The Montgomeryshire Express and Radnor Times

SAMPLES OF ARGUMENT. THOUGH many of our readers may feel tired of following the fiscal wrangle, we would have them reflect that the subject is infinitely of more vital importance than any other political question before the country. Religious equality is worth fight- ing for, and serious social wrongs are call- ing loudly for redress, but while we battle for these reforms, let it not be forgotten that the grim spectre of Protection is abroad. That is our apology for dealing at length with the letter of a Tariff Reformer, signed Wunsarad," which appears on another page. It is an unusually interest- ing epistle because of plausible arguments which, while breaking no new ground, are calculated to impress people either unable or unwilling to minutely examine them. It is not less amusing for inconsistency of con- tention. In his lamentation over the enor- mous shoals of foreign manufactures which come into this country, our correspondent pauses to suggest as an example of the efficacy of tariffs the imposition of a slight duty on glass bottles, by means of which the foreign article would be discarded, while the home-made bottle would remain at its present price, in addition to which the tax would wholly accrue to the Treasury. His faith in the operation of Protection is quite undisturbed by the plain facts of Pro- tectionist history, which he can gather from the price lists of any tariff-ridden country. The British manufacturer, he re- marks, would not be prevented from sell- ing at his own price, as the cost of produc- tion would not be raised." The first part of that argument gives his whole case away. As to cost of production, would it not be affected by a tax on machinery and other materials required in the glass in- dustry, whose exports, by the way, are in- creasing, while the amount of imported glass is decreasing ? Statistics will also in- form him regarding this "going" trade that according to the last census the num- ber of persons engaged in it has increased from 20,000 in 1891 to 33,000 in 1901, and though it damages his political argument, he should be further pleased to learn that these employees receive higher wages and work a shorter day than do those similarly employed in continent-al Protectionist countries. But let us suppose that a tax were im- posed upon the importation of foreign bot- tles for the benefit of the home manufac- turer. Where should we stand then ? Upon "the inclined plane" of Protection. Would it be fair or equitable to give this preference and refuse a like protection to the bootmaker, the glove manufacturer, the leather manufacturer, and all others ? It is not in the power of Mr Chamberlain or any other man," said the Duke of Devon- shire, to give any security that if we take the first step in the direction of Protection we can stop there. All experience proves that Protectionist principles, when once adopted, tend to increase in severity and intensity." Nothing truer was ever spoken.! How are the huge trusts created ? Pro-! tected from foreign competition, the home manufacturer can control the output, prices and wages his one aim is to main- tain or increase the tariff on all articles he produces, and his political cry is our trade our politics." But our correspondent feels sure that the trades unions of this country would see to it that higher wages were obtained from the increasing indus- trial prosperity. He has less respect for the opinion of trade unions, which strongly contest the possibility of increased trade or improved social conditions through the agency of protective tariffs. At their an- nual congress, ever since Mr Chamberlain raised the question, these unions, number- ing millions of workers, have by over- whelming majorities repudiated Tariff Reform. In dealing with the comparative statistics which we gave last week of exports and imports, our critic loses sight of certain economics that govern international trading. In the first place, he should know that most Protectionist countries grow the great bulk of the raw material of their industries. and, more important still, the greater part of their people's food. On the other hand, in this country we cannot produce more than a quarter of our food or raw material. Hence the extent of our imports. As to the law of imports paying for exports, let us offer this plain illustration. In 1906 we obtained from abroad 523 millions worth of goods, and sold abroad 376 millions worth. That is to say we imported 147 millions of T r _L • _1_ -1.1- __1 goous ior wmcn no visioie gooas were sent in exchange. How did we pay ? Not in money, for a reference to the blue book in- forms us that in 1906 we imported two mil- lions more of gold and silver than we sent abroad. We paid part of those 147 mil- lions not by exporting goods, but by doing service for the foreigner through carrying his merchandise in our ships and in various other ways. That shipping service alone is estimated to earn for us not less than 80 million pounds annually. Nor does our cor- respondent appear to understand that a large proportion of our imports are re- exported. For instance, we import an im- mense amount of wool from Australia, and sell a very large portion of it to Germany.

