The Merthyr Express

I RELIGION AND SOCIALISM. THE WILD UTTERANCES AGAINST THE CHURCH. ATHEISTIC ACCOMPANIMENTS OF SOCIALISM. The Rev. J. Morgan Jones, M.A., continued his discourses on Religion and Socialism at Hope Church on Sunday evening, his theme being Why has Socialism become identified with Atheism ?" There was a larger con- gregation than at previo i- services, and Mr. Jones' remarks were f," '1 with close atten- tion. The text was i from Isaiah 52c., 8v. After a few intr;Hictory remarks, Mr. Jones said :—I must assume on the part of my hearers some acquaintance with the history of Europe during the 19th century, especially as/regard's 'tTie Socialistic movement, and still more particularly the awakening of the democ- racy at the sound of the trumpet of Commun- ism in the first half of that century. No one in this place to-night has a mind to condemn that movement unmercifully. True. those men Were led into terrible aberrations and mon- strous excesses, but were they not driven to desperation by an intolerable oppression, and "ere they not fighting for the most self-evident Aild elementary rights of man ? The life of the labourer to-day is paradise compared with kile existence to which men of his class were 00-oined 80 years ago. But what I want to say to that that early Socialism or Communism was hot atheistic or hostile to Christianity although it must be said that from the first it was hostile to the Church, for the simple reason that the I Church was hostile to it. The Church did not Understand the movement, did not want to I Understand it, and had no sympathy with it. Is it any wonder, then, that those Communists the thirties and the forties threw themselves into the hands of men who, at least, understood j hem, and moreover could offer them some j intellectual and spiritual basis for their ideals aims and some sort of a gospel for the Poor. These men were the Atheists of Neo- Segelianism and materialism. In the forties j Europe was overrun with these missionaries of Atheism. THE GOSPEL OF A POOR SINNER." ,1 Let me briefly describe two of them—the one a shop assistant named Marr, the other a tailor named Wealing. Marr's bible was a little book by Friedrich Fencrbach, entitled Tn? R-eligion of the Future," a curious mixture of Philosophical ideas couched in beautiful language and a charming style—just the sort of book to Paptivate the masses. The burden of Marr's ?°spel was this: We are without freedom '•ecause Christianity is so deeply rooted in our ''me; our task is to prove that Atheism alone ".a.n lead us on to freedom." This man, although Qneducated and without any exceptional ability, with his seductive little book and his fierce enthusiasm, exercised a tremendous influence upon the multitudes who heard his f:pel gladly. Marr and his bible have been OIgot-ten; but Wilhelm Weitling, a much abler f^n, is still imewhat of a force in Continental d distinguished himself not only %s an orator, out also as a writer. He published booklet, the title of which will shock many you—" The Gosoel of a Poor Sinner." The poor Sinner is Jesus Christ This book, again, a strange mixture. Often enough one detects it a profound veneration of Jesus. Indeed, ,,e goes so far as to say thatif one would think of. God in human form, or of a man endowed "'ith divino perfection, no one is more worthy such regard than Jesus." On the other hand, sees in Him only a Communist and a Revolu- ^°nist, and ca'ls Him a poor sinner and scruples not to lay to His charge things too ?}8gnsting to mention before this congregation. -Ved]ess t0 gay( he utterly rejects the Christian ^"Sion, and substitutes for it a religion of 11 Material welfare and social righteousness. Such were the early preachers of Atheistic ^cialiisix!: men who drew their impulse from e glaring social unrighteousness which they around them, and their ideas from the heistio philosophy of their time, which seemed ? them the only "intellectual support of their ^ms. They were mostly ill-informed men, fcving but an uncertain grasp of the philo- sophical conceptions which they handled with uch freedom. There is scarcely a word of ."firs that could be quoted to-day before an ntel]i„ent audience (although men have talked 111 similar strain at Merthyr during the time of sojourn here); but the multitude of illiterate ^°rkers in France and Switzerland and Germany ^rd them gladly and echoes of their wild lltterances were heard in London and other cities a. towns of England. M A NEW POWER Spre^whilc, however, a new power was scieUCeng itself into the social sphere, -viz., of Solving itself into materialistic views °f jj- nature and history. The product eo- in teeliaiiism and materialism appears °f 6 Person of Karl Marx, the great law-giver Etie l Socialism. He is the Moses and pubr Aaron of the new era. From the in jijtwn of his great book, Das Kapital," '» Socialism has been able to boast of a f0ll( at}d definite philosophical and scientific ^ith i°n. Since then it has been possible, anc| lncreasing plausibility, to regard Socialism atheism as synonymous terms. Since that Soc- y *las become ever easier for men to make j *ausm all-sufficient—to make it their religion. Onjy11^ n°k weary you by going into details, me state briefly the character of this ete There is no God, no moral law, no life. Man makes religion, and environ- Pr ra3,1,er, man. There is no sin, no room for au .e.0r blame in human life. Man is simply *irorl/ll^aa' who obeys the law of nature. In a *nd ,U a cresd that may be appropriately wadequately expressed in that old Biblical 01',l 1, We Let us eat and drink, for to-morrow I All, how has this Marxian religion worked ? quite recent statistics by me. One fact t'jg "u o-e In the City of Berlin alone, during *'»Oone years' 190G' 1907» 1908' n0 !ess tlian the ol NVorkmen severed their connection with fcte Urch. By this time, perhaps, some of you deaj.