The North Wales Weekly News

Mr. W. Jones, M.P.. at Llandudno. VOTES FOR WOMEN. THE TEMPERANCE FEDERATION. The annual meetings of the Llandudno Tem- perance Fedemation were held in the Town Hall on Monday. The subscribers met at 7.30 p.m., and half an hour later there was a public meet- ing, at which Mir. William Jones, the Member for the Division, was the, principal speaker. Councillor J. McMaster was in the chair at bath meetings, at which the Hon. Secretary, Mr. H. W. Squirrell, presented reports. ■COMMITTEE'S REPORT. The Committee are pleased to report another year of important temperance work in the town. The annual meeting was a very successful one, excellent addresses being given by Rev. Canon Plicks and Rev. J. Teuntiu-s Phillips. A crowded and enthusiastic meeting was held in March last and enthusiastic meeting was held in March last in favour of the Licensing Bill, the principal speaker being Mr. Llewelyn Jones, of Mold. This Federation warmly welcomed the Govern- ment Licensing Rill, and regretted its rejection by the House of Lords. The Saturday night concerts have again been a feature of the winter. Apart from the elevating influence of the enter- tainments, much good, it is believed, is done by the solid temperance teaching which is given week bv week. The annual mission held in November was not so successful as regards num- bers and amounts collected as in previous years, but good must be the result of such efforts. The supervision of the licences in the district is still being carried on. The Committee has losit three members during the year—the Rev. D. J. Lewis, Mr. 1. Slater, and Mr. D. R. Roberts, all of whom have left the town. Help is greatly needed from those willing to fill the vacant places. LEGAL WORK. Mr. J. J. Marks, in presenting the solicitor's report, said he bad been successful in opposing the renewal of the licence of the Ciross Keys. There was really very little for him to do, as brewers were very shy of applying for fresh licences in the district. The changes in the Licensing Laws, which relieved magistrates of many of o the discretionary powers with which they were formerly invested, had further lessened his work. The Treasurer, Mr. Towler, presented a fin- ancial statement, showing that the balance in hand on the temperance work was £2 18s., as against £8 16s. yd. last year. But a profit of Zio was made on the Saturday evening con- certs, thus increasing the amount in hand to Z12 IS. Sd. Mr. R. E. Towler was re-elected Treasurer, and Mr. Bellas, Auditor, in place of Mr. J. Slater, who had left the town. Mr. Squirrell was appointed Hon. Secretary for the sixth suc- cessive year amidst applause. The Misses Ro- berts, Holly Bank, were asked to. continue to act as lady collectors. The meeting felt that the income was not satisfactory, and Mr. O. W. Roberts proposed that the question of increasing the number of the codlectors be referred to the Executive Com- mittee, who. were given power to act in the mat- ter and were elected as follows with power to add Mliss Champneys, Miss Baker, Miss Wynne, Mrs. Squirrell, Mrs. W. Tryphend, Miss Pritchard, Miss Roberts (London House), Miss Williams (Dorset House), and Messrs. J. Mc- ,Master, Hilton, O. W. Roberts, J. Bellis, Hob- son, Eley, J. Owen, Lin tern, and J. J. Marks. Councillor J. MclMasiter was again elected Pre- sident, and the following Vice President s The Rev. C. T. Astley, the Rev. Ll. R. Hughes, the Rev. J. Raymond, the Rev. E. T. Hane, the Rev. T. Davies, the Rev. D. Davies, and the Rev. H, Barrow Wilfiamis. THE BliBLE SOCIETY. The Chairman said be did not consider it right that the Bible Society, which was, an alien body in the town, should receive the support it did to the detriment of the funds of the town's own temperance federation. (Hear, hear.) He did not see why the Bible Society should carry off all the money. He felt very strongly on this matter, and would draw attention to the fact that the U.K.A..was in every sense a national temperance society. (Applause.) THE PUBLIC MEETING. The Town Hall was crowded at the public meeting, many having to rest content with stand- ing room in the doorways. Mir. William Jones had a most enthusiastic reception on entering the hall, and was sup- ported on the platform by the following gentle- men CouniCiÏllor J. McMaster (in the chair), the Rev. John Raymond, the Rev. David Davies, the Rev. D. Gwynfryn Jones, Councillor Dr. Garter, Councillor J. J. Marks, Councillor T. W. Griffiths, and Messrs. W. Williams, and John Bellis. The meeting started with the singing of a hymn. THE LICENSING BILL. The Hon. Secretary having read the report presented at the former meeting, the Chairman addressed the gathering. In the course of his remarks he said that the principal work of the Federation during the last year had been in connectian with the Licensing Bill, and they had been successful in getting up various peti- tions in support of that measure. (Hear, hear.) The Licensing Act of 1902 was meant to set back the CaUige of temperance, as every tem- perance reformer knew, and when the present Government brought in their Bill the brewers brought every