The Rhondda Leader

Editorial Notes. The dialogue between Dr. Horton and Mr. Meyer anent the missions of the Christian Church revealed the great divinity doctor as decrying, or at any rate being very pessimistic about the suc- cess of, missions. The reports were obviously very contracted, and in the absence of the context, gave a shudder to the Christian public, who thought that Dr. Horton had gone over to the enemies of missions. We fell into the same despair- ing view, and wondered what, had become of the idol of Free Churchism of the land. Therefore, it was a real relief to find Dr. Horton an advocate for the success of missions, and that his real point was that they only succeeded in proportion to the measure of the support which the Chris- tian Churches gave them. He cites the fact that we only spend in one year about a thirtieth part which we spent on the Boer War. Christian England spent mil- lions upon millions upon the subjugation of two small political States, If Chris- tians exercised their power to correlate political activity to the principles under which they worship, the missionary cam- paign would soon be seen triumphing throughout the world. The Labour cause must not be allowed to risk its purposes in the political arena by differences among the leaders. We have a firm belief in the sane methods pursued by Mabon during his long leader- ship of the Labour cause in South Wales, and we would feel apprehensive if Mr. Keir Hardie's rushing tactics were not restrained. Mabon has an infinitely stronger record as a mining leader than the junior member for Merthyr. Both Mabon and Keir Hardie started their careers as representatives of miners one among the Scottish miners, and the other among the Welsh miners. The Welshman still holds his position and with the in- creasing acceptance of his people, while Mr. Keir Hardie had to cross the boun- dary in search of a Parliamentary seat many years since. This reason alone with us suggests caution in the consideration we should give to the dictation or advice of the two leaders, and, therefore, we must weigh the evidence of the two men accordingly. In the present instance there is a distinct conflict of fact between the two men. Mr. Keir Hardie is very prone to blame a Liberal Government. It is a tradition with him to find fault with the Party which has historically, at any rate, shown the initial sympathies with democratic aspirations. In the present Administration in power there is the strongest possible guarantee of genuine legislation with Labour legislation. Nevertheless, Mr. Keir Hardie can only very grudgingly recognise this. His ver- sion of the attitude of the Government on the incident of the Parliamentary Com- mittee appointed to consider the Eight Hours principle is very misleading, and looks suspiciously designed to alienate the miners from the Government. Mabon was perfectly justified in saying that "Mr. Keir Hardie seems to assume the role of critic-general of everyone outside the pale of his own party." The advice of let the cobbler stick to his last" would not be out of place to Mr. Keir Hardie when the special concern in a Parliamentary way is the Miners' Federation's matter. The leaders know their business and the procedures best likely to produce the results desired. The Miners' Federation representatives did not want a Parliamen- tary Committee, and naturally they were not wanting a representative man on that Committee. If the L.R.C. leaders are going to overrule the Federation leaders in the details of their particular legislation, then the sooner the miners of South Wales revoked the voting regis- tered on the affiliation election. It would be well for Mr. Keir Hardie to remember, too, that Welsh miners may be fooled once or twice, but not always. When they wake up, he will find that they will not stand much tomfoolery even from him. < < The Shipping World," in a paragraph on growth of Trade Unionism, says: —! As foreign Governments do not them- selves prepare or supply comprehensive details respecting the position of Trades Unions in their respective countries, and as there are not similar or regular sources of information on the subject, it follows, of course, that, as Mr. O. Wilson Fox says in the Abstract of Foreign Labour statistics just issued as a Blue Book, that the Board of Trade can only supply par- tial data, especially with respect to the; finance of those bodies. But enough is known, and is shown in the publication referred to, to make it clear that steady and in some case rapid growth' is going on in countries of progressive industrial development. It, would be strange if that were not the case. The German 'Social Democratic Societies' have nearly doubled their membership in five years; we are not quite sure that this term is the equivalent of Gewerkschaften '—literally it is not, but, we must suppose the Board of Trade to have authority for the use of the phrase—the Christian Societies' have similarly progi-essed whilst what the Board calls Hirsch-Duneker Societies,' and the Germans Gewerkvereine" hold their own; to this locution a similar remark may be applied. So far as the income per head is known, it is given, and varies, from j61 6s. 6d. per head in Norway to 6s. 6d. amongst the German Christian Unions. Austria (of all countries) and Switzerland are the countries where a year's income is known to be in the hands of unions." » conciliation Boards are not unknown on the Continent, but as