The North Wales Weekly News

Right Hon. Augustine Birrell at Llandudno. Great Liberal Demonstration. Threatened Rejection of the Budget by the Lords. Sir Charles B. McLaren on Local Effects of Tariff Reform. Why Old Age Pensions were Established. The Right Hon. Augustine Birrell, M.P., the Chief Secretary for Ireland, received an enthusi- astic welcome on Friday night at LlandudnOs where he delivered an important address at the Grand Theatre. A demonstration in support of the Budget had been arranged by the Llandudno Liberal Club, and, thanks in. the main to the resource and energy of the Hon. Secretary, Mr. Robert Ro- berts, the meeting was a triumph of organisa- tion. It was, of course, much more than that; but the success achieved could not possibly have been brought about but for the weeks of careful planning and the close attention to detail on the part of Mr. Roberts and his colleagues. It had been intended to hold the meeting in the large Pier Pavilion, which would have been more spacious for the occasion; but as the Pavilion was not available, recourse was had to the Grand Theatre, which, though smaller than the Pavilion, is in every respect an ideal place for the purpose. The theatre, of course, could easily have been filled by Llandudno sympath- isers olne. But the Committee, with a catholicity of spirit which does them credit, decided not to let Llandudno monopolise the meeting, and de- cided that the neighbouring towns should also have an opportunity of participating in the rare oratorial treat which was being provided. Con- sequently, facilities were given for Liberals at Colwyn Bay, Conway, and neighbouring locali- ties to obtain tickets with the minimum of trouble to themselves. THE EXPECTED SUFFRAGETTES. At the same time, the utmost caution had to be exercised in the granting of these tickets, es- pecially to lady applicants The grim shadow of the militant suffragette cast a shadow of sus- picion over everything, with the result that no ticket was granted to a lady unless her husband or her sweetheart made himself answerable for her good conduct. And even that guarantee was not alone sufficient, for in addition the local Liberal Secretary in each town had to fill in the nélime and address of the holder upon the ticket. All these formalities were rigidly insisted upon and adhered to, the organisers being determined that nothing should pe wanting on their part to obviate the possibility of Mr. Birrell being an noyed by the polite attentions of members of the Suffragist camp. But despite all these precautions public curio- sity was tickled on Friday morning by the rumour, industriously soread, that no fewer than three hundred Suffragettes had invaded Llandudno with the determination of molesting Mr. Birrell. It was, therefore, with anticom- tions of lively times that people from the surrounding district journeyed to Llandudno, and in train and tram this was the chief topic of conversation. By the time, however, that they reached Llandudno, Dame Rumour had re- duced the number of interrupters from three hundred to fifteen, with a few Scotland Yafd 1 detectives thrown in to add. piquancy to the story. But whether they numbered three hun- dred or more ar less, not one of the Suffragettes succeeded in gaining admission, with the result that for once in a way Mr. Birrell was enabled to deliver his address in peace. That he him. self had expected trouble, and that he was grate- ful to the organisers and stewards for the im- munity he enjoyed, was evident by certaiii, of his remarks at the close of the meeting. THE AUDIENCE. Seven o'clock was the time announced for the opening of the proceedings, but long before that time the theatre was crowded in every part, and too much praise cannot be bestowed upon, the stewards, of whom there was a large number, for the way in which they carried out their duties. And in many respects it was an interest- v ing audience. It was an intelligent audience. It was an enthusiastic audience. And for the most part was a young audience. Its enthusiasm showed itself on frequent occa- sion. Its intelligence was proved by the readiness with which every point in the speeches was seized, and by the restraint 1 which prevailed when opponents were named and criticised. Mr. Balfour's name was men- tioned several times, yet not once was it greeted with hissing or booing or any other mark of animosity. The dominant note of the meeting was one of calm, quiet confidence in a moment of national crisis, and this was all the more re- markable because, as we have said, the audience was for the greater part a young one. These youthful Liberals of both sexes acted with the calm demeanour of seasoned veterans who had passed through many such a crisis before and were confident of ultimate victory. During the time the large gathering were as- ,semibling and taking their seats the curtain was kept lowered. Then, just after seven o'clock, it was raised, disclosing to view a not inconsider- able audience of men and women seated on the stage. Here