South Wales Daily News

CYMRU PYDD MEETING CF THE SOUTH IV LER LIBERAL FEDERATION 3JR G. T REV ELY AN AT THE CONFERENCE. MAGNIFICENT INDICTMENT OF UNIONISM. LEGISLATION FOR THE WORKING CLASSES. "ONE MAN. ONE VOTE." EXTENSION OF THE FRANCHISE TO WOMEN. INTERMEDIATE EDUCATION. LOCAL OPTION. — DISESTABLISH- MENT. REFORM IN THE LAND LAWS. THE GOVERNMENT IN IRELAND. RUE AT EVENING MEETING. SIR G. TREVELYAN ON IRISH AFFAIRS. [FROM OTP. SPECIAT. F.RPORTKRS.] PEMBROKE DOOK. WKPNESDAY. Success, greater even than liaci been anticipated, attended t.lie annual meeting of the South Wales i i, Monmouthshire Libsral1 Federation at Pembroke Dock to-day. There were not wanting (;om few who last night prophesied that this meeting of the delegates would not be so numer- ously attended or so representative as its prede- cessors. Not that they argued therefrom a lack of enthusiasm on the part of the Liberal Associa- tions of the southern portion of the principality. They, held on the contrary, that the feeling Df combination and unanimity was daily becoming stronger, but that Pembroke Dock, owing to its great distance from the larger centres of population, was hardly suitable for the purposes of such a gathering. However, these vaticinations have been rendered completely out of place by the result. The Temperance-hall was crowded hy the delegates who assembled from all parts of South Wales, and never have the proceedings been more unanimous, more hearty, or more spirited. The large room itself was brightened by the presence of some brilliantly hued decorations anu appro- priatemottoes. Thegoeneral public was admitted to tiie gallery, and from the numbers which attended at both the morning and afternoon sessions it was evident that a keen interest was taken locally in the conference. Another proof of this fact was afforded fcy the presence of several knots of spectators outside the building. Pem- broke Dock is a quiet little place usually, and naturally, the advent of some hundreds of visitors created considerable stir amongst the inhabitants. Nearly all the delegates wore the badge of the federation and its motto, the now well-known words to English readers, "CymruFydc." A glance over the subjoined report' will show the variety of the subjects dealt with by the delegates, and the two meetings progressed very smoothly whilst the speakers were terse, cogent,and incisive in their remarks. Mr Isaac Smedley, J.P., of Pembroke Dock, presided ovsr the morning conference, and Mr William Howell, solicitor, Llanelly, tilled that office in the afternoon. Among others on the platform were Mr A. J, Williams, M.P., Mr Alfred Thomas, M.P., Captain T. P. Price, M.P., Mabon, M.P., Mr Lewis Morris, Mr William Moggridge (Woodfield Park), Mr T. Williams, J.P. (Merthyr), Mr Sonlev dohnstone (South Wales Daily Nnos), Mr S. T. Evans (Neath), Mr Humphreys-Owen, T.P. (Montgomery), repre- senting the North Wales Liberal Federation the Rev W. Thomas (Wbitland), Mr Hugh Bevan (Bridgend), Rev Aaron Davies (Pont- lottyn), Mr .lohn McLean (Carmarthen), Blr T. E. Duggan, .t.P. (Radnor), Air Jonas Tayleur (Pembroke), Mr John Lewis (Haverfordwest), Mr Councillor Ramsdale (Cardiff), Mr John Fergus- son (Cardiff), Air R. J). P-tiriiie (Swansea), Mr S. P. Wills (Swansea), Councillor .T. H. Jones (Cardiff), and Mr R. N. Hall, secretary of the federation. At the commencement of the afternoon session Rir George Trevelyan, M.P., Lord Kensington, Sir Hussey Vivian, M.P., and Mr Stuart Rendel, M.P., entered the room. and w,irei-eceive(i with loud and sustained applause, the whole of the delegates rising and cheering for some minutes. Creat enthusiasm prevailed during the whole of the preceedings, and the conference terminated after 5 p.m. T,TST OF' TKLEGATKR. The following is a complete list of the delegates piesent:— ABERnwu.i, R.S.O.—II A .leremy. ABFUYSTWITH —Will Scott. BF.CF.I.ly.—William Pavies. Wm Penney Hal', Geo Ounter. Willis,;n Harlow. I'ROTiiKRHIu,.—Richard .Terinin. CARDIFF.—W li Davr's, J IJamsuale, J H Jones, < .AJIMCA.V—Joshua. Ilugees. CAK.MAKTIIEN.—Kvan Perkins, II .Tones, Ctti.Tsri.i.v. —Thomas Jolm. Fr-lK.L-ARR — James James. R Thomas, Rev J V),uiios, John Rowlands. I i A, j, w Mathias, Rev Owen Jacobs, tii v J .Michael, W rn Mortis, Kvan Lewis, W Meredith Morris, Thonr-is Gravel!. Rev .1 j Williams, John Llewellyn, Win Reynold*, .1.f tYan..1 H Jones, Jlavid Evalls, At H Walker, D K Davies, W ] £ Thomas, Wm Williams, John Phillips. Key John Philliis, liven 1>avips, J Outhlvrt Davies, j),>vies, i.'ichiird Oavies, .Tolm Het's. Hey J., Meyler, J K .fame-, IV U Rowlands, Professor T Wiiton l>avi«.s ha, T <i IA-w'.S, T H i'.vans, Tom KEES, J Morgan Harries, Win i.i-v, is, T Harries, Joseph Jones. ilASf;ra:<i>. — John <ieov^e. IIAZICI.MVATIR.—'W, II, SMITH. HKUKON.- ]{, ."1111("" H..Tolm. Honkvuonoi'fiH.-—William Ow«! ham. K.MI;I(IO\.—Rev. W. Williams. I.ANOWM — Hi v William Davies. J-I.'Isaac I'lwnia-. i.l.A.NTR!hsiXT.—Urili;i.li Griffiths. N 1; Davies. .l.i.vxr'YSsii., — Munch Davies. bin r;:i:so>—Rev ) r.ll1('lna'. .Mii.i-iiiui.—.Taia.-s I hlÎm: William IViliiams, .inn. C; :ir;;i' 211liar, William W illiams, seuio; J{i'.»ert Jenkins .\Tn.i-'Oiii> flAvn.v.—John Ree«, W Page, W Coulter, .Tam^s Davies. Francis Jones, Thomas Dunbar Harris, Wiliiam IOUTOW. Rev David Hussey, Thomas II Adams, J ii Garret, Wiiliam ell, WalUley, William Jenkins, Geor/*« Jones, W illia-ai Cole, »5ev i> Pieh-ird, William l'Vancis. \RBKRTH.—John Williams, Thomas John Georne Fisher. J hilys Wheeler, Kvan Phiilins, 'Xlobert l-ewis, Daviil Kisher, William Wiliiams K Phillips, Wiiliam James, J.P., John James, Griffith Jones, Lmvis James, Ki-v Thomas Kv.-tns, H Sirhow\ Jones, Hev .1 Thomas, umt ji iviil Humphreys. XKATH.—S T Kvans. Ifeiiry Allen, Peter Kvans, James Sutton, William Evans, Thomas Jt, 'berts,' 'Tifnias I iivans, William i.ewis, William Kdwardsj He'nrvLewis, Thomas Johns, George V -yle, K <ilade, .i,.h:i Skone, J F K Davies, Wiiliam H.uupM>n, William Lloyd, and Thomas Mriraan. KF.WBRLDRE, JION.—'Rev J M Jones. PKMBUOKK DOCK.-Georae Dees, .1 S Cole, W Charles John, Wm Jones, Jvermery, .lames Piiillips, W H Richards, Win Kvaus, i) John, Thomas Bray, David Thomas, Thomas James, N H Grilibell, Thomas George Sucoinbe, Wm Grei", Geor^H Longford, Henry Hancock, Albert Davies benjamin Tribe, R f KoViert-, Wm Llewellyn, D Albert Andrews, J J. Sinnette, J) Jenkins, George Allen, A K Gwen, Joseph Heath. r Revnoids, Denis Leahy, John Kii wards, Rich aril Iveriiey, E W Oliver, T K bon'r, T W Stephens, J M Radm iie, E IV Oliver, T K bon'r, T W Stephens, J M Radm iie, John Sutton, William Harris, J hon.iis .John Tli Jiii is, F J Gay, Joseph Streets, Thomas j ownley, J J Davies. John Thompson, J If Denny, William Da vies, Rev V P John, William .Miller, William Smith, William Piieips, J W F.dwants, Henry Budae, Willwm George phiilips, Geo Davies,Tft Morris, Davies, D-NI IL-trris, Wm Mapp, Sidney Howell, Thomas HowelIs, J>avij Jones. Jos. Durst. John O .Morgan, James George, Thoma.s Collins, Charles Watkins, Alfred Price, F JfWyoher, Robert J M'llar, Thomas Lewis, William Lvans, Theophilus Jones, Philip Hulbert, D R Leighton, W R Tretheway, James Cole, A Prior, Thomas Griffiths, A J Cole, t'har.es Sliaddiek, J A Cornish. George Youn; John Hartley. Henry es Lowen, Benjamin Hancock, Alfred Rogers, Thomas ditchings, William Satton,— Wright-, junior, J Dunn, G A Hire, Owen Thomas, Alexander Nairn. J H Silcox, j (J Ihomas, John Llewellyn. PEMBROKR—W Coslett, Thos Davies, J .T Kyans, Jas Howell, John Hotvlands, John llay, 'I hos Hay, Fred 1' Tombs, J G Poweil, William T :\Iol'1n. m James, i'lexganiin Stephens, W Austin, »• m Gi|»bs, John Guiilon, Wm Sinneti, M F Thomas, Benjamin Bryant, Wm Merriman, F Louis Hnhin"nll, Wrn Tht>hHJ,S. Ja Rowlands, Geo Griffiths, John Pavrv, Heo liiilheq, T .Morris, Kdw i.liis, Thos Gower Ho wells. Sain J Allen, S W Willing, Rev D 11 Lloyd, F J ^yvme, I. j; x~itt, Walter Littlewood, Thomas Croft. William Rowlands, William Pepper, John Jones, W M Grifliths, Ri hard John. Wiliiani G Hicks. and Seth Hughes. PKAMAR -Chades Hawks. PMKI.IIHACH.—James Thomas. PiSfiAH.— John Cole. pKKMiKTii;AST.—Philip White. SAI:.MII,I;SI'OOT.—William Lawrence, Rev Geo Ball- croft, Rev W Morgan, Lewis Thomas, Thos David. SWANSF.A.— S P Wiiie. Sor.VA -ilev Garibaldi Thomas, G n Davies. ST DAVIIVS.—Rev W .TenUins, S •' Watts Williams. Sx CI.EARS.—Thomas Beynon, Ke* Hor.^ati. fiT ISIIMAKL.—J S John. TF.NBY.- John James, Henry Williams, William Hughes, John Beynon, John Carew, John Mabe, Robert Ann, W R Edmonds, John Kvaus, W Adams, Jun., John Sheldon. William Phillips, John Nowell, John NichoUs, Benjamin Beynon, Thomas Nicholls, David Roberts, James Rogers Jan., George Thomas, John Edwards, Edwin Watkins, Thomas Uees, David Roberts, John Thomas Stephens, D J Evans. T.ItrFFC. A rN. -Alfred Ilowell. Tnr.LF.CH.—William John. WKSTON -David Rees. WmxLAM).—Rev D. E. Williams, Howell Davies. Woi.FscASTr.B.— .Tames Jenkins, James Harries. OTlim DELEGATES. E Mugford, Charles J-; :Ma.sun. J D Jones, W R F.dwards, John Peach, James Logan, John Brim, Rev .1 W Manrioe, W C Iremsy, Pembroke Dock and Pem. broke T Eynon, Milford Haven Thomas, Milford R Rogers Walton Wess rl Evans, Hayenoidwest Rev D Phillips, St Florence T Evans, Tenby .John Cole, Begelly Benj. O'.S'eil, Tenby Kev Kmlyn Jnnes, Movriston; iienj. Thomas, j\;U'bertli; Thomas Thi.ni is, Bnr on Rev D M Picton, Templeton J o Jones. Haverfordwest; J Griffiths, Fishguard ,T Llewellyn, Jordanstone J Davies, Tenby end .1 Thi.ni is, Bnr on Rev J) M Picton, Templeton J o Jones. Haverfordwest; J Griffiths, Fishguard T Llewellyn, Jordanstone J Davies, Tenby end .1 Maddocks. 1 The proceedings of the conference were in- augurated by Mr R. N. Hall. tlle secretary ot the ■ I federation, reading: a series of letters he bad received from various gentlemen apologisiug for non-atteudaneeattliemeEting. Mr Dillwyn, M.P., wrote regretting that a long-standing engagement prevented him from being present, and expressing his warm Interest in the organisation.—Sir Walter Foster, M.P., also wrote to the same effect.