respects the machinery for dealing with trade disputes, the principal difference between England and Continental countries, and it is a great one, is that here they are indepen- dently dealt with by the, parties them- selves—and, it may be added, generally with remarkable success—whilst our neighbours deal with them almost univer- sally by official methods. There are in Germany two regular and distinct sets of tribunals; Courts of Arbitration for trades guilds, and Industrial Courts for other trade and labour disputes. These Industrial Courts are hard and fast judi- cial ones; they have to be established in all towns with over 20,000 inhabitants, and may be formed by the Government elsewhere on requisition. They consist of equal numbers of elected representatives of employers and employed. In France, as is well-known, the justice of the peace plays a prominent part in labour disputes; lie forms committees for their settlement, and may take the initiative; failing con- ciliation, arbitrators are chosen on each side, the magistrate taking the leading part in these proceedings. It is curious that Italy continues the Conseils des Prud- hommes, long since abolished as antiquated in France. By these equal numbers of representatives are elected by the parties, under a Government President, but, when arbitration fails, it seems that all must begin again, and go to a regular Court of Arbitration. In other countries proce- dure varies. America is a rule to itself. Great Britain on the whole can perhaps boast the greatest success! in settlement of disputes, which have been remarkably few during recent years. The National Eisteddfod always opens with a meeting of the Cymrodorion Society. This body is primarily a Welsh institution which encloses' in its fold all the most gifted, and, withal, the most ardent and patriotic of Welshmen. Its non-political character, too, makes for its national strength and influence. From it first sprang the aspiration for a Welsh University, and the Welsh system of Inter- mediate Education received its inspiring initiation from the same Cymrodorion gatherings. The Society includes literary and practical men-a real safeguard for the permanency of all institutions. The Cymrodorion at Carna-rvon addressed themsolven to a criticism of the Univer- sity, and particularly to the examination of the work and function of the Univer- sity in correlation with the intellectual progress of the Welsh nation. Mr. Llewelyn Williams, M.P. for Carmarthen Boroughs, and one of the best Welshmen in the land, asked the question, Had the Welsh University done for Wales all that its founders and friends hoped to expect from it ? The University should foster the peculiar culture of a nation at its best and highest. Parliament might make laws, but a University formed the national character. A University should be in the closest sympathy with the nation it caters for it should be the nur- sery of its native and peculiar talent, and should be based upon a foundation which works to develop its latent gifts upon national lines. Exery constituent College should be redolent. of the native aspiration, and its literary and historical programmes should have the first regard to the crea- tions of its own past. If the University represented the Welsh character in the same degree as the Eisteddfod, then all would be well. Sir Marchant Williams' criticism that the dominant guidance of the University was the Senate of Pro- fessors, and that in personnel these were very large strangers to the characteristics of the served, was not without point and force. Naturally, the academical require- ments of the University demand a wide choice of professorial talent and expert capacity, and no new University could well, in its educational interest, avoid to engage professors from other countries. The criticism of Sir Marchant is not directed against the engagement of such talent, but against the want of sympathy shown by many of these men with the characteristics of the people for whom the University has been provided. Take the case quoted by Sir Marchant that it was a struggle to get Welsh history recognised at Cardiff. The reason was that the Senate of Professors, who recommend all courses of studies, had attached more importance to general European history, and, as a result, gave but a small corner to Welsh history. All that is wanted is more Professors in the Welsh Colleges of the type of Professor Anwyl-a man of broad scholarship and great tensity of nationalism. These men would soon create the atmosphere and would soon frame the University foundations on the desired line. Wales does not wish For less scholarship, but certainly it is right, to expect a Welsh spirit in the distri- bution of it. If this is done, it wili pro- duce its great men with the right ring and tradition in character. The Worcester electors, to the tune of over a thousand, are bribeable. What a text for a sermon on One man, one vote." When will the people wake up from their profound sleep of indifference to their duties as living citizens? The Worcester elector is cheaper now than he used to be. His price went as high as ten shillings in 1895; he only charged two shillings in the last Election. Pos- sibly, at the next Election he will be glad to give his vote for nothing. Constituen- cies of this rotten class can only be puri- fied by a long spell of franchise fasting; and what can be the state of the Christian Church in a place like this?