were representative Liberal leaders and officials from all parts of Carnarvonshire, including the Boroughs, and also from West Denbighshire. Shortly afterwards the two audi- ences rose and joined m cheering the arrival of the Chairman (Mr. Woodall), Mr. Birrell, Mr. W. Jones, M.P. (the Member of the Division), Sir Charles B. McLaren", K.C., M.P., and Lady McLaren, Mr. Francis McLaren (the youthful candidate for the Spalding Division of Lincoln- shire), Mr. Ellis W. Davies, M.P. for South Car- narvon, and other members of the Bodnant Hall party. THE SPEECHES. The cheering was renewed and was continued for sime time when the silver-haired Chair- man rose to deliver his opening speech. Throughout, North Wales, Mr. Woodall is known, and admired for his staunch ad- herence to his Liberal principles and for the in-valuable assistance which he is ren- dering to the cause' at Llandudno and in the Arfon Division. Although he spoke with diffi- culty, he held the audience from beginning to end of his somewhat lengthy address, and he fired the audience with his own enthusiasm. There was much laughter when he at- tempted to read the signatures to an ap- peal he had received for funds in aid of the Tariff Reform movement. He man aged the names of the Duke of Devonshire and Lord Ridley well enough, but there was one signature which he could not negotiate. This," he said, is a gentleman, who hasn't learnt to write," whereat the audience was set rocking with laughter. Then Mr. William, Jones whispered something in Mr. Woodall's ear. Oh," said he, I- beg the gentleman's pardon. I am informed that he is Mr. Austen Chamber- lain." The laughter at the expense of the ex- Chancellor was renewed. When Mr. Birrell rose, the audience all stcoo up, and there was a veritable tornado of cheer- ing, which was continued for some time, and then a few young men attempted-to sing For fte's a jolly good fellow," but their efforts can hardly be described as successful. When, silence having been restored Mr. Birrell commenced his address, he made a shrewd hit at their vocal failure, and amid laughter, re- marked that they would, no doubt, have done much better had they chosen The Land of my Fathers." Both the critic- ism and the compliment were so neatly ex. pressed that they put the company in excellent humour. Then, in his own charming literary way, the distinguished statesman told of his as- sociations with Llandudno how fifty years ago he played on those shores, and there was some- thing extremely beautiful in the way in which he spoke of the Great Orme, the magnificent Conway Castle, the glorious river, and the mountains and lakes be- yond," all of which he knew so well. Who knew them if not I?" he asked, and there was a thunderous cheer in response, which was changed to laughter when he referred to the harmless piers of the North Wales Coast," which added point to his subsequent allusions to peers in another place." For upwards of an hour the Chief Secretary spoke with consum- mate skill, and at one time, when he apologised for detaining his hearers so long, there were loud cries of Go on," which revealed how delighted everyone was with his speech. Mr. Birrell, as is his wont, spoke with the utmost ease, and it was a supreme pleasure to watch and to hear him. He has few platform mannerisms, though in moments of passion both hands are brought into play. For the most part a vein of sly humour ran. through the address, but at times there was a note of scorn and defiance" whicti revealed the speaker's view of the seriousness of the political situation and his determination to resist what he regarded as the unconstitutional character of the step ,suggested for the House of Lords to adopt in regard to the Budget. His compliments to the Welsh Chancellor of the Exchequer and to Mr. William Jones were phrased in a way which pleased the audience all the better for containing not one word Oil. fulsome flattery. A North Wales audience can appreciate—none better—perfection of literary expression, and so the gathering had a speaker exactly after their own hearts. To literary charm were added a personal charm and a charm of manner, with the result that the company were delighted with both the orator and his oratory. One of the best hits of the evening was made when the Chief Secretary replied to the vote of thanks proposed by Mr. William Jones. The Hon. Member spoke of the success which had attended Mr. Birrell's administration of Irish affairs, and this necessitated an allusion to co- operative agriculture in Ireland. I know," said Mr. Jones. that he is angry with me tor praising him. He prefers criticism, to praise. He is one of those who prefer brimstone to treacle!" 