LURING THE FARMER. We are next invited to consider the beneficent operation of a 10 per cent. tariff on agricultural machinery, by which, while, as our correspondent thinks, the home ma- chine would remain at the old price, the foreign implement would be made ten shil- lings dearer. Thus he concludes that the home-made article would command the market, for what reasoning farmer would think of buying a foreign-made machine .when he might obtain a British make at a smaller cost ? The answer to this re- markable reasoning is contained in the question-why does the farmer prefer the foreign-made machine ? Not because it is cheaper, for both are priced at £10. The average farmer is a bargainer by dint of experience, and if the German implement were not superior, he would not purchase it. But, forsooth, he is to be penalised for exercising his judgment and possessing himself of a. superior article. That, of course, is the uniform operation of Protec- tion. More remarkable still is our cor- respondent's view of agricultural protec- tion. While describing as sheer wicked- ness the Tory declaration that a tax on wheat will actually cheapen instead of in- crease the price of food, he regards the dearer loaf as a necessary sacrifice, from which "the agricultural interests will re- ceive a great and lasting stimulus." In what way he does not attempt to explain. Our columns are open to his endeavour to prove to Montgomeryshire farmers that they will be more than compensated for dearer machinery, dearer food and feeding stuffs, dearer clothing, the possible with- drawal of rebatement of rent, and the in- creased importation of colonial produce, by two shillings more for the quarter of wheat. And since he admits that under Protection food must be dearer, let him try to under- stand that the tax would be unjust to the general population, because the rich and the poor would not be paying equally in proportion to their means. Britain abol- ished the duty on corn because it produced great distress among the working classes, and because, too, our manufacturers found there was no foreign market for their goods so long as other countries were prevented by heavy tariffs from paying for them with the only exchange they could offer, namely, food. Has anything happened to disprove the deliberate and oft-repeated assertion of Mr Chamberlain that "if you tax bread you will affect every householder in the land you will throw back the working classes of this country to the starvation wages, and to the conditions from which Mr Gladstone and Sir Robert Pool relieved j' tnem r

QUESTIONS TO PONDER. THE purpose of our correspondent's epistle is to prove that by taxing imported manu- factures, more employment would be created at home. This is the stock argument of Protection, but it must be assailed contin- uously. If the argument were sound, we should expect a growth of imports to be accompanied by increased unemployment. Yet statistics show that the converse is the case, and to this fact three Conservative Chancellors of the Exchequer have borne testimony. Hard facts prove," says Lord Goschen, that Protection does not neces- sarily increase employment that it does not give more regular employment that it is no guarantee against catastrophes and commercial crises, but that, on the other hand, it is certain to increase the cost of living, and to diminish that ability to buy, which is so important and which is the car- dinal test of prosperity." Let us suppose that Protection were adopted, and our inter- national trading substantially diminished. If, as the Tariff Reformer desires, we ex- cluded most foreign merchandise, how would it affect, to instance none others, that great body of workers known as dockers ? Since we imported less goods, we should export less goods in payment. The dock labourers would, therefore, have less goods to handle, with the result .that thousands would be thrown out of employment. Illustrations of that kind could easily be multiplied. Again, if Protection is the radical cure for unemployment, let us try to find evi- dence of this in countries where scientific tariffs are said to have achieved the highest and most beneficial results. Under Mr Chamberlain's scheme it is proposed to put a tax of 2s per quarter on foreign corn, which is equal to n per cent., 5 per cent. on dairy produce, and 10 per cent. on manu- factures. Now, if this will serve to solve our problem of unemployment, why has Germany considered it necessary to levy protectionist taxes three times higher ? Is there no unemployment in the Fatherland? And why, too, under the operation of these high scientific tariffs should the wages of the German worker be less, his hours of labour longer, and his cost of living dearer than in this country ? The United States have, as we have previously stated, 72 per cent. of Protection. Is there no unem- ployment problem there ? The fact is that unemployment is caused largely by too much taxation. Your cannot possibly tax people into employment. Another vital aspect of the question which our correpond- ent ignores is the certainty of retaliation by the foreigner, upon whom we are de- pendent for most of our food and raw ma- terial. And as we are the largest exporters in the world, how should be fare in a uni- versal war of tariffs ? Despite all the tariff walls, we send every year to Protected coun- tries as much, and in most cases much more, of our manufactures than we get of theirs at present our Free Trade and their Protection conspire to enable us to manu- facture at a less cost than our rivals, and enjoying the most-favoured-nation-clause, we hold a tremendous advantage over all of them in every neutral market. In these circumstances was Mr Chamberlain wrong when he said that England of all countries is the most vulnerable to the effects of re-1 taliation ? Verily, a tariff war would threaten the very existence of industrial Britain.

THE TERRITORIALS. In their departure for camp on Saturday, the various companies of the 7th R.W.F. created an excellent public impression by smart and soldierly bearing, which attests the efficiency of their instruction, and also, we believe, the deeper interest they feel in military service under regulations that charge them with a serious responsibility, and seek to equip them as a capable and trusted defensive force for any possible emergency. It is gratifying to learn from its officers that the regiment as a whole is making rapid progress towards the stand- ard aimed at by Mr Haldane's scheme, and this fact encourages the hope that from all parts of Montgomeryshire there will be a steady strengthening of the battalion by young men, who should not only appreciate their patriotic duty but recognise the moral and physical benefits that accrue from the discipline and exercise of military training. Speaking generally, the territorial force though practically still in the embryo stage has transcended the highest hopes of its most enthusiastic supporters. The manhood of the country has responded gallantly, and with the provision of facilities for the enlist- ment of various classes of people whose cir- cumstances are not adaptable to present military requirements, the numbers might be doubled. This is the answer to Lord Roberts' ill-timed demand for conscript ser- vice-grievously and ungraciously ill-timed by a commander-in-chief whose term of office is unmarked by any noteworthy reforms.