—Mr F. Schnadhorst, whose name was greeted with loud applause, wrote ns follows: "National Liberal Federation, 42, Parliament-street. London, S.W., January 23rd, 1888. My dear sir,—I am much obliged for the invitation to attend the annual meetings of the Sohth Wales Federation, and am sorry that I 30m unable to avail myself of it. I look back with gteat pleasure to the inaugural meetings I attended at Cardiff last year, and congratulate you and the federation npon the progress it has made. I am glad to have assisted, in however small a degree, iu floating both the North and South Wales federations, and in enabling the Welsh Liberals to place thsir claims prominently before the Liberals of England. The remarkable enthusiasm and unanimity wita which the cause of Welsh disestablishment was accepted, and was incorporated as a definite plank in the platform of the Liberal party at the great meetings held in Nottingham, will, I trust, convey to the people of Wales the assurance that other ques- tions in which they are deeply interested wid meet with a generous response from the people of this country. 1 congratulate you upon having secured the presence of Sir George Trevelyan at your meetings: no one ismore entitled to the cordial confidence of every lov8r of justice and freedom. Although net able to be with you, I shall watch your proceedings with great interest, and you may rely upon me, so far as I am able, to do all I can to you in the great work you have in hand, -—I am, Yours faithfully, F. SCHNADHORST. R. N. Hall, Esq." Mr W. Sanders, J.P., of Cardiff, a!so regreetted hiil inabilitv to attend. Mr G. J. Kenvyn wrote Drayton House, Maindee, Newport, January 23rd, 1888-Dear Sir,—W. J. Lane, M.P., a* you know, is in Cork Gaol,and you have doubtless seen from the papers tiiat he defended himself, and that his defence was most complete and conclusive. Rr Hayes, the landlord, and supposed agrievad party in the case, also one of the witness summoned by the Crown, but who afterwards raised to call him, was called by Mr Lane, and in reply said that he was not an aggrieved party by Mr Lane's speech of the 4 th December nor had he suffered in any way in consequence of that speech, in fact, he had left the settlement of his affairs between himself and his tenants entirely in Mr Lane's hands, and further, had requested that the plan of campaign be put into operation on his estate. Take another Crown witness, District Inspector Jones, supposed to be the complainant, and who was supposed to order Mr Lane's arrest. He admitted in court that he knew nothing whatever about the case from beginning to end, but knew the district of Water- grass Hill, where the speech complained of was delivered had been for six or twelve months,apd was now perfectiy quiet and peaceable. Yet, in the face of this evidence, and from Crown wit- nesses, the magistrates convict. But the real cause, it if believed, is the fact of Mr Lane ex- posing in the public press what is known as the 'Cork Scandals,' and refusing to hush up the matter he was asked to do this, and refused to comply on a Thursday night, was arrested on the Saturday night following at 8.30, and convicted upon evidence such as I have above given as a specimen of, and for a speech made four or five weeks before. This must be put to the credit of Plunkett and Ce., and much good may it do them. Although they may be very anxious to put men of Mr Lane's stamp out of the way, truth and justice must prevail, and all these wrongs will be atoned for sooner or later. I am goLd to be able to say that Mr Lane is in good spirits. I propose going over to welcome Mr Lane from gaol. Do you think you could pass a resolu- tion of sympathy to Mr Lane at Pembroke Dock ? I have an appointment at Liverpool this week, so cannot go to the conference. Perhaps you can assist me in this matter.—Yours very truly, G..T. KKNVYNV' Alderman Warren, J.P., of Newport, wrote :— Hotel de la Pomme d'Or, Jersey, 22ud Jan., 1538. My Dear Sir,—I regret exceedingly that it will be quite impossible for ino to attend the aunual meeting of the South Wales Liberal Federation at Pembroke Dock on the 25th inst. lam-dis appointed, not only in being deprived the privilege of hearing Sir G. Trevelyan und other speakers, but in being obliged to forego the oppor- tunity of takiug part in the conference, as 1 lLHl fully hoped to move a resolution adopting the report for the past year. Doubtless you will easily obtain a more efficient proposer, but not one more heartily impressed with the important results which we have obtained in the single year of our existence. I consider that the Federation has been a most powerful instrument in concen- trating Liberal opinion in the principality, and in successfully bringing to the front the especial needs of Wales. I may instance the disestablish- ment question, which 1 think we may fairly assume has been adopted as one of the most prominent pIankil" in the Liberal programme not a little through our action, while public opinion has also been focussed on many standing ovilp, such as the land laws, plurality of votes, costs of elect1\Jn. and other burning politicfll questions. The visit of Mr Gladstone to Swansea in the summer proved a very great success. No doubt. the Swansea Liberals did all that was possible to add to the eclat of the occasion nevertheless, the organi1. ItiuH, so far as other parts of South Wales were concerned, was tn:1iniy carried out by the federation, and the brilliant result is a matter for congratulation. The federation seems to me to have steered a very wise course in abstaining from interfering in the fullest freedom of Liberal associations, and I cannot but think that the Liueral party in Wales has Leon much streng- thened and improved by its establishment. With every good wish for a most successful meeting" at Pembroke, and for a still more useful and impor- tant future for the federat ion,—I remain, my dear Sir, yours very faithfully, W. DE G. WAUREN'. R, N. Hal), Cardiff." Sir E. J. Reed, K.O.B., M.P., whose name was received with loud !;heer, wrote :— "23.-d January, 1883. D'3r Lord Kensington,—I cannot tell you how much 1 regret, IJrc:1kirlg down in my engage- ments in Pembrokeshire, but after making all arrangements tor leaving by the 5 45 train this afternoon, I find myself wholly nnaoie to under- take the journey. I m suffering from gout and ague, w.th distracting pains in the head, find have a bad cold upon me besides. Under these circumstances I can only undertake to pay (t later visit to Pembrokeshire if my old friends there would still desire to have me amongst them again and address them. My regard for then', even ep.irfc from my high personal regard for your lordship and Sir George Trevelyan, would have been more than ample to hive held mo to my engagements to-morrow and Wednesday had the state, of my health at all aiiowed. I am the more disappointed, because I have been looking forward to the opportunity of addressing myoid constituents on the burnin political topics or the present day, concerning which I feel vpry strongly, and :1.m certain they would sympathise with me. With best wishes ior success of the meetings, I am, dear Lord Kensington, yours most truly, K, J. RKEO." Mr Henry Richard, M.P., wrote :— Dear Sir,—I deeply regret that I am not able to attend your meeting at Pembroke Dock. Though my health is improved, I still am obliged for the present, acting UJ1<hr medicill advice, to avoid much fatigue and excitement. It would have been a special pleasure for me to join with my countrymen ill welcoming Sir G. Trevelyan to South Wales, He has rendered manifold services to the Liberal cause, which I sometimes think have not been adequately recognised. (Cheers.) We, as Welshmen, are particularly indebted to him for the clear and ringing tones in which he has spoken on the subject which is now so dear to our hearts (Cheers.) On that question —I speak, of Course, of disestablishment— (cheers)—ve have every leason to take courage and gird our loins for the conflict which, before lnng-, mnst issue in victory. From all points of the horizon there are forthcoming signs that the time, the set time, is nearing when it must be dealt with. (Applause.) There are two practical points which I venture to impress upon my countrymen in connection with this matter. The one is that we should do all we can to strengthen the weak parts in our own representation by using all fair and honourable means to rescue those seats now in possession of the Conservatives. (Cheers.) This Would be our best answer to the attempts that are nnw dilig-elltly made to persuade the English public that the opinion of our country- men has changed and changing 0:1 this question. The other point is that we should employ all means iu our power to awaken the IDtlrest and sympathy of English constituencies. Whatever we may think of Home Rule for Wales—(cheer*) —for the present our only chance of effecting our deliverance from what we feel to be an injustice, is by winning over tbo Liberal party iu England to hearty co-operation with us. (Cheers.) I am delighted to observe the multiplying evidences presented to us that such is the case already to a large extent. But we must miss no opportunity to rivet that conviction more deeply in the minds of our English friends.