^wing impatient because I persist in to Ve with Socialism in other lands. Well, BO £ J? another reason, I want to explain how has come to be so commonly associated tVie -theiem, and to explain the origin and are \eariing and the drift of those theories that 111 t'-e so flippantly by pen and speech Uucj 18 country, and occasionally in this town, Rlarl r the name of Socialism. However, I am I S°cia^ough to turn now to tho history of feat lsm in our own country for the darkest ^ave •es the movement on the Continent te never developed to auything like the same a$'K nt.here, and, I believe, never will. You tea!J ^hy ? i try to explain some of the which seem to me to be the most iti tj, rtant. Let me admit there is much truth )ave heory about the part which environment atxjj Nl the formation of a nation's ideals Qbi the influences of tradition and long and so forth. It is also certainly true dev eed°m is the greatest hindrance to the haVe10Pment of the revolutionary spirit. We Socj,?'. Str'^ing example in recent German history. c<w*,13Ql has never thriven so rapidly in that *y as it did under the anti-socialistic law. 11 ^hat law was repealed by the present |prsi«5 ^10 ratc of increase immediately and fo,ii ^^ntly diminished, and there can be no t'he freedom of speech and political the j' l ^at prevails in England partly explains lSerence which we are discussing. OVPTH OF ATHEISTIC SOCIALISM, there is another, and far more weighty, At^g11". The blame for the terrific growth of **t 'f lc Socialism in Germany lies to a great the door of the German Church, which <lid utterly to understand the movement, and it. rp^hing to arrest, but much to strengthen aC Catholics did something, but the «Hent st*nt8 nothing to Christianise the move- dift The situation in England was widely j iti y It was not that the atheistic elements Propaganda of Lassalle and Liebknecht t ebel were wanting in English Socialism. I fi, tile remind you that the Welshman, Robert ly nil, the Father of English Socialism," was bls i means free from these elements. With all pro eahsm and the humane character of his t, rra 11 he had early lost his faith in every Ghaj-. 0l religion; and his religion was, that 1B iw^er formed by environment, that man Mi0l a subject of praise or blame, and that the t y of man is to promote social reform, IS, social reform within the fatal limits of his own conception of human nature and history already stated. And throughout the history of the movement there has been no lack of examples of the worst type of atheistic agitators, and there is no lack of them to-day. ° I have read in English publications statements as abominable and pestilential as in the records of the German Social Democrats. No, the Socialist movement in England has been saved from this frightful corruption, and maintained as a power that has tended to elevate our moral and social life, and, I venture to say, a power that has helped to clarify and quicken religion in our midst BY THE INFLUENCE OF THE CHURCH UPON IT. I will confess that the Church in England has often met the movement with much lack of under- standing and sympathy—sometimes with opp sitionland persecution. But when the enemie" of religion—I will not call them Socialists, because it is not social zeal but the zeal of Atheism that moves them—use against the Christians in England the common expressions of the German jSocial Democrats, they say what every iritelligerit studerit of English history in the 19th century knows to be untrue. IN THE DAYS OF WESLEY. Let me mention only a few facts. Even in the time of the Industrial Revolution in England, about the middle of the 18th century, there were Christian men who rose to the occasion. Chief of them was John Wesley. His preaching, of course, was individualistic, but its social effects were tremendous. The Methodists were more sober and thrifty than their neighbours their homes were cleaner and brighter, and their children better fed and clothed and educated. The organisation of their churches was demo- cratic and social. They took a leading part in social work, and in founding such institutions as Trade Unions and Friendly Societies, etc. Indeed, it would be difficult to exaggerate Wesley's influonco as a social reformei, an influence that has perpetuated itself in various directions in English life to this day. And, therefore, when the Socialist movement came it was met by multitudes of Christians with quick sympathy with its practical aims, although with much conservatism with regard to^its no-fl theories. This was only natural, ^ou )t blame a Christian for boing somewhat I conservative. He remembers that his laid special emphasis upon the slow ,iciit of truth and goodness, and Himself set an example of patient wisdom, and avoidance of violent measures and revolution. You must remember, too, that the Socialism which they saw had its sinister Atheistic accompaniments. If you blame the Christianity of England because it was not intelligent enough to separate the sheep and the goats in the Socialist flock, then I must sav you are somewhat unreasonable. Have you yourselves done this ? If you blame Christians for their slowness to understand Socialism, I say again, you are rather unreason- able. For example, can you blame Christians for withholding their support from programmes which you yourselves have renounced and abandoned long since ? But, enough of these amenities. Let me repeat that while Socialism in this countrv has met with much conservatism on the part of the Churchcs, it has also met with much sympathy. It is often said^ that the Church has learned much from Socialism. Then let us say it to the credit of both. At the same time, I think that the case might be differently put. Christians have often recognised in the teaching of Socialists social principles to which they had long been committed, and which were the direct product of their Christian faith. This, at any rate, I have no hesitation in saying Many of the old Welsh preachers whom I used to hear in the little chapel at Margam, would be called Socialists to-day, although some of them had never heard a breath of rumour about Socialism. WILD UTTERANCES. No, my friends, the charges which you bring against the Church are not based upon your experience of the Nonconformist Churche3 01 