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WEST DENBIGHSHIRE ELECTION.

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WEST DENBIGHSHIRE ELECTION. MR SAM THOMPSON'S ] CAMPAIGN. ENTTJUvSIASiriC MEETING AT COLWYN BAY 6TIRRING SPEECHES. CANDIDATE NÜNPLUESES THE IIKCKLEI-IS. Not for at 1-ea-st a decadio has thoro bscn so kirgeiy attended a Unionist meeting at Colwyn Bay as that held at tho Public II ail on Thursday 1 evening, in support of tlhe candidature of Mr Bam Thompson- Tho hall was packed to tho outer doors long bsfore the proceedings began. In fact, when the writer eoug'ht admittance about fifteen minutes before the advertised timo he found so dense a crowd outside tale meeting— in faot, it was larger than that inside—that after a fruitless effort to get in in (Jhe proper way he had to resort to one of those little artifioes only known to the pressman. At that time tlhe crowd biocked up the rood practically from the corner of Rhiw-road to Lew:s' Cafe, and it was with a certain amount of trepidation that oaio saw Mr Sam Thompson turning out to address them, for they were obviously composed, very largely of those not of the candidate's political views, and there was considerably noise which boded ill for the speaker's venture. However, Mr Thomp- son has not spoken and laboured amongst the colliers of the lihondda Yailey for nothing. He was not long in gaining an hearing, and all tilings considered his open-a-ir cpc-eoli was thor- ougluy successful. Inside the hall the atmosphere was suffocating, for there were people everywhere, perched on I window sills and every nook. Here again the opposition were in strong force, and the stew- ards had apparently erred somewhat on the side i of leniency in admitting a. numbor of youths who I IIIOOOUllted very largely for the interruptions ex- perienced at intervals during the evening. The Chairman (the Hon. Laurence A. Brod- rick), Mr Greaves Lord (the Unionist oandddabo for the Lnoe division of Lancashire, who spoke in the regrettable absence owing to illness of Mr Marshall Hall), and Mr Thompson vere freely heckled, but for the most part the inter- ruptions were good-natured, if somewhat urn- seemi,y. Mr Thompson again displayed exoep- tional tact in dealing with his audience, and of the three chief speaikera he obtained the most favourable hearing. The manner in which he j. dealt with about a dozen written questions sent ft up at the close of has address oauid not but ap- oeal to every fair-minded person in tihe room. Step by step the Uruionist candidate is winning his plaoe in the estimation of the electorate, and it tihe re are many who have given the matter muc!h « attention who confidently predict his viotory next January. Mr Laurence Brodriok was accompanied on the platform by Mr Sam Thompson, Mr Greaves Lord, Mr John Brock, Canon Itoberts (vicar of Oolwyn Bay), CoJonel San-dbach. MT D. Mac. Niooll, Councillors George Be van and Edward i. Allen, Dr. Lloyd Roberts, all of whom formed S the front Jine, and a strong gathering of Union- t ist leaders. j The CHAIRMAN said they were face to face with a grave crisis, such as had not confronted the nation during-the last century, and a great responsibility would lie upon each elector in January next whether he gave his vote for the Radical-Socialist alliance—(cheers)—or for the true party of freedom, the Unionist party (cheers, laughter, and hooting)- Last week a declaration was made that the party of State was pledged to Home Rule—(cheers and counter- cheors),-but the Government's supporters never mention.ed unampdoyment (cheers, and cries "The House of Lords"). How would the House of Lords help unemployment? (A voice, "Not by throwing the Budget out," and cheers). .Whatever elso the Budget would do it could not give employment, and he challenged any man to say it would (cheers). Unionists had a policy which would at all events tend to lighten unemployment (cheers and opposition). The West Denbighshire Unionists had a magnificent man in Mr Thompson (cheers and booing). He was a son of the people. He knew what the struggles of working men were, and could sym- pathise with their feelings. He was a, member of the Unionist party,ono whom he (Mr Brodriok) was proud to oall his friend, and he esteemed it j signal honour tx> be allowed to do anything to I »ntribute to his candidature (cheers and oppo- sition)- In concluding, the Chairman appealed that the good name of Colwyn Bay should be upheld a.nd the meeting conducted in an orderly manner (cheers). He called upon Mr Greaves Lord, who had oorme at short notice, as Mr Marshall Hall, the speaker who had been an- nounced, was prevented by his