Welsh Gazette and West Wales Advertiser

A I CHALLENGE TO WALES. THE House of Lords very appropriately wound up their wrecking and reckless career with the Education Bill on Thurs- day by rejecting the clause constituting a Welsh Council for Education. They pro- fessed to believe that under such a Council as the clause created Welsh Churchmen would be unjustly treated, but their real hostility to the proposal was based on the slight recognition which it contained of the principle of Home Rule. The Tory Peers gathered in great force for a last effort, but the Archbishop of Canterbury and most of the prelates had the decency to stay away, and only four bishops took part in the division. The Earl of Crewe and the Bishop of Hereford stood up against great odds in favour of devolution for Wales. But the Home Rule bogey, as raised by Earl Cawdor and Lord Londonderry, and which called forth the protest that Union- ism had run mad," proved too much for the noble Lords and Prelates, and, so far as the debate on the merits of the scheme was con- cerned, the fateful division might have been taken as soon as the House assembled, for the result was, of course, a foregone con- clusion. Prejudiced as they are, even the Tory Peers and the Bishops cannot be blind to the fact that Wales sends to the House of Commons a solid phalanx of Progressive members. Not a single Tory represents any part of Wales in the House of Commons. It follows, therefore, that there can be no doubt as to the opinion of Wales expressed by her representatives. The clause to establish a Welsh Council was carried by an overwhelming majority in the House of Commons, and it was supported by every Welsh member. Wales knows her own mind. Wales is thoroughly united for one fixed and definite purpose; and she is determined to work out her own salvation. Lord Rendel, in a speech of quiet emphasis and convincing argument, made a most effective reply to all the empty sound and fury of the Tory Peers and Bishops, and assured the House that the people of Wales, Churchmen as well as Noncon- formists, desired the management of their elementary education as they now had of their secondary education. Next to their passion for religion the Welsh people, said Lord Rendel, had a passion for education. Everybody who knew Wales would, he apded, testify to the absence of party and sectarian feeling. If the conduct of higher education was satisfactory, was it not reasonable that the Welsh people should hope that they should be allowed to administer their own elementary education ? There is no more faithful or experienced ex- ponent of the cause of Welsh education in the House of Commons, than the former l leader of the Welsh Parliamentary party, who so skilfully piloted the Intermediate Education Act for Wales in 1889. Lord 1 Rendel, owing to his unique position as President of the premier National College in Wales, and the practical interest he has so frequently shown in the work of the Welsh University can justly claim the eminence of authority on the subject of the debate. He knows more about Welsh education than the whole ruck of the Tory Peers—and the Bishops in the bargain. But, it was in vain that Lord Rendel urged that the clause set up a purely administrative power, provided with ample checks against unjust use in the hands of extremists, and that its rejection would be a particularly serious hardship to the people of Wales, who have made unusual sacrifices to further the cause they have so dearly at heart. We are not surprised that the Lords rejected this clause; but Wales is quite prepared to take up the challenge which they have thrown down. The whole country has been thoroughly aroused and there is no mistaking its resolute temper.