—I am, very truly, HENRY RICHARD." (Cheers.) REPORT OF THE DEPUTATION TO IRELAND. The following report of the deputation of Welsh members to Ireland was presented to the con- ference :— On arriving in Dublin, Mr T, Harrington was called upon at tho office of the National League, and after conferring with him, Mr Arthur Williams and Mr Abraham proceeded the same day to Limerick. Here they saw Mr O'Mara, the high sheriff, from whom they obtained some valuable information and suggestions. At 7.30, the following morning, they went on to Listowel. Here thpy caned upon the Rev Father Harrington, who spent the day in driving them round two or three estates in the neighbourhood. About a mile and a half from Listowel they reached a large tract of land, which evidently had originally been bogland. The first person they saw was Patrick Shanahan. He said I hold 12 acres of land from Mr Dennis. It was all bogland when I took it. I had to clear it away at 12 feet deep. I had^then to cart sand and earth. The sand 1 had to haul ten miles from Ballybunion." It may be as well to explain here what this bogland is, which extends for many miles in this district, and through a largo part of the centre of Ireland. It is covered with heather, under which lie on an average from 10 to 12 feet of peat in a completely swampy condition. The water has to be drained from this by deep gutters, then the peat is dug out until the within two feet of subsoil is reached. This can only be made of any use by mixing it with earth and sand, which has to be conveyed long distances. The labour, therefore, of converting an acre of peat bog into land of agricultural value is very great. It is important to bear in mind that in the present case, and in all other cases we deal with in this neighbourhood, the bog- land has been reclaimed by thillaborious procell, and that it can only be kept in decent condition by constant industry. We then went on to the property belonging to a Mr Supple, which has recently attracted much attention. This bit of property is about 30 acres in extent. It is almost impossible to describe the wretchedness of these holdings, which have been entirely reclaimed and created by the miserable tenants, who, from the moment they entered npon it, were required to pay JB1 an acre during the 20 years which it has taken them to reclaim it. It should be added that this rent was exacted before any cabin was built, or plot of land, sufficient to make a garden, was reclaimed. The tenants had to find the materia's for, and build their own cabins. Wc* inspected two of these huts. They were mud-huts, with two divisions, one used as a living room, the other as a bedroom. These were so low that it was necessary to stoop in entering, and it was scarcely possible t3 stand upright when inside them. In the first hut we entered there was no rate. The great fire, over which any cooking was done, was laid on the floor, the place inconsequence being full of smoke. The only furniture it contained was ona table, two straw-bottom chairs, and a small bench in one corner. In the other compartment all the family slept. There were no bedsteads, but wooden frames raised a little above the mud floor, and filled with straw. The division used as a living-room in the second hut had no other furniture but a bit of table stuck up against the wall end, and a stump of a tree hewn like the shape of a chair. At the entrance to the sleeping division were two branches of trees set up to prop the roof. In spite of this wretched- ness and squalor, we were struck with the cleanly appearance of the children about tho place, although they were miserably clad. The property is occupied by between 20 to 30 tenants of holdings such as we have attempted to describe. Their collective rent amounts to about JB30 a year. They have not paid their rents for the last two years, because they have been unable to do so but only one of them has been actually evicted. The others are legally liable to bo evicted at any moment. According to the practice which pre- vailed some years ago, when they bad by long and patient toil made their patches of some value, they would have been turned out, and the 30 acres ot reclaimed land would have been let to a single tenant. But after centuries of hopeless endurance the Irish peasantry have at last learnt the blessed secret of peaceful and lawftil combina- tion, which has done so much to raise the workmg classes in England, Scotland, and Wales from wretchedness, into comfort and independence. These 30 acres of land. even are not worth more at the outside than 5s an acre, or a rental of £12 10s a year. In the only case on this estate where the tenant was able to take the holding into the court, it was a holding of nearly the same size as the property we inspected, if it was thrown into one tenancy, namely, 30 acres, and the land was of the same kind. There the rout was £30. the valuation £5. and the rent was reduced to £12. For the last 20 years they have been creating this value, and whilst doing this an annual rent of JB30 has been wrung troin these half-famishing people. A few years ago these wretched tenants, from whom £600 had been extorted whilst they were reclaiming the land for the landlord, would have been ruthlessly turned out on to the roadside with their wives and children, and a single tenant would have taken their place. But things are changed to-day. The single tenant cannot be found. There stood on the road as we passed a dozen or fifteen fine strapping and respectable- looking young fellows. They are," said Father Harrington, "the most hard-working people on the face of the earth. In 1885, when there was great distress here, we raised a fund of £200 to find work for the unemployed, and they gladly walked 3 miles to, and 3 miles from, their work for Is 3 1 a day. To this fund Lord Ormath- waite's agent, Mr Sandes, declined to subscribe a penny." This brings us to Lord Ormathwaite's estate. He owns a large, district, which stretchss away from the Supple property. The Supple property is a typical case of a small rack-rented Irish property. Lord Ormathwaite's estate is a typical case of a large rack-rented Irish estate, for he is the largest, landowner in the dis- trict. His father became its owner by purchase from the Encumbered Estates Court in 1855. Hero are some illustraticns. In each case the deputation saw and conversed with the tenant. J. O'Connor occupied eightfacres under Lord Ormathwaite his father occupied before him. The original rent was 30s, and the land certainly did not look worth more thsn 3, or 4s an acre. This rent was raised to £5. The tenant had pnt up buildings on it which were valued at £60, though he had only been allowed JE8 towards them by the landlord, or perhaps we should say the landlord's agent, Mr Sandes, because we under- stand that Lord Ormathwaite has not visited his (■state for half a century. The JB3 rent was re- duced by agreement, after the Land Act, to £4-. But 5s per acre would be a high rent for such land. A rent of £4- was impossible in these- times. O'Counor clung to it as long as he could. But he fell into arrears, and has been evicted from the house he himself buiit. He and bis family have been taken in and sheltered by a neighbour. This man had actually paid the extortionate rent with- out falling into arrcar, from before 1855, when the present lord's father bought the property, up to the year before last. He only owed a year's rent when he was turned out on to the road. Daniel Regan has held 45 acres, good and had,"tor 35 years, under Lord Ormathwaite. His farm stands on a slight elevation, and is, there- fore, rather better than the average of this part of the estate. He'reclaimed nine acres of bogland. In 1862 he put up a house and other buildinps, which have been valued at £219 by a skilled valuer. Fcr these he was only aiiowed £55. He also sunk a well at his own cost. In 1852 his rent was £20. In 1854 it was raised to £34-, which is still exacted from him. He was forced to borrow part of the money to pay his last gale rent. Just after leaving Regan we drove past a young man who had dismounted from, and was leading,a saddle horse, That is the only case of boycotting in this neighbourhood," said Father Harrington. Would you like to talk to him?" Certainly." He called him to us. He was a rather good-looking young fellow. His face bad none of the thin, care-worn look, which, so far as we saw, prevailed on the Ormathwaite estate. But he had a shambling gait, a bang-dog look, a fur- tive eye, which never looked you straight in the face, and he spoke in a subdued tone of voice. Are you still boycotted, Foran ?" said Father Harrington. Yes. muttered the man, "Tell these gentlemen about it. They are Welsh mem- bers of Purliament. Have yeu any friends?" "No." "Do any of the young men speak to you?" "No." Thev will have nothing to say to you ?" "No." "You can't get any girl to marry No answer—but a weak, shame- faced smile. The Father called up Regan. "Would you give your daughter to Foran ?' "No, I wad not, yer ri virince," said Regan, with stern emphasis. "I never asked ye fur her," said Foran sullenly. He was boycotted because his father had taken a farm of Lord Ormathwaite's, from which one Welsh had been evicted. Welsh, said Father Harrington, is still watching about the place in the hppe of getting back. "Do they refuse to deal with you at Listowel?" Oil, no." "You can buy all you want there ?" "Yes." Are you ever threatened ? Oi), no." Or molested or ill-treated ?" No," very decidedly. "But everybody passes you by?'1 "Yes." Doss not notice A nod of assent. One of the deputation I don'c see that you have any reason to complain. Your neighbours think you are doing a moan thing in taking this poor man's farm." all my father's tault. He won't give up the farm." "You need have nothing to do with it. You are a man, and can work." Ah, It not much work you can got hereabouts these times." "You can go to America. How am I to get there?" It was plam that this sleek youth was not pre- pared to sacrifice much for his wretched fellows, and he was left with a very plain expression of contempt at trying to shelter himself by blaming his father. J. McElligott, thirty years ago, took one place of 31 acres. He built a house for which he was allowed nothing. He failed to pay his rent, and was then removed to another holding of eight acres, for which a year was exacted. Here 1111 had again to put up a house, for which be was allowed ouly JB15. The rent, which was reduced to JE9 by the Land Commissioners, is now paid by his son. There are two Peter McGraths on this part of the estate. The first Peter we saw was a respect- able looking young man. He holds thirty acres of land which seemed to be kept in ex- csllent order. The gates and fences would do credit to any small English or Welsh holding. His father had the place before him. He had built a. tidy house entirely himself. In 1855 the rent was B17 it was raised that year to £40. In 1862 it was raised to £52. Since the Land Act it has been reduced by agreement to £40, that it still remains at double what it was ia 1855. Peter's face bore the same