ANOTHER VINDICATION. The Tariff Reform League, the Trades Union Tariff Reform League, the Budget Protest League, the Licensed Trade, the Rural Labourers League, the Catholic Federation, a Conservative Temperance Association, the Women's Social and Poli- tical Union, a hundred practised orators, numerous vanmen and other hired itiner- ants of Toryism and Protection-all these combined forces shattered themselves against the Liberalism of Derbyshire, whose splendid victory, under the circumstances, is another notable vindication of the Budget. At no bye-election since 1906 have the Tories made such desperate efforts to win. The naval scare was fomented to the utmost, unscrupulous posters anathematised the Government for its dismissal of workers from Woolwich Arsenal, and held it respon- sible for the increased price of bread; almost every hall and schoolroom in the division was requisitioned with the object of depriv- ing the Liberals of meeting places even parsons were commandeered to vulgarise the contest with personal attacks upon Mr Lloyd George, and shame did not stop short of plastering the hoardings with bills declaring that "the Government which gave us Old Age Pensions consists of wastrels." If all these fighting forces with their unbridled license cannot achieve success in concerted action, can they win at a general election, when such concentration will be impossible?

THE SUBORDINATE PARTNER. Since the issue of the Budget the Govern- ment has not lost a single seat, and follow- ing the Liberal victories in Dumfries and Derbyshire a more chastened spirit has come over that section ot the Tory press which appealed to the House of Lords to reject it. The 'Times' is for allowing the country to correct its own mistakes," and Lord Lansdowne has been at trouble to explain away the impression of his latest speech, that the Peers were intent upon massacre or complete rejection. Mr Balfour has studiously abstained from giving a lordly direction in any of his criticisms of the Budget, either as a matter of party strategy or consistency. From the latter standpoint he cannot support the unconstitutional usur- pation of the House of Commons, while leaving on political record the speech of 1907, in which he clearly defined the rela- tionship of the two Houses. Here is the precise passage in that deliverance:— I do not deny that this House is the predominant partner. By the practice of the Constitution it undoubtedly is so. Just see how great are the powers which this House possesses which the other House neither possesses nor claims to possess! We all know that the power of the House of Lords, thus limited, and rightly limited as I think, in the sphere of legislation and admin- istration, is still further limited by the fact that it cannot touch those money bills which, if it could deal with, no doubt it could bring the whole executive machinery of the country to a stand- still. The conclusion I wish to press on the House, and which is all important in this matter, is that under our existing system we have two Chambers which are not of equal power, which are not of equal authority, which cannot come into serious conflict in the whole field of administration, in the whole field of initiation of legislation, or in the whole field of that legislation which deals with finance. Of course, these things being true, it is true that the House of Lords is a subordinate partner to the House of Commons. Could the pronouncement of a party leader be clearer or more decisive ?

A NEW ERA. Mr Balfour is astute enough to realise the folly of trying to engineer the Govern- ment's resignation by overthrowing the Budget. For what chance would the Pro- tectionist alternative have of passing a House predominately Liberal ? He could then, of course, appeal to the country, but with his party clamouring for food taxes, and the people up in arms against the House of Lords, victory could not be hoped for. Colonel Pryce-Jones tells us that the Budget has put back Tariff Reform. So, surely, it has, because it proves the wis- dom and efficacy of our Free Trade fiscal system, by means of which all the requisite revenue is. raised without the least resort to taxation of food. Millionaires, landlords, brewers, and other wealthy monopolists are trumpeting their wrath, and the only visi- ble effect of their agitation and tyrannical threatenings has been to intensify the peo- ple's enthusiastic appreciation of a great Budget, to give them a new interest in politics, a practical understanding of the '1. r-c.4-ro.r..+'Y'tor1 no ,1.1'"1" r&r\ illCIUcIlUtJ VI UdAULIU.1, tLUU CL \;H:CHCa. \;va. ception of the distinctive ideals that govern Liberal and Tory administration. The pas- sage of this masterful Budget will start an era of social progress hnd human better- ment, which a decade of reactionary Tory- ism delayed.