Wales,and the wild utterances that are sometimes made by strangers in this town, if they are based upon any experience at all, it is an experience gained elsewhere, and I must rule it out of order here. Our Nonconformist Churches never have been and never will become, if they conserve the Christian Religion, ANTI-SOCIAL. The Church which I myself represent is the straitest sect of the Pharisees," but it is essentially democratic in its constitution and in all its institutions. It recognises no class distinctions, no aristocracy, save that of character and usefulness. All its privileges are open to a peasant as to a peer. And no minister worth his salt makes any distinction between proletariate and middle-class, between rich and poor, in his preaching or in anv of his ministrations. That there are ministers who are not worth their salt is a fact which you will agree with me to ignore. What I say of my own Church is equally true of the other Free Churches. Our Churches are not ANTI-SOCIAL, nor are they "pillars of Capitalism," nor are their ministers a body of black police," to use the phrase of the German Social Democrats. THE ANGLICAN CHURCH. I must curtail the remarks I intended to make with regard to the Anglican Church. That Church suffers from the disability of the German Church, though not to the E same extent. That is, its connection with the State. But no intelligent man in this audience will disagree with me when I say that the Anglican Church has, notwithstanding, preserved a wonderful degree of Christian freedom. The most terrific onslaught upon the anti-social institutions of the Church of England that I have ever heard, was from the pulpit of the University Church at I Cambridge, in my undergraduate days. And I have often smiled as I recalled the scene The I rows of University dons hanging their heads like so many bulrushes in a tempest. The preacher is now a prelate, and still preaches his social gospel. I disagree with the theology of it very often, but there is no doubt about its social quality. And let me remind you that that Church has sent forth social preachers whose names will never be forgotten, whose influence will never die. Let me name one of them—Charles Kingeley. Has there ever lived a truer friend of the democracy, or a man who has done more to spread the enthusiasm of social service ? Who can forget his deadly attack on the iniquitous truck system, and other evils of his day or his service, ill-appreciated, during the Chartist movement. Who can ever forget the impression of his first reading of Yeast" and Alton Locke, Tailor and Poet," and Hypatia." He was harshly treated in his day, but the love of p.ll Europe has been his recompense. You will find few educated people in Germany who are not as familiar with Kingsley as if he were one of them, and his name will never fall out of the roll of those who have loved their fellow-men." I must close. What is the application ? To Christians and Socalists it is this. Learn to understand yourselves and each other better. You will pardon me for speaking plain words- remembering that faithful are the wounds of a friend." To you, Socialists, I say your worst enemy is within your own camp. Not the man of advanced Socialistic views, but the Atheistic agitator, who would innoculate those social ideals with the poison of materialism and infidelity. To you Christians I would say: Your enemies, too, are within your own camp, They are the hypocrites who would serve God and Mammon; whom the god of this world has so blinded that they cannot see the difference between religion and politics, and whose powers of insight and sympathy have been so seared by covetousness that they cannot appreciate the deep need and righteous aspirations of the masses of their poor fellow-men, who, by divine right, by the royal proclamation of Jesus Christ, are joint heirs with them of all the privileges of earth and heaven. To all I would say: What we want is SINCERITY, MORE SINCERITY, EVER MORE SINCERITY. Blessed- are the pure in heart, for they shall see God."

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The Territorial Forces were greatly strength- ened in numbers last year. The constitutional rights of Finland are vindicated in a manifesto signed by a number of international jurists.

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Merthyr Board of Guardians. STIPENDIARY AND MAINTENANCE ORDERS. GUARDIANS ANNOYED. i SUGGESTED APPEAL TO THE LORD I CHANCELLOR. Mr. David Hopkins presided at the fort- nightly meeting of the Merthyr Board of Guardians on Saturday.—At the outset, th? Chair?-—" referred to the- sudden death of the Hr iathren Davies, a member of the .t. A" said that Mr. Davies had always ,( 11 a good and faithful member of the Board, and a very good colleague. He nieved that a vote of condolence be seat to the family,-1r, I Rees Rees seconded, and the vote was carried in silenoe.—On the motion of the Chairman, seconded by Mrs. Richards, a similar vote was carried and ordered to be sent to the family of the late Di: Davies. of Aberdare, who for some time was one of the medical officers under the Board. The Rector of Dowlais referred to the fact that Mr. David Hughes, of Aberdaro, had been made an alderman for the county of Gla- morgan, and he moved a vote of congratula- tion.—Rev J O'Reilly seconded, and the reso- lution was oarried.—Mr. Hughes acknowledged the compliment. Mrs. M. T. Williams moved, and Mrs. M. A. Evans seconded, a vote of condolence with the Matron upon the death of her sister, and the same was carried in silence. WHO DOES THE WORK? The Rector of Dowlais referred to the fact that the minutes of the Aberdare Relief. Com- mittee were printed fortnightly, showing the names of those who attended the meetings to do the work He thought a report should be presented of all relief committees. —The Chair- man said it would be a very difficult matter, bacause on a Saturday morning the members moved about from one relief committee to an other.