harassed and worn look which all these tenants have, and he told his story with sad suppressed excitement. What he bitterly complained of was that after he had made his last payment he was proces-ed. As we stood talking to him, the other Peter McGrath came np. He is an older man, and holds 39 acres, of whicl, he ha" reclaimed 14. In 1855 his rent was £24; it was raised that year to £46, In 1861 it was raised to £56; in 1866 it was again raised to £66. This last rise was on his marriage, when he got a little money with his wifej It is all gono," he said, with a bunted look in his eyes, the sadness of which no words can describe. I was reduced by agreement to J350, but I cannot pay it." The next place we visited was a cottage across some fields. It had been in the occupation of Mr Flavin. His rent had been raised from £ 28 to He was evicted two years ago, when his wife was very near her confinement. They were turned out into the road. She crept back into the house. Next morning she and her new-born baby were lying dead there. The cottage door was locked, but it was opened when Fatiier Harrington's voice was heard, by Flavin's eldest daughter, a pretty refined-looking girl of 12. Her little sister was with her, and shortly afterwards her brother, a nice looking lad of 13, came in. The place was quite bare of furni- ture, but there was a peat fire burning. The children, though ragged, were clean. They got shelter here where their mother had died but tbey were trespassers, and might at any moment be sent to gaol for being there. It was a sad and touching sight. We give the boy his education free," said the Father. "The neighbours are very good. The father is about, but cannot ven- ture to come here openly. I tear his mind is failing. His cows were all taken by the neigh- bours. They put them out on this holding, and the police are constantly trying to catch them. But a watch is always kept when they appear—a horn is blown, and the cows disappear." We were then led by an old woman to a miserable roadside cabin, to find lying on a wretched truck bed her husband, Thomas Griflin. His ribs had been broken in an accident. He was 70 years old had been there 34 years. The rent of his two-acre holding bad, at first, been iOs, but Mr Sandes, the agent, had raised it to £2. It had been all reclaimed by himself. He j bad**never-been allowed anything for building the cottage or for reclaiming th land, If they wsre a little behind, they were always processed. Had been in court for J35 arrears. The judge made an order for £3. The neighbours clubbed the £3. But when he took it to Mr Sandes, the agent, he refused it until the costs, £1 3; 61, were paid. Here, with a sigh of relief, the deputation left this dreary estate. Much of the land is of poor quality, and lequires constant, and patient labour to keep it from falling back. But at anything like a moderate rent a-ccmt'ortable living might be made out of it. We came next to the holding of W. Sullivan. It is on another estate, but managed by tlu: Mr Sandes who is the agent to Lord Ormathwaite. The two tenants before him had been evicted. When the first was evicted the rent was J360. The rent was raised on the second tenant He was evicted. Then William Sullivan came, and his rent was raised to £78. Fnr 30 years before he had occupied another holding on the same estate. He had improved it, and was making it answer. He did not want to leave it. But he was told be must go. "And here I am," he said, "a ruined man. I could not pay the rent. I was evicted, and I am iu again as a care- taker." Then we went on to anotliar property, on which the Pian of Campaign had been put in operation. A very intelligent man came forward from a knot of men to tell us bow matters stood. The property had been in the hands of a middleman, who held it on lease from the owner at a rent of £23t. There were 28 tenants. The Poor Law valuation was £4-H. The gross improved rental was £64-0. The middleman had charged his interest. Tile result of the Plan of Campaign had been that no interest had been paid on these charges, and the landlord could not get his head-rent of £236. He had taken proceedings for breaking the lease, and had agreed to sell at a rent which all the tenants considered fair. Somehow, however, the estate had been put into. Chancery by one of the middleman's mortgagees. Meanwhile, of course, no rent is being received, and there seemed every likelihood that the 28 tenants would soon be owners of the land. Some idea of what the rack-renting of this property had been will be gained by the case of our informant. His rent, when they refused to pay it any longer, was The poor law Ttie landlord has gladly agreed to sell on the basis The last visit we made this day was to a farm, which, as we approached it, at once atlracted our attention. The farm-house and farm-buildings would have done credit to any English, Scotch, or W elsh farmer. The hedges were carefully kept, and the land wa.s in excellent order. Mr John Dillon, until lately, occupied this farm of 93 English acres. He is a man of about 60, with a face of much intelligence and refinement. The careful and moderate way in which he told his sad story was singularly touching. In 1851 iie became tenant at a rent of £54-, on a 21 years' lease. He built the house and outbuildings which had been valued by Lord Listowel's valuer at £53517 Od, a valuation which struck us as being very low. He had expended in all £1,192 on the farm. He had reclaimed 56 Irish acres of bogland, drained, subsoiled, and manured it. In 1872 his lease expired. The agent, Mr Sandes, at once gave hin notice to ouit, and raised his rent to J394 a year. He the National Bank. The bad times came it all went. The estate was sold, and because he would not buy at the rack-rent of .£94, this property, the value of which he had almost entirely created, he was evicted. The judicial rent fixed was £78, whilst the landlord's own valuation was actually On the following morning we went down to Tralee.to attend the trial of Mr T. Harrington,the secretary to the National League, for having published in the Sentinel reports of sup- pressed branches of the Nation-.l League. At each station we passed were bodies of armed police, who joined the train. The town of Tralee was crowded with these men.. We were met by Mr Edward Harrington, who had just come out of prison, in which be had spent a month for doing the same thing. Then we were joined by the newsvendor, who had also jast come out of prison for selling the papers in which these reports ap- peared. He is a small shopkeeper, a widower with five children, all depending on him. I don't know what would have become of them," he said, if Mrs Edward Harrington hadn't looked alter the shop." We called upon Mrs E. Harrington, a young lady of singularly attractive appearance amis manuer, who has shared in the most devoted manner the trials and troubles of her husband. During the five years of their married life he has been three times in prison. As we passed along the streets of Tralee, with the armed police looking sullenly on, it was plain that Mr Harrington was regarded with all respect and good-will by his fellow-citizens. But in the streets, as well as in the court, the effect produced by the armed police, with their threat- ening aspect and tone, was indescribable. There were 20 of these armed men in the court, though the general public were excluded. It was proved that as far back as 1879, this gentleman, whom the Government were prosecuting for allowing reports to be published in the papers, had sold all his interest in that paper to his brother. The brother positively swore that from that time he never had anything to do with the paper. The Resident Magistrate (Mr Cecil Roche], in the course of the case, said it was one of much doubt and difficulty. It is Rtain that no jury under such circumstances'would convict. It any criminal court on this side of St. George's channel the counsel for the prosecution would have at once withdrawn. Rut here, the Govern- ment counsel only went on with the more bitter and brutal determination. And the j;.dgp, who sat os judge and jury, delivered a judgment in which be practically decided that Mr H arrington must be convicted, because he was the secretary to the National League. Oil the day following this trial, one of us was driven by Mr Slack, M.P. for North Kerry, from Listowel to Tarbert, a dreary drive of ten miles over country, which, under fair condition-, might in a few years become fertile and smiiing. Tarbert is a small town on the most beautiful part pf the noble estuary of the Shannon, which stretched away below us as we descended, in all its grandeur and beauty, biue as an Italian lake in the soft sunlight of this m:!d January morning. Here nine men were to be brought up for attending a National League meeting. The case evidently created the deepest interest, for the little was crowded. We were met by the accused, all of them respectable men.' One of them, Mr A. Fitzgibbon, a remarkably intelligent young fellow, took the lead. When it was known tbat we had arrived, the crewd came swarming up to us in a state of great excitement. Mr Arthur Williams said a few words to them, and impressed on them how necessary it was they should keep very orderly and quiet. Then we went down to the Court-honse, where a large detachment of armed pilico was drawn up. It was known that the accused could not be repre- sented by a lawyer, and the momentous question was wherhertbe resident magistrate would adjourn the case for a fortnight. This he did readily. On our return to tho hotel steps, the crowd had become very large; and, at the suggestion of Mr Slack, Mr Arthur Williams made a short speech. It is difficult to describe the reception they gave to a Welsh member who had come over to express the sympathy of the Welsh people. They were deeply stirred and moved. But, perhap", the most remarkable of all the facts we have noticed during our visit was strikingly shown here. It was the resolute determination to wait in patience until their wrongs could be redressed by Constitutional means. It may be mentioned that whilst visiting the headland we found a Welshman, a