The Welsh Coast Pioneer and Review for North Cambria

"DEFENCE NOT DEFIANCE." --=-==-=:=:=:=- (From Our Reporter.) A public mooting was held at the Guild Hall, Carnarvon, on Saturday, to explain the principles of the Territorial Army Scheme. There was an exceptionally large attendance, and oi the many features of tho meeting probably its enthusiasm was the most outstanding. All the branches of the Territorial Forces were present, the towns of Bangor, Carnarvon, Llanberis and Penmacnmawr being well represented. Out- side the Hall there was a Guard of Honour Of fifty men belonging to the 6th Carnar- vonshire and Anglesey 11.W.I- (late 3rd V.B.. R.W. Fusiliers). Amongst those present were Lieutenant- General Sir C. J, Burnett, K.C B., General OSicer-Commanding-in-C'hief, Western Coal- mandj Brigadier-General A. W. Hill, C.B., Commander Welsh Division, Territorial Army Colonel R. H. W. Dunn, CommanJr North Wales Infantry Brigade; Colonel Lloyd Evans, Colonel C. H. Darbishire, Colonel Hugh Savage. V.D., Mr Ellis W. Da vies, M.P., Mr Osmond Williams, M.P, Mr J. 11. Hughes (Chairman of the Carnar- vonshire County Council), Mr Gwynood m Davies (Mayor of Carnarvon), Mr W. Y Darbishire, Mr H. Lloyd Carter (represent- ing the High Sheriff, Mr C. G. Assheton- Smith). the Rev. T. Edwards (Aber), Rev. Wynne Jones, Mr Rich. Jones, Mr Ralph Fisher. Captain Sir llarry Reiehel (Ban- gor", Major Bloom, V. D., Lieutenant Clarke (Bangor), Lieut-unant Corbett Owen (Bangor), Major J. Williams (Carnarvon), Major H. Jones Roberts (Penygroes), Lieut. T. Armstrong (Carnarvon), Captains J. Evana (Carnarvon), Mills Roberts (Llan- beri.s), Ransome, Griffith, Jenkins (Pen- maeumawr), Battersey, Lieutenant H. W. Darbishire, Captain and Adjutant Lloyd, and Captain Clegg Hill. The Lord Lieutenant of Carnarvonshire (1r J. E. Greaves) presided. The proceedings opened with the singing of lien Wlad fy Nhadau," Major John .Will iams conducting, and The LORD LIEUTENANT, who was re- ceived with cheers, then addressed -he meeting. He said that the County Associa- tion of the Territorial Army had invited them there that evening, in order that the aim of the organisation of the Territorial Army might be fully explained to them. Thev were fortunate that evening in being honoured by the presence of Lieutenant- General Sir Charles BurtieLt--(cileers)-who had come down specially for the purpose of attending that meeting- He had thus placed the county under a great obligation, which he (tho speaker) felt the county would have great difficulty in repaying. He was oxtremelv anxious for the success of the Territorial Army in Wales, for he knew that there were no more higher, no more (e- voted patriots and more devoted soldiers than those who hailed from the Principali- ty of Wales (cheers). They were also great- ly encouraged and honoured by the presence of General Hill, who was first in command of the Terlitorial Forces of tho 4th Division—(cheers)—and he (the speak- er) hoped that he would favour them with some account of troops under his command, and especially with reference to the North Wales Brigade (cheers). At one time if, was arranged that the North Wales battalion should be brigaded with the Border Brigade, bUt happily, wiser counsels prevailed, ior it was pointed out that there were within the bounds of the 4th Division three dis- tinct and well marked geographical areas: North Wales, South Wales and tho Border Counties, each with its own particular char- acteristics- Upon this being-Poilited out to the Army Council they at once grasped the situation, and it was finally fixed that there should be two essential Welsh Brigades, namely, one in North Wales and one in South Wales: while the raising of the Divisional Infantry should be provided by the border counties. That was the best pos- sible arrangement that could be made, for it was in harmony with the aspirations of the Welsh counties. It. would undoubtedly greatly facilitate recruiting and render pos- sible that esprit de corps which was abso- lutely essential for the success of the Army (hear, hear). The Association had now been formed in all the counties and he believed they had got fairly to work in that county. ) Their Association composed of 26 members; 15 representing the military authorities 4 representing the county; I representing the University of Wales; 2 representatives of labour, and 2 of the great employers, with a chairman and vice-chairman. The num- ber that they had to provide was 863 mem- bers of infantry, 208 artillery and 106 yeo- manry, or 1177 men altogether. Now if all those men were not forthcoming at once they must not be discouraged. It could not be expected that they would be able to raise that largo number of men at a moment's notice, and in all probability it would take two years at least before they were up to their full numbers and before they would be able io turn out a contingent worthy of the county (cheers). But difficult as the task was. with their help they intended to suc- ceed (cheers). And, therefore, that. itas why they had to appeal to the manhood and the patriotism of that county in that great patriotic and national effort. Sub- scriptions