doctor's orders from attending the meeting. MR JREAVES LORD ON THE SITUATION. MR GREAVES LORD, who was re- ceived with loud cheers, said that in his own county of Lancashire he had undoubtedly to face a very large amount of oppoadtioiJ, but he had found that the working men of Lanca- shire had a desire to hear both sides of the political controversy in order that they might exercise the franchise next January in full Possession of the arguments for and against the various questions (hear, hooT). Believing as he did that the vote was the most sacred trust given to a man in this country he had appealed to his own supporters not to make up their) minds in the ajtmoephere of his own meetingB, but to go to his opponent's meetings to hear the other side as well (hear, hear). He did not think he need appeal to the people of Wales to take up the same attitude, a.nd that they shouiM give an attentive, orderly hearing to both sides. It was in that sense that lie approached that great meeting, for, however strongly they mighrt; differ upon political principles, he knew perfect- ly well from past experience that he would get a perfectly fearless and fair hearing when he proceeded to expound those principles which, he believed were the best for the country and em. pire (hear, hear). When the chairman said! there was one question eorupuJously avoided by lie opposition, a gengeman in the audience said "House of Lords," but what the opposition were doing their best to avoid was that of unemploy- f ment—{cries of "No")—though they took every '1 possible occasion to abuse the members of the House of Lords—(a voioe, "Quite right," and k-aghdor)-for the position they had taken up. The Lorcb had pw3sed a resolution "That this Budget shall not beoome Jaw until rt has received the approval of the people of this OOlliIllbry." That, he thouighit, was acting in accordance with the cardinal principle of English Constitutional Government— (applause) —because they were merely oonrtending that the responsibility for the government of the country lay with the people rather than either the House of Commons or the House of Lords (hear, hear). In doing that the House of Lords had, in fact. carried out their proper function in the constitution, which he Would, explain in moment- One of the mem- bers of the Cabinet had just been tourkng Lan- cashire—(cheers)—and in the course of his tour, which by the way bad fallen extremely flat- (UNo." and laughter)--ho had been sayirug that the Budget raised new and tremendous issues which had never been before the people of this oountry before (voice, "Quite right0). U that was true it was time those issues were put before the oountry so that the electors could express their opinion upon them (hear, hear). Conoerpittg the power of the House of Lords, he reminded the audience that in 1904 Lord Spenoor. a dis- tinguished Liberal statesman, said, "We all, know we can't amend a Money Bill, but we have a perfect right to discuss and a full RIGHT TO THROW IT OUT if we so will" (loud applause and indications of dissent). That was only in 1904, said the speaker (voices, "But what did Mr Balfour say, oraty twelve months ago?" and "Mr Faoing-both- ways," and oheera). If you disousa the question Of Mr Faciag-both-waya I will argue, and give you a quotation which will show you a very real caae of Mr Fackig-both-waya. The quotation I liefer to is from the Prime Minister of this coun- try (cheers and counter-cheers). You your- jfeJves. with your admirable knowledge of "Pid- jpnra's Progress," have rightly described him (laughter). When Mr Asquith was facing the other way, he said, in 1898, "In the Second Chamber you have an impartial, dispassionate reviewing power which in a case of extreme need would refer back to the people for consideration measures which the people cannot be Supposed to Aave deliberately approved (cheers, and ones Off "Rats"). Some admirer says "rats" to has state- ment. I ail ways find supporters of a particular Government, when their leaders are quoted upon Sue platform, prepared to assent to their viewB- I have more respect for the Prime Minister's views m this instance than even has own supporters at this meeting (laughter, and ones of "Oh I"). However, just to continue the quotation, the Prime Minister said, "though the House of Lords must al wayis be ready to adhere to the dear manifestation of the popular will" (bear. hea.r, and a voice. "What did Lord Rosebery say?"). I thought the people here Vtatod to how both gidte If there an aay here who are not prepared to listen to the views of both sides their pi'aao is oufcide and not in a publno meeting (cheers). So far as I am