NOTES AND COMMENTS. The Welsh members in the House of Com- mciia greatly resent the action of le peera in rejecting the Welsh Council clause of the Education Bill. It is probable that the sub- ject will be brought before an early meeting of the Welsh Parliamentary party, r.nd that an effort will be made to have the clause re- stared when the bill is returned to the House of Commons. -1I- Lecturing on the present position of the education controversy, Dr. Macnamara said that Free Churchmen should take note that because the Labour men were insistent the House of Lords wa" not going to fight the Trade Disputes Bill The Tory Opposition was prepared to fight the Free Churches for the perpetuation of the Established Church and its hold upon the young of this country, but they were afraid to fight the trade unions. -11- Mr. Lloyd George, speaking at Gloucester on Saturday, said the House of Lords had rendered the Education Bill worthless, and the people could not accept the bill as the Lords had left it. The. amendments the peers had introduced did not afford even a reasonable basis for discussion. The action 01 the House of Lords was either a "try on or a deliberate defiance of the will of the people, and the question had been the people, and the question had been raised whether the country was to be I governed by its own people or by a clique of dead-heads." At a Church Defence meeting at Llan- badarn Fawr on Tuesday evening, Mr. W. J. Waterhouse made a spirited attack on Nonconformists and Liberationists, dealing mainly with the thorny question of endow- ments. A report of the meeting is given in another part of the paper. -II- Sir Robert Edgcumbe, speaking as a Churchman, declares that the vast bulk of the laity are entirely satisfied with the re- ligious teaching given under the Cowiper- Temple clause.' He proposes, then, that next Session the House of Commons should add clauses to the Budget—which the Peers cannot mjbddle with-declaxing that after September 1st no grants shall be paid to, and no local .rates shall be raised for, any elementary school other than those in which the religious teaching is conducted unidjar the Cowper-Temple clause. _8- The Prime Minister, replying to a (impu- tation on the subject of infant mortality, said the dleath-rate of infants was simply appalling. A minimum mortality was one of the supreme tests of civilisation. Mr. John Burns, who also replied, spoke of tr,P. sanitary defects which caused the deaths of -children, and said the chief factors causing the terrible mortality rate of young chil- dren were drink and dirt. -11- One quarter of the deaths in England and Wales are those of infants under one year of age. The general death-rate is decreasing; it was 22.2 per 1,000 of population in the period 1851-60 and 18.2 in 1891-1900; the infant death-rate was exactly the same, viz. 154 per 1,000 of population, in the farmer decade as in the latter, though in the period 1901-5 it showed a welcome decline of 138. In the hlalf-century under review the birth- rate fell from 34.1 per 1,000 of population to 28.4. The waste of infant life is one of the darkest blots on our civilisation, and if the decline of the birth-rate continues it will become one of our most acute, social problems. The increase of population in mere numbers is one mark of a progressing society, and as its presence or absence is easily observed these vital statistics are a clear indication of the general state of the nation. -11- After a private meeting of soap manufac- turers concerned in the soap combine in Liverpool, a statement was handed to the press for publication to the effect. that the hostile reception accorded to the scheme by the trade and the public had made it un- workable, and in consequence tie combina- tion would not take place; each firm would retain its independende' (as before. The Soap Trust ha.s been killed because while American public opinion has to meet its enemies with its hands tied behind it, in Great Britain it has the whole armory of Free Trade behind it to render its proteits effectire 1 Mr. Winston Churchill, speaking at Hud- derafield on Monday, said we, were begin- ning what would undoubtedly be a long con- test between the Lords and the Commons. If the Commons were to emerge victorious they must, bel properly .supported. They must not be deserted in the moment of trial and crisis by those whiose work they were doing, and who had created the existing great Liberal and Radical majority. If the Government should be fortunate enough to live the natural life of a Parliament, Mr. Churchill &aid he trusted it would be able to advance great popular causes, to give the people access to the land, and to abolish the veto of the House of Lords. -11- We should like tc see the casual wards (says the Westminster Gazette"), swept away and a much firmer hand laid on the in-and'-out population of the workhouses. Compulsory detention,- and, in the last re- sort, some penal discipline, should be the lot of those who won't work on their secojnd or third application for relief. If, in short, we coiuld abolish aTl that part of the Poor- law which now manufactures paupers and demoralises the population, we should make large economies and prepare the way for a more intelligent and liberal treatment both of the aged poor and of the, genuine unem- ployed. These things, however, must go hand-in-hand, and we do not believe it will be possible to make much progress with the Pension question until we are in possession of the new Poor-law Bill. It is stated that the Royal Commission on the Church in Wales will shortly resume work, and hopes to be able to hold foiur or five additional meetings for evidence before the Christmas' recess. At present the in- tention is to continue the inquiry as to tne diocese