were not asked for in any shape or form. The Government had undertaken to supply the necessary fund. and he sa- cerely hoped that Mr Lloyd George—(loud chcir.s),—who was now master of the money bags, would not pull the string too tight. For thev mav depend upon it that starving a thing of that sort in its infancy would he bound to bring about a stunted growth hereafter (hear, hear). And a mistaken parsimony was most likely to result in most extravagant economy. Mr Haldanc s scheme was a very great and statesmanlike measure for it aimed at relieving one great obstacle which had hitherto stood in the way of all reorganisation of their military system and that was tnat ever-widening gulf between the professional soldier a'ld the civil population. Mr Haldane's scheme aimed at bridging that gulf by merging the nation in the Army and the Army in the nation. It also aimed at arousing that national patriotism and that sense of the sacred duty which the manhood of the nation owed to the defence of its couiitr.N- (cheers)—above all and before all it aimed at the maintenance of peace (hear, hear aad cheers). Therefore, he appealed to them for their countenance and support. Thev ap- pealed to employers of labour, both great and small, throughout the county. They appealed to teachers and pastors to try and induce all those whom they had any influ- ence over. to join the ranks of the Terri- torial Army, and thereby promote the greatess and most potent peace movement known to English History. Speaking to his countrvmen he felt with assurance that he was not making that appeal in rain (cheers). At this stage the CHAIRMAN read apologies for non-attendance from Colonel Platt, C.B., Sir Hugh J. Ellie-Narmey, Bart., Mr \\illiaro Jones. M.P., Colonel Dixon, Ca.piain WiUiams, the Rector of Llandudno, Sergeant-Major Davies, and Major Soh wahc, all of whom oxprcbSCd Ylll- pathy with tie movement. A STRIKING SPEECH. Lieut.-General Sir C. J. BURNETT, K.C.B., who had a stirring ovation, stated that they had DO doubt heard a lot of late that, in consequence of the new Army organisation, the Volunteers luud reached the parting of t.heir ways. Now, mat statement was as misleading as it wa6 in- correct, because eo long as the members of tho Territorial Faroes guve their services to the country, exactly under the same conditions, and. precisely under the same tei-iiib a. they did wrier, they were Volunteers, so long would Volunteers go marching along the saano old route (loud cheexe)—the only difference being that they would no longer be mitr-undeiv-tood or neglected. They would march, an organised body, forming an integral part of the defence of the country with the special duty assigned to thorn of protecting all that they held nearest and dearest to them, namely t.he defence of their oountry (cheers). They would thus tee that the "Volunteer Forcø wag neither dead nor dying but that on the contrary from a very strong and healthy material body it had been translated into a higher sphere, and would henceforth be known as the Imperial Army of the Second Line, a title conferred upon it by the King (applause). He was old enough to recollect the inception of the old Volunteer Force, and when he thought of the difficulties which the founders of that force—the old Volun- teer Force, had to contend with, how they over- came the ridicule which was oafct upon them, and how they survived tho neglect that they were subjected to at. t.h^_ hands of thoite whose obvious duty it was to assist them, and when he knew that from such unpromising beginnings a force arose which not only gained the eomidenee of, but earned the gratitude of the oountry, he was leet in. ama-zement at the zeal, energy and patriotism, which must have permeated the whole of that force from the beginning to t'i c end 1Il order that gueh desirable results might be arrived at. Such being the case they might well say, "Why insist upon these changes, bringing in their train inifngivinge, and in some cases heart burn- ings?" Firot of all he should like to say that the Voluntcetrg themselves had insisted upon the change inasmuch as for several years past, and vary rightly too, they had been shouting from, the housetops that they were not taken seriously. Well, now they were being taken seriously (hear, hear). As to the misgivings, if tihe Volunteers carried with them into the Territorial Forces the same qualities that they displayed under the old regime tihen he could say that they might lay aside those misgivings and treat them as "Territorial Bogtea" spread about for goodness knew why. Unfortunately, in every big change an hardship must be inflicted upon individuals, but in the present, instance he was convinced that tnc authorities were doing everything they possibly could to temper the wind on the shorn larrb, and that those heartburnings would be reduced to microscopic proportions. If they had changed only in narno it would mean aljs-olutcly nothing, but the change in name paled into insigni- ficance before the ohange in organisation winch the verv name implied. THE NECESSITY FOR CHANGE. Dealing with the necessity for the change, General BURNETT, after remarking