Correspondence. Letters on any subject of public interest are cordially invited. The insertion of a letter does not neces- sarily. mean that the Editor agrees with the views expressed therein. Correspondents should write on one side of the paper only, and no letter will be published unless the writer sends his name and address, not necessarily for pub- lication, but as a guarantee of good faith. Propitiating the Gods." To the Editor of the Rhondda. Leader." Sir,—Under the above heading, the Indian Daily News (Calcutta) recently contained this from its Burma correspon- dent — The unusually severe epidemic of small-pox is scaring the natives so much, especially the Ciringhi class, that native offerings are daily made to propitiate the pi deities. They parade through the streets daily, beating tom-toms and blowing in- struments, under the belief that they will frighten away the evil spirits and thus remove the epidemic." Should readers here in our own islands be disposed to view this as superstition., they may well pause and first pull the beam out of their own eye before pretend- ing to see the mote in that of these loss favoured Burmese. The custom which prevails in this country of attempting to prop iate the small-pox god by the offer- ing of a. filthy poison gotten from the festering sores of animals, such as the process of vaccination involves, is cer-i tainly not less superstitious than that of the Burmese, whilst its slaying of thtfu- ■ sands and maiming of tens of thousands; prove it to be infinitely more mischievous than the harmless beating of tom-togs and blowing of instruments. Who can honestly doubt, that were this "grotesque I superstition" not buttressed up by Uw and a vast monied interest, that medial men calling themselves scientific wotjd soon disown it, and that it would cease to retard the progress of scientific truth as it now does? -i- Dr. Scott Tebb closes his" Century of Vaccination "-a book for the writing or which Dr. Tebb has been shameful penalised, but which still remains tn- answered-with these weighty words: a If allowed to prophesy, I cannot hdp thinking that another generation will lcok back with amazement and incredulity that for a hundred years the people of thE,se islands should have worshipped at tie shrine of a strange, unreasonable and mis- chievous superstition." Yours faithfully, Bradford-on-Avon J. WEST. August 21st, 1906.

Mr. BONNER MORGANSl I New Sight-Testing Roomv I ARE NOW OPEN I And are claimed to be the Most Complete and Perfectly-Equipped in the United Kingdom. Eg Cases requiring medical attention are not undertaken but referred to an Ophthalmic Surgeon. pj CHAKGES ARE MODERATE AND INCLUSIVE OF TESTING | (Park Hall 101, Queen Street, i: CARDIFF J lull I

THE National Eisteddfod. Tonypandy Captures Second Choral. The National Eisteddfod, in point of popularity, is not waning. This is very clearly indicated by the splendid atten- dance of the general public, influential patronage, and the keen interest taken in the competitions. The Tonypandy Harmonic Sciety has come through the Eisteddfod with a healthy characteristic triumph. It was no narrow victory, but an unstinted award of pre-eminent achievement. The Rhondda has, by the success of Mr. David Evans' choristers, helped to stem the Saxon in- vasion of excellence into the domain of choral singing. Blackpool's efforts to repeat on Wednesday the success of the North Staffordshire Choir in the first choral competition on Tuesday, was not accomplished. The decision, too, gained by the Tonypandy Choir was not modified by acknowledgment of superior singing in any part by any of its rivals. The Har- monic Society made a thorough success of it. In the chief choral, the laurels of North Staffordshire were qualified by reservations. Llanelly sang God in a thunderstorm and won the praise that it was the finest performance of any piece," while Cardiff had the distinction of giving the best performance of the part-song. These items indicate very clearly that the continued pre-eminence of Staffordshire in the chief choral has had a rude check, and in that respect we are glad to see that progress can be reported. The choral singing on the second day, however, marks the fact that the Tonypandy Harmonic Society excelled in both selections, and was not a second in either. It was a complete reassertion of success by a Welsh choir. The gratitude of Welsh enthusiasts also is due to the Llanbradach Ladies' Choir. In that competition also the result was in no doubt whatever at any stage. We are writing before the events of the last two days can be commented upon, but we have no reason to be downhearted with the results of the first two days. The lessons of the past are bearing fruit, and since the entrance of our English friends invariably result in closer application, and the outcome of a higher standard