'In responding, Mr. Birrell quietly remarked, Mr. Jones has not given us brimstone or treadle, but be has brought us Irish butter in, a lordly Welsh dish." Needless to say, the laugh- ter and cheering at this sally were loud and long. Following Mr. Birrell came Sir C'. B. Mc- Laren, whose condemnation of Tariff Reform created a profound impression, especially when he expressed the opinion that a return to the fis- cal policy of sixty years ago would be ruinous to the North Wales resorts. Sir Charles, as the chairman of very important coal, iron, and rail- ,rm way companies, is a great financier whose words on such a subject naturally carry great weight, and his pronouncement was regarded as specially significant. Mr. Ellis W. Davies and Mr. Wm. Jones aroused great enthusiasm, and then a great ovation, was accorded to Mr. Francis Mc- Laren, who looks so very young that it was difficult to realise that he had already entered upon his political career as an adopted candi- date. This young politician, for whom Mr. Birrell predicted a great future, has a most en- gaging platform style, and his voice has in it the ring of earnestness and sincerity. The meeting was orderly and harmonious throughout. THE CHAIRMAN ON THE CRISIS. The Chairman, said that from his earliest years he seemed to have heard it proclaimed from political platforms that never in previous history had the issue before the public been more vital to the interests of this great nation than that upon which the electors had then to deter- mine. Whatever there might have been of truth or fiction in these declarations in time past, he felt convinced that there was deep truth in the statement that such a crisis was upon us now. The majority of the Upper House were making the greatest possible efforts to effect an inroad upon, the privileges of the Commons. If they should succeed in their efforts in that direction, they (the Liberal party) might say good-bye to all they hoped for from Mr. Lloyd George's Budge,t-( cheers) ,-and they would suffer con- sequential injuries from which they might not recover for a century to come. Could they sur- render the liberties they enjoyed now that had come down to them from so many generations? (" No," and cheers.) The Rev. John Raymond moved and Council- lor David Davies seconded a resolution of con- fidence in the Government and of approval of the Budget.

Mr. Birrell defines the issues. The issues that will be put before you next January, if the House of Lords reject the Budget, will be: First and foremost the place of the House of Lords in the future in the Constitution of this country second, .the full and. free determination of the House of Commons to maintain to the death its rights of control over the finances of the count,ry; and, third, the fierce opposition to any proposed legislation which must have the effect of increasing the prices of the necessar- ies of life. In these plain terms Mr. Birrell put before the great meeting the momentous issues which were involved in the rejection by the House of Lords of the Finance Bill. It was idle to deny, he said, that they were on the eve of a great contest, if it. be true, as he was told, that the non-representative Cham- ber meant solemnly, and formally, and after due notice, to, challenge the right, hitherto prac- tically undisputed, of the representatives of the people to determine how the great and growing burden of taxation was to be distributed over the land. If they challenged that right, and sought to depart from the ancient custom of this realm,, and if they disregarded the rights which their forefathers won for them, all he could say was that it was they who had thrown away the sword, and the Liberal party would cast away the scabbard till victory was finally won. (Cheers.) There was no need at this time to discuss closely the details of the Budget. The fact stoou out that here they were on 12th November, and the Budget was not yet passed. Such a thing had never occurred before. It was true that it had emerged from the House of Cb-mmons sup-

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ported by a huge, unprecedented, and gigantic majority. By the ancient law and custom and Constitution of this country that Budget was al- ready the accredited law of the land, and all it waited, for now—if the Constitution was properly r-egarded--was that the non-representative Chamber should register it as the will ot v-ie people, and allow it to take its place upon the Statute Book. MUST AND WILL BECOME LAW. The Budget had undergone many changes in order to ease the galLed back of the taxpayer wherever he had winced, and given proof of his wincing with justice. He had; been relieved with cartloads of straw, jjnd tons of cotton wool had been applied to the sore places. The Budget had come out of a fiery den. Dur- ing the prolonged ordeal it had received the con- firmation of the representatives of the people, and if law and custom n, this country were not to be ruthlessly disregarded "it would, and it must, become law. (Cheers.) They had been told that the House of Lords had made up their minds to disregard custom and authority, and to render the Budget as naught. I honestly find it (continued the Irish Secre- tary) very difficult to believe they will do, any- thing of the kind. (Cheers.) Charles Lamb once expressed the desire to examine