that his ideas were in no way inspired, for ho held no brief either one way or the other, and his de- ductions were drawn from information within the roach of everyone present, stated that any- one who had given the subject attention, even the most perfunctory consideration, muet have been forced to the conclusion that it was absolute- ly impossible in time of great emergency for the regular army to fight tho country's battles over sea, to supply garrisons, for the outlying: parta of the Empire, to find men for such provisions as might bo considered necessary, to fill up the gaps caused by war, and at the same time to be burdened with the home defence of the country, and thereforo the home defence must be on- trusted to the citizen soldiers of the country (cheers). If those who were responsible for the safety of the Empire had thought otherwise, then all he oould say was that the size and use of the regular army would be out of all proportion to the population of the country, and it would be out of proportion to the peace requirements of the country and the expense of keeping it up would be out of all proportion to the revenues of the country. Added to that they would never get men, and if they only got a proportion of them they would do so at the expense of the commerce and industry of the country, and so they would deprive it of the proudest jewel in its crown, which was its commercial supremacy (hear, hear). Moreover, it would go a long way towards running tho national credit of the oountry, and then they would deprive it of an asset which had so far enabled it to swim safely through all the gales which would otherwise have submerged it. WAR AN EXPENSIVE GAME. "Remember war is an expensive game," re- marked the speaker, and if a country' has not money enough to carry on war, or if the national credit cannot stand tihe expense, then war had far better be left ajono (cheers). I know there are those who say that in times of great emergency our Navy would guard the shores, but I should like to point out to you that the Navy has other duties to perform. It has to sweep the eoaa, keep clear all the ooanjnercial routes to this country so that commerce and industry will be as little intetrfered with as possible, and tha.t food stuffs may find their way into this oountry, cthorwise the inhabitants would starve in a very few weeks, and if you are going to burden our Navy with double duties—sweeping the seas and guarding the shores, then I say that the size af your Na.vy will be EO great that ite ooirustruction and maintenance will almost mean tihe financial ruin of this country, and even if you have that enlarged Navy, I am nOt convinced that under the cover of fog a force of 25.000 men could not be landed on these shores, a.nd even if the number was only 5000, and there was no regular organisation to meet them. I think I may 6ay every one present would tlhudder a.t the thought" (hear, hear). There were those who said that we wanted neither Army nor Navy, continued the speaker. Well, he did"not see any signs of the niillenium (laughter). Personally, he preferred relying ::p- on the teaching of history rather than upon the idealistic theories of humanitarians. Hisrory went to prove that if this oountry wished to remain an Empire it did' not moan that it must take everything lying down, and that in addi- tion to the Army and Navy there must be a citizen army for the loine defence of the coun try. They might say "Oh, that's all right, but we hau the Volunteers." Certainly, he ,aid; the spirit of the volunteers was willing, but the flesh was weak, or, in other words, the organi- sation was weak, in fact, it was conspicuous by its abscnoe (hear, hear). Let them take the-\ol- unteers as they existed. They consisted of pLn- did material, grand patriots, but the units were scattered indiscriminately all over the country without any organisation, any transport, no general or divisional staff, nothing at all, utterly incapable of meeting any organised force simply Irle'1 because of the want of mobility- If they could have been put in front of the enemy no doubt thev would have given a. good account of hem- J selves, but they would never have got acre, I not because of their own fault, but owing to tho absence of organisation. "To-day, the volunteers are an organised body," declared the speaker. "They have their own'divisions, their own divisional commander with his staff, and thus they will be able to re- ceive that instruction which volunteers lave always so eagerly desired and so rapidly ab- sorbed when given them. They will have in- fantry brigades and divisional cavalry. Out- side! that they will have mounted brigades, or- ganised engineers, Works' Companies, the Ar;ny Service Corps organised, and everything will be on modern scale and fit for modern require- ments. I will not insult you by asking Vtiich of those two forces you would rather serve under. Every soldier in this room will give but one answer (hear, hear). When you have this organisation perfected yo t will have the satis- faction of Knowing as every volunteer in this room knows that they and they alone ii-F N c stood between the ghost