artful dodge to bear, and strove by every underhand means to secure its rejec- tion by the House of Commons. But never had a Government received such support in connec- tion with a Bill as had Mr. Asquith's. (Ap- plause.) After it had been passed by record majorities in the Commons it was taken to the House of Lords., where a House, of less than a score of peers received it and gave it a first reading. But then came the meeting at Lansdowne House, and the Bill was rejected by a caucaus of about 250 peers. The Loiyds thus did what the King himself could not have done without risking his crown. (Ap- plause.) They had strangled the greatest measure of emancipation ever given to the country. Since 1853, the year of the formation of the United Kingdom Alliance, Wales had al- ways, sent temperance reformers to Parliament, and at the last general election every member they were allowed to return was pledged to vote for the Licensing Bill. (Hear, hear.) Later a resolution would be read asking the. Government to re-introduce the Bill oir an analogous one. (Applause.) It was high time the Lords were dealt with, and personally he would rather see them ended than mended. Amidst loud ap- plause the speaker said that women would soon be given the vote, and that their vote would be a temperance vote, as it was in New Zealand. Wales was strong "or temperance, and had sent their Member and the whole gang of Welsh Members to further reform in that direction. (Applause.) THE. HOUSE OF LORDS. Mr. William Jones, M.P., was most cordially applauded on rising to speak. He. said he was delighted to be again among his constituents and workers in the temperance cause. They must all feel that they had received a check owing to the rejection of the most comprehen- sive Bill ever introduced to deal with the liquor traffic. But they had cause to rejoice in spite of the check, for it would only be temporary, and the temperance question had been raised as it had never been raised before. It was no longer a merely partisan question., but now included on its side all the moral and social forces of the realm. (Applause.) The Archbishops were for them, and all the Bishops save three, as well as a whole army of Church of England clergy- men, and the leaders and stalwarts of the Free Churches. The Bill was rejected, not by the House of Lords in the House, but by a clique who met at Lansdowne House. Still, they had a debate in the House of Lords, and several splendid speeches were made by great men—for there we,re great men among the peers. Long ago, perhaps, the speaker was in favour of the abolition of the Lords. He could not say that he was of that opinion now, but he certainly thought they needed mending, and on this point he differed from the Chairman, who was in bViÜlurr of ending them.. (Laughter.) Both Archbishops fought for the Bill, and the Bishop of London, the Bishop of Birmingham, the Bishop of Hereford, and several peers., includ- ing young Lord. Lytton—(applause)—but per- haps the greatest speech of all came from the Lord Chancellor, who described the defeat of the Bill as the triumph of wrong over right. (Hear, hear.) The needs of Wales were particu- larly considered, and the requests of the Welsh Members were drafted into the Bill. The work done in Committee was never, known to the general public. It was not put in the papers, not advertised in any way, but was carried on silently and surely. (Hear, hear.) WALES AND PROHIBITION. Two of the great clauses inserted were local option an4 the extension; of the licensing rights of Wales to Monmouth- shire. There was a great debate in the House on the former question, and it was conclusively proved that Wales—not a coterie of temperance faddists, but the, whole of Wale,s- was ripe for local option. (Applause.) He could not say that for England, knowing that country as he did almost, as well as Wales. Save for a few bright spots, England was cer- tainly not ready, but he knew some parts of Wales that were actu ally ripe for prohibition (Applause and laughter.) The speaker would like to say that he was a temperance reformer, not a faddist: but though as keen in the tem- perance cause as any and a life-long abstainer, he was not fanatical enough to. want prohibition convinced as ho was that it was far too in ad- vance of the social and moral requirements of the people. (Applause.) During September be had been working in South Wales, at Barry, a port in Glamorganshire that ranked next to Car- diff in importance. Within the last few years practically a new town had sprung up round the docks. Enterprising brewers had bought plots of land in the most prominent positions, and erected gin-palaces thereon. But what hap- pened? Church and chapel, capital and labour, Liberal and Conservative joined together, and by their united efforts succeeding in getting no fewer than a dozen licences refused. (Loud ap- plause.) Was not that a splendid achievement? (Applause.) But it was only accomplished by united effort. Of those dozen buildings, some were worth £10,000, one was worth £ 12,000, and the speaker saw one which cost the former sum used as a common doss-house. But