the bumps on the head of a man who- had uttered some ex- travagant literary judgment. I confess—if there is not something scandalous in the suggestion— that I feel strongly urged to examine the bumps of those members of the House of Lords who really contemplate coming into collision with the Constitution and the country at this time of day, and challenge the authority of the House off Commons to determine the mode and distri- bution of taxation. (Loud cheers.) WHO ARE THE LORDS? It still remains impossible to believe that they will do so. (Cheers.) Let us consider for a moment the consequence of such a claim. They are claiming for the first time the right to reject not this Budget only, but all Budgets until the last syllable of recorded time. If you recognise the right of a non-elected Chamber to send any Government about its business, then there is an end to all hopes of wise legislation. Who are the House of Lords? At the present moment practically and in a Parliamentary sense the House of Peers are permanent non-elected members of the Tory party. I have no objection to a Tory if he is elected, provided he has not adopted violent methods in securing his return. (Laughter.) We may take our chance of any Tory majority in the House of Commons, but the "House of Lords are permanent Tories who are there and whom you cannot turn out. What is the position in the House of Com- mons now? Mr Balfour is overwhelmingly beaten in every division. In ordinary circum- stances that might be somewhat disheartening to a leader of the Opposition, but it is much easier for him than it is for anybody else, because he knows perfectly well that the measure under consideration has only got to go across the lobby to another House where he has a vast majority, and where when the thing is put to the vote, an entirely different result will ensue. The laugh will be on his side. It is easy for him to say, Thank God for the House, of Lords !"— (laughter)—for it wipes out nine-tenths of the effect of the great Liberal majority in the House of Commons. THE PRIVILEGE OF MUTILATION. The House of Lords have got by the Consti- tution as it stands at present over all subjects, except finance, a well-nigh uncontrolled author- ity, which enables them to mutilate Liberal measures, so that from the very beginning you have to frame a Bill so that it will, by the kind permission of Lord Lansdowne, squeeze through and pass. The House of Lords are now claiming the right, which they have never hitherto enjoyed, of dictating to the Liberal party, to the progres- sive party, whether it has any right to exist at all. No House of Commons has ever been able to get a vote of confidence in the House of Lords for 25 years. Now they claim the right to throw out the Budget, which necessitates either the Government goin,p, out of office or an immediate appeal to the country. That is in- tolerable. (Cheers.) I &av unhesitatingly, if we allow it, it will be no use any of us belonging any longer to the Liberal or any branch of the progressive party. (Cheers.) THE PLAIN TSSUE. The issue is one of the plainest ever put be- fore the country. We shall ask the broad ques- tion, what right have they to be there at all? (Cheers.) Hitherto, whatever were the faults of the House of Lords, they were a stolid and unimaginative body of men. They stuck in the old ruts as long as they possibly could. They have been animated by the instinct of self-pre- servation. I now ask myself how do these stolid and unimaginative men come to adopt the dan- gerous line—dangerous I mean for themselves. The reason, I believe, is they are drunk wnn the new wine of Tariff Reform. (Cheers.) They are determined at all costs, and at the risk of their own political lives, to challenge the verdict of the country on the question, of Free. Trade versus Protection. It is said we will have a general election, but that I find it difficult to believe. TALES OF LYING. The Tories are convinced we are trying to. win the. next election by telling awful and shocking" lies, and they drag me out of the obscurity to which I naturally belong. (Laughter.) They go about holding me up to scorn and ridicule as the great liar-in-chief of the last general elec- tion. (Laughter.) I am held up as-the, propa- gator and distributor of all the lies that were told at the last general election about Chinese labour. All ihat itself is a lie. They know it is a lie, and yet they go on lying in a manner which would be irritating if it were not amus- ing. (Laughter.) As a matter of fact the Lib- eral Publication Department issued not a single one of the posters, whether good or had, about Chinese labour. What about their own lies? I don't know whether it is a lie to, say that Tariff Reform will cure unemployment. Of course it was a stupendous lie. Don't believe it-it is demon- strably, obviously, and radically untrue. (Cheers.) WHY SIR CHARLES McLAREN SUPPORTS THE BUDGET. Sir Charles Bright McLaren, M.P., who re- ceived a cordial reception, said that North Wales had a peculiar