cun- oM-ncxl I am quite prepared to rest upon that quotation, but I m'ust go a little further- ("Sit down"). I know pcuf-ootly that some people are afraid to hear our side, but they are in a minority. The greater part of the Radical party are prepa-rcd to give fair play to both sides (hear, hear). Those gentlemen who say "sit down" and "shut up" are peaple who misre- present the principles of their own party (cheers, and a voice, "Turn him out"). Please do not attempt to throw anyone out of this meeting. I a.m perfectly certain there is no man who would rather those who differ from him to st13,Y in this moet'ng than your candidate, Mr S'am Thomp- son (hoar, hear). Weill, to proceed, there was one peer who took up in tho Houee of Lords, a peculiar attitudio with regard to this Budget— Lord Ilosoberry. He said "This is .a. Budget. which in the best interests of this, country should not be passed into law" (hear, hear). Further, "This Budget would practicably bring ruination upon thousands of people in this country" ("Oh," and hear, hear). lie, sa'd further, "If you want to do the proper thing in the interests of your party pafij this Budget, and i-n six months the Unionist party will come back into power with a majority they have never known in the history of the country" (boar, hear, a.nd laugh- ter). I ask you whether there ever WU6 uch an ODIOUS CYNICAL OPPORTUNISM ever put forward in the history of politics in this country as that the House of Lords should accept that advice in order to ga.in a party adva-ntage twelve months hence by paasaig into law a budget which woiiid bring ruination upon tho working classes of the country (cheers). That would have been unworthy of tho trust of the people of this country, and certainly in resisting 'that advjoe the Lords ac-t-ed the part of statesmen (loud applause). Let me take two parts of the Budget and deal with their eff-ect upon employ- ment, because after a.11 that is the really 6erious aspect of tho financial question (hear, hear), 'lake first point referring to the land. Pro- ceeding, Mr Greaves Lord dealt with the effect of the land taxes upon Lancashire, whore, he said, they would mean practically stagnation so far u was concerrred tbe development of tho great Palatine towns (hear, hear, and "No"). He was talking of what he knew. A great num- ber of the Lancashire towns had been built up by working men who had invested their hard- earned money in their own dwellings (hear, hear, and a voice, "Under Freo Trade"). No, air, said Mr Lord. I will d'irouss Ftree Trade with you as soon as I GnMi with this question, and I will show you from my knowledge of Lancashire conditions that the natural a<?vambages of Lanca- shire, and not Free Trade, that have enabled the people to do what they have done in the past) (appiatuso and laughter)- They have saved money, and I don't care how they did so. and they have used it in the development of tho locality by getting long leaseholds, many of them 999 years, upon plots of land round some of the great industrial! towns. A m&n. having saved JE:200 or JE250 borrows £ 600 or B700 on mortgage, and with the total he puts up a property at a cost of £ 800 or E9W. But he cannot get that mortgage (and without that there can be no development, so far as he is oonoerned) unless there is absolute security, and the very first effoot of the land olawe-s in the Budget is that people have been calling in an enormous number of these mortgages ("shame," and interruptions). Mr Lord then proceeded to refer to the licensing clauses, in which he said they a.gain had the poorer classes of the community suffering mostly. What was the position of the man who had a, free honot tied to any brewer (a voices "How many are (here?"). There are ten out of every 100 in the ccruntry-(chee.rs and laughter) —and he had yet to learn that they were en- titled to drive ten men out of every hundred in a legitimate trade in order to inflict justice upon the other SO (loud cheers). They had a consid- erable number of free houses in Lancashire, and they were tenanted mostly by men of smailil1 re- sources who had invested their savings jn li- censing houses. That olass would under the lioensing clauses of the Budget bo taxed on an average of something like S49 per annum in- stead of E20 am hitherto (hear, hear, an(i "shame")- In other words, they would bo putting upon the small man in the trade a burden wli, cli was greater than his resources oould stand, with the result tha-t the small mam wouilid be driven out, and the trade would bo monopolised by the brewers (applause). He personally wanted to see the public-houses of this country free (a voice, "Bear and