NEWTOWN ELECTORAL WARDS. We cannot be accused of impatience in inquiring what has become of the question of the proposed re-arrangement of electoral wards at Newtown since its last fitful splut- ter on the Council stage. If memory serves us aright, the subject was referred for continued discussion to a successive meeting of the Council. That meeting was held long ago, but the ward question slum- bers. Has it been. once more consigned to the limbo of forgotten things, or has new light been let into the minds of those who advocate the re-arrangement, that they now leave it alone ? It was Mr Cooke who last resurrected the old project in fulfilment of a promise made upon his acceptance of the Council chair. Has he deserted it ? We hope for an explanation of the mystery at the next Council meeting. v

FOR A NEWTOWN COT. Fete at Plasybryn. There was a splendid gathering at Plas- y-bryn on Thursday, when a garden fete, which had been organised by Mrs Edward Powell, was held on the beautiful grounds of the Plas. The object was a most deserv- ing one, as the funds will be devoted to the maintenance of a Newtown cot at Dr Bar- nardo's Homes, and although the ever present caviller might growl at money which was leaving Newtown, yet Newtown will receive a quid pro quo, and be more than recompensed through the provision and maintenance in the great homes of a cot for a waif from this quarter of the island. There was a considerable number pres- ent, but, for all that, the attendance was disappointing. The price of the admission tickets was half-a-crown, and this may have militated against a large scale at a time when there are so many claims upon the purse. There was also a formidable counter attraction in a united Nonconform- ist excursion to Aberystwyth. This was, however, more than a paltry half-crown's worth of enjoyment and entertainment to be derived from a glorious menu of pas- time "nd sport. A pastoral play-to wit, the interlude from "A Midsummer Nnght's Dream —was performed with marked suc- cess, while badminton, cocoanut shying, hoop-la, clock golf, etc., were much en- joyed. Great amusement was derived from the hat-trimming competition, while the dressed doll and the cake competitions were exceedingly well patronized. Unfortunately,. Mrs Barnado was pre- vented by a serious illness from attending the function. She was to have been the guest of Mr and Mrs Edward Powell, but Mr Quinn proved to be an excellent sub-, stitute, and his speech was listened to with rapt attention. A pleasing part of the function was the presentation of the badges to those mem- bers of the Young Helpers' League who had assisted the cause for three consecutive years, and whose money boxes contained 5s and upwards. These badges were most gracefully presented by Lady Pryce-Jones, who had a ivord of encouragement for every helper. The catering was in the efficient hands of Mr Evan Eebb, and most dainty refresh- ments were supplied to the big company, who were eminently satisfied with the comestibles. A picturesque interlude was a succession of cotillon dances and gavottes performed by Miss Macrone's dancing pupils. Clad in chic summer costumes, the children were put through their paces in capital style. Mrs Povdl was accompanied by a host of zealous aid energetic helpers, who con- tributed to make the fete a thorough suc- cess. Ladj Pryce-Jones adjudicated upon the fine exhibition of dressed dolls, while the seventy odd entries in the cake compe- titions were most conscientiously judged by Mrs Edwarc Davies, Plas Dinam, who cut and tasted Jl the viands for competition. These were ;old in aid of the funds of the Homes. Tie prizes were awarded as follows:— Ice-cake, tfrs Boyd's cook; sponge cake, Mrs W. P. fillips; fruit cake, Mrs W. R. Williams. Dolls, 1 Miss Burton (Plas-y bryn), 2 Mis Medina Lewis (Glanhafren). Three excdleiit recitations given by Mr Clifton Gord'n indoors were very much ap- preciated. (wing to the late arrival of Pro- fessor Eyes, the occult chamber was not a striking sucess. A popular atraction was the cocoanut booth, under the management of Messrs H. Phillips and Seymour Stokes. The booth was a great draw, but the target oractice was very poor, and many nuts -vere left to tell the tale The distance from the centre of the town to the hall something less than a mile, and freshened by the recent rain, the trees and hedgerows looked luxuriant, and along the drive he songs were blended from many feathced throats. If the sun had shone out LUljantly it would have trans- figured walls of the Plas, but King Sol kett very modestly behind the clouds for tll: whole day but on the other hand there was nothing more than a sprinkling bower to disturb the guests. The games and amusements were given upon the exlansive green sward which lies under the sotth-west aspect of the hall. Included amongst those present were Sir Pryce and Ldy Pryce-Jones, Mrs Edward Davies and ]arty, Plas Dinam, Mrs Jones and party, Jaesmawr Hall, Rev and Mrs Evan-Jones, Mrs Hutchinson, Mrs and Misses Harrion, Mrs Matthew Powell and Miss Powell, Miss Hutchins, Mrs and the Misses Woosam, Aberhafesp Hall, Misses Scott Owen 2ld party, Mr and Mrs Wilson, Fronfelin, Mss Poundley, Mrs and Miss Swift, Mr Iotl Lloyd Powell, Rev J. George and Miss Gerge, Rev M. and Mrs Martin (Tregynon), Ir and Mrs Parry Jones and party, Mrs Lyd and party, Mr Haig and party (Penithn), Mr and Mrs C. W. Norton, Miss Davies (County School), Misses El- well, Dr art Mrs Davies, Dr and Miss Jones, Mrs R. Williams, Mrs Meredith, Mrs G. Wosnam, Mrs Smith, Madame Bellis, Mrs Ilmunds (Severn Side), Rev G. Vaughan, Re T. E. Williams, Mr and Mrs A. S. Cooke, £ r and Mrs D. H. Lewis, Mrs Breeze, Mrs .arrington, Mr and the Misses Macrone. Mrand Mrs Jarvis, Mr and Mrs Gittins, Mr ordon, Mr Tom Powell, Mrs and Miss S. Lowell, Mr R. Jones (Market- street), Mr Iwis ^(London House), Rev R. Evans HughE, Rev J. Abel, Miss Gamman (County Scbol), Miss Purchas, Mr and Mrs Wilfred raylor, etc. The proceeings opened soon after three p.m., when he chair was taken by Mr Edward Powfl, J.P. He was supported on his right by ady Pryce-Jones and the Rev Evan Jones, id on his left by Mrs Edward Powell, the ')n. sec.. and the Rev F. W. Quinn, curat of St. John's, Tunbridge