of conscription in this country, and that they and they alono have laid that ghost (hear, hear). They will know wlt.i they have this organised force that they have gone a long way towards securing peace for this country, because whcn cur neighbours see that we are organised and prepared they ill leave us alone, and we will have peaoe with honour—(cheers)—but if our neighbours see tlvit we are supine, neglectful, and unorganised they will no doubt interfere in our affairs and under such circumstances peace, will be repugnant to every self-respecting nation (choers)- I amrne that I am only voicing the opinion of every- one present in this room when I say that the bloodiest battle that was ever fought is prefer- able to a disgraceful and a disastrous peice (loud and prolonged cheers). WALES ND THE NEW SCHEME. "Wales, in regard to this new scheme, has great aspirations inasmuch as they asked Tor a whole division. Wales is a country blessed "nith great, traditions, and I was doubly pleased1 when that, application came forward, becAUse tradi- tion plays a. prominent ptvrt not only in tho history of a nation, but in the history of tho indivi- dual life of every member of that nation, end if tradition is not the bedrock of patriotism it is at all events a very strong incentive toweds it In the interests of Wales. I beg of every man and woman in this room to do their level best to make this scheme a success. The coun- try needs same su«h scheme as t«is. and in humble opinion it is the bast scheme which ha> yet seen the light of day, and, therefore, I t- n' o of all of you here, if-you are young enough, to g.i\"e it a practical trial, and Fee what the 'Os.viz are and 1 am sure that you will be plejsvl, and those who aro past the time for volunteer- ing I would ask to give U their help m every possible wav they can, so that they may giNO fresh life and fresh vigour to the Empire (citeers).. Brigadier-General HILL dealt in his speecii particularly with the Weigh division, which he said was called the Welsh division because it was principally Welsh, though not entirely so. Un- fortunately Wales was not quite big enough to have an entire division, so a little bit of Engla.nd was attached to it. In that division there were two complete Welsh brigades. A brigade oon- sisted of four regiments iff infantry, a division consisted of three brigades of infantry, and in addition to the infajdry there were two brigades of cavalry, each of three regiments and three brigades of fiold artillery corresponding toO tho throe infantry brigades. The>n there were three batteries of artilierv or two batteries of horse artillery, one to go with each of the cavalry brigades, and there was one Howitzer brigade, which was similar to a fie:d brigade, though the guns were dissimilar, and then there was some heavy artillery, a very useful lot in defensive work. Defence work opened to his mind the whole point of the Territorial Army Scheme, which was purely defensive and not offensive (hear. hear). Yet though it wa.s not offensive it would enatie this oountry to be in a. that if anybody smote it, it could smite bach (cheers). The army of England was an army constituted solely and entirely for the preservation of peaoe. Many people thought that soldiers were different to other people, that n thcv were always hungering for war and blood-, riied. If any one had any doubt en that i>oint, let them go through a campaign, and if they told him after war (is that they were fond of fighting, he would not believe them (hear, heir). The Territorial Army soldier was wanted (it could not bo otherwise) for the preservation of peace, and it. was idle to think that he WlM wanted to go to wars, though he woujd be of no good for the preservation of peace unless he knew how to fig'ht (cheers). The old Volunteer force grew up in a promiscuous manner two or three patriots clubbed together and said, "We will raise a force here." "What shall we raise? asked CJle. "Well. I know something about in- fantry," said another, and it was arranged to raise "a battalion of infantry. Then someone else said he knew something about artillery, and an artillery' foroo was raised, but, unfortunately, the different forces were net in proper propor- tion. The new force, however, was to be distri- but-od and formed into proper proportional units, and the whole thing would be like a weJl- ordered household, every one would know his duty, and every one must know how to do it (cheers). There need be no hesitation on the part of anyone to join the -new force there was no catch about it. Everything was laid dlowll plump and plain, and if the attestation papers were a little bit more formal than they used to be, they need not think that there was anything catchy about them. The plainer a thing was tho better it was, a.nd naturally fathers of big families must make ruies and regulations to keep them in order (laughter). There were certain penalties for doing wrong, and they we.re put at the maximum, but the enforcement of rhcac pen- alties was not at the will of a soldier like him- self. unknown to them, but was in the hands of their own country people,—the County Associa- tion. The