The Rhos Herald

HILL STREET C Thanks- giving services were held at the above place on Mondiv evening Jsst, when tbe Rev J Calvin Thomas. NV: j;;h inT, p eached. WEDDING.—1 he marriage took phce at the English Presbyterian Church, Rhos on Saturday, of Mr Isaac Fair ell, School street, Rhos, and Miss Elizabeth Maies, The Square. The ceiemony was performed by the Rev R Wil,liai-ns.

MR HEMMERDE ANSWERS "JOHN JONES." .F# MEETING AT THE PUBLIC HALL. PERSONAL EXPLANATIONS. o A political meeting was held in the Pub- lic Hall, Rhos, on Monday evening, when Mr Hemmerde K.C., M.P., addressed his constituents. More than ordinary inter- est was evinced in the meeting, owing to a letter which appeared in our last issue unde; the signature of 11 John Jones." This letter summarised certain rumours which Mr Hemmerde was asked to ex- plain. The letter hinted that a large num- ber of electors were dissatisfied with his low attendance at the House his neglect of the constituency since the last election his ignoring of the Young Liberal League his attitude towards the forthcoming Teachers' Conference and his indiffer- ence towards all local functions. The Hall was well filled. Mr Hem- merde was accompanied to the platform by the Chairman (Mr Ed. Hughes, Wrex- ham) Mr M. Kyffin, Mr Ted Jones, Mr Edgar Hughes, Mr K. Wynne, Mr Rich- ard Jones, Mr Robinson, Wrexham, Mr C. Morgan, Mr S. Rowley, Mr Thomas Lewis;, Wrexham, Mr W. Garner, and others. The Chairman said the first thing they ought to do was to welcome Mr Hemmer- de to Rhos after his long absence. His absence had been longer than his consti- tuents wished, and certainly longer than Mr Hemmerde himself desired. The fact of the matter was, that Mr Hemmerde had worked too hard at the last election, and that now by the strict orders of his medical attendant, he was forbidden to take part in public speaking for some time. That was the reason why he had not come amongst us before. Mr Hughes referred to Mr Hemmerde's great work during the last election, and to the valua- ble services he had rendered to weak con- stituencies. Ever since he had been their candidate, Mr Hemmerde hd done incal- culable service by his preaching on the Land Tax and Land Valuation. (Cheers). Mr HEMMERDE, who was received with cheers, said that when he came to Rhos that day, the last thing he thought was that he should have to make any explana- tions. He had not the least idea there was any dissatisfaction there had never been any reason for it. Possibly there were some misunderstandings and mis- statements current which his absence had allowed to go uncorrected. They remem- bered that at the last election he had ask- ed their permission to join in the fight a id to leave East Denbighshire to carry on the fight in his absence. They did so, as his large majority amply testified. Af- ter the election he addressed a large crowd at Wrexham, and only just had time to catch a train for Birmingham where he was due to help in a meeting. The next night he was at Wiltshire, and every night for a time, he helped weak seats. Then when his thoughts reverted to Rhos and the division, and when he had chosen a night to come and address them, he was asked to postpone it because it clashed with some other meeting in the district. A second time he fixed upon a day and again he was asked to postpone it. This brought them up to Easter. A holiday was here necessary, and this shortly af- terwards brought them to the King's death. From that day to this he had not heard any suggestion that he ought to be in the division, and was not in the divis- ion. RegardlesS^of health and against the advice of his doctor he had since Jan- uary last gone to help his friends at West Hartlepool and Dorset, With the excep- tion ot those two places he had not ad- dressed any public meeting. He thought it wou!d be better if his critics took the trouble to find out if his health would allow him to attend the House before venturing to charge him with neglect. The man who was always in the House was never wanted out of it. He was never in the House during the who'e ut last session after eleven o'clock, for his health would not allow him to be there. The result was that he had few divisions to his credit. The only two oc- casions that he broke upon this rule was when the House of Lords question and the Budget was being decided upon. Not only was he present on those two occas- ions, but he also spoke in the House both times. (Cheers), When he came to East Denbighshire first, he came and fought us a politician and a politician only. He toJd them at the time that not being a rich man it would be impossible for him to subscribe to this, that, and the other. He looked upon it as a most degrading feature in English political life when they tried to turn their member into a sort of genera! I relieving officer. He always read the Rhos Herald, and someone had been kind enough to send him an extra copy that week. In it he found a letter by H Johr Jones" some