it is an il11 vwvnd that blows nobody good, and a build- ing originally intended for a gin-palace and which cost ^9,000 to erect was snapped up by the Y.M.O.A., who were on the look-out for new premises', for £ 2-,000, (Much laughter.) THE BUDGET. There was much speculation as to the forth- coming Budget. They had a right to postulate, and he heard it suggested—it was only a sug- gestion-that their fellow-countryman would bring in a sturdy Budget, which would deal with, among other things, monopoly values. (Applause.) It was an astonishing fact that if the licensed bouses of London were taxed -at the same rate as they were in New York city several millions a year would accrue to the Exchequer. He \»ould repeat that be was not fanatical. He would give fair play to the Trade. (Hear, hear the Chair man: Fair play, and no, more," and laughter.) There would be other important (things in the Budget, and he rather thought—it was a thought, no more—that the land question would be dealt with. He would not say moire, although he might know more-(laughtm),-but he would say that these very two questions would be certain to cause trouble with the Lords. It was a recognised fact that anything could be passed through the House of Lords that had reference to, commerce, about which the peers knew very Little1—(laughter),—such as Patent Acts and the, like, and many other things might be passed, but directly liquor or land was touched it was like putting a finger in their eye. (Laughter.) The people should con- centrate their attention on the Budget. The Lords could not amend it, and it remained to be seen whether they would have the daring audacity to reject the whole Bill and flaunt the fact in the face of the nation. If they did, they the Commons) would be able- to deal with them. (Applause.) Scotland and NVoles would then very likely be given power to manage their own domestic affairs. (Loud applause.) In the de- bate in the House of Lords on the Licensing Bill an Archbishop said that drunkards were hated by publicans; a Bishop said that drunk- ards were the worst enemies of publicans. This was perfectly true. Long ago they did not care whether a man became a drunkard or not, but now they wanted men to drink and drink and stop just before excess. The speaker did not wish to hurt the feelings of anyone present, but be, would say in all sincerity that the moderate drinkers and those who did not drink to excess were the supporters of the brewers, not the drunkards. (Hear, hear.) It was clear that the unfortunate drunkard was the worst possible advertisement the publican could have. The Children's Bill had been passed in spite of the Lords—'(applause)—and it was not generally known that it contained several clauses that figured in the Licensing Bill. The speaker read a number of such clauses, and cheers greeted the announcement of the various regula- tions now enforced to. prevent children entering public-houses. Referring to the changes in the bouirs of closing, the Hon. Member said that Mr. Balfour and the whole of the front bench were agreed on that point, and as they were debating one Friday afternoon, it looked as if the Government would be supported by the late Prime Minister and his phalanx on the temper- ance question. THE CHILDREN. Speaking of the vast amount of work there was to do for the amelioration of child life, the speaker said he hoped to see introduced a great Education Bill dealing with the health and physique of children. (Applause.) Teachers should be trained to enable them to teach their pupils the laws of physique. Too much time was spent on books, and time was wasted in preaching in some cases, the physical aspects not being considered at all. Much unemploy- ment was caused by the lack of continuation classes. Enough attention was not paid to. the health and character of the children, of whom 500,000 left our schools, annually at the age of 13, two-thirds never again to come under super- vision by the education authorities. They did not do thing's like that in Germany. In twenty-one out of the twenty-isft States. attendance, at continuation classes was, compulsory. The children, did not go at night, when their energies were' ex- hausted, but in the day time, when their mental faculties were at their best. Every encourage- melnt and facility for attending these classes were given by the German manufacturers, who did not even deduct from the wages the time lost from work. (Hear, hear.) In this country (there were some public-spirited employers of labour who assisted in a similar way, but it was far more general in Germany. In America and many foreign countries, girls were taught -to be housewives. All this might not seem to have reference to temperance. But did not con- tinuation classes uplift young people, and often- times improve their chance of living an honest, sober life, and enable them besides to get em- ployment? And how many men, the speaker wondered, were driven out of their homes in this country by incompetent wives who could neither cook nor mend stockings? (Laughter.) Certainly many thousands. And where did those men go if not to the public-house? He