nations, both by our commence and our defence, a united front ;loud applause). The Chairman and Lord Onslow were afler- wards thanked, the one for presiding and the other for his address, on the proposition of Mr. H. R. Hughes, seconded by Sir Watkin Will- iams Wynn, and supported by Mr. R. A. Nay- lor. -2-- ST. PAUL'S DOME POINTS THE WAY. Some things in this world, even though the purpose in creating or constructing them may have been more or less selfish, appear to be or. dained to do good in some way to the people at large. Thus, St. Paul's Cathedral was built simply as a place of worship, yet it is a sort of hub to the great wheel of London a monum nt whereby to identify and locate the city. For many miles outside of London you can see the great dome of St. Paul's swelling up in Ae air and you have only to say to the :nquiring stranger who is seeking the centre of th largest citv in the world, 'You s e the dome of the Cathedral ? Yes. Well, make straight for it, and it will lead you into the heart of London.' Oblige me now by reading these sentences, taken from a ktter written by Mrs. Mary North- ey, of 20, Hull Street, -Newcastle-on-TN-t- on June 2nd, 1897, and the little talk that follows it, and you will understand the point of the chat about the dome of St. I'aul' In September of 1896 mv health began to fail me. I felt low, weak and tired. My appetite was poor, and after eating I had a nagging pain at the chest through to my back. I had a doctor attending me, and I saw two other doctors, and went to the Newcastle In- firmary, where they wanted to operate on me, but I refused to let them do it. Nothing gave me relief. One doctor said that my stomach was ulcerated, and gave me up, saying he could do no more for me. I had a nurse attending me, being very weak. I gave up hopes of getting better, when in November (1896) I read in a book of cases like mine that were cured by Mother Seigel's Syrup. I got a bottle of it, and after taking it I felt that it was doing me good. I persevered with it, and soon gained strength and gradually regained good health, all the pain leaving me.' Mrs. Northey now lives at 13, Hull Street, Newcastle-on-Tyne, and on February 15th, 1904, she signed another statement, in which she says:—'Some six or seven years ago I had oc- casion to write to you of the wonderful cure effected in me by Mother Seigel's Syrup. Since then I have continued in excellent health, and am now as wel and strong as a woman could wish to be. When I began taking Mother Seigel's Syrup I had almost given up hope of relief. I could eat no solid food, and I became so weak that I had to take to bed, and I had been there four months when I finally tried Mother Seigel's Syrup. Soon I was on the high road to heatlh again, and I jiave never had a dav's illness since. Mother Seigel's Syrup saved my life, and I shall alwys recom- mend it when I can." The little book Mrs. Northey read in bed served, in her distress, the same purpose that St. Paul's dome does to the wayfarer seeking London—it pointed the way,' and by following its directions she regained health and strength and happiness rapidly, and at little or no ex- pense. Take a leaf of wisdom from her book of experience let her point the way for you. --)0(- -miner, ir a aie young man namru »— on vou Vor a proscription, don't let him have it. "Why not?" "IIo wants something to improve his appetite, and he lotii:ei at my house." City imrn "Catchin' any fish, nuh?" Hub: "Nopf." City mtil: "Doesn't that divmira'B you?" Bub: "Nope." City man: "Why not?" Buh: "'Coz I'm fialiin' for eels, mister I "How will you have your esrut cook#-d ? asked the %waiter. ".Nlakf, any difference in the cost. tiv '•m?" inquired the customer cautiously. "No." "Then cook 'Ain with a nice slice o' ham," said he, greatly relieved. "I want you to understand. air. that my pvidn forbids me to "ceppt anythinr from you after 1 marry your daughter." "How a,-e you coiuu to lire VVt-11, 1 thought you might mako some kind of a settlement beforehand." "You don't mean to cite your Government as an example of a Republic ?" "Well," anlwercd thft South American dictator, "ttiore's ouly one little difference between our Republic and jours. Instead of elections we harn revalut-i"«-s

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