parts of which were couched in rather ob- jectionable terms. He wondered if it was the same person reported in the next col- umn of the paper, who, when asked for his name on a charge of using bad lang uage, said it was U John Jone" (Laugh- ter). John Jones" had asked him to deal frankly with certain points, and he proposed to do so. Shortly after the el- ection he received letters from some friends asking him to assist them in es- tablishing a Young Liberal Club a Rhos and Johnstown. The letters ask d him to see several members of Parliament with a view of securing their help. He saw one or two M.P's, but he was unable to secure for them the assistance they need- ed. He then wrote to his friend Mr Ed- ward Hughes, Wrexham, asking him to go to Rhos and see how things were with the club-whether they were in need of funds, and whether he might possibly do something quietly himself to help them. He had received no reply from Mr Hughes and naturally he presumed they were get- ting on all right. He had never heard a word since about the club. He never wanted to refuse assistance to any club which helped to spread the principles of Liberalism and so far from its being true that he undertook to be responsible for a substantial sum of money for that club, it was a downright lie. The club was anxious, not for his personal monet- ary assistance, but that he should ap- proach other members and endeavour to enlist their sympathy and aid. They had never asked him to subscribe personally at all. Everything that he had been able to do to help the club he had done. And he said this If the complaint raised by John Jones had any wider scope, and if the people regretted having adopted a man who was a politician only, they had the remedy in their own hands. (Cheers). Another matter referred to in the letter had to do with the Teachers' Conference. It was true that he was asked to preside on Sept 23rd or 30th, but he had never been asked to preside in October. One of the dates he had been asked to preside at, happened to be the anniversary of his wedding day, and he had made it a point not to accept any engagements on that day. On the other date he was pledged to support his friend Mr Neilson, and he did not think he was justified in breaking his pledge to attend a non-political funct- ion as the Teachers' Conference was. In connection with this matter he had re- ceived a letter from a local gentleman stating that he should withdraw his polit- ical support from him in consequence of his attitude." It is also suggested that as I cannot at- tent the House more regularly, they should have a Welsh Nationalist to repre- sent them. Let them see how other Welsh Nationalists attended. Ellis Dav-, ies, 67 Mabon, 75 Brace, 70 Alfred, Thomas, 59 Ellis Griffith and D. Davies 40. These were not very much bet- ter than his own. He had been elected tor this division by a democratic vote, and when he left it, it would be after a similar election, and not at the bidding of "J ohn Jones" and one or two people who had never approv d of his candidature. He would fight as /a politician, and not as a bazaar opener. Cheer). It had also be n made a matter of crit- icism that he eid not attend their Eistedd- fod. On this point he should like to tell them that as a barrister he could not pos- sibly make appointments months ahead. On the occasion of the first Eisteddfod he was speaking in the House. For a few years to come he would not be able to come down to the division when the House and the Courts were sitting. For a similar reason he was sorry he was un- able last April to come down and open the new club in Rhos. It was impossible to leave when he found himself in some important case. They could of course get a monied man and a bazaar opener to come do.vn, but it was his intention to fight for what he considered to be honest and decent p olitics and he should fight with vigour, and ventured to prophesy that the policy he had always advocated would win every time—(cheers). They could believe the annonymous twaddle of "John Jones if they liked. Should the people alter their mind, then he should still continue to fight the cause of democracy as a member for somewhere else. But he did not believe for one mo- ment that the confidence of the vast ma- jority of the constituency had wavered in their allegience—(cheers). Leaving II John Jones" and his letter aside, let them for a short time turn to current politics. During this year there had been three great political questions in which he had taken some small part--namely, the Veto, the Budget, and the Land Taxes. He be- lieved that the policy of the Government at the beginning with regard to the veto was utterly wrong, but that the policy they had since adopted was completely right, and the Government stood to-day as strong as when they were elected. The Tory party seemed to go from bad to worse. Tariff Reform was being found out in every quarter of the globe. The first thing the Liberal party had to see