—Mr. Meth. Davies said he knew an Aberdare guardiac who never attended a com- mittee meeting, ami he thought ^the proposal would show up the humbugs. "Why do the ratepayers send such humbugs on the Board?" he asked.—Rcctor of Dowlais: The people know who attend meetings without its being pointed out to them. SITE FOR A SANATORIUM. The Sanatorium Committee reported having discussed with Dr. Ward the question of the treatment of the phthisical casss in the work- house, a.nd having regard to the large number of such cases in the Infirmary, and the urgent need of providing suitable accommodation for them. the Committee appointed a deputation, consisting of Mrs. Evans, R«v. LI. Williams, and Mr. John Prowle with the Clerk, to wait upon the Earl of Plymouth s agent, and Messrs. Guest, Keen, and Co., im- mediately. with the view to the jte selected at Pontsarn being acquired for redion of a sanatorium without furi\<?r delay.—The Cerk ifa-id he communicated witr" Mr. Forrest, the Eari of Plymouth's igsnv, and met him at Cardiff. He said thai, the Earl would be pleas- ed to present the freehold site at Pontsa.rn free of cost other than solicitors' charges Jhear, hear). He had Written to Mr Wm Evans, proneral manager of Guest, Keen, and Co., who held the 'and for an unexpired term of twelve years, and a reply ha<'i t»sn received that he would lay the mattw before the next meeting of his directors.—On the motion of Mr. J Prowie, chairman 6f the Sanatorium Commit- teel seconded by the Rector of Dow. a is, a hearty vote of thanks was passed and ordered to be sent to the Ear! of Plymouth. CHILDREN DOING WELL. At a meetinsr of the Children's Homes CQtn- mittee, an application was made for permission for the children to attend a. performance si the Trecvncn Hall bv the Trecynon Co-operative i Society. The CommiUee recommended that permission be granted accordingly, and that the thanks of the Board be conveyed, to tne Society for their invitation.—The Superintend- ent reported that the garctenor bad been absent from dutv for t.wo vrosks owmg to sickness. The Committee authorised the Supeirntendent to engage a temporary substitute, if necessary, during the pardener's absence.—A letter read from Mr Henry Thomas, Brynwgan. LJandilo, with whom Agnes Fleming had been on trial, stating that the girl was giving every satisfaction, and he intended keeping her- The Committee recommended that the usua 1. con- tract be signed.The Committee considered the father's application for William Charles Hoskins, and instructed the Superintendent to visit his home and report at the next meeting of the Commitfiee.—'The Superinteudent pro- duced to the Committee a pupil's certificate granted by the Military School of Music, Kneller Hall, that Eugene McCarthy, of the 1st S.W. Borderers, & former inmate of the Training Sohooil had undergone a course of instruction on the euphonium, and had attain- ed a good d«>=v» of proficiency as a performer thereon. The recorded their sure at the progHo* raado by McCarthy.—The report was adopted. STAFFIK'y OF COTTAGE HOMES AND SCHOOL. At the last costing it was stated that two foster-mothers an assistant were in charge of the new ríving" home, which contained only six children. In consequence, the Chil- dren's Homes Committee had considered the matters, and reported as follows—The Clerk submitted the foi.lowing particulars with refer- ence to the number ,of inmates and staff engag- ed at the School'and HomesNumber of in- mates and accommodation on Sth- March, 1910: Training 48 girls; accommodation. boys. 58 girls. Receiving Home: Tnmates, 5 boys, 3 girls;, accommoda- tion, 15 boys, 15 girK No. 1 Home, Aberdare: Inmates, 1 boy. 14 girls; accommodation, 16 children. No. 2 Home, Aberdare: Ihmates, 6 boys, 10 girls; accommodation, 16 children. No. 1 Homes Bargoed: 1 boy, 8 girls: accom- modation. 10 children. No. 2 Home, Bargoed: Inmates, 2 boy*. 7 giris ;■ accommodation, 10 children. StaffTraining School: Superin- tendent and Matron, schoolmistress and assist- ant schoolmistress, tailor, boilerman, gardeper, shoemaker and boy helper, laundress and eight washerwomen and scrubbers, 2 needlewomen, stocking maker, female trainer, children's. &t: tendant, cook and 'matron s .servant. Receiv- ing Home: Foster mother and assistant foster mother. No; 1 Home, Aberdare: Foster mother. No. 2 Home, Abordare (Children's Hospital: Foster mother and nurse. No. 1 Home, Bargoed: Foster mother. No. 2 Home, Bargoed: Foster mother. The Clerk further reported that the number of children in the Workhouse was 59, of whom only 13 were in the children's quarters, the remainder being in the Infirmary under medical treatment. The 13 children referred to were not suitable for transfer to the Receiving Home, and such of the children in the Infirmary as were suitable would be sent over to the Receiving Home as !'oon as the c Medical Officer certified them to be fit.-The Committee recommended in view of the small number of children at present in. the Receiving Home, that the assistant foster mother be required to assist with the needle- work of the Training School until the number of children increased;—Mr. Meth. Davies said that a.t the last meeting the Rector of Dowlais said there were three officers in the Receiving Home with only six chtln. Aooording to this report, there was one foster mother, an assistant.—Mr. J. Prowie said he was respon- sible for that statement, and it was correct.— Rev. J O'Reilly. said the statement was not correot. There was only one foster mother and an assistant. The other person was a girl who at present was not capable of taking any ap- pointment—one of the inmates of the school. THE STIPENDIARY GUARDIANS. The Clerk referred to the dispute between the Board and the Stipendiary Magistrate (Sir T. Marchaat Williams) with reference to mainten- ance ordere. O.noe ■ they had been made by the Bench, it was the duty of the Board, if they wiihed an order reduced, to return to court with further evidence.