of St. David's, especially the county of Carmarthen, after which other counties will be dealt with. The returns requested from the Ecclesiastical Commissioners ar.d the Governing Body of Queen Anne's Bounty as to the allocation of public revenues to the State Church in Wales are expectei to be ready in a few weeks. Progress is also being made with the preparation of state- ments showing, the work and expenditure of the various Nonconformist denominations in Wales, as well as with the returns from in- cumbents in Wales showing the endowments membership, parochia1 organisation, volun- tary contributions, etc., of their respective churches. After two very protracted sittings on Wednesday, the Select Committee of the House of Commons on the income tax prac- tically settled all the controversial points which had remained outstanding. A last trial of strength occurred on the question of whether there should be a universal declaration of income or not, and this is understood to have been carried in the affirmative by a casting vote of the Chair- man, Sir Charles Dilke. The Committee adjourned, when, the Report having been reprinted in the meantime, a sort of third- reading debate will take place prior to the laying of the document on the table of the House. Speaking general, thjeI character of the recommendations may be summed up thus:—The Committee suggested further relief from taxation on "aJl" incomes up to £ 1,000 a year. They foreshadow the pos- sibility of relief to "earned" incomes up to £ 2,000 a year. -If- Sir Walter Foster, M.P., speaking at Longeaton on Saturday, said it was a bad tradition to keep tl imming and attenuating measures in order to get them through the House of Lords-in fact, he was sick of making bids to suit the Upper House. In future the Government must frame bills to reflect the will of the people. Unless the Lords agreed to the original Education Bill they would have to fall back on secular edu- cation, and leave the Church to do their own religious teaching. The perennial squabbles about religious teaching tended to lower the whole standard of popular education, and the intereference o. the priestblood of any denomination must be stopped. After re- ferring to other Government measures, Sir Walter said should a constitutional crisis arise with the House of Lords it would be a question whether they should reject that, Assembly, for the temper of the nation would not stand the action of the Lovds any longer. It was au insult to a great de- mocracy to have measures mangled and mntilated by an irresponsible body an anomaly that must be removed. Four members of the West Ham Bo aid of I Guardians, with the Master of the Work- house and two ex officials, were charged at the local police court on Tuesday with con- spiring to defraud the Board, and also with offences under the Corrupt (Bodies) Practices Act. It was stated that the case arose out of allegations made by a coal contractor who is now undergoing a term of imprison- ment and information obtained at inquiries held by Local Government Board officials. The accuse;! were remanded on bail. -11- Tremendous enthusiasm marked the I gathering 1M the National Liberal Federa- tion in London on Wednesday, when a letter was read from the Premier, in which he de- clared that there could be no tampering with the main principles on which the Ldu- cation Bill was founded, &nd that on this question of ooucation and on others a way would be found by which the wishes of the country could be made to prevail. If It is stated that with lead at its present high price there are numerous enquiries as to several of the mines in North Cardigan- shire which for a long time have remained unworked. Some of the mines in the Pen- rhyncoch district have been visited and ex- amined by gentlemen interested in the lead industry. It is to be hoped that some- thing tangible will result from these visits, and that some of its old-time prospertiy will be restored to the district. i An extraordinary demonstration occurred at an anti-betting meeting held in Birming. ham last week, under the auspices of the Birmingham Diocesan Conference. It was obvjous from the) start that betting men and their supporters constituted a majority of the audience, and the speakers were con- stantly interrupted. Bishop Gore was greeted with cries of "Liar," and was told that it was "like his impudence to dictate to people when he had never made a bet himself." One man was ejected. If this is the way the Birmingham lambs" treat their Bishop, what wonder that they mobbed Mr. Lloyd-George! II_ ii- Mr Lloyd-George has won golden opinions for the way in which he steered the Muni. cipal Shipping Bill through the House of Commons. The Bill was read a third time without a division. Mr Havelock Wilson gave it a fairly handsome testimonial for its success in raising the seamen's standard of life, though he wished more had been done regarding their accommodation. Mr. Bonar Law, who has been a temperate and able critic, admitted that it was generally fair to the shipowners and to the seamen. But he complained that it did not deal with the scandal of foreign ships leaving foreign ports overloaded, and in this way improperly competing with British vessels He hinted that the Lords might make the change in this respect which the Commons had refused to carry out. Mr. Lloyd- George discountenanced any such prospect. If foreign ships arrived in British ports in a condition which' did not violate the laws of this country any attempt on our part to legislate as to how they should be loaded when they sailed from their own jorts would be dangerous, and might tnean com- plications. The Bill has made something of a record. The debates upon its 80 to 90 clauses only occupied under three days of Parliamentary time!