was that the House of Lords was put up- on a fair basis (cheers). He did not be- lieve in a second chamber, but so long as one existed he wanted it to be intelligent j and unbiassed. With regard to the li- cence duties of the Budget, he thought there were many people connected with the trade who wished now they had taken the very moderade provisions of the Li- censiag "Bill of 1908. The taxation of land values was the cardinal point of all democratic policy in this country. The two effects of the land tax would be to raise revenue and to force land into use. Speaking on the Osborne judgment and its effect, Mr Hemmerde remarked that the great difficulty had always been that the money for politics had always been found by the rich, and the rich had called the tune and so long as constituents looked to their members or to other peo- ple for pecuniary assistance for bazaars and what not, so long would there always be a rotten feature in politics. He was in favour of payment of members, because in the long run it would be cheaper for the country to pay its Parliament and get men who understood. He also advocated the payment from the National Exchequer of returning officers' expenses and the cost of printing election addresses and of engaging places for meetings. Concluding, Mr Hemmerde said his business would always prevent him from being amongst them a great deal but it was the business of a member not to be in his own constituency but voicing their aspirations in the House. So far from seeking his own aggrandisement as had been suggested, he had fought off the in- fluences of his own Tory family and had forced the great principles for which he stood into victory. That was the path he meant to tread. He asked for no terms and no quarter. When ho was wander- ing about looking for a seat, they sent him to Parliament by a big majority. He had never forgotten their kindness, and he ventured to ask them for a continuance of that kindness to fight the cause of clean and honest politics and real and industrial progress. They would always find their member a vigorous fighter for the causes he espoused, but he must have their wholehearted confidence and support. Then, fighting together, would come the culmination of all they set out to do- (cheers). Mr George Davies, Wrexham, in an able speech read a resolution expressi 19 unabated confidence in Mr Hemmerde and the Government. Mr W. Garner seconded and it was un- animously carried. On the motion of Mr C. Morgan a vote of thanks was passed to the chairman.

Correspondence. [We do not hold ourselves responsible jor the opinions expressed by our corres- pondents. ]—Ed. » To the Editor of the Rhos Herald "JOHN JONES." Liberal League Clubroom, Oct. 6tb., 1910, Dear Sir.-Permit me, on behalf of the Liberal League to state that we have no connection with the writer who hears the nom-de plume of. "John Junes," neither -have we any kuowiedge whatsoever of his identity. On behalf of the League, E. S. PRICE, HO-N. SEC. (We entirely corroborate Mr Price's state- ment—Ed.). ■

ANOTHER OPEN LETTER TO MR. E. G. HEMMERDE, K.C., M.P. —o— Sir,—I am a Radical, and therefore a whole-hearted supporter of your candi- dature and policy. So long as you con- tinue advocating and working for the central principles of 'Liberalism, so long will you enlist our esteem and support to the end of the chapter. This is, I believe, the attitude of all common-sense' and intelligent electors of Rhos. We do not ask you to attend every petty division in the House of Commons we do not want you to waste your time here 44 carrying coals to Newcastle we do not expect you to subscribe to'every mushroom and whimsical movement issuing from the disordered brains of self-interested and eccentric individuals. What we require from you is a reasonab!e, discriminating, and active attention to the important duties of your Parliamentary position. This you have done, and there is no more to be said. We have no inclination to notice the trivialities of a Member's con- duct.. There is no disposition on our part to "chronicle small beer": that kind of thing we leave to the diminutive natures of the parish pump description. Your definition of a Member's Parliamentary duties is the correct one and we are delighted to hear that you are resolved to act in the future as you have acted in the past. I attended your meeting on Monday night, and was highly pleased with the fl alJ k, candid, and independent manner in which you disposed of trifling criticisms, and your skilful exposition of the three momentous political questions of the day. There are, however, just a few local and personal matters which will interest, and, perhaps, entertain you. May 1, in the first 1Iace, suggest that I think you are rather over sensitive to the small-minded, carping criticism that is levelled against you from time to time. It only emanates from an insignificant minority who have not the slightest influence on the political thought of the locality, and who safely be dismissed with contemptuous indifference. You, Sir, should despise- the bickerings of sanctimonious cad.