native of Merthyr Tydfil, amongst the coastguards. He had married au Irish woman, and was happily settled. He was delighted to meet a fellow-countrymen, and said that he was treated in the kindest and most friendly manner by his Irish neighbours. On our way back by another road we passed a homestead which confirmed the view that under fair conditions this great trlct of neglected land might be completely transformed. A tidy house, good outhonses, land and 'hedgerows, beautifully I kept, made it look like an oasis in the desert. Eighteen years ago the tenant had bought it. True he had had 30 years' purchase of a high rack-rent —double what he ought fairly to have paid, and double what he would pay now. Bnt, in spite, tiie magic of security had made the place a model holding. Through the kindness nf Mr Sheebnn, M.P., two of the deputation (Mr W. Abraham and the Rev. Aaron Davies) were driven for many miles through the Killarney district. They were thus enabled to make a careful personal inspection of the estates on which the wholesale and merciless evictions took place, which have already attracted so much attention, and to verify personally the descriptions already given in the public press of the misery, poverty, and wide spread suffering which these evictions have causod. They obtained, by interviews with many of the evicted tenants, particulars of the harsh manner in which exorbitant rents were extorted from them, and of the rutble s way in which they and their families were turned out on to the roadside when they could pay them no longer. They hope to be able to furnish at public meetings details of these interesting inter- views, which pressuro of space does not allow of their giving in this report. On Wednesday, we returned to Limerick, where we attended a large and enthusiastic, but most orderly meeting, presided over by the Mayor (Mr O'Keefe). A resolution of welcome and grateful recognition was moved by the high sheriff. Early on the following morning the deputation left for Newcastle. Thencc they were driven to Glensharrold, a hillside estate, purchased by a Mr Delmege in the Encumbered Estates Court in 1853. We were supplied with a list of 47 tenants whose united nominal rental in 1853 was £435 17s lid. That this rental was a Ino-ii rental was conclusively shown by tiie appearance of these wretched hillside holdings, as well as by the fact vtliat for six years before the sale the encumbered owner regularly allowed the tenants 6s 8d in the £ or one-third of the nominal rent. The actual rent paid, therefore, when the sale took place, was about £300 a-year. The new owner raised the rental to £748 15s 41. Our arrival excited the greatest interest amongst tho people of the district. They assembled round us in a quiet orderly crowd as we stood on the top of a hill which commanded a full view of the whole district. It was mostly bleak and bare bogland, like that on the Supple property, the reclamation of which we have already described. We visited several of the huts, which were little, if at all, less wretched than those on the Supple property. The story of these peasants was of the same sad nature. First came the principal tenant, James Downey. His father was tenant for his own life when the present owner purchased in 1853 at a rental of £7315,. For six years before the sale he had been allowed one- third off. Directly Mr Delmege became owner, the full rent of £73 15< was exacted. When the father died in 1870, hia son, the present tenant, was only allowed to remain on payment of a fine of £90, and his rent was raised to £110. John Abern held 22 acres at a rent of The present owner took 2 £ acres away, and raised the rent of the rest to £ 24. Daniel Keneally took six acres of the bogland from the present townee. He bad todrain and reclaim it, being charged (as all the tenants are) 13, a hundred for all the peat taken off the land. He bad to put up his own cabin, and the rent exacted from him from the begiuning was Fitzgerald and John O'Counell are tenants of two holdings, which at the term of the purchase were one hold- iag. This was let for £3:; 6< 61. The present owner divided it into tw.» i "ldings in 1864, for one of which John Fitzger-ii'j was requited to pay £40. John O C -uneli had to pay a tine ot £3D, and a rent of £40 for the other. This rent was raised afcereigut years to JE50. He had to build his own cottage, and was actually obliged to pay £4- to Delmege for the stone raised on the estate with which he built it. The peat taken from the estate by the tenants is claimed by the owner, and we were informed by Mr Condon, rue solicitor, j of Newcastle, who kiudly accompanied that he derives an income ot at £600:\ year from it. The condition of these pjor people is wretched beyond all description; yet they are most ha.rd-working,respeetabie people, and if they bad been allowed to occupy theic. holdings at a reasonable rent, would have be.m-l&bie to earn a decent living. Fortunately, when things were at their worst, a brother of one of the tenants came back from Manitoba with a small competency. He set to work with energy and intelligence. A committee of the tenants was formed. A list of the tenants-was made out, with the rent paid under the former landlord, the increase erected by Delmege, and the rent which in each case the committee considered a fair rent. The total amount of this rent was £232 lis 8d, instead of £74-315: 4d. We have no hesitation in saying that this rent, to use the words of the letter writ- ten by the committe to the agent, is within the bounds of reason and moderation. In this tem- perate, respectful, but firm letter, b' was informed that the tenants would willingty continue to occupy their holdings, but they could only do so on these reasonable terms. We don't, want to fight with our landlord," it said, "but if we are not now at last met with the justice that is our due, we beg to state beforehand that we are prepared to stand. by our rights. We are disposed to peace and harmony, and if any un- pleasantness arise on this property in the imme- diate future, the fault will not be ours. If you still adhere to your statement that our terms are not moderate and reasonable, let the question be tested by a reference to any honourable and com- petent tribunal." Before we left, each member of the deputation addressed to them a few words of sympathy, and told them that their peaceful and orderly conduct under such ciroumstauces did them infinite credit, and would do more than anything else to win the confidence and good-will of those in England who were not yet convinced that their cause was a just and righteous cause. The addresses were listened to by an officer and several of the constabulary who have a hut there, and followed us during the whole of our visit. On our return to Newcastle, which is a neat and thriving agricultural town on Lord Devon's estate, the deputation addressed a large and enthusiastic meeting in the square. Here again a large number of constabulary were lJresent, The reception given to the Rev Aaron Davies, when it was announced that he was a Nonconformist minister, was very striking. When later on in the afternoon the deputation left Newcastle, the band which had welcomed the deputation on its arrival at the public meeting attended at the station. Tue platform was crowded, and amidst cheers, hand- shakings, and the strains of Auld Lang Syne," the deputation from South Wales left for Wales. But though it here bade farewell to its Irish friends, it never ceased to be followed and watched by the Royal Irish Constabulary until its members left Ireland. We cannot conclude this brief and necessarily imperfect account of our most interesting, but sad visit without saying that our experience has impressed us deeply with the patience and moderation of temper and language, and wonderful self-restraint shown bv the Irish people under circumstances of the most tiymg nature. We were assured by all the leading men whom we met that this admirable tone, temper, and behaviour are largely due to the personal assurances of sympathy which are carried to them from England, Scotland, and Wales by those who, like ourselves, personally visit Ireland. ANNUAL REPORT OF THE FEDERATION. The following is the annual report of the deputation :— Though constituted in January last ic wis not. until April that the Fer1ratil)n was in a nositien tl) com- mence active operations. since that time the organi- zation has succeeded in securing for itseif the hearty appreciation and pracac.d support of the whole of the Liberal and Radical party in South Wales and Men. mouthshire, while it receives the recognition of Welsh Nationalists as one of the natural nader3 for the ventilation of Welsh national gtievanc.s. The primary objects .f the Federation are "to unite in one Federation the Libsral organize, tions in South Wales and Monuiuuthihne," ami especially to proulOLe the interests of Welsh Liberalism." The active c-i-ooeration of Wales Liberal Organizations has been loyally extended to the Federation ia cirrying out these objects, and the efforts of your committee to stimulate and encourage local political action, and to secure a united expression of opinion on Welsh questions, Lu\e met with m.Ist generous response. Welsh Liberal sm, aided considerably by the olPh and North Wales Liberal Federations, has made sub- stantiai advances during the hst few months. The committee is confident that it the party throughout i Wales will but make their Federations, and through thein the newly-constituted "elsh National Council, strong and vigorou- the claitos of Wales will ieceive an attention which tLty have never received in the past. Nothing could better illustrate this than the fact tht,t immediately "ueh a body, thoroughly repre- sentative of Wales, had besn f >;med, and spoken its mind Oil disestablishment, that subject w,, acceptedbv the Liberal as ripe forle^islation. The methods of operation of iIi Federation may be stated to bell) the preparation and issue of special literature, (2). delivery ot Lr/ures, (3) holding frequent conferences, (5) providing speakers, (o) as isiir.g in matters of organization, (0) obtaining aed exore^sing the opinions of the whole Liberal I' ty in South Wales and Monmouthshire, (/) consulting Willi the Mumh \Yale,; Liberal members ui Pal ¡¡:¡T¡.It :It. and (3) ill bring- ing influence to bear on Lnglish and Scotch Liberal organization* in :'avonr of questions. 