all," and laughter)- THE BUDGET AND UNEMPLOYMENT. Another great, if not the, greatest fault of the Budiget was its effect upon employment (disestablishment). In the words of the Lord Chancellor, "unemployment was never so ac- centuated as at present" (voices: "Wrong"). Fie presumed the Lord Chancellor was responsible for what he said (laughter). At all events he he had said it in the House of Lords and those who said "wrong" oould never had read his speech, as they did not know what the Lord Chancellor had said (laughter and cheers). The Lord Chancellor assured them in the course of the Budget debate in the House of Lords, that uneonplotvmenit had reached" fonnidable proportions" (A voice: "What do the trade unions say?"). He had read report after re- port from trades unions an dfor every one district where trado was reported to bo good there were fifty where trade was reporbad to be bad ("non- r,enoo" and "name them"). The speaker named a number of trades unions, amongst them be- ing the Amalgamated Society of Engineers, the Amalgamated Society of Carpenters and Joiners ("no"). He assured them that he knew what he was cpoaldng about (interruption). Proceeding, the speaker said the Lord Chan- oedlor admitted that "this Budget will diminish employment"—such were the words of his speech is reported. (A voioo: "In the 'Daily Mail'" and laughter)—in the "Times," the "Man- chester Guardian," the "Liverpool Daily Post" and other newspapers (cheers and laughter)- If the Liberals were going to bring forward a measure which would diminish employment they would have to show an extremely good caae for it (hear, hear). They had in the policy of the Unionist party something which proposed to deal practically with the question of eaIlployment (laughter). In support of his contention that Tariff Reform would provide the remedy for unemployment Mr Lord read on extract from the speech of the Chairman of Messrs Coates, Ltd. at a; recent meeting of his company, in the course of which that gentleman pointed out that at present a large quantity of the goods produced by the firm were made in the firm's works in foreign oountries-works which they had beeni ohligted to build elsewhere (and in which they largely employed foreign kubour) in consequence of the tariffs charged by other countries. (A voice: "What were the profits made"). The dividend declared was 35 per cent-—(applause)—and that by employing people abroad. Mr Lord also quoted a state- uaanifc with roferenoo to the motor oar trade of Do Dion, the well-known French oomipany. which was to the effect that if Tariff Reform was adopted in England the company would have to build factories in this oountry. "We shall have, in our own interests, have to build factories in England to employ British working- men to supiply the British market." In those two instances he argued that they had the effect of what Free Trade did for the company which had most of its capital invested abroad, and what Tariff Reform would do to bring capital into this country (loud cheers and a voioe: "But what brought the capital here to start with ?). "Protection, SIT," answered the speaker, midst loud cheers and hooting- (Another voice: "WIft about the 'Hungry Forbew?"). "If you bad read a little about the "Hungty Forties" was the reply, it would do you good. May I oomanend to you a book written by a Liberal sbaibesman, Lord Morlev. I am surprised there is no one here to cheer the mention of that name—(laughter)—for after all, he is a great [Aber-al--(hear, hear)-and I suppose, tho only fault one n finki with him is big absolute honesty and straightforwardness (cheers). I am glad I have awakened you to a respect of your leaders (laughter and r, hear). Continuing. Mr Lord referreid to a passage in Lord Motley's book, eta-ting that the cause of distress in England during the "Hungry Forties" was ex- treme laok of sympathy between employers and employed, and a complete want of organisation amongst the working classes of the country (hear, hear). There was one proposition that they oould put without any fear before that meeting', namely that it was infinitely more to their advantage that they should have an ex- cess of exports o,- imports, but that could novor be the case when British ca.pitaJ was in- vested abroad (hear, hear). Whenever they bought goods produced by British labour two people benefited, namely, the capitalist and the worlcirigYnan employed in producing the article (hear, hear). Whilst the goods were madia in a foreign country, though they were produoed by British capital only one Britisher benefited— the capitalist. From his knowledge of the con- ditions of trade in the groat