Merioneth Clerkship of the Peace A meeting of the Merioneth Standing Joint Committee, summoned by the chair- man, Mr. Owen S. Wynne, of Dolrhyd, was held at Dolgelley on Tuesday to consider what steps should be taken in reference to the appointment of a Clerk of the Peace and to the County Council, in succession to the late Mr. Robert. Jones The members of the Standing Joint Com- mittee appointed by Quarter Sessions are:— Messrs. W. R. M. Wynne, Peniarth, Osmond Williams, M.P.; Owen Slaney Wynne, Dol- rhyd, Dolgelley; Edward Evans Lloyd, Bala; R. S. Wayne; C. E. Munro Edwards., Dolserau; Robert PrySi Owen, Dyffryn, Evan Bowen Jones and the Hon. C. H. Wynn, Rug. The members appointed by the County Council are:—Aldermen W. P. Evans, Wm. Hughes, John Jones, John Evans and Councillors Robert Richards, J. Lloyd Jones, R. D. Roberts, R. E. Roberts, and John Hughes. Mr. O. S. Wynne had given notice of motion: "That pending a permanent appointment to the office of Clerk of the Peace and to the County Council being made, Mr. Randal Casson, the Deputy of the late Clerk be appointed to execute the duties of the office." Mr Wynne explained that Mr. Casson had assured him that he would not be a candidate for the permanent appointment, and stated that he (Mr. Wynne) had been advised that Mr. Casson's appointment as Deputy Clerk ceased on tbedeath of Mr. Robert Jones; as sub-section 4 of section 83 of the Local Government Act, 1888, did not apply in his case, and such a position of affairs created a dead-lock. Mr Randell Casson (Portmadoc) was un- animously appointed temporary clerk. Mr W R M Wynne (Lord Lieutenant) asked the Clerk whether it was necessary to advertise for a clerk. This was the second occasion within his recollection on which the office had becotme vacant, and if he recollected aright there was no advertis- ing when the previous appointment was made. Air Casson: It is not legally necessary to advertise; the appointment in former years was in the hands of the Lord Lieutenant of the county. Several members expressed their views that there should be no delay in making the appointment, and it was decided to make the final appointment at Dolgelley en December 17th and the matter of salary to be left until the next meeting. Mr R G Roberts (Llanuwchyllyn) inquired whether it. would not be desirable thaL the gentleman appointed should reside in the county. The Hon. C H Wynne thought it was net material. The late clerk had done his v'ork excellently, though residing outside the county; he did not see that any inconveni- ence had been caused. Mr W Hughes (Dolgelley) said he strongly felt that their clerk should reside in the county. For O;lle thing a lot of printing was required, and in late years the print- ing was sent out. of the county, which was a loss to persons who were ratepayers. If Mr Wynne knew of any county in Wales where the clerk did not reside there he would be satisfied. Mr Wynne: Do you know of a clerk ot the peace for Merionethshire who ever re- sided within the county? — (Laughter.) The matter was deferred until the day of appointment. There seems to be an impression in the county that the appointments will ulti- mately go to Mr. Brcese, solicitor Port- madoc (of Messrs. Breese, Jones, and Casson), but there is a strong feeling that the- offices should be located in the county.

OLD-AGE PENSIONS. THE question of Old-Age Pensions has at last entered into the stage of practical politics. Last week between seventy and eighty Liberal and Labour Members waited upon the Prime Minister and the Chancellor of the Exchequer to urge the Government to put old-age Pensions in the fore-front of the legislative programme, and the speeches made by both Ministers on the occasion mark a very important advance in the history of the movement. Sir Henry Campbell -Bannerman entirely agreed' with the arguments for old-age pensions, and said he was only prevented by limits of time and money from acceding to their request. He agreed that any plan must be universal in its application, a pension being payable to anyone who claimed it, with, of course, certain well-understood exceptions. Contributory schemes meant inquisitorial machinery. Pensions, so far from sapping thrift, would give a sense of security and strength to the man or woman throughout life. He assured the deputation that the matter would be dealt with as soon as time and money permitted. Mr. Asquith en- dorsed the Prime Minister's statements, and said nothing was nearer to his heart than that he should be able to submit to the House of Commons a financial plan by which provision should be made for the veterans of industry. The Government regarded the question as one of the most extreme urgency. It must be remembered that the Liberal leaders have never before promised to deal with this subject. The people of this country refused them an opportunity by keeping them out of office for nearly twenty years. The people also sanctioned the South African war, with its enormous waste and expenditure of money,. which might have gone to the providing of old-age pensions and other public improve- ments. Seeing that the national finances have been wasted by the Tories, the Liberals, while sympathising with the pro- posal, were too honest to make vain promises which they knew they could not perform. But now, at last, the pledge has been given that before the Government goes out of office-that is, if the people continue to support them, instead of the Tory wasters- they shall provide a pension for every person in the country over sixty five years of age.