111 these operations the committee his been actuated by a sfrong duteruiiuaiion 10 avoid all tendency towards centralization of work, and to respect the peucet libeuued action of the federated associations in aii matters which come solely within the province of iocal organizations. The work "f the last nine months may he briefly summarised J he public ition of ''Landlordism i-t Wales and Laadiordiaeoh ya Xgiiyuiru, written by Adfyfyr at the re IUPSC of Ihe literature sub-com- mittee; and the repitbiic-v ion of his letleis mi Neglected Wa.Ies and Weish Magistracy, and the publication of other pamphlets und le thas in Knglish and Welsh. Over 200,000 leaflets and 17,000 pamphlets in Kngiish and Welsh, all bearing on the questions of the day. and 3,000 political cartoons, have been systematically distributed throughout the southern portion of the principality. A "large stork of literature on all political questions is kept on hand the federation offices for re-sale on favourable terms. Lectures bave been delivered in Radnorshire, and others are to follow in Pembroke Boroughs and elsewhere, special attention in all pumb bein paid to those constituencies now represented by Conservative members of Parliament. Well attended, enthusiastic, and repres. ntati-. e conferences have been held at Cardiff, Neath, Merthyr, and Aberystwith, all of which have exercised consider- able influence in stimulating local political actr n. The federation has un many occasions co-operated with the officers ot affiliated societies, hy providing speakers for meetings arranged by those societies. The ie r rj- tion took chargejof the arraitg-;niesits for Mr Uladstotie's v sit to South Wales in June last; and. assisted by Messrs Halden, Eo S. Hartland, and II. J. Thomas, of f->wansea, it organised and carried oui, tlw arrange- mentb [or the great 11 at Singleion. Assistance in matters of orgahizition has been ren- dered, by request, to a 1 :rge number of associations. The Kngiish press and l iberal orgairzxtions beyond tho Principality have been kept informed of a!l de- velopments iu Welsh political action, and of the urgent demands of the Welsh people. The Liberal members of Parliament are advise i as. to the opinions expressed at the conferences, and other meetings of the letters and 175 tele- grams relating to Federation work have been replied to. Arrangements have been made for the ;ffiliatio>i with the Federation ol organizations of Liberal Welshmen resident outside the Principality, and fur the representation on the executive com- mittee, a.nd therefore on the National Council. The financial statement will be submitted to the council. While congratulating the coun.-il its bavin ;• 1!.lre<Llty secured ;>,n annual income eof £ 327 13s, your committee would earnestly lay before the council the absolute necessity of at once securing a much iareer annual income, not only for thoroughly carrying on tlw ordinary wok of the fecieratiuII, bat to enable the executive to meet the demand wlJid, is commencing to be made fin the federation for literature, .speakers, and lectures, ill consequence of the resolution of the Welsh National Council in favour of disestablishment having been adoptell at the Nottingham meetin:: of the N atiom1.1 LitleraI Federation. The committee invites tb" mewbers 1'1' the council to g-iv" this appe >1 their careful and faoour-blo consideration, and tru-ts that, without, prejudice to the claims which lncal or,tni7.:tti¡ÆS may have U ))on them, fL liberal and early response will be made, and the com- mittee placed m such a position as shall enahl it rn meet with promptness and energy tie demands made upon it, The constitution of the Weish National Councii, on the 8th October, marks an imp-.rtant epoch in the history of the principality. Never before has th. Liberal party in \Vates been abie to declare itself through a body elected ou thoroughly representative principles. As already indicated, their first steps have been attended with success, auguring well for its future power and usefulness. The National Council recommends constltue;;cy melllber of Parliament, and candidates to adopi green und white as the party colours, the leek as the party emblem, and Cymru Fydd as the party motto thiongnout Wales, and this committee heartily endorses this l. commendatiou. In conclusion, th committee would remind Ula members of the council that the success of Welsh ),iter,,} and National movements mHt depend upon work, and the period of tbat success upon th energy with wl1idJ that work is carried 0)1. and your com- mittee would therefore urge upon all affiliated organj- z.ltivns the vital llecesity Îur rcdoubbd energy and increased activity in making their ¡IIC ,1 associations strong and effective, and in enlisting the sympathies and ob a-ning the support of the electors within their respeetive ({btricm, for the st ength awl vitality f the Federation must depend oa the strength and vitality of the associations it represents. Dated this 20th day of December, 1357. i, I.L. DILIAVVN, President. THOMAS 'MI.i.IAMS, Chairman. R. D. BURNIK, Hon, Treasurer RICHARIJ N. HAM., Secretary. TIE TKAtt FADING SFP. XF.MllIvR 30TH, 1837. To subscriptions and per detailed ac- count, fees, do.. S33 9s; receipts for snleof Landlordism," ;-18 4s 3il; proportion of expenses^of Aberystwith Conference re- ceived from North Wa.es Federation, £ 4 interest allowed by bank, £ 1 ls> 51; total, £ ;50 l'is 8:1.— By prnting, 542 4s 21 literature, £81 ITs address to Ri. Hon. W. Eo Gladstone. £9; subscription to Radnor- shire Liberal Association for lectures, £;10 10s propor- tion of inaugural expenses. £L Is; office furniture £ S 4s 9d; ofllc.- rent. iates, gas, etc.. :2b ts Sd; six months' salary of secretary, £50; office assistance, S14 2s; postage, telegrams, parcels, travelling of speakers and secretary, and expense of convening con- ferences and meetings, £69 bs lei: treasurer's dis- bursements, £4 7s 2d credit balance in treasurer's hands, £43 19s iOd total, £:50 18s od. To the credit balance in hand of S43 1." IOd should be added annual subscriptions (good), not yet paid, £7 15s 6d owing bv booksellers, B14 8s lOti stock of literature in hand, for sale, at nett prices, S23 f's. OPENING ADDRESS BY THE CHAIRMAN. The CHAIRMAN, who was received with ap- plause, said he should endeavour to consult the feelings of the audience by as briefly as be possibly could, leading them to tbo business which had called them together that morning. On this occasion of the first annual meetinerof the South Wales and Monmouthshire Fedexatiou, they had bad an opportunity of perusing the report of the i-executive, and he had no doubt that that report I had rsceived the serious consideration of the various associations from whom they were dele- gated to attend this meeting to-day. He thought that the executive might fairly be congratulated on the largo number of delegates to the meeting, who at this unfavour- able period of the year had travelled long distances for the purpose of showing the interest that they felt in the work of the federation, and also the great interest they took in the leading political quetions of the day, (Applause.) He had aiio the pleasing duty, speaking on behalt of b; great majority of the people of those boroughs—ha regretted he could not say an altogether united party—to convey to the d.legates a very cordial welcome on this, supposed, their first political visit to that extreme purt of the principality. visit to that extreme purt of the principality. He noticed that at a meeting held I last week it was suggested that one of the reasons why so many of the constituencies in Wales returned Liberal members was because there was not a proper opportunity for political instruction, and for hearing both sides of the question properly discussed. (Laughter). It there was any weight in that suggestion, the Liberals in those boroughs might feel the more gratified at the visit of the distinguished staiesinau who was to address the pnuiic meeting at Uigbt-(ap- plause)—and they might trust that the Pembroke constituency might become so enlightened as on the next occasion to change their p siti,n from that isolated description of a Welsh borough, v¡z. a borough returning a supporter of the present administration. He had more pleasure in alluding to that feature of the programme— which lie might call a local feature—when he saw on his left that distinguished scholar and Welsh- man who had recently been unanimously elected by the voice of the Liberal party in the borough as their champion to fight the next election. (Applaus .) Their meeting, however, was to deal with subjects of a far wider range than those appertaining to any particular locality, but be was aware that if they were to give a practical effect to their business they must return gentlemen to the House of Comnious who, by their votes, would be able to give a substantial support to the recommendations of their constituency. The first business on the agenda was, he ventured to thiuk, of great ititerest, not only to the principality, but to every citizen of the United Kingdom. It referred to the means whereby people might have a :chance of exercising that franchise which every man who had a proper sense of his responsibilities ought to make it his business to seek an opportunity of exercising. He was aware that the Ltocruls, as a party, might cheerfully recognise the great advances which had been made in recent years. Tho introduction of the billot, the extension of the suffrage, the im- proved facilities for retris: ration, the lessening of the cost and expense of candidates—those were ail phases of political bearing, for which they might feel deeply grateful. (Cheers.) But he ventured to assert that these advantages were due to the in- .1 _l:a. .r I.. creases im-eiut^cuco ot mo people. i-fvppiause.; The second resolution that would demand their consideration was one which would