seaport town of Liverpool, where they had ships trading with North America, going1 ouA; in baJlast and coming laden with manufactured goods ("no, no")— He challenged his opponents to go to the Liverpool docks to see for themselves whether be spoke the truth. For some years there had been ships gmng out from Liverpool in ballast and coming back laden. Was it not better that thoee goods were paid for with foods madie in this oountry rather tban with British money ? r. hear). Mr Lord concluded wth a few eentences com- mending the candidature of Mr Sam Thompson to the favourable consideration of the electorate. Mr Thompson had certainly lived the life of a workingman; he had gone through the tribula- tioiis of a workingman, and therefore was in complete sympathy with workingmen. He hoped they would g'ive him their hearty support as the future member for Wosb Denbighshire (loud cheers). THE CANDIDATE'S SPEECH. MR SAM THOMPSON, who followed, was received with prolonged applause, mingled with some hooting. I thank you, said he, for the very warm and enthusiastic recep- tion you have accorded me, and also tdioce of my opponents who have come here to-night, notwithstanding that they arc somewhat demonstrative (laughter and hear, hear). I want to thank thorn for coming to this meet- ing with the intention, I believe, of listening to what I have to say with regard to the pre- sent political crisis. In reference to my demonstrative opponents here I feel assured of this, that none of the responsible leaders of the Liberal party in Colwyn Bay, or any other part of North Wales, will a.pprove of any attempt made by anyone here to-night to obstruct and prevent us got/ting a fair hearing (hear, hear). I think friends and opponents alike will agree that the issues be- fore the country a.t present are of far too serious a character for us to try and discuss them in any he a, tod spirit (hear, hoar). We live at a time in our political history when it behoves every individual who ha.s a. vote, and any one who may Eave the slightest influence over a person who has a vote to think serious- ly and soberly upon these issues (hear, hear). I am sure my opponents here to-night will give me that fair and impartial hearing which you have accord-cd me on previous occasions here. When I commenced this con- test I said I intended to be absolutely fair and just towards my opponents, and I have never, during the time I have been before the electorate, said an unkind word of my opponent (hear, hear). I only ask that the same conduot be shown towards me that I have always shown towards you (cheers). Proceeding, Mr Thompson said the contest had come about at a somewhat earlier datte than they had anticipated a year ago, amd it had been brought about owing to the action of the Second Chamber in suspending—(a voice: "Oh! Suspending!" and laughter)- the present Budget in order to give the peo- ple of this country an opportunity of saying whether they will acoept it or not. There were differences of opinion with regard to that. Many of their op pone nits said the peers had no right to suspend the Budget (hear, hear). Many of them said they had no constitutional right though they had a legal right, and that was the opinion expressed by the Lord Chancellor himself during the second reading debate in the House of Lords. He (the speaker) could not see much differ- ence between a legal right and a constitu- tional right-(hea.r, hoir),-but the BEDROCK OF BRITISH CONSTI- TUTION was the will of the people of this country- (chcers),—and he could not conceive, neither could he admit that there was anything un- constitutional in the House of Peers seeking the opinion of the people upon the present Finance Bill (a voice: "Why not do that at the time of the South African war or over the Education Bill?"). The Lords desired to seek the opinions of the electors because they believed the Budget contained proposals and principles which had not been submitted to the people, and that had boon admitted by members of the present Government (hear, hear). "Here is the opinion," the speaker was proceeding to say when he was inter- rupted by a rancorous voice from the rear. "It is not the opinion of the gentleman who in- terrupted^" continued Mr Thompson, "but of the President of the Board of Trade (cheers a.nd cries of "Three cheers for Mr Winston Churchill"). If you are so fond of him I am sure you are prepared to hear what he said (laughter). He described the Budget as con- taining new ideas, pregnant with formidable and tremendous questions never put before to the country (cheers and a voice: "So it is"). Then, you will admit that what I say is absolutely