"No Compromise." FREE CHURCHMEN WILLi STAND BY THE BILL. The Free Churches have not been slow to take up the challenge thrown down by the Archbishop of Canterbury and his coliorts in the House of Lords, and they will be strengthened and encouraged by the letter of the Prime Minister, which was re"d at the Liberal Federation meeting at West- minster on Tuesday. On Tuesday afternoon the City Temple was packed from floor to ceiling with resol- ute, militant Congregationalists, full of resentment at the treatment which the Education Bill has received at the right reverend hands of the bishops. It was a gathering absolutely unique in the history of the Congregational Union of England and Wales, for it was the first Special Assembly of delegates that has ever been called together since the union was formed 75 years ago. NO MORE COMPROMISE. No more compromises" was the spirite that ruled the meeting, and as point after point was driven home in the speeches from men who are among the greatest forces in the Freen Church activities of thle country the enthusiasm of the meeting worked up to fever height. Then with one mighty shout of ;'Aye," their feelings were focussed into a comprehensive resolution, which declared that the Assembly recognised in the Lduca- tion Bill the desire of the Governmen6 to give effect to the demand expressed at the, general election for popular control of all State-aided schools and for freedom of the teachers from all religious tests.

I A DAY WYfH THE GOGERDDAN HOUNDS Lovers of the hunt and chase in Cardigan- shire have 1.0 occasion to complain of lack of sport at the present time. Thtere are the Tivyaide foxhounds in the south, the Neuaddfawr foxhounds in the centre, and Mr. Lewes Pryse's beagles in the north, to which must now be added the Gogerddan foxhounds, re-starled this season by the popular baronet, Sir Edward Webley-Parry- Pryse, after having been disbanded for a considerable number of years. A better hunted county it would be difficult to find, and with energetic masters in each) case the packs, which, as a rule, meet twice weekly, are kept well up to concert pitch. On Friday last the meet of the Gogerddan hounds took place at Ynyshir Hall, Glan- dovey, the residence of Major Barry Taunton, and Mrs. Barry Taunton, who with their accustomed hos- pitality entertained the large party which had come together for the bunt. There were a large number of mounted huntsmen and huntswomen present, and the scene in front of the house before the start was a very picturesque oaie. The party included Sir Edward, Mr. George Pryse, Mr. Lewes .Loveden Pryse, Major Stuart, Alltyrodyn; Mr. Roderick Richardes, Penglaise; Lieut. Powell, Tregaron; Dr. A. 0. Davies. Mach- ynlleth Mr. Howell, Lodge Park; the Misses Taunton; Miss Clifford Brown, Pen- pompren Hall; Miss Holt, Llwyngwern; the Misses Taunton Capt. J. C. Rea, Aber- ystwyth; Mr. G. Cbeckland Williams, and Miss Williams, Dr. Williams, Trerddol; Mr. Bodvan Morgan, Fronlas; Miss Parry, Glanpaith; Miss Everard Jones; Mr. Ken- yon. Dovey Bank: Mr. and Miss Jenkins, Plaspenrhyn; Miss Davies, Tajybont; Mr. Jones, Furnace Farm; Mr. Jenkins, Bwlcb- einon; Mr. Davies, Penrhyngeinvym; Mr. Mr. H. It. Jones, Taliesin; ltir. John Evans, Machynlleth; and Mr. Jenkins, Ynysgru- 'i'ile day was brilliantly fine, and all that could be desired for hunting. The pack of iiounds was generally admired, and their condition reflected much credit upon Major, the wlup, and Morgan, the huntsman. The Hunting party started from Ynyshir Hall, shortly after eleven o'clock, and the Master directed that the Flat Wood, at the back of the house, should first be tried. The dogs were thrown in here, and having worked it thoroughly, they were compiled to give it up as blank. Retracing their footsteps, the woods adjoining the house were next tr-ed, but the wily fox was not at home here either. Hounds and huntsmen then cut across the meadows to, Ynyseidol h arm, and along the path which runs through the wood of that name. Emerging on the other side, the hounds were taken a long detour to try some of the gorse covers situated on the Flats which extend right up to the railway line. The majority of the party climbed to the eminence on which tfnysgrugog Farm stands, and from that coign of vantage the movements of the hounds below could be