—Tho Warrant Officer (Mr. Llewelyn Richards)- submitted a report to the Board, in which he stated at the Merthyr Polioe-oourt on Friday, 11th inst, three maintenance orders were applied for, and the Stipendiary declined to hear any evidence in the first case, and in the other two cases struck out the summonses. Mr. Richards added that the Stipendiary eaid that he Would hear no case in which the Board had already decided what amount a week a person ought to pay, and he Would not allow the Guardians to interfere with any order made. • by the magistrates, the proper course being, if any contributor desired ,a.tanytnDe to have his case reconsidered, to the court and make his application. The Clerk expressed hiftisalf surprised at the attitude of the Stipendiary. Whether the friction was started by the Warrant Officer telling the Bench that the Board wanted an order of so much per week he did not know, but it seemed to him to be a denial of justice to the Board that any of their cases should not be duly heard. In a further report the warrant officer stated that on Friday, the 18th instant, Sir Marohant Williams referred to the case of Mr. James, licensee of the Maesyowmmer Inn, Maesycwmmer, and complained that an order made by the magistrates on the 21st December last, for payment of 6s- 6d- per week, was re- duced by the Guardians on the Sth January to 3s. 6d. a week, and he said that the Stipendiary impreseecl upon him that the order of the magistrates was the only legal one, and it must 1>6 enforced as from the date when it was made. RECTOR OF DOWLAIS AND THE BENCH. The Rev. Lt. M. Williams (Rector of Dow- lais), said that the Stipendiary, as the mouth- piece of the Bench, had held the Board up to contempt, and tried to prove that they were squandering the money of the rate- payers, caring for no one but those, who were able to influence tbem in some backstairs way. In the strongest possible manner he repudi- ated the insinuation. With respect to the insulting remarks made about ministers, they would probably take other action, but he cer- tainly thought the time hod come when they should expose the practises of the Sknch bv declining to go lr>iore th-oin Lev Oi ders. and when they should take the Stip^ndw ry at his word, and apply to tho ixvth Conut for a maAo&mufc £ & fclgq .Uwg 1 .II eend a protect to the Lord Chancellor, so iixat he might know how those he appointed to the Bench were carrying on their work. Mr. John Prowle remarked that Sir Mar- chant Williams had no sympathy for the poor. Tb., t" wa-8 a. larger Labour representation on the Merthyr Board of Guardians than on any other Board of Guardians in the kingdom ,and ho believed that this accounted very largely for the criticism to which they ex- posed. Rev. J. O'Reilly If the Stipendiary is right in law we shall have to submit. The Clerk said that the Board, as litigants, had to apply to the court to make the orders against men who declined to contribute to- ward, the cost of the maintenance of their relatives. By this m?ans the Board recovered about a year. In the interest of the Board any friction with the Justices should be avoided. It was quite true that an order rnado by the magistrates could not ba varied without the consent of the court who made the order. On the other hand the magistrates could not interfere with the Board's instruc- tions to their collector not to press for the money, as the Board had done seores of times-, but an order made by the magistrates could not be reversed by any order made bv the Board. The magistrates alone vary the order. It was unfortunate,, said the Clerk, that the order in question came up for revision 60 soon after it was made, and Sir Marchant Williams declined to reduce the order from 6s. 6d. If the Board were of opinion that the order ought not to be enforced thoy should instruct the collector to ask the Bench to vary it. It would 00 the legal course.—Rev J. O'Reilly: We cannot recover money without the order of the magistrates?—Tho Clerk: That is the machin- ery for recovering the money.—Mr. J. Prowie: Could not we go to the County Clerk replied that if the Board used the County Court thev would lose hundreds of pounds.—No resolution was passed, but the Warrant Officer was instructed to report further upon the case of Mr. James. INCREASED PRECEPT. The Clerk laid before the Board the estimate of receipts and expenditure for the half-year ending 30th September next, which showed that a call of £42,000 would have to be. made upon the overseers as compared with £41,000, the actual expenditure during the corresponding ha2f-year :-rlr, David Evans pointed out that the Glamorgan county rate was £16,212, as oompared with £15,087, and he asked the reason.—The Clerk said his estimate was based upon information received from Mr. Franklen, clerk to the County Council.—In reply to Mr. W. Harris, the Clerk said that until the County Council adjustment had taken place, certain changes would be made by the County Council, and the money would be repaid after adjust- ment. VARIOUS. Mr. T. T. Jenkins asked the Clerk to pre- pare a return showing the trade or calling of every male and female in the Hou e. Mr. W. Jones said he was told that the building contractor who was carrying'out work at the House was not employing Trade Union labour.—Tl:e Clerk said he would write to the oontraotor.—The Rector of Dowlais: Suppose tiie men are sent on the job from the Labour Exchange ? Miss Lilian Mabel Hall, aged 28, of the Workhouse Infirmary Staff, Reading, was ap- pointed female visitor. A sub-committee reported having considered the letter of complaint signed by seven inmates of the Workhouse, and the Master's reply thereto. The Committee also interviewed the Master, Porter, and Labour Master, and the inmates who signed the letter.—The Committee reported having found the charge of cruelty and inhuman treatment made against the offic- ers to be utterly groundless. It was reported that the application of the vaccination officers for increased remuneration had been submitted to the Finance Committee. —The Committee recommended that the con- sideration of the matter be deferred for two months, and that the Clerk be directed to ob- tain in the meantime particulars as to the re- muneration paid in neighbouring Unions.—This was approved.