had ex- perienced great pleasure in helping to pass for Scotland a Bill providing continuation classes, and giving the educational authorities control over the children to the age of seventeen. (Ap- plause.) He was emphatically in favour of votes for women. (Applause.) He was sorry some of his friends had behaved so badly about it. He would remind them to be careful not to lose their friends, as he knew far a fact that several members had become unpopular by reason of their attitude on women's suffrage. In. political, as in other walks of life, one could not have too many friends. He hoped a Reform Bill would be passed before long. (Loud applause.) The s,peaker wrent on to speak of the misery Caused by drink, and deplored the fact that the working classes spent such large sums on a use- less and harmful article. Tie hoped to. see schemes set afoot in the near future for the re- clamation of waste land and for afforestation— (applause),—also pensions for infirm and in- jured, as were granted in Germany. All these questions and many others were parts off a great social question, which they were trying to solve, but drink was at the loot of all the evil. (Ap- I plause.) GWYNFRYN'S ELOQUENCE. The Rev. D. Gwynfryn Jones moved the fol- lowing resolution.:—"That this meeting of the Llandudno, Temperance Federation desires to express its emphatic protest against the action 01 the House of Lords in rejecting the Licensing Bill at the instance of brewers and financiers, after having passed the House of Commons by the largest majorities on record. The meeting further calls upon the Government to take such steps as they may deem expedient to. secure the immediate parsing of the Bill into law, and the I meeting further pledges, itself to give the Gov- ernment its heartiest support in carrying the Bill through all its stages into law." (Applause.) Mr, Jones delivered a rousing speech in Welsh on the question of the House of Lords, and severely condemned its rejection of the Licens- ing Bill. The audience were moved to a high pitch of enthusiasm by his eloquence, and clos- ing his ispeech with Cromwell's famous exhorta- tion, to Trust in God and keep your powder dry," be sat down to the accompaniment of loud icbeers. "MUZZLE THE LORDS." Councillor Dr. Carter said the assertion that men could not be made sober by Aft of Parlia- ment was not founded on fact. He instanced the beneficial effects caused by the introduction of legislation restricting the sale of arsenic, and the extinction of hydrophobia by Mr. Walter Long's courageous muzzling order. Why could they not muzzle the Lords? (Applause.) like their representative, he was not desirous of closing all public-houses, but would like to se,e the liquor traffic controlled, curbed, and regu- lated. (Applause.) Councillor J. J. Marias proposed a hearty vote of thanks to Mr. William Jones, the Rev. D. Gwynfryn. Jones, and Dr. Carter. Councillor T. W. Griffiths seconded. Mr. William Jones briefly replied and pro- posed a vote of thanks to the Chairman.

Christmas Day at Colwyn Bay Cottage Hospital. The Matron, on behalf of the Board of Man- agement, gratefully thanks the following friends for their kind interest: —■ Mrs. Eden sent Mr. Whitley's choir to sing caiols on Christmas eve On Christmas. Day Miss Marjorie Dunning and Miss Helen Booth came to sing carols. It will interest many to hear that little David Williams (an old patient) came from Mochdre with the aid of a pair of crutches, and brought a young sister to carry a gramaphone, which gave delight to all. Mr. Walter Whitebead distributed coins fresh from the mint. Best thanks are due for the following gifts:- Mr. Raynes, _a turkey. Miss Horton, Hyfrydle, Old Colwyn, a turkey, pheasant, ham, cheese, meat pie, sausages, soup, plum pudding, mincemeat, Christmas cake, jellies, shortbread, plum cake, mince pies, eggs, preserved fruit, nuts, oranges, apples, grapes, crackers, chocolate, preserved plums, rasp- berries, apricotes, pineapple, flowers, plants, cauliflowers, &c., &c. Mrs. Halliwell, turkey, sausages, Christmas cake, fresh butter, fancy cakes, plum pudding, scones, tea-buns, preserved fruit, &c. Mrs. Helsby, piece of beef, plum pudding. Miss Dorothy Helsby, toys, games, and books. Mrs. Hammond, bananas, grapes, and 5s. Two friends, crackers. Miss Wood, Seawood Hill, currants, raisins, and candid peel. Miss Dowsett, 10s. Miss Richmond, three sorap books. Miss Zeta Lord, Dimarth-road, dolls and books. Miss Earp, oranges, bananas, and marmalade. Miss Francis, Tanllwyfan sack of potatoes. Mrs. Flower, jelly, oranges, and flowers. Mr11s. Eden, mince-pies, jelly, apples, and Christmas cards. Mrs. Schiiel, turnips, Brussels sprouts, cauli- flowers cabbage, and flowers. Mr. LLoyd, Douglas House, oranges, and mince-pies. Mr. Walter Whitehead, flowers and grapes. Miss Preece, children's toy books. Mrs. Booth, plum pudding. Messrs. Parry and Jones, plumbers, two gas globes and new burner. Mr. David Davies, Fair Mount, Old Colwyn, evergreens. Miasters Jack and Dick Booth, evergreens. Per Mr. Sam Roberts, evergreens. Mrs. Johnston, Bowden, flowers. Miss G. C Jones, London, jam.