accurate—that the lords have appealed to the people because this Budget contains proposals upon which the will of the people of the country has not been asked (loud applause). If you won't accept it on the authority of the lords—("Down with them")—you will on the authority of Mr Winston Churchill, because a moment ago o you cheered him very loudly (cheers). If the people want this Budget—(cries of "They do" and "iNo")-th.en they can have it by expressing their views in the ballot, and if the majority don't want it you will not get it despite all the noise of the Liberal party or anyone else who are so anxious that the opinions of the people should not be asked at all (cheers). Passing on to the mamifostoes of the leaders of the two great parties, the speaker said that of the Unionist leader had been des- cribed by Mr Winston Churchill as "flat," "stale," "muddy," and a number of other things—Mir Winston Churchill had a greater gift of adjectives than logic—(laughter, and a voice: "You can take the lot"—meaning all Mr Churchill's adjectives). Well, I can take a lot of this, said Mr Thompson. It won't upset me in the least (cheers). If it amuses you, it docs not upset me; but it does not represent the frecdom which Liberals speak so much about, nor your readiness to give fair play (hear, hear). Well, to take only one of Mr Churchill's adjectives— "stale." May I draw your attention to the manifesto of the Prime Minister at the Al- bert Hall (hear, hear). In that, Mr Asquith said that beyond all the issues "the object of the Liberal party would be if returned to power"-lie himself is in doubt because he says "if"—(laughter amd hear, hear)—to abolish the power of the Lords—(hear, hear) —to interfere in finance." Is that fresh? ("No," amd laughter). They have been agi- tating against the Lords ever since 1834. Surely that is not a very FRESH POLITICAL EGG. (loud laughter). Then, the next thing is "Home Rule for Ireland"—another vexy fresh thing, is it not? (a voice: "Oh! how very fresh," and laughter). Next we have "to up- hold Free Trade" (hear, hear). That is quite a political sucking babe, just born (laughter and cheers). Next was "Disestablishment of the Church in Wales" (hear, hear). Is this new again? (laughter). Next we had "State aid for unemployment." Is tha.t new? ("Yes"). WetLl, it was tho Conservative party that first took action in regard to tha.t when they passed the Unemployed Workmen's Act in 1905 (cheers). I need simply remark that this policy which is supposed to be very fresh is of a very ancient character indeed. If Noah was a polittician this is the kind of policy he might have framed whilst he was Ln the ark (loud laughter). What Liberals wanted to destroy was not the power of the Lords over finance, but the power of the people to interfere in the financial proposals aa laid down in the Budget. If their oppo- nents were not afraid of the people—(a voice: "They are not afraid")—why all the noise? Why could they not go home quietly, con- fident that they had the people behind them? (hear, hear). With regard to the power of the Lords over finamoe-("They have none") —every Liberal would admit that one of the fundamental principles of their constitution was that there should be no taxation with- out representation (a voace: "What about women, then?"). He found that Liberals in this country were more ready to eulogiee that principle than act upon Lt. Upon whom did the new taxation in the Budget maimly fall? (voices: "The landlords"). Upon the Lords, the dukes-(hear, hear),—the marquises ("And the workingmen"). He agreed. But, if it was true that the taxation would fail upon those in the House of Lords as well as upon those outside it, what became of the prin- ciple of taxation without representation when the Lords would have no voice with regard to the present Budget, which was taxing them up to the hilt? (loud cheers and interrup- tion). Dealing with FISCAL REFORM, Mr Thompson said that during his hurried and strenuous tour through Lancambirq the President of the Board of Trade said wages were moving upwards gradually (hear, hear), Mr Churchill was referring to the cotton operatives and he proceeded to say that at present there was a pertain disturbance m j the cotton trade between the operatives and their employers, but he was not quite sure in what way wages would tend when matters were. settled. Thus, they had two things said: first, that wages were going up, and secondly, that conditions were not such that he was quite sure whetdier wages would con- tinue their upward tendency. He could hold out no hope that wages would go up in future, but he said that if they adopted Fiscal Re- form