Important Case to Insurance Agents. ABERCYNON'AGENT'S CLAIM. A case involving the status and rights of assurance agents was heard at the Glamor- ganshire Assizes on Friday and Saturday last, before Mr. Justice Pickford and a. special jury, in which the plaintiff was Thomas Wi. iiams, of 244, Abercynon-road, Abercynon, and the defendants the Royal London Mutual Insurance Society, Ltd. The plaintiff was represented by Air. B. Francis-Williams, K.C., and Mr. Roland E. L. Vaughan-Wiiliams (in- structed: by Messrs. Gwilym James, Charles and Davies, Merthyr Tydfil); whilst Mr. John Sankey, 'K.C., and Mr' T. Arremus Jones (in- structed by Messrs. H. Kingsley, Wood, and Co., London) appeared for the defendants. Mr. Francis Williams, K.C.. in opening the case for the plaintiff, explained that up till the year 1908, the defendants had carried on busi- ness for forty .years under the styl of the Royal London Friendly Society, and was. a Friendly Society registered under the Friendly Societies Act, but that in August, 1908, the Society converted itself into a company. The Plaintiff entered the Society's employ, in 1892 as a spare-time collector, but did not sign any agreement of service until 1895. In the month of May of the latter year, a spare-time agree- ment was signed by -the plaintiff, which pro- vided, among other things, that the books sup- plied by the Society should be at the disposal of the committee of management (by whom the affairs of the Society were conducted), as pro- vided by Rule 2a of the Society's rules, and that the plaintiff. was not to resign the ap- pointment without giving at least 14 days' notice in writing, and the committee of man- agement were not to dismiss him without giv- ing a similar notioe, unless he was discharged for breach of Paragraph 8 of the agreement. Counsel explained that Paragraph 8 provided that the plaintiff was to held the appointment only upon condition that he conformed in all respects to the instructions, rules, and regula- tions of the Society. Coun-rel then referred to Rule 2a of the Society's registered rules, which provided that a collector holding a collecting book shall not be arbitrarily deprived of his office, but shall be deprived of his office only for dishonesty, wilful disobedience of orders, incompetency, neglect, or conduct calculated in the opinion of the committee of management to be injurious to the interests of the Society; and anv collector shall, except in cases where he is deprived of his office upon any of the grounds above specified, be at liberty (subject to the approval of the committee) to retire and nominate as his successor any person who shall, in the opinion of the oommittee, be eligible for such position; and such nominee shall enter upon, the office of the retiring collector to hold office as collector on the same conditions as his predecessor, etc. Learned cbunsel then reminded the jury that although the Society became converted into a company in the year 1908, and drew up fresh agreements for signa- ture by their collectors, which agreements can- ried forward the rights of the collectors as they previously existed, no fresh agreement was placed before the plaintiff for his signature. Immediately after the conversion, the defend- ants began to ut pressure upon all their col- lectors who held large books to sell portions thereof, and to nominate successors to such ppr- tions. This policy of splitting books, counsel contended, operated to the distinct loss of the collector, and benefited the defendants only, who, however, offered no compensation to the collector for the loss suffered by him. The defendants put pressure upon the plaintiff to dispose of half his book, .which had a weekly collection upon it of over £10. The book was a large and profitable one, had been built up by the plaintiff's own energies. He declined to eplit his book, and under pressure, offered to sell* the who of it to one buyer. This the -defendania would not have, and then they oogan. to subject the plaintiff to all sorts of restrictions with a view to daunting him. The correspondence which, passed between the de- fendants and their local inspector and etfpafin- tendent#, and which the defendants had been compelled to disclose, showed that an exhaust- ive aiatnination "of the plaintiff's agency was ordered, and'that tbeSe local superior oftioers had been obliged to admit. in their reports that the plaintiff's detail work was satisfactory, and no fault could, be found with the correct- ness of. bis accounts. In fact, no suggestion of dishonesty had ever been made by the defend- ants; yet on August 12th last, after serving them for 17 years., they dismissed him by notice. And after those proceedings had been commenced, they advanced as one of t.hcilir reasons for dismissal that the plaintiff had been devoting some of his time to canvassing for drapery orders; another reason being that the plaintiff did not present his accounts personally at the branch offioè" but sent them by post. Counsel then dls.It, with the plaintiff's claim, and explained that he asked for damages for, wrongful dismissal and an injunction restraining the defendants from in any way dealing with his collecting book. The plaintiff, on being sworn, bore out his oounsel's opening statement, and stated that after his dismissal he advertised his book for sale as one book. He reoeived various offers therefor, ranging from JS115 to £200. He in- formed the defendants' local superintendent that he was prepared to nominate any one of the buyers, and referred the buyers to him to" test the business on the book. The defendants, however, would not accept a single nominee, and none of the buyers was prepared to buy anything less than the whole book. In conse- quence of the attitude of the defendants, he had suffered loss.-Plaintiff was then cross-examin- ed by Mr. Sankey as to his presen* occupation, and his income therefrom. In further cross- examination, he denied having taken a pro- posal when there was no insurable interest He admitted having paid a claim out of hU ¡ own pocket on the life of John Li teen. He re- garded it as a valid claim, and h.ad advanced the amount due on it, in order to meet th" nres^mg needs of the claimant. He admitted having done thi- on previous occasions, but had never been r<epn?vian;lod for it. He thought lie was acting in the interests of the Society in i doso, for they adverted that claims «« '•aid promptly. He adrni^tid that h* had ten- ded hia by post. Ho dooe »o for sixteen years without comp aint, but tooic them in personally after receiving instructions to do so. He also admitted that he had been carrying on a side-line in the drapery, but claimed that he had the right to do so as he was only a spare-time agent. Some of the prospective buyers then went into the witness-box to prove the offers made bv them to the plaintiff, and evidence was also adduced on his behalf to show the selling price of collecting books like his in the South Wales district. Mr. Sankey, K.C., then opened the case for th-3 defendants. He submitted that as to the wrongful dismissal part of the claim, there was no case to go to the jury.—The Judge dissented and referred learned counscl to the ru'es of the Societv and the defendants' memo. of associa- tion.—Mr. Sankey then argued that the con- struction of the plaintiff's agreement and the rules could not be that the appointment was a. life appointment, and that the rules and memo. of association conferred no contractual rights upon the plaintiff.—The learned Judge said he was inclined to the contrary opinion, whereupon Mr. Sankey proceeded tc deal with the plam- tiff's claim" as to the nominating right of the collecting book.—In the course of the argu- ment, counsel withdrew the plea which had been put into the defence that the plaintiff's nominating rights only operated during the currency of his notice, and also withdrew all allegations which had been made against the plaintiff. He went on to say that he rested his case entirely upon the two legal points, viz.: that the defendants bad power (1) to give the notice of dismissal, and (2) to compel a collector to split up his book. The Judge: That being so, if you can agree upon the damages to be awarded the plaintiff, subject to those points, the legal argument had better be taken in London.—Mr. Francis- Williams: I agree, my lord. The parties and their counsel then conferred, and ultimately Mr. Sankey informed the Court that the damages to be paid to the plaintiff by the defendants had been agreed at £200, subject to his Lordship's decision upon the legal points raised by him.