Wells, and sociation secretary for Can- terbury, Rocester, and Chichester. ,The Rev Ean Jones opened the proceed- ings with plyer, and was followed by a short speechby Mr Edward Powell, who said that the deeply regretted the absence of Mrs Barivdo. They would have liked to have seenter there to commemorate the illustrious fonder of these homes. Since his death, M, Barnardo had taken a deep interest in Use homes. It appeared she had caught c,d, and as a result was suffer- ing from her id trouble—phlebitis—and her medidal meniad told her to cancel all en- gagements. Rev F. W.Quinn, after referring to the absence of 1\ Barnardo, said it gave him great pleasu- to say a few words about Dr Barnardo Homes. He thanked Mr and Mrs Powell )r getting up this fete to-day and for thei:help in the past. They knew very well ttt nations were saved or lost according toche way in which they looked after their oldren. Great civilized nations had passed away because they neglected their child le. Dr Barnardo had responded to the call Mich was emphasised in Harriet Brownings The Cry of the Children." Since theseqomes had been in existence- 43 years-ty had saved 68,000 girls and boys, and t. the present time there were 8,300 childri in their homes. It costs them £240 daily) feed them alone. There were over 1,100 helpless, crippled, and blind children, al it was on behalf of them that Mrs Powelhad worked so hard, and that they were tere that day to support the Young Helpers' Iague. It only cost £ 16 a year to train achild in the homes. Many of them were paying as much as that in dresses ail "Merry widow" hats. He hoped the would liberally support that great causithat day.. They should look at the thoussds of pounds which had been saved in ites by Dr Barnardo rescuing these chil(en from the prisons and work- houses. N Government yet had given a grant to r Barnardo's Homes. During the last ISyears there were 838 children in the homesfrom Wales, and 800 more had been assisd they had therefore a strong claim upo Wales. It was gratifying to state thatie children trained in the homes were doin well. Ninety-nine per cent. of those sentto Canada had turned out suc- cessful, a\ 80 per cent.-of the boys were now thriving landowners in Canada, and for every 300 boys sent out there were 3,000 applications for them. The children's charter was one of the best acts passed by Parliament, but destitution and cruelty to children would not be stopped, and there was still more work for the homes to do. Other nations, such as the Japanese and Hindos, treat their children better than so- called Christian England, but the great thing they were looking for was another children's charter. On an average, nine children per day were taken in, and those destitute were never refused. Mrs Powell read a letter from Mrs Bar- nardo stating that she was awfully sorry she coud not attend, as she was suffering from phlebitis, but she wished them every success. Mrs Powell also read a letter from the Matron of the Jones Memorial Home, Birk- dale, Lancashire, saying that Florence! Slater, aged five, the little girl in the New- town Cot, was now convalescent, and is almost ready to be boarded out. Florence was one of the best cases of cure in the Home (cheers). Continuing, Mrs Powell explained that young members were not expected to retire from the Young Helpers' League at the age of 18, as they could be of even more service to the League. The great object of membership was service,, the work- ing for and helping of others. Good im- pulses were excellent, but what was more highly to be valued was constant and stead- fast interest in the welfare of the movement; in fact, she would prefer the members to continue to collect only one shilling a year rather than collect a much larger amount and then throw it up. She would like them to bear in their minds a motto, the one word Better "— There's only one motto you need to succeed The other man's winning ? Then you must do From mending* of ditches to spending of riches Follow the rule to the uttermost letter —Better. —(loud applause). The Rev. T. E. Williams then voiced a general vote of thanks to Mr and Mrs Edward Powell for their great kindness during each succeeding year in providing such a splendid entertainment in aid of Dr. Barnardo's Homes. The rev. gentleman said he had had the pleasure on many occa- sions of listening to Dr. Barnardo. Rev. Mark Martin seconded the resolution, which was carried with acclamation. Mr Edward Powell acknowledged the vote, and proposed a vote of thanks to Lady Pryce-Jones for so gracefully presenting the badges to the members who who had earned them. Mr Powell concluded by thanking Mr Quinn most heartily for coming down that day and addressing them. The badges were presented by her Lady- ship to Misses Shute, Irene Cottle, Wilfred Taylor, Medmn Lewis, and Master Reggie Williams. & Every provision was made for the comfort and convenience of the guests. The pro- gramme of amusements included the per- formance of the interlude from A Mid- summer Night's Dream." by the members AT ™ Glrls' County School Lodge, namely, M. Morgan, Winifred Taylor, F. Smith.G. Owen, J. Rees. and M. Woosnam; Cotilon and Gavotte dances (arranged and directed by Miss Macrone), were given bv Irene pottle, Flossie Smith, Verna Jones, Nin Jones, Winnie Wiliams, Maud Smith, and Harry Powell and Bertie Crofts. Hoopla, under the direction of Mr Cookson; golf, croquet, badminton, etc., superintended by Mr P. Wilson and Mr W. E. Pryce- Jones The hat competition in the Maqusina du Louvre, under Miss Pound ley and Miss Joyce Elwell, excited much interest. The first prize was awarded to Mr Rex Parry Jones, and the second to Mr Clifton Gordon. An additional hat competition was won by Mr Seymour Stokes. A refreshment kiosk was under the direction of Mrs T. Meredith, Mrs Geo. Woosnam, Miss Venables, Mis J. E. Hughes, and Miss E. Shute. The string band which was in attendance consisted of—violins, Miss Mary Thomas, Miss Powell, Miss Gittins, Mr Wilfred Taylor, Miss Catherine Jones-Williams, Mr Frank Jones 'cello, Miss Sybil Hutchins and Mr J. T. C. Gittins double bass. Mr James Manuel; 'cello, Miss Sybil Hutchins Mr J. Macrone provided excellent music for the dances.