it would mean that there would be strikes and disputes Ln the cotton industry. He (Mr Thompson) could guarantee that no fiscal system in the world could abolish al- togcttheir. labour disputes (hoar, hear). Why had we experienced strikes in practically every industry during the 60 years we had been under Free Trade? To argue that a change in our fiscal system would accentuate strikes was talking the merest u on sense (hear, hear, and interruption). Mr Churchill admitted tha.t the oot.ton industry was to-day fighting for its very existence, that the mar- gins and profit were very narrow indeed, and that it had to fight for its existence particu- larly in the neutral markets of the world ("Why?"). He was asked why. That sort of thing was not said of the cotton trade 10, 15, or 20 yeai^s ago, when the British rna-nut'ac- turers held a monopoly not only in the neutral markets, but in those countries which were Britain's chief competitors to-day—(hear, hear),—Germany, France, the United States of America, Italy, etc. Why were they light- ing for their very existence Li-i the neutral markets to-day? (a voice: "We know all about Lancashire here"). Because others had developed their industries behind tariff walls, and produced cotton which was sent to com- pete with the British goods (a voice: "They can't compete with us"). If in the protected countries they thus succeeded—("Ihey don't") —why should not Britain sock to revise 'ts fiscal system so as to give reasonable protec- tion to the workers of this country, and thereby possess a weapon with which to fight the tariffs of other countries, which were going to ruin the cotton industries of this country—(a voice: "Lancashire beats the world to-day." and more interruption). Whether his opponents liked it or not, that was the truth, and he was exceedingly sorry for it (cries of "Nonsense," "Rot," etc.). They were also told that it did not matter if people wore out of employment in their own industries so long as they found work in other industries. He had been working in mines in Glamorganshire (a voice: "It was a pity you left there"). My friend, retorted Mr Thompson, it would do you good to go there; it would teach you something besides ma/nners (cheers and laughter). In the mines he had found men working as labourers at 4s per day because they could not lind can- ployment at Cardiff and other South Wales towns at their own trades. If modern con- ditions were satisfactory why was it neces- sary for the Government to spemd increasing amounts, year after year, for the purpose of relieving unemployment? He had seen others, diverted from their trades for the same rea- son, in Derby and Wolverhampton, carrying sandwich boards in the streets. That was what they got under their ruinous Free Trade system (cheers and hooting). Mr Thompson concluded with a few sentences in Welsh, re- peating in the vernacular a few of the main points in the first part of his speech. THE CANDIDATE PROMPTLY ANSWERS QUESTIONS. The CHAIRMAN invited written questions a.nd altogether about a dozen slips of paper were handed up, the candidate replying in each instance. The first query was: "Seeing that Mr Thompson has been a working miner and, I suppose, was a good Trades Unionist, how is it tha,t Mr Thompson comes to us as a Con- servative candidate, seeing that the Conser- vative and Labour interests are diametrically opposed to each other?" MR THOMPSON replied: Because I have never known yet that Trades Unionism must mean Liberalism (hear, hear). A Trades Union is purely an industrial organisation with objects otheo." than politics. I did not come here as a representative of the Labour Representation Committee, because that com- mittee is formed for the purpose of pro- pagating principles of Socialism, which I don't approve (cheers). The second, which the candidate described as an "old chestnut," was "If a duty of 10 per cent. will not increase the cost of living, why not propose 100 per cent.?"—Mr Thomp- son said the answer was simply that, 100 per oenf. tax would not be protective, but pro- hibitive; and Tariff Reformers had no desire to introduce a prohibitive system of tariffs (hear, hear). The third question was: "How will the Tories pay for Old-age Pensions?"