NEW GOODS for Early Spring & Easter AT J. S. DAVIES & Co.'s, Drapers, Milliners, Costumiers, &c., HIGH STREET, DOWLAI S, Messrs. J. S. DAVIES & Co. in making their first announcement of the Opening of the NEW SEASON'S SHOW desire to point out that every effort will be made to please their Customers in the future, as in the past. The whole of the Business being under Mr. J. S. Davies's own direct supervision, guarantees the thoroughness of the attempt, and of its accomplishment. THE LARGE DOUBLE WINDOW is being devoted to a SHOW OF BLOUSES such as has not been seen in this District before, and of a variety such as are seldom obtainable. BLOUSES in smart Useful Materials, Fancy Flannels, as well as. Delaines, Silks and Nuns Veiling. 0 The other Windows contain a Fine Selection of EARLY SPRING NOVELTIES, Consisting of the Newest and Latest Productions for the Easter Season.' MJJLMNERY—New Millinery. Modern Shapes in every Shade and Style. A good start for an Early Spring Hat is by securing one of J. S. Davies & Co.'s. They are the Latest Productions. New Flowers—The choicest manufactures of the Artificial Flower- Makers in this country and the Continent. New Trimmings. Feathers, Mounts, Buckles, &c. New Ribbons of all descriptions, Chiffons, and Tulles. J. S. DAVIES & Co. stock Perfexa," Rainproof, and the Peau de Gant finished Tulles, as advertised and recommended in all the Ladies' Fashion Journals. Children's Millinery and Costumes in endless variety. Children's Hats and Bonnets in Straws, Silks, and Combination. In Children's Costumes, Pelisses, and Tunics, J. S. D. & C have a choice that is not to be equalled in South Wales. These Goods are in Cashmeres, Lustres, Silks, and Fine Cloths. The Styles are Right The Prices are Incomparable Mantles, Costumes, Coats, and Skirts. This Department is replete with all that is New and Fashionable. Special Purchase of Ladies' Tweed Jackets, splendid value, 48 in. to 52 in. lengths, from 9/11 to 14/11; usual price 19/11 to 27/6, Ladies' Dress Skirts in Serges, Cloths, Tweeds, and Cashmeres. beautifully trimmed, at moderate prices. Underskirts in White Embroidered Muslins, from 1/11l' also in Prints and Moreens. I J. S. DAVIES & CO., 118, 172, 173, 176, High St., X>c>Iie¡. Tram Terminus is opposite the Door. "All Trams bring Customers to DAYlK.Ve." I

A Variable Gear for Tandems. Tandem riders who have experienced diffi- culty in finding a suitable three-speed gear will be interested in a letter from Mr. C. S. Martin, of Preston. Writing to the Sturmey-Archer Gears, Ltd., Nottingham, he says:—"I have used j-our gear on my special R.R. tandem.. and it has run through the season with great- est credit, and I think it is impossible to find a gear for tandem work to come within 50 per cent. of yours." The fact that the Sturmey Archer gear is constructed of tandem strength throughout should be borne in mind by tandem riders when ordering their mounts this sea- son.

New G.W.R. Route London and Birmingham. t The new line which the G.W.R. Company I have been constructing between Ashendon and Aynho is rapidly approaching completion, and it is expected that a service of express and local trains will actually be in operation in the course of a month or two. The length of the line is about twenty miles, and when the new train service between London and Birmingham is inaugurated, the distance will be shortened by IE4 miles, and the time occupied on the journey considerably reduced. The saving thus affect- ed will, no doubt, be greatly appreciated by business men both of London and the Metropo- lis of the Midlands. The new line passes through a very beautiful tract of country in Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire, and will open up a district which has hitherto been without the advantages of direct railway com- munication. New stations are being built at Aynho Park. Ardley, Blackthorn, Bioester. and Brill and Ludgershall. Ardley and Black- thorn were formerly some distance fron: L- nearest railway station, and the two I places were served by stations on branch lines. When the new line is opened to the public, these places will be on one of the most impor- tant lines running out of London.