of sing- ing, all is well. The Tonypandy Harmonic Society has been organised on the right lines. The education of the individual choristers and the progress of choral sing- ing has been the chief consideration in the minds of the promoters. They have travelled on sound lines, local vocalists have formed ninety-five per cent. of the choir, and the organisation has been genuinely amateur. The second choral contest, which was captured by the T'onypandy Choir on Wednesday, was an open contest for mixed choirs of from 60 to 80 voices for the best rendering of Emlyn Evans' chorus, Arise, All-potent Ruler," and W. M. Roberts' lullaby, Sleep, my dar- ling, sleep." The adjudicators were Dr. Greenish, Mr. Emlyn Evans, Dr. W. G. M'Naught, Mr. John Thomas, and Mr. David Evans. Seven choirs had entered, but Waenfawr and Blaenau Festiniog put in no appearance, and the remaining five sang in the following order: 1. Tonypandy and District Harmonic Society; conductor, Mr. David Evans. 2. Blackpool Glee and Madrigal Society; conductor, Mr. H. Whittaker. 3. Nantlie, Vale United Choir; conduc- tor, Mr. T. T. Powell. 4. Holyhead Choral Union; conductor, Mr. H. Williams. ,{5. Bangor United Choral Society; con- ductor, Mr. H. G. Brereton. The competition occupied two hours, and while waiting for the award Bos Dar entertained the expectant audience, with penillion singing to harp accompaniment. ADJUDICATION. Dr. F. R. Greenish, in delivering the award, said the adjudicators had had no difficulty in coming to a decision as to where the first and second prizes should go, and the decisions on both points were unanimous. The first choir that sahg (Tonypandy) had very fine voices, and the attack was good. They sang in excellent spirit, and gave a very excellent render- ing all through. In the part-song they had a nice expression, and although slightly out of tune in the middle of page 2 at the end of the slow movement, they finished the cadence beautifully in tune 1m returning to original time. It was a very good rendering, though the adjudicators thought they might have given a litile more expression on some points in the bat two pages of the part-song. The second choir (Blackpool) had a fair volume of voice, but it was not so good in quality. The sopranos were not so good in tone as those of No. 1. They gave a very nice rendering of the second piece, the cadence on page 2 being very well done, although it might have been taken with a litlle more expression and a little softer than it was. The third choir (Nantlle) was thin in tone, and in the rendering of the fifst piece the voices as a whole were forced out too much, and at the top of page 3 the sopranos spoiled the intonation, ajid the choir practically sang considerably out of time. The crescendo at the bottom of page 1 was very nicely done, but the cadence in page 2 was not quite in time. The rendering was not quite equal to what the adjudicators would have liked. The fourth (Holyhead) choir was not equal in tone to the previous choirs. There was a great deal of laboured effort in parts. The basses seemed unfortunate, and were completely out of tune in a passage where they had to lead, and the choir finished out of tune. The cadence in the part-song was not nicely done. The choir which sang next (Bangor) started in fair volume of tone, but the basses got out of tune. The part-song was very nicely done. The adjudicators awarded the second prize to Blackpool, and the first prize to Tonypandy. THE CHOIR. In 1903, Mr. David Evans formed a glee party to compete at the National Eistedd- fod at Llanelly, and this was the nucleus of the choir that has gained such a high £ The party, then called the Mid-Rhondda Glee Singers, carried off the first prize at Llanelly, and at Moun- tain Ash National Eisteddfod in 1905, repeated their success. In the second choral competition at Mountain Ash on Easter Monday of this year, the choir, under a new name, viz., the Tony- pandy and District Harmonic Society, were again awarded the first prize, and on Whit-Monday, in the chief choral at Caerphilly, they won the first prize 0* £ 50. The choir, therefore, holds a unique record. When winning at Llanelly the chodr numbered about a dozen, and at present numbers 80. Mr. Evans, the con- ductor, was born at Cwmbach, Abeid, 46 years ago., and is now employed at the Glamorgan Colliery as a fireman. Shortly after his removal to the Rhondda Valley he came in contact with the late Alaw Buallt, and his musical talents were quicklv developed. When in his teens he competed in several local events, and at the age of 18 was appointed conductor oi Bethania (C.M.) Church Band of Hope, and twelve months later conductor of the congregational singing and choirmaster. Five years ago the church showed its appreciation of his services by presenting him with an illuminated address and a purse of gold.