An Impressive Funeral. THE SCHOOLBOY WHO WAS DROWNED. All funerals are sad. But there was something particularly pathetic about the funeral which took place in the parish church of Llandrinio last Thursday. The little coffin bore the following inscription: John Joseph Burgess, Died July 19th, 1909, Aged 13 years. It contained the mortal remains of a popular, bright, and cheery school boy who (as reported in another column) met an untimely death in the river Severn last Monday evening. The previous Sunday the deceased had taken part in the anniversary services at the Llandysilio Congregational Chapel. On Wednesday evening a church meeting passed a sympathetic resolution that "we are excedingly grieved to hear of the sud- den and accidental death of our young fnendj, John Joseph Burgess, who has been a faithful and active scholar of the Sunday school. We deeply sympathise with the tajnily in their sad bereavement, and hope and pray that they will be Divinely com- forced and assisted in their sorrow The Kev J. M. Edwards, Congregational pastor of Sarnau, conducted a service at Gate House, Llandrinio. Thence to the churchyard forty-two of the deceased's sometime school fellows preceded the coffin, which was carried by adult bearers. As the cortege passed Llandrinio school, forty of the girl pupils were drawn up outside the school and afterwards proceeded to the church where their childish voices added a touching note of pathos to the Anglican Tv. J>rom- the lych-gate into the church the coffin was brought by six of John Bur- gess late companions in day and Sunday school. Archdeacon R. D. Thomas, rector ot Landrinio, conducted the service. After the service the congregation sang a. favour- ite hymn of the deceased, "Rock of Ages," and the parish organist (Mr J. More) gave a feeling rendering of the Dead Maj-ch from ió Saul" in memory of his little day-school pupil. At the graveside the aged Rector con- signed young dust to Mother Earth. Around stood a crowd of mourners. From the village and farm and lonely cottage they had come to God's Acre, and there more than one shed a tear with the be- reaved grandfather and grandmother. There was also an even more sympathetic thought for the absent, far-away father. He is in' the busy seaport town of Boston, U.S.A., more than 2,000 miles away from this peaceful churchyard in rural Montgom- eryshire, where his son and a village favour- ite had been laid to rest.