—The in- ference here, said Mr Thompson, is tha.t Tariff Reform will not produce the necessary money. We would not have Tariff Reform to help us because there would be the income tax and death duties, etc., just as you have them now under the revised system (hear, hear). Germany, Australia, and New Zea- land, three protected countries, have had systems of old-age pensions for many years, and they are very much better systems than the one we have here. If they can do it under Protection, we can do it under Tariff Re- form (voices: "But they have no House of Lords there," and "Prove that"). I came here to supply my questions with reasons; I can't supply them with understanding (loud laughter and cheers). Another interrogator i-nquired why the Lords approved the Trades Dispute Bill. To this the reply was that it was passed because the Lords were convinced that the majority of the Trades Unions in the country required the Bill. The fifth query was whether the candidat-C did not think that the people, through their representative^ should have the controlling voice in" Parliament. Mr Thompson answered that Parliament was composed of two houses —("No")—the House of Commons ("the re- presentatives of the people"), and the House of Lords ("which is an accident of birth"). He certainly believed that the opinions of the people should prevail, and that was why he thought it right that the Budget had been submitted to the consideration of the people (loud applause, and a voice: "But the peo- ple are represented by the House of Com- mons, who made the Budget"). Mr Thomp- son added that the election would decide that point. "A-r,L, you Ln favour of an adult suffrage?" was the next question. Mr Thompson replied that he was not prepared for that yet, but he thought it necessary to amend and reform the present law on the matter. The seventh question was: "If Protection is a cure for unemployment, how is unemploy- ment greater in the United States of America than here?" According to the latest returns, was the answer, there are from 50 per cent. to 100 per oemt. more unemployed there at present than in the States (cries of disap- provaJ). Moreover, no one says that Tariff Reform or Protection, or any other fiscal system will be an absolute cure for unem- ployment (voices: "What about your papers which say Tariff Reform supplies work for all?"). I know that a certain Conservative newspaper—I think it is the "Daily Express" -(a voice: "And the 'North Wales Chron- icle")—publishes something to the effect that Tariff Reform means work for all. News- papers very often rather stretch a point (laughter). The "Daily News" stretched it terribly whom it spoke of Chinese slavery (cheers and laughter). But, I would not hold the Liberal party respon- sible for any exaggeration that may appear in any newspaper. We don't argue tihafc Tariff Reform will entiroly abolish unemployment because you will always have some unemployment in every oountry and 8It every time, I suppose. ITL this way the candidate dealt skilfully with the hecklers right to the close. THANKS. MR GEO. BEVAiN was then called upon to propose a vote 0If thanks, but immediately Ie rose to his feet the obstructionists at the rear shouted "What about the gas f" witih Buoh deafening power that nothing of what the speaker said was heard aifc the reportent table. MR EDWARD ALLEN. who seconded, said I didi not hear a word of what Mr Bevan said," amounoed the speaker midst Laughter, "but I take it for granted that be proposed a vote of thanks to the speakers. I ask: you all to bear in mind what these giontlmnen have told you, and if you will do that I wiQ not have the slightest fear about the way in which the election will go (Lajughter and cheers). The motion was carried with loud applause. MUST GO ALL THE WAY. MR GREAVES LORD and MR THOMP- SON responded. The latter remarked that elections were not won by making a big noise, and no party gained permanent success by not extending fairplay to their political opponents j (hear, hear). I .thank you all most heartily, nevertheless, said the candidate. This meeting has bc-en a, most important and interesting one— quite as interesting as the one I had last night— (laughter)—when 1 had two I'.ours of it. To- nig-hj, I have had; a fair innings (hear, hear, and laughter). I oame liere 00 fight, and I 81m go- ing to fight every inch of the ground, and whether you listen or loot you will have to run all the way in this contest (Loud applause). Don't, forget that (cheers). Hearty thanks wcre voted the Chairman on the motion of Mr LORD, seconded by Mr THOMPSON. MR BRODRICK, in acknowledging, said there wore two thingb thait. ehould ensure success for Mr Thompson—one was his enthusiasm, and the other hard work (a.pplaue). The proceedings closed with the National Anthems of Wales and England. A very large crowd assembled outside the Public Hall to witness the departure of tho speakers, and, though there was a good deal of unseemly noise, nothing untoward occurred. -$

SIR oJ. HERBERT ROBERTS AT…

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