M' R. B W. BO WEN, of 26, Hawtlio'" Villas, Wrexham, writes to Mr. Le^ne July 28th, 1906 My wife's teeth to har<u, thanking you for prompt attention. She !s very pleased with them. She has had th<?u' now over four years and worn them nhd't and day. They fit so well that many of hei friends can't tell they are artificial. r call t say anything too highly of them. You }IIètY make what use you like of this letter for benefit of yourself and business. Wishing you every success. :Iol 2

England's Doggiest ToW". The Chief Characteristic of Haverfordwest. Probably the doggiest town in Grat Britain is Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshn6- lc is an old-world town, and is absolutely dependent upon agriculture and the breeding of dogs for its income. There are many men in the town who live wholly and make a good living by breeding, buying, and selling dogs. A though the population is only 6,000, ye 6,000 dog licenses are issued annually and there are also a large number 0 exemptions. Almost daily there are n101 dogs than people in the public streets, though valuable animals are never allowed to run loose. t Tramps and itinerant hawkers do nO find Haverfordwest attractive, and un- known postmen often complain of toil clothes and bites, and occasionally lettelS are delivered in a very erratic fashion Rural postmen invariably carry stout cudgels, cyclists and motorists must ;ilollr down, or risk broken necks, and compe £ sation claims which would spell ^'ila A ruptcy are continual. Dustmen "n, brushes always necessary, for and scattered dust-bins and dog-fights 111 the public streets are common occurrenceS. Haverfordwest dog breeders are kn)Wl1 for their working terriers, show terrIers, pointers, setters, and spaniels, which bred, reared, and traded daily for "iS sums through the fanciers' journals, a11 go everywhere. One fancier's kennel just sold by aucti<' realised £ 200, but £ 250 is not an eSHn" vagant price for a single dog, while £ 70, and £ 80 are almost common. J-r quaint old town, with its mixed English, and Flemish population, is the hub of the dogs' universe.

MR. OWENS, of Pen tie, writes April 25. 1906 :—Mr. Leslie, the teeth widen received from you some weeks ago have me every satisfaction. They look exceeding/ well and fit easily. 1 have received no PaV., whatever on their account considering the 1 value. They are beyond doubt the best have ever seen, and I do not think any0' who wants good teeth at a moderate price, fit well, and to look well, can do better tha^ come to you where they can be sure of beWif thoroughly satisfied. 301*

Cricket. TREHERBERT EXCELS, v. OWMP ARC. This, the fourth match of the season between these two teams, was played t T'reherbert. Both teams fielded substj' tutes, but a keen game was witness^ The visitors batted first, and against so#10 steady bowling, runs came very slowly* LI. Thomas, of Hartley College, batt^ well, giving only one chance to t!:1f wicket-keeper, which was unaccepted. total of 52 was a respectable total, the Excels, knocked off the runs for the loss of four wickets. They started badlY, losing three good men for 8 runs. Galloway and Bruar stayed together un1- the game was practically safe. When th home team wanted 9 runs to win and °,e seven minutes to play, a draw was than probable, but Eveleigh and ^r^ rose to the occasion and knocked off t runs in fine style. Gruar's 32 (not oU^. was an example of free and open hittm»> which was marred by one palpable chance to mid-on. Otherwise it was a good e hibition to watch, and the best innings tile genial secretary has played for some tim $cores: OWMPARC.. LI Thomas b J D Walters Ed Evans b J Gruar L W J Edwards b JD Walters 5 Dan Davies b J Gruar W H Evans o Fitzgerald b Galloway Tom Jones b Galloway f T M Jones b Galloway -r Idris Evans b E Edwards S Jones e Galloway b Edwards ••• J Pugh b Ei Edwards D J Jones not out 1, Extras Total EXCELSIORS. 4 Jack Walters b W J Edwards b G Pain c and b Edwards 32 Jack Gruar not out 0 B Edwards b W J Edwards q D Galloway e Evans b T1 Evans ••• G Eveleigh not out "k Extras 51 Total ier. D. Fitzgerald, R. Pitman, J* ugjt. E. Payne and Emrys Davies did no*