Another Liberal Victory. The result of the bye-election in the High Peak of Derbyshire was declared on Friday as follows:— Oswald Partington (L.) 5,G]9 A. P. Anthony Profumo (C.). 5,272 Liberal majority. 347 1 At last election the Liberal majority was 789, in 1900 it was but 159, and previous to that, as far back as 1885, the seat was a Conservative one. Anglican Rites at Churchstoke. Churchstoke's new vicar—the Rev T. S. Lunn-was inducted at the parish church last Monday. Prebendary Oldham, Arch- deacon of Ludlow, delivered an address on the respective duties of minister and par- ishoner. The official ceremony of tolling the bell and visiting the various parts of the church was afterwards gone through in the presence of many spectators.

HE FELT A BIT FUNNY! Welshpool Boy's Adventure at Aberystwyth. Cycling Accident and a 33 reet Drop into the Sea. Aberystwyth was invaded by over 2,000 trip- pers from Montgomeryshire last Thursday—the majority of them having gone with the Powysland Church Trip." The latcer included a Welshpool lad, who ere the day was over, had become the talk of the town. As a number of Newtonians were making tracks along the new promenade, which towers high above the buach near the Castle promontory, their attention was suddenly rivetted by two cyclists, pedalling at broak-neck pace from the direction of South Terrace. The scorcher, who held the firat placo, turned his head and waved one hand. A few seconds later there was a collision. It was at the turning which would bring the col- lege and town into sight. But instead of taking the corner, the first of the hirod bikes went at a tangent to the left, straight into the iron railings, which edge the promenade. This impact threw the rider into the air; he was shot over the bar- rier, and fell headlong into the depth. The cycle followed. Someone on the promenade shouted, He's killed At once there was a hysterical rush to the railings to gazn upon this seashore tragedy. The excited crowd expected to see the poor boy a corpse, or not to see him at all. What they did bahold was the little lad standing in about two feet of water, and trying to angle with his hands for the straw hat which floated just cutside his reach. There was a strong current, and some of the spectators began to fear that the youngster might faint, and be drowned after all. A motherly Newtown lady shouted Leave your hAt alone Leave your hat alone! But the b"y did not want to join the Hatless Brigade. He kept on trying, and at last climbed up the nearest steps, and returned to the nrnmenaHtt TVIA vounu cyclist had hardly been injured by his extra- ordinary experience. There was just a little bit knocked off the little finger of hi left hand. He had successfully, though unintentiorally, and on a smaller scale, imitated Hubert Latham's flight this month into the Straits of Dover, except that the Poolonian, instead of smoking a cigarette, had SWALLOWED A LITTLE SEA-WATER. When asked by an anxious Newtonian was there anything the matter with him, he just answered, I feel a bit funny But the adventuresome cyclist, fourteen years of age, was early Saturday morning back at his work with a Welshpcol grocer. If the tide had been higher (thought the spectators) he might have been drowned; if lower, he would probably have been killed. As it was, the water around was only knee-deep. The boy in his headlong flight in ringed to grip the seaweed, which clings luxuriant to the surface of the wall. Thi3 broke th-i torco ot his fall, and he came down on his feet with a splash into the water. c, Good Heavens! said one visitor, when he had recovered from the shock, "I never saw such a mmr- vellous escape. I afterwards went down the steps, and gazed from the beach up the stoney height, down which the boy had fallen. And to be quite precise as to the distance, I got a long piece of string, tied a stone to it, and let it down from the promenade to the shore. It afterwards measured out at 33 feet! But what about the (ther cyclist, who bad been riding in the rear? While hig chum ran into the railings and disappeared, he ran ibto a seat on the promenade, and was thrown off. But he gripped the seat firmly, and stared at the place where he had last seen his friend. Though somewhat bruised he had no thought for himself. Where's he gone ? he gasped at last. "Where do you think!" replied a Newtonian, who had seen the adventuresome lad paddling for his hat in the water, and now felt little sympathy for the Poolonian scorchers. Where do you think ? To Heaven ?