convey a special intimatiou to the executive committee, the neces- city of carefully watching all measures tending to promote the moral and material welfare of the labouring classes of Wales. (Applause.) Well, he thought they might regard with satisfaction the movement of the executive in arranging that the quarterly meeting of the execu- tive should be held in those centresi of population and activity, for it would have the effect of bringing their movement in closer touch with the populations. The next subject was one which was certainly not of a political character, at least not to his mind. It was one referring to the introduction of intermediate education. He was sure they would, one and all, heartily join with him in wishing success to Mr Mundella—(applause) —in the effort he had undertaken. (Cheers.) Last, though not least on the ptogramme for the morning session, was a subject wnich introduced the name of the illustrious statesman who is at present the leader of the Liberal party. (Cheers.) Now, he had more than taken up ihe allotted time for an openiug speech, and lie would, without further speech, call on Mr S. T. Evans, vice-president cf the Neath Liberal Club, to propose the first resolution. MANHOOD SUFFRAGE. Mr EVANS, who was received with chcers, then moved the following resolution That iu order to complete the representative character of the House of Commons, and to give full effect to the will of the ptopie, tliis council declares it to be of the first importance that the franchise should be b ised solely on the principle of "one man one vote,' and that the laws of registration should be so reformed as to assist every duly qualified citizen in securing his electoral rights. This question, he said, was very interesting to them, because it was necessary to curry it into effect before mauy other reforms could be effected. He thought they all agreed with Mr Gladstone that the que-tiun was now in the first rank of political urgency. The priucipies that underlay the questiou were simple and clear. First, there must be no multiplicity of voting power in the bauds of one man, and, second, every qualified citizen must have the very best opportunity of c-xercising this vote with the least possiole expense, "0 and it' ut being encumbered with tiie technicali- ties which now encumber registration. (Applause.) Tne difference between the Tories and the Liberal;; was that the Tories thought the people ought to have votes coiresponding to the uuniDer of houses or properties they might bave, wnile the Liberals thought that they should have votes corresponding only to the number of heads a man- might bave. (Laughter and applause.) Every loan bad ouiy one head, as a rule, and fit,, ought oiiiy to have one vote. At present the lories Lijd not carry their idea to its logical conclusion. If a man had property worth a thousand pounds in six counties, be hud six vole^. Why. then, did he not l.ave six votes if he had one pioperty wor.h £6,00L). The now wax one of property, aud should nave an euJ. (Appla-:se.) Ttio qu.sHon of registration was cxcccdiuvly important. Theie were so many laws on the >ubjtv,v, und they were so intricate, that people could not iniderstaud the in, and many a man c.hilled to a HILe was not on the register. Tue law .-in.-uld bdsimplified, and there should be paid officers v.!rj-o; dnty should be to see that every 10"11 who had a vote was lItl the register. (He ir, hear.) There was a numerous class of persons who were lodge; s, and who. to obtain their "utes, had to make out claims in a particular form. H; thought tliev might almost, :.y that the lodger nanc'i se should be reduced further and put on the same basis as that of tiie householders' franchise, so that it should not bp necessary that lodgers should make a claim of tiieii votes. They should shorten the pencil of occupation. It was now a year aud might be with advantage shortened to siz tUuutù". They should also have the arrangement of successive occupations so as to entitle a man to vote iu whatever constituency he might be at ttie time. (Applause.) h JONAs TAYI.OR, president of the Pembroke Town Liberal Association, in seconding the proposition, remarked that if it were in operation it would prevent such things as occurred at Dtilwich, and would extend the franchise to many who did not now enjoy it. People were frightened at anything like au extension of the iranchise, but tins was all experiment wb"dl had been tried in the Unite i t-sat's and in our own colonies, and had been a great iucce sub- mitted that the principle of one man one vote, instead of being an eleitierit of danger :n this country, would be an element of strength. (Hear, hear.) It wouli bring into the. constituencies :.nd give the vote toso in- nv of the younger generation who iiad enjoyed the advantages of our public educational system, and who were well qualified to give an intelligent vote. (Hear, hear.) He strongly supported that part of tue resolution which re- ferred to registration, iu respect of which much remained to be done, au,i lie pointed out that the present law so operated as to disfranchise working men who had to leave home iu seatch of employ ment. It the objects aimed at in the resolution were secured the people would be able to spjak with a firmer voice, and great and necessary reforms would be- hastened. (Applause.) ,Nlr Al.yRvi) TiloNi:ll, in biitfly support- ing the resolution, expressed the opiuiou that officers should be appointed whoso duty it should be to see that every person who was entitled to vote was on the register—(hear, hear)—aud he would hail with satisfaction tile introduction to Parliament of a measure which would secure efficient registration. With regard to tiie frail- clnse, tie would himseif go further than the reso- lution, and would support a proposal for manhood suffrage. (Applause.) lution, and would support a proposal for manhood suffrage. (Applause.) Mr W. REVS JhVlFS (Haverfordwest) sup- ported the motion. He said tbat the ure^ent system of registration must be entirely nitered, and that would, no doubr, oe done when fhev had a large and comprehensive scheme of local govern- m-in. (Hear, hear.) Mr StausfeKi iiad intro- duce I a bill which, amongst other thing*, pro- vided that a man should be entitled to the privileges of a vote without paying rates, that lodgers should have the same privileges as house- holders, tbat the qualifying period should be aiteied from one year to three months—(hear, hear)—that, the. expenses of returning officers should be thrown upon the rates, and that all elections should take pbce on the same (by. He was in favour of ait those provisions being secured The great object to be obtained in every democratic country was that the views of the majority should be carried out, and how, lie asked, was that possible if one man had six votes and another had only one ? He believed this resolution was one in favour of a simple measure of justice that would broadeu the very basis of our constitution. (Applause.) Mr L. R. ISTTT proposed an amendment to the effect titat the franchise should be based solely oil the principle of every man one vote," and added that if he could bave Ins way tie would put in the words, t; and every woman too." The CHAIRMAN asked if anyone was prepared to second the amendment, whereupon Mr A. J. WILLIAMS, M.P., who was loudly cheered on rismg, s:ua that; he very much doubted if the amendment were necessary, as "one man one vote" meant every adult in the kingdom. (Cheers.) He found that Mr Howell, who had given great attention to this question, and who I had drawn up a bil) of his own, said that all men I —each man in his parliamentary division—should have a vote, therefore the amendment was not required. He fElt that, so far as be was con- cerned, he would be uutrue to the strong con- victions of the whole of his life if he did not propose an amendment which had for :its object the giving of a vote to every woman in the kingdom, and he therefore had great pleasure in doing RO. (Hear, bear.) For 20 years he had belonged to an association the object ot which was the enfranchisement of women. Every hour be lived continued the con- viction tbivt this anomaly r.nd inj ustice-wor.e, in tact, in one respect than injustice—was the greatest, misfortune for this country. They should place women in that position of responsibility which their intelligence, their high instincts for right, their domestic affections, the training of their children, aud their association with youth titted them so eminently. The girls of to-day were the adult women of the future, and they sbould not denied the prí. ivileges accorded to men. (Applause.) Those who opposed the enfrancbifement of women were i opposing, to his mind, the greatest interests of ithecouutry. (Hear.). K.' was .-u.-c t'.»i ,f tiiey could place upon tba Lfzr all LLJ wvinen in thu kingdom there wouM be a revolution with reference to war. (Applause.) There would be r;n enormous change fort Lie better in the rat* Bail- ment of their public educational institution-?. It j was all nonsense to say there was a Coacct vativ.