comfortably watched. The keen-scented dogs, urged on by the huntsman, worked splendidly, but not a scent could they pick up anywhere. Between Ynysgrugog anct the railway is another hillock, rising with precipitous sides to a height of LOO feet OR so. The dogs skirted the base of this, and the tew followers of, the hunt who had climbed to the top of it saw the dogs indulge in a little hunting expedi- tion of their own. The "whip" shouted hlinkdf hoarse in trying to ^et them back, but he might as well ha -o addressed himself, to the wind. Two scared shtep were scam- pering before them at top speed in the direction of the railway. One escaped, but the ather cLd not. When the hounds had been collected together again, the ring- leader was given such a castigation as ought to Msociate mutton with everything un- pleasant in his mind in future. A brisk canter was then made through the Lodge Park woods, past Henhafod Farm. A tol- erably dry piece )f marsh land was here tried, and although it was covered most thoroughly the dogs could only put up a few pheasants and some rabbits. It is said by a competent authority that Reynard is possessed of considerable intellectual capac- ity. It. is to be hoped that this capacity does not extend to reading the hunting- fixtures and chaijgin^iis quarters accord-' lngiy. I here was nij^Hfoom for entertain- ing this belief on FrTM^ The search hav- ing been carried on until half-past two, it was decided not to try any further coverts, and the hunt was abandoned. Sir Edward" showed great tact and firmness in his management of the neld. He was always in the van, and was most active in pressing the hounds forward. Alfliotigh, the day proved" a blank one, regarded from the point of view of the weather it was most exhilarating The air was light and crisp, and the riding- through fields, woods, and thickets afforded a very pleasant exercise. On Tuesday there was another large meet, at Nantkos. The pack will be out, of the- county for the next month hunting in- Pembrokeshire MR. LEWES PRYSE'S BEAGLES. Last Wednesday Mr. Lewes Prvse took-- his pack. of merry little beagles up' on to the. hills atJ- far as Bwlchrosser, Bontgoch. There- was a drizzly rain all the. morning, but to- wards noon it cleared somewhat a.nd than the covert near the farmhouse was first drawn but wititout yLcIding any sport. The. hounds were Then taken round the hill side until the river was reached, but sttilEf without any result. The river was theiL crossed and it was not long before a, Laxeg was roused which gave rise to a. spirited run over Lletyevenlen b until it went down to the valley on the other sider. Here it doubled and made a return journey over the hii i and back to the river. Nothing dauitfcef 1 it crossed and gave the hounds a. stiff ru n up the hill on the other side, and took the m over the banks into the valley leading, to Moelglommen. tl crossed another ru er and then the scent became rather feeble and the hare was lost in some turnip fields on Moelgloinnw-n after having given, a good hunt for several miles, and bringing the day's sporii to a. termination about 3.4.3 p. hi. HUNTING FIXTURES. The Neuaddfawr Foxhounds will meet on Monday December 3rd, at Highmead Arms; also on. Friday December 7th at Blossom Lodge. Both days at 10-30. Mr. Lewes Pryse's Beagles will meet on Wednesday, December 5th at Lodge Park, Machynlleth Gate; and on Saturday. De- cember 8th, by card, at 11.1:) a.m.

I A-NLARTH, Obituary- The news of the un'time\w death of Mr. Thomas Charles Jones, son of Mr and Mrs Jordan Jones. Fronwen, will bring sorrow to a large circle of friends sand relatives. Mr Jone: -who was oniy 31 'years of age, passed away at the Hospital, in Durban, Natal, on the 14th of October last, The deepest sympathy is felt for the family in their sad bereavement. N -IT MSSSSSA^AMRNM

PEMBROKESHIRE NEEDLEWORK GUILD. The annual exhibition of the Pembroke- shire Needlwork Guild was held in the Royal Assembly Rooms, Tenby, on Tuesday. Amongst those present were:The Lady Victoria Lambton, Brownslade ;the Dowager Lady Kensington, Scoveston; Lady K;M;- sington, St. Brides; Lady Meyrick, Bush. The number of garments otn view was 3,146 as compared with 3,300 in 1905. The gar-* ments are distributed among the Cottage Hospitals. Infirmaries, ^nd other institij-, tions in the country,