-?, and the shrieks of political washerwomen.. The same men who anathematised aocl persecuted you in igo6 are endeavouring to hound you out of the division to-day Do you remember how they prayed for your defeat ? how they adopted every mean, low, and vulgar artifice to get ri<$ of you ? And do you think that they are less- venomous now ? I have known some of these groundlings to speak fair to your face but foul to your back. Nay, I have- seen them fawn upon you in the Public Hall, who would flay you if they had half a chance. But, Sir, in spite of the Stig, ginses and Uriah Heep's of the district, I am perfectly certain of this-that you are as firmly rooted in the confidence and affection of the democratic voters as you were when you first set foot in' this- division. And now, Sir, just a word about the antics of the new Liberal Billiard Club,- I misnamed the League of Young Liberals. There are undoubtedly a number of meJ of genuine worth belonging to it; but: observation impels me to a different con- clusion regarding the remainder. The League started out originally on a proper course, but eventually drifted into devious paths. You will agree with me, that the" deft handling of a cue, or the artificial warmth created by a plentiful supply of tea and coffee are paltry substitutes for- real political enthusiasm and what is' more, it is intended to extend the billiard area at the expense of the reading room, This is the latest idea of propaganda work! Unfortunately, the Club is coo* trolled by a set, whose chief occu", I pation consists in fomenting disaffection against you and, instead ot being, as it ought to be, an institution for political education, it has degenerated into a sort of Cave of Adullam, where all the discor), tented and distressed have met to plot I the destruction of a man immeasurably superior to themselves,—a man wbcr, declines to compromise the dignity of political independence by pandering to the cadging proclivities of impecunious causes.. It is said that you .have forfeited the confidence of the mostV' influential elec- tors." You will appreciate the degree of I Liberalism conveyed in this phrase. Out principles do not depend on the measure I of personal influence supporting them. Moreover, who are these 44 influential electors ?" The process of identificatioo is quite simple. If I named them yoU, would break out into IrrepressiMc laughter. Frankly, Sir, in the somewhat large class of dull mediocrities in this locality I have not yet discovered one person with sufficient political genius and power to1 turn the direction of a straw. Why, there are" influential electors" here- whose platform exhibitions would make the angels weep. You do well to drop' their acquaintance. It is an open secret,. Sir, that these" influential electors;F engineered a conspiracy to boycott your meeting on Monday night, with the result that their efforts deservedly and ignomin- iously tailed. Having made charger against you thev conveniently slink out of your sight. What admirable courage f Of course, now you have gone, the Press- will, no doubt, be flooded with the usual malignant correspondence from these- brave Mugwumps. The "man in the street," however, takes no notice, and he is your best asset. Finally, Sir, in the name of all those who love fairplay and honest politics, P can assure you that as long as you exer- cise your decision to remain in the repre- sentation of East Denbighshire not alt the machinations of your enemies cam remove you. JOHN BULL.

JOHNSTOWN. PRESENTATION.—The members of Christ Church Congregational Sunday School pre-- sented Mr T Percival Jones, Ponkey Coun- cil Schools with a handsome Bible on his- leaving for Bangor Normal College. H e' was also presented with a travelling bag by his class. The presentations were made by Mr R D Evans (superintendent) and Mr S" Williams. All wished him success in his- new sphere of labour. WREXHAM CARNIVAL AND TRAMWAY TRAFFIC.— Messrs Prince Campbell and pari- ty have received many congratulations oo- their success with the distinctly novel and original tableaux which they pro duced at the Wrexham Carnival on Friday evening. Their success in winning a prize gave no little satisfaction to the many inhabitants of the district who visited the Carnival. The' extent of the patronage of Rhos and district- may be gauged from the fact that 4,658 pas" sengers were conveyed by the cars of ihe Wrexham Tramway Co alone. Special ai-- rangements were made for coping with this traffic-which we understand was a record f01 Carnival day.—by the tramways staff under the direction of Mr A A Hawkins1, manager. YOUNG PEOPLE'S GUILD—The above' named society opened their mir)ter session, on Monday last with the holding of a success* ful social evening. An excellent tea was provided by the ladies of the Guild. Afte1" wards a miscellaneous meeting' followed.