whole scheme ought really to appeal to every one for th support. In addition to the infantry and cavalry, they would have to have transport and army service corps. Under the old system these only exi-sted in name, if really they did exist, and if a bri- gade of Volunteers had to take the field the transport had to ba hired, and when off the rail- way line it was difficult to move at all. No one was available in the name of a soldier who did anything. Now that was going to be the par- ticular job of tho transport people belonging to the Tel rihrial Army. The supply section would have their own particular job in provisioning the troops. Then they would have engineer of all sorts and descriptions, who would be trained in their particular branches, field com- panies for bridging, making' earth works, mason- ry works, telegraph companies (ground lines and air lines), telephone a.nd e'.ectric light companies, and 1 here were juch things as balloon companies. The balloon companies were in England, as Wales was rather too close to the sea (laughter). Then the medical service was being keenly taken up, and everything was well organised. The enlist- ments were going on well, and out of 27,000 men who were wanted for the Welsh division, they, had got thirty per cent. In fact. all the infantry regiments were well over thirty per cent. In conclusion lie would say tliat those who sup- ported the movement were supporting the cause of poaco. They all knew how devoted the King was to peace, his Majesty being' known a.s the "Peace-maker." for he had done more for the preservation of peace tlian most people imagined, and to those who were hesitating about iginin", the Tiew force, he would say, "Fear God, hon-, our the King" (loud cheers). PRESENTATION OF A LONG SERVICE MEDAL. At this stage General BURNETT presented is a long service medal to Corporal Thpmas Jones (Penmaenmawr). The Rev. J. W. WYNNE-JONES, M.A. vicar of Carnarvon, speaking :n NA-elih, said that he came into the meeting with feelings of animosity against those who had disbandea the old Volunteers and Militia, but now h. felt that they should make the best of the new system. From experience he knew how effective the old militia force was in converting lazy, slouching young men into smart, disciplined soldiers, with a. knowledge of cleanliness and obedience. He must say that lie regarded the Rev. T. C. Wil- liams, Calvinistic Methodist minister, of Menai Bridge, as the bravest man in Wales, far braver than anyone he saw 011 the platform, for he was the first Calvinistic Methodist who had joined the new force as chaplain (hear, hear). Of oourse, the Rev. Eva.n Jones was rather too old to undertake such duties (laughter). He hoped that tho rest of the denominations would fall into line- and that they would not be frightened into the belief that the Territorial Forces would turn everyone into Tories and Churchmen. Mr ELLIS W. DAVIES, M.P., stated that ho had two very good reasons for attending the mooting. One of them was based on his own ignorance, and the other on his desire to sup- port the movement as far as possible. It might seem rather strange for him to admit ignorance as one of his reasons for being present, but it was nevertheless true, and it was true notwith- standing the fact that lie gave a patient hear- ing to Mr Haldane for nearly an hour, but he was sorrv to sav that his knowledge of the new scheme did not increase in the same ratio as his headache, so lie left the House. That night, however, he had heard the scheme explained by gentlemen who were experienced, and one of the objpct.i which he had for attending the meeting, that of obtaining information. had been grati- fied. One of the speakers had alluded to the traditions of Wales in military matters, and he must say that Wales had played no incaii part in the- history of not only British militarism but of Continental militarism, for if they folk-wed history c10"i:Y they would find the names of trailant Welshmen associated with almost every battle of any repute en the Continent of Furore (hear, hear). Tijo object of the .new scheme was to form an army not tv attack but to defend— a home army. Perhaps someone might think that he, a peaceful man, might be in favour of militarism, but he believed that the military were a necessary evils like lawyers (laughter). II? did not think tliail the assertion that the new force would create a spirit of militarism in thei (country was correct. For the sake of peace and safety, it was necessary that our army should1 j be read, not. to attack but to defend our homes. Those who heard General Burnett could not help being struck at the statement which he made as to the effect an enormous increase in the arm'.4 would have on the commercial life of the country. He would not like to say Kliat effect conscrip- tion would have on tiie commercial and moraj .side of the oountry. To ensure the success oi the HO heme they must appeal nor only to the. patriot:sm of young men, but to the employers of Jabour for their oo-operation (hear, hea.). Mr OSMOND WILLIAMS,4M.P.. in a stiort speech, said t.iiat the addresses which had been given were the most lucid he had yet heard in connection with the scheme. From them it would be gathered that very much depended on the county a.5.