- instinct in women. Th.ye mig-bt, be in class which was under the influence l.Jí nnests and the parsons. (Laughter.) But to su j the women of the great Wei si. Noncouforumt ixniy. where they fought.stde by side with their and brothers, to say that the women who, in his own division,had helped to elect him would no uss properly the powers entrusted to them war. irra- tional nonsense. (Cheers.) Let them be true to their princ/hes, let them act up to their advocacy of justice and equal right-, let them give women votes. (Applau:óe.) Mr HOWELL seconded the amendment, for, being associated with the same society Mr William- aluded to, fie could uo allow the pro- posal to lad through for want of a seconder. The CH AIRMAN said there had been no seconder to the first amendment, and he suggested that after the explanation ot Mr Wniiamsj the girotle- man who bad moved it would allow it to be with- drawn. This having been agreed to, Mr AitTitcit ILLIAMS said, in answer to an inquiry, that wnat lie meant by his amendment was that women should be put on the same terni = as the men—whatever franchise was e-iven to adult men should be given to adnit women. The Rev ROBERT AKX (Tenby) said be was afraid if the resolution were amended in the wav proposed it might- be too strong for some presem. and he should like to first get the origin-it' resolution carried-it would be done vritu unanimity—rather than have itcomplicated with a proposal on which there might be some division of feeling. Would Mr W illiams consent to put his proposal as a separate resolution: Mr WILLIAMS consented to the suggestion, and the original motion was then put and carried unanimously. WOMKN" AND THE FKANCF! Mr AltTHCR WILLIAMS then said be felt be should be wautiug ia his duty if be did uot propose", as be now did with pleasure, "Tbat the parlia- mentary frauclnse be given to women." The Rev AARON DAVIES (Pontlottyn) seconded. Mr S. T. EVANS said there was no necessity for hurrying the question forward, and he therefore suggested that it would be better to deter it. It was not within their programme, and had certainly not been accepted as a plank of the genera! Liberal programme, and he respectfully suggested that the hon. member postpone the question tiii notice was given of it. Mr ARTIIUR WILLIAMS I am quite willing. I only want it to be perfectly understood that personally I bold this opinion. MEASURES AFFECTING THE WORKING 17F CLASSES. I Mr MACLEAN (Carmarthen), in the temporary atscnce of Councillor Ramsdale (Cardiff),moved— Thai it be a special intimation of th" executive com- mittee to careiuily watell and aid the progress of all measures tending to promote the moral and materia! welfare of the labouring classes of Wales. The moral and material welfare of the wnrking classes, he said, was a very important thing, and the thing most necessary in this direc- tion was free education (applause) and next came local option. (Cheers.) Then he proceeded to urge the necessity of the selection of such leaders only as had gaiued the complete confidence of the working: men, and to express a hope that the working men would be iriore eirnc-st in their endeavours to secure to Wales repre- sentatives selected from amongst themselves. Councillor RAMSPALK (of Cardiff) supported the resolution, which, however, he said, did not. go fer enough for him. It was merely a kindly re- minder to the council of the federation that "tiiey must be watchful, diligent, and painstaking. (Hear, hear.) He thought they had the right in that important country of Wales to ask for more than that. They sbouid have an agitation tocarrv out the grand principles which they held and the important measures they wanted for Wales. (Hear, hear.) As a party they were at present in the cold shade of opposition. It was a process of education—for politicians, like pump handles, were accustomed to ups and downs. (Laughter and applause.) They must agitate, agitate, agitate for the great measures connected with Wales. First and foremost there was the disestablishment^and disendowment of the Church of England in Wales. (Cheers.) Then there was a fairly large measure of land reform and leasehold enfranchisement. (Renewed cheers.) He believed the time was not far distant when the masses of the classes of the country would be joined hand in hand in bringing about the reforms which they desired. In a few years those reforms would be regarded as mild measures, and the Conservatives would take credit for having brought them about. (Laugbte:.) They were within easy distance of He,me Rule in Ireland, and they must have it in Wales aKi. They must have separate treatment for separate nationalities, and bring on the topstone o, justtcf all round. They must progress, and he would give them the meaning of progress as a minister whom he heard once sing it to a common metro tune. It was- Go on, go on, go on. so on. Go 011, d ('U, ù on, Go on, p:J 011. o on. g i uD, Go 01], go on. glJ cit. --(Loud cheers.) MABON, M.P., WAS enthusiastically receive in rising to second the resolution. He said hs quite agreed with what the mover and secondct bad--aid with respect to the gen ra! measuic nec-sjaiy for their fellow countrymen, but they would perhaps idlow liitn to come a little neaivi home, and ask for an answer as to How far the. conference was prepared to go with them to reaj working man's politics. Tiie working men agreed with the three gteat national questions—i.e. First the disestablishment and disond .wmcnt oi th* English Church in Wale-; secondly, a large and comprehensive measure uf intermediate educa- tion and thirdly, a Radical reform in the laud laws ot the country. (Applause.) They lnLdit depend on it that they were, not going to have all these lefornis at once, there would be an intervening period of time between the time when the first was received nod tbo second came forward. During the time « bile they .wl"re waiting for tile national fee'n$ throughout the laud to ripen upon thein, thr6 were a few subjects belonging to the pun iy bibotii programme \h;cl1 lie hope • the conferei -t» would ask nil the M.P.'s here, and he knew tbry would gladly consent to do so if tiiey were askerf, to help the (pardon the phrase) direct labour epresentatives iu propagating that programme. (Ao-olause.) The following were a few of the questions which they considered essentially nece.s- siiry to the amelioration of the masses of the country and the safety of their lives and limbs. First, th"re was an Employers' Liability Amend- ment Bi¡I-(ch,,r")-eCl)n,jJy. an increase in the factory and collieiy inspectors, and an i ia the number of men who could speak the Welsh language. (Renewed cheers.) Then they wa.tel all act for the prevention of loss of life at, sea.witb the extension of the Employers' Liability Act t.(I seamen. (Applau-e.) Tiny wanted a biil tor uip better regulation of railways, for the protection of life and the lessening of accidents, and a bill requiring a certificate of competency to be hfli by engioenieii ou land, as was now the case at. tea. (Applause.) They must have a lv|! for the weekly payment oi wages in order to give working men i-ile full benefit of the wage* they earned tbey should receive those wages at very short intervals, not longer than a week. (Cheers.) Another I q ue:(¡uu was the revisi.,nof the royalty rents, lie spoke with due respec; hi landlords, but against the system of landlordism under which employers and working men had to work under in this country of ours. They wen: allowed to work, but they must obtain the, consent of the iivinsr landlord before they were allowed to work. If the company brought a thousand or teu thousand pounds to open ac tilery,they must have ttie couseut of the landlord before cutting the sod. For that consent they must pay so much per annum for sleeping rent, and then came the royalty rent. In South Wales alone they were paying no less than 91 per ton, or £ 600.000 per annum to the landlonis of the country for their consent to the use of capital and the employment of labour. In ten yen's they would pay no lp, than £ £ >,000.000 ..f money for this consent. (" Saarn") It the landloid did anything to put the coal end ironstone in the ground he would not grumble: but as the Creator bad put it there fur the benefit, nf the peop'.e, it was too bad that such a sum sh-mld be charged for royalties. (Cneers.) The margin of 4- i p-r ton would settle the questiou in 99 out of every 100 cases. Fourpenco per ton in ndvrnea meant to the colliery no less than 2 per cent, iu wages, and 8d meant to the working men 5 per cent in wages, and so far as the employer was con- cerned, decided the questiou whether be could carry on his coiliery or not, and he was sorry to say that, to-day of three large collieries in the Rbondda two were entirely closed, and a third was ouly employing a quarter of the men because of tbe iniquity uf this system. Mr Abraham wenton to say that here in Pembrokeshire—the hotbed of Turyism-(" oh," :ud laughter)—well, he would' qualify that remark, and say, By their deeds ya shall kuuw them." (Renewed laughter.) If he were to understand the politics of the working men of Pembroke Dock as represented by the present member, be should say they were Tories of the deepest dye. (Laughter.) But since be had been in the neighbourhood he had found to his delight that thore was a change coming o'er the scene, and at the next election one of the grand sons of G walla. would be substituted for the present representative. (Loud cb3ers.) Tha Tories wanted to persuade them on the question of ''fair trade tbat they had something of "fair trade" that they had something grand in store for them. (Laughter.) Tne landlord would no doubt be glad to see fair trade brought about. As a matter of fact, however, instead of the Tory fair trade, they wanted more fr?e trade—(hear, hear)-frea trade in reality and not in name. They wanted to raise taxes by some method more reasonable and just, less wasteful and wicked than that of I mu.tipiyiog the cost of what working people ate, drank, and smoked. (H°ar.) The wanted more free trade "and." he added amidst loud chceirs, we will have it." The barriers tbat stili limited we will have it." The barriers that stili limited our intercourse with other nations must be broken down and fresh guarantees acquired for peace and prosperity. The increase cf international commerce was better than the increase of armies and navies. and neither men nor nations would cnarrel long or seriously with those, who were their best I customers. (Applause.) The CHAIRMAN said it was cuite clear that they would not be able that day to deal with a good many of the question? mentioned by Mr Abraham, The executive committee might refer them to the parliamentary committee, but the routine business should be proceeded with. The resolution was theu put and carried unanimously amidst applause. INTERMEDIATE EDUCATION. Mr SONLEY -TOHNSTONK, editor of the South Waif, JJcnhi Ifeivs, moved the following re- solution :— That this council expresses its opinion that the pass- ing of an Intermediate Education Act for Wales and Monmouthshire is imperative for the welfare of the country. It gratefully acknowledges Mr Mundella's iaoours on behalf of Welsh education during tbe last