The Gospel of Fresh Air. At the monthly meeting of the Dolgelly Rural Council Mfr. John Edwards, the Inspector ol Nuisances, reported that he had visited the ele- mentary schools in the district. In many in- stances the atmosphere was .stifling, owing to closed windows and ventilators'. Mr. Morris Jones: The schoolmasters dare not open the windows. If the children caught colds the parents would immediately put the case down to draughts at school. Dr. Hugh Jones said that during the ten years he had held the medical officership he had been preaching in season! and out of season the im- portance of fresh air. The various germs of disease bred in close, badly-ventilated rooms, and the sooner the schoolmasters realised this the better. It was decided to call the attention of the education authority to the matter.

Suffragists in North Wales. NEW JOURNAL PUBLlSHEiD BY MILITANT SECTION AT LLANDUDNO. The first day of the New Year saw the birth of another suffrage journal, the new-comer being the Llandudno Suffrage News," published under the auspices of the Llandudno branch of the N.U.W.S.S. which, it is pointed out in capi- tal letters on the titLe page, is non-party and non-militant. The editress, in her address or letter to the subscribers, implo,res each member to get one convert each quarter. I intst point out to you," she writes, that it is not a difficult matter converting people. There are hundreds of people about who are just waiting and wishing to be converted. They are really converted but they want to be con- vinced of the fact .0 let us all take up this work in the New Year, that in years to come we may be able to say, I helped to get the vote for women.' It is announced that the next number will con- tain a full statement of accounts, and a com- plete list of all the .by-elections fought since the general election showing what action the National Union has taken in each. This appears to be rather a risky promise, for the journal is only a four-page one, two pages and a half of which are taken -up with the title, rules, and list of the members

There is a little place in Scotland which can hold 'up its head with Lilanfairmathafarneitbaf, if mot with iLlanfairpwllgwyngyll, &c., itself. It is called—Drimmnitavichillichat an.

A Colwyn Bay Pavilion. THE NEW CONDUCTOR. We are officially informed that the gentleman who was appointed Musical Director for the coming season at, Colwyn Bay has desired the Board of Directors to ralieve him of that posi- tiOln, and that they have, acceded to his request. The Directors have been fortun,ate in secur- ing in his place one of the ablest conductors in the country, in the person: of Mr. Cramer- •Suckiley, the Band Master of the Yorkshire Hussars and of the Victorian Blues. This eminent musician's reputation and popularity are known throughout the country, as for some years he has been appearing in the principal towns of England and Scotland, where his military orchestra, has proved a huge success. Tin the course of another week we hope to give an account of Mr. Cramer- S ackl,ey's, career, and arrangement's are being made for him to bring down to Colwyn Bay his celebrated regimental orchestra at an early date, in order that the residents of Colwyn Bay may have an oppor- tunity of making his acquaintance. It is noteworthy that Mr. Cramer-Suckie-y has recently been offered two other important posts —the first was that of conductor of the Brighton Corporahon's orchestra, and the second that of conductor of the Torquay Corporation's orchestra—and that he has declined both, pre- ferring to lead the musical fortunes of Colwyn Bay.

Re E. JONES & ROS., PRINTERS, BOOKBINDERS, &c. £ ■?:<„ „,w/ |||§L f -■■■' ■ -v it • # ? I T -km- f! f* wtmam V\ v'7 • •.« W. fell 1 •{• f 1. ill JSSS ills If I ■-b £ ■■■ >?>V; -J' ll pa; ■ •* i-> :;•rsis'■ Tv- .M 1 Ring us up, please, When desirous 01 making inquiries. Our Colwyn Bay Telephone No. is 31, and for our Works: 12a Conway. ONE OF OUR COMPOSING ROOMS. We are ready always To serve you, and we can do so without difficulty, on account of the large resources at our command. ONE OF OUR MACHINE ROOMS. We make a Speciality Of Fine Printing, Binding and Stationery. Can we help you in these Departments? R. E. JONES & BROS., "Weekly News" Office, STATION ROAD, COLWYN BAY; THE QUAY, ROSE HILL STREET, and BANGOR ROAD, CONWAY.