('iaholl.3, but he was sure that in the able liands of the Lord Lieutenant, the Curnjar- vonshire Association would carry out its duties very completely. He hoped it. would be instru- mental in bringing together all Tie different classes of the community, and he also sincerely hoped that the employers of Jabour would do ali they could for the scheme. lie should like to see a spirit of rivalry between the different counties in Wa..es in the matter oi recruits (hear. h-oar). Volunteers in the past must have felt ctvisidielr- abie uncertainty as to what their responsibilities were, but under the new scheme that uncertainty need not oxust. They were now a great potential force with a place allotted to them. There was some talk about, the fea,r of militarism, and he hOJX'd that they in Carnarvon would not be troubled by such loose talk. Those who talked about militarism seemed to think that when a man had learnt to shoot he would go out and .-hoot th first, mon lie oould see \iaughtir). Any- thing more absurd and ludicrous he couid not imagine", and he wa? sure -hat no such spirit existed here or on the Continent. It was n patriotic t-hi.ng for a young man to qualify him- self in the defence of his country (hear, hear). L this scheme wis to succeed," there went w!ith. it tha obligation to do all they could to promote end excite public interest in" iit, and Ie hoped- that the meeting would have the effect of arous- ing the young men of the county and awaken- ing in their no-rub a feeling of Iccal patriotism THE GALLANT 23rd. in the movement. If nwr, a feeling did not exist, though he could not imagine that, for had they not the brave deeds of the gallant 23rd to remember. Tho Boyal Welsh Fusiliers had aj. ways taken their full share of danger and re- sponsibilities, and had splendidly upheid the might and glory of Britain, and had he]pe.d to create the Empire upon which the sun never ic set, and which that day was the most potent factor in the civilised world. With Marlborough. Wellington, and Colm Campbell, the We.sh Fui- liers had taken their part, to uphold the glory of the mother country. He maintained that they i.n Carnarvonshire should do their utmost loyally and generously to ensure that the great scheme should ooiiia to a satisfactory and great conclu- sion (anplauso). The CHAIRMAN remarked that the High Sheriff (Mr C- G- Asslieton-Smith). being unable to be present, had asked Mr Lloyd Carter to re- nresent him. 0 Mr II. LLOYD CARTER stated that he was present representing the largest employer of labour in the county—(cheers)—to tell them how sorry he was at being unable to be present owing to his having to discharge certain duties in con- nection with his shrievalty. He was sure those who wero interested in the movement would be pleased to know that Mr Asshetan-Smith, as an employer of labour, would give all reasonable facilities and every help he could to promote the success of thj> scheme. He was pleased to see present not ordy the military men, but members of Parliament and men of all shades of opinion to give the movement their support- They had been reminded of the traditions of the country, and what they in Wales had done in defence of it. One hundred years ago, when we were threatened with iniminent danger, 300.000 men trained to arms were ready to meet Napoleon had true to arms were ready to meet Napoieon had he larded upcn our shores. There was present that evening Captain Clegg' Hill, the great grand- son of a noblenian who did a great deal in those parts, and spent thousands of pounds upn raising troops to protect the shores of Arvon (applause). To-day the democracy of this country had taken the matter in their own hands, and he hoped they would do all they could to uphol.d the dignity and honour of their country. Of one thing he was certain, that the appeal' to the democracy would not be made in vafln (hear, hear). Colonel C. II. DARBISHIRE proposed a vote of thanks to General Burnett. He said that when the King came down to Bangor last year it was the appreciation and encouragement of tho General that "inspired everybody to do t.heir duty, and he himself felt determined to devote himself with even greater enthusiasm to volun- teering. Arrangements had been made to have tho General's speech circulated in the county. It WAS a pleasure to note that the Chairman of tho.Ca.rnan-on"hire County Council, as represent- ing the highest civilian administration in the county, was present, and also the Vicar of Car- narvon, and he wished the Rev. T. C. Willlailis had been present as well. Captain EVANS (Carnarvon) seconded, and remarked that Wales had asked to be recognised as a nation, but that request had not been' granted in its entirety for reasons which had aJ. ready been given that. evening. But those rea- sons were not the whole truth. The whole truth why a separate division had not been granted to Wales was because their country in the past had not realised the obligations which were laid upon it to defend its shores. The vott was carried with acclamation.