attraction for statesmen. His uncle, John Bright—(hear, hear),—was a fre- quent visitor to Llandudno, and coming to more recent times, they had had stars of the first mag- nitude in Mr Winston Churchill, Mr Runciman, Mr Lloyd George, and now they had the Chiet Secretary for Ireland. (Hear, hear.) He felt that he had listened to one of the most brilliant and convincing speeches that had ever been made by the right hon. gentleman. Nothing was more impressive than his argument to show that the House of Lords were contemplating a re-actionary step which was a direct violation of that Constitution, which had been handed down to, us for centuries from our forefathers. They had come there not only to protest against such an unconstitutional act, but to express their confidence that the Budget was a just and right one. (Applause.) He honestly believed that no more just Budget had ever been introduced in the House of Commons to meet the circum- stances of the time. (Hear, hear.) He would go further than the Chancellor of the Exchequer, and! say that Budget laid no burden upon trade, or the capital employed in the trade, neither upon those who worked in the trades. It was said that the super-tax was robbing the rich. The supertax was only a form of graduated in- come tax, and they had had graduated income taxes in the country for generations. He should like to know where was the want of principle, the robbery, and the injustice of the death duties. It was stated that it would drive capital out of the country. He did not believe for a single moment that the small extra taxes would I J have the slightest effect upon driving capital out ë 3f the country. (Applause.) Capital had al- ways been going out to other countries, and all the populations of those: countries were working upon British capital. EFFECTS OF TARIFF REFORM. What would be the condition of the people of the country if the Tories brought in a Budget based on Tariff Reform? They would, relieve j the land of its taxes, and throw the whole bur- de.n on the poor. A tariff of ten per cent. meant 2s. in the Z, and a man who was earning a sovereign a week would only be able to buy 18s. worth of goods. Referring to the North Wales Coast, he asked what would be the effect on the hotels, boarding houses, and the shopkeepers who ministered to the wants of the visitors from Lan- cashire and the Midlands- who, spent their now high wages in holiday making? It meant that these workmen would earn, less money, arm would spend a shorter holiday, and less money in general would be spent on the Coast, and all the time the expenses would be heavier, and their rents woluld go up. From an important point of view, there was no part of the country that would lose more heavily than the district in which they lived in North Wales. (Cheers.) Interested as he was in the prosperity of North and South Wales, he felit it his duty to come there and support His Majesty's Government. (Hear, hear.) The speaker went on to refer to the charges of Socialism brought against the Budget, and he added that nothing would give such a strong impetus to Socialism as the pro- posed action of the House of Lords. There was no law, except the unwritten law, which en- abled the House of Lords to, exist at all as a legislative chamber. He was a Radical in poli- tics, but he had strong Conservative instincts. He believed that the institutions of the country were amongst their most precious heritage but he said that if the so-called Conservative party were, by the aot of the House of Lords, laying the axe-tc, the root of their most cherished con- stitutions and privileges, neither the House c>i Lords, or any other institution, would be worth a generation's purchase. (Loud applause.) CARNARVONSHIRE AND OLD AGE PENSIONS. Mr Ellis W. Davies, M.P. for South Carnar- vonshire, next addressed, the meeting and referred in, eulogistic terms to the services of Mr Birrell to the country. Personally he did not share the anticipation that the House of Lords would be good enough to give the country an opportunity of sweeping them from existence. His only fear was that they would withdraw at the last moment. The speaker referred to old age pen- sions, adding that the granting of such pensions was not a question of mercy or sympathy, but a question of citizenship. Personally, he thought a good deal more could be said and ought to be said by religion with regard to poli- tics. The real issue between the democracy and the land owners was as to who should pay for social reform. With regard to the increased licensing duties, he pointed out that they were too small if the value asked for licences when compensation was to be paid, was the real test. (Hear, hear.) The poverty of a nation was the product of its laws, and if they lived in a poor district, they could not gather wealth. At the present moment they were receiving in Carnar- vonshire by way of old age pensions £28,000. a year. It secured happiness to the recipients, and also the money was circulated for the first time