Glamorgan County Assessments. APPEALS FROM LLANWONNO AND PENDERYN. At the meeting of the Glamorgan County Council last Thursday, a number of appeals were made for reduction in the county rate assessments. Mr. William Phillips, appearing for the Llanwonno overseers, stated that there had been a decrease of nearly £10,000 in the ratable value of the parish. This was due mainly to Nixon's Navigation Colliery having ceased working coal during the past nine months in order to extend the pit shaft and to sink to the lower coal measures. There, was no pros- pect of much coal being raised for two years. The county rate had been increased from £ 192,020 to £197,093. The overseers were prepared to split their claim and allow the basis to remain at the former figure. The appeal was allowed. Appeals lodged by Penderyn, Glyn- corrwg, and Talybont were not entertained. Alderman E. H. Davies, J.P., announced that the county assessments amounted to C3,340,885 last year, and for the ensuing year the amount would be E3,415,662, an increase of £74,779. A r penny rate on the new basis would briny in £ 14,231 18s. Id. The new basis was formally conirmed.

CURED HIS RUPTURE. Mr. D. Harris, ex-Inspector of Police, 25, I Rock-terrace, Merlins Hill, Haverfordwest, had suffered severely for ten years, ani was sound- ly cured at 56 years of a-jte. This case is one of I' of the many thousands-which have entirely dis- pensed with a truss after using the Rice' Method of curing rupture. For the imediate relief of all ruptured people a sample treatment and com- plete detail will be sent free (sealed and post paid) to all who write within the next 30 days. This is a thoroughly tried method that has cured every kind and condition of rupture in men, women, and children, the labouring man ItS well as the gentleman of leisure, at home, without pain, danger, < aeration, or loss of time, and at a small cost. A core will mean freedom from suffering and years of comfort added to the length of your life. A very valuable treatise on Rupture has just been issued, which will enable any suffer- er to know as much about the true nature of rupture as any ordinary Doctor. It also explains fully the process of cure, and will show you just what to do to be cured. We desire to place a. copy in the hands of every ruptured person, for the great ber.e't we know it will be to them. Do not fail to write at onoe for the sample treat- ment and this valuable bock, and learn all about this God-send to the Ruptured. Tell ur fr;ends a.bout it also, that they, too, may send for a copy.- A(ldress, WILLIAM S. RICE, D.S., LTD., G.P.O. Box No. 5 (B. 489), 8 & 9, ST02^CJUTTER STREET, LONDON, E.C.

I Telegraphic Addrem-Boulton, Merthrr. Nat. Telephone, No. 122. I. P -Ld & Disabled Horses & Cattle PROMPTLY REMOVttC I Kg'. J. Boulton & Sons, LICENSED ) Horse Slaughterers, TREBEDDAU FARM, MOUNTAIN HARE, MERTHYR. Benches AT Sirhowy Inn Stables, Sirhowy AND Castle Inn Stables, Aberamary; COLDS, I ASTHMA, | BRONCHITIS.! DIAIle MIRACULOUS CHEST, COUGH, AND LUNG HEALER. VViJJ imlUediately arrest the coume of the disease and guard against all ill effects. It possesses man* villous belling and tonic properties, iord give# instant R&Vcf to Coughs, Colds, Hoarseness Bronchitis, Difficulty of Breathing, etc. It is very beneficial, and lias proved for many years a BOOM a,nd a BLESSING to THOUSANDS of SUPFERHRS in all parts of the World. Prices, 1/1 £ and 2/3, of all Chemists and Stores; 1/8 or 2/6 from the sole proprietors and inventors, G. DEAKIN A HUGHES. 'fhe inflammation Remedies Co., BUENAVOK, TAKE THE 8HEATB DEAKIN'S OF LIFE." ■ .1 —— IMPORTANT TO ALL. A UNIVERSAL REMEDY. Through indisputable proof from Europe. Atfc Iralia, Asia, Africa, a:id Amerka. The ".U-,kM NINA" Herbal Ointment can lay claim to the diw tinction for healing all manners uf diseases to whicl& the human body is subject. It is prepared in three distinct strengths-As No. K Full, for Cancer. Tumours, Lupus, etc. As No. 2* Medium, for Poisoned and Virulent Wounds of ever* description. Rheumatism. Piles, ctc. As No. 3, Mild[ for all manner of Skin Diseases, Burns, Scald*. Sprains, etc., etc. The Prices per pot for No. 1-2/9, 4/6 and 8/6. »• Nos. 2 and 3—1/1!, 2/9, and 4/& And is sold by the following Dispensing Chemist^ viz. Messrs. V A. Wills, 3a, Victor;a,.etrect, Nter,. thyr; T. Davies, Porth, 1). E. Davies, Treorchy; Emrys Evans. Aberdare: Oliver Daviet. Mili-street £ Pontypridd; Mr. D. George, Dispensing Oheroist* 153. Bute-street, Treherbert, Sir. T. Thomas, M.R.P.S., Consulting Chemist. Cash Drug Stores Co., Treh^irris: Mr. D. Williams. M.P.S.. Dispens- ing Chemist, Commercial-street, Mountain Ash, etc, or can be obtained direct from the Sole Proprietors, The Mannina Ointment Co.. (Tra< Mark) Main Street, FISHGUARD. Please write for Free BuOkieU