in the county. (Hear, hear.) The total amount of rates collected in the county amounted to something like Z48,000 a year, and he ventured to say that through the taxes on sugar, tea, &c., they paid out of the county £ 50,000 a year, and he was going to suggest to the democracy of Llandudno that, the time had arrived when that £ 50,000 should be contributed bv the wealthy people of the county. (Applause.) The real struggle before them was the very exist- ence of the House of Lords, and whether or not the taxes of the country should be, as in the past, paid by the poor and thrifty, or whether they would be placed upon those who enjoyed and were reaping the wealth of the country. (Loud applause.) CONFIDENCE IN MR. W. JONES, M.P. The President then proposed a vote of un- abated confidence in their member (Mr William Jones). Mr John Roberts, Bryn Celyn, seconded in an English and Welsh speech,, and it was carried unanimously. MAKE READY FOR THE FRAY!" Mr William Jones, M.P., on rising to respond, was given an enthusiastic ovation. Diolch i chwi o galon were his first remarks. He had now to propose their hearty thanks to Mr Birrell for his kindness in addressing the meeting. Mr Birrell filled one of the most difficult positions in the Government. He was responsible for the whole administration of Ireland, and they knew what Sister Ireland was capable of. He had been criticised, slandered, abused in an, excep- tional manner. He did not think Mr Lloyd George and the Budget had been more slandered than Mr Birrell, but he survived them all. (Laughter, and applause.) He went on to refer to the services of Mr Birrell to Irish Univer- sity education, and said that he heard him make a speech in the House which entranced three ex- chief Secretaries, and more than that, he (Mr Jones,) saw that speech bring the Orangemen arnct Unionists to fall on the neck of the Nationalists -a miracle. (Loud applause.) Mr Birrell had done a great deal to break the barriers in Ire- land, and he would be more successful when able to plant more tenant farmers on the land in Ireland. Referring to the House of Lords, ne said that he was going to wait patiently, but he wished them to burnish their armour and make ready for the fray. Here was a fight that they would have to fight to the death. (Loud ap- plause.) It was the people against the heredit- ary chamber. He wanted them in Llandudno to, reim-ember that those names represented mono- poly, privilege, self-interest, landed interest, and they had got their knife at the throat of the liberty of the people. Concluding, he said I want you to stand as firm as the rocks on your native" hills. I want Arfon Liberals to be sound." (Loud applause.) Mr Francis McLaren, son of Sir Charles and Lady McLaren. who was introduced to the audi- ence as the Liberal candidate for the Spalding division of Lincolnshire, seconded the vote of thanks, and was most cordially received. He said they had to thank Mr Birrell for his ser- vices to the country, for his services to Wales with reference to the great injustice of the edu- cation question, and, also for his services to Ire- land. He had only to say that when Mr Birrell came again to Llandudno,, he might be assured of as heartv a welcome as he had received that evening. (Applause.) The resolution was carried with acclamation. THE ABSENT SUFFRAGETTES. In returning thanks, Mr Birrell said that Mr William Jones was one. of his best friends dur- ing the Irish University Bill. Another accusa- tion, made against him (the speaker) was that he was a Papist, but they could not say that about Mr William Jones—'(laughter),—who, therefore pulled him, through. He now wished to publicly thank him for his support. As for his young friend, he was sure they were all glad to see fresh generations of Liberals, who. it seemed to him, would very soon push them from their stools, but in the meantime he must keep his ,n young friend out of office a little longer. (Laugh- ter and applause.) 'He also desired to extend his thanks to anybody present who thought they would like to disturb him, but had refrained. (Laughter.) He fully sympathised with the de- sire of all persons to make their political wants known. (Hear, hear.) He sympathised with them to the full, and they would have plenty of opportunity during the coming election, in a most legitimate manner. Let them all have free speech in this country, courtesy, and good behaviour. There was nothing more horrible, more painful, and more shocking that he could imagine than to see a woman turned out of a meeting. (Hear, hear.) He was, therefore, very thanlkful that he had been spared anything of that sort that night, and he attributed it, per- haps, to the all-inspiring presence of the Chair- man, to whom he proposed a hearty vote of thanks. (Applause.) This was carried unanimously, and the meet- ing terminated. Mr Birrell, who was the guest of Sir Charles and Lady McLaren, drove to Bodnant Hall, and the party were given a most enthusiastic send-off as they departed from the theatre.