RICHA.RD JONES." Pathetic Story of an Unknown Labourer. Bank Receipts Buried in a Welshpool Wood. Depositor Dies at Forden Workhouse. George Pugh is a young Welshpool labourer, who lives in Regan's lodging house. On Sunday afternoon, the 4th of this month, he was in Bronybuckly Wood, that picturesque slope, which in some far-off days was a part of Pool Common, and which now overlooks the slums of Llaner- chydol Ward on the south and west, and extends upwards in the direction of the Golf Links on the Red Bank. The young man happened to look across a deep gully which cleaves the wood, and supplies a happy hunting ground for those who seek after fossils. On the bank, which lies the nearest to the top of the town, he observed an elderly man, short and sturdy, with dark side- whiskers. That same Sunday evening George Pugh met this man at Regan's lodging hou^e. His name was Richard Jones. He had been sleeping out at night, he said, and he was certainly ill. He got worse, and on the Monday he had a ticket from the Relieving Officer to go to Forden Workhouse. Thither he went. And there he died, and there he was laid to rest in a pauper's grave. Aged 59 years. The news of this passing away came to Welsh- pool, and George Pugh began to think about the Sunday afternoon he bad seen the man in Bron- y-buckley Wood. What was Richard Jones doing in such a place in such a weak state of health ? The young man's curiosity was aroused. He went to the spot. And there he made A OTTRTOnS PTND. It was a small parcel wrapped in oilcloth. In- side this oilcloth, a dirty handkerchief. Inside this handkerchief, the leg of a stocking. Inside this stocking, a piece of brown paper. Inside this brown paper, an envelope, but no name or address. And inside this envelope two bank-receipts. One of these had been issued by the Llanidloes branch of the North and South Wales Bank to Richard Jones, Lifinidloes," on June 26th, 1905, the amount being X40. The second receipt was issued by the Rbayader branch of the same bank, to "Richard T Jones, Elan Valley," on March 19th of this year for .£50 17s lOd. Is this another instance of unclaimed bank balances," which Mr Horatio Battomley, M.P., is asking the Government to take into consideration ? As an honest young man, George Pugh has handed the parcel and contents to the police, who have been making all possible inquiries about the depositor. Richard Jones was known to be a speaking Welshman. He had been working in the countryside beyond Llanfair towards Llan- gadfan. But up to yesterday no more definite information was forthcoming. Who is Richard Jones ? Would he have troubled to preserve those receipts so carefully, and to deposit them in Bronybuckley Wood just before his fital illness, if those receipts were worth nothing? And are there any heirs to his humble, hard-earned savings ?

Welshpool Sewage Scheme. Sir,-I was much surprised to read in the Express' that the Corporation have practically abandoned the project of a new sewage scheme for the town. We were liv- ing in hopes of an up-to-date drainage sys- tem, not only in the interest of the public health, but as an essential to the introduc- tion of such industrial works as have been lost to the town. You say, and correctly, too, that there are people here who look askance at the incoming of industry, be- cause it would spoil the residential char- acter of the Castle town. If these people had studied the best interests of the town instead of their own residential amenities, we might to-day be a thriving industrial community. We have a Tradesmen's Guild, as you noted, but it seems to me to be remarkably inactive on occasions when its energies should be most manifest. Why is the sewage scheme deferred ? Is it be- cause it is not yet necessary ? I and many other citizens are anxious to learn.—Yours truly, JACOBUS. Welshpool, 24th July.

SEEN AND HEARD. Nothing extenute, nor set down augbt m malice. Hard, callous, yea, even scarce human is the heart that cannot throb in responsive sympathy with the tearful wail of those landed magnates over the resolve of a rotten Radical Government" to pay for Dreadnoughts out of superfluous wealth, rather than by taxing the necessities of the toiler. See them clutch their money bags and rope them tight against the claims of charity, because the henroost has been robbed, and the goose that laid the golden" eggs sacrificed upon the ugly shrine of sordid Socialism. 'Tis, indeed, a sight for the gods-the tragic consequences of all "unconstitutional revolution that should stir the depths of our pity, and also pro- voke our righteous wrath against these villainous despoilers of rights in property. That may be the sentiment of some of my readers whose politics are Tory by in- heritance, by persuasion, or manufactured of circumstances. It is not. mine, nor is it that of countless thousands. To my mind, this agitation of the rich to escape their responsibilities, to part with a frac- tion of the uninherited wealth which the worker has bestowed upon them, and par- ticularly their reduction of wages and diminution of charitable contributions, is mean in a degree. That eminent financial authority, the Statist,' points out that wealth is growing nearly three times as rapidly as our population, and that whilst all classes have benefited by this, the benefit from the enormous growth of wealth 1_ 1 _1_- _1.3. 1_ • i 11 iias ueen inaiiny uaiveu uy our miuaie and upper classes, who possess so large a proportion of it." It is calculated that not less than 15 per cent. of the population possess something like 90 per 'cent. of the nation's entire wealth. In those circum- stances, the Statist' suggests that intel- ligent self-interest alone" should dictate a liberal policy by those who are so richly endowed with this world's goods. With which I heartily agree. There are many of us who believe that millionaires and other persons of immense wealth could not have amassed their hoards if they had always kept in mind the golden rule of doing to others as they would like others to do unto them. It is not easy to understand how a man who makes a huge fortune out of a cornered market, to mention only one instance, can reconcile his transaction with any standard of honesty and fair dealing. Mark Twain tells a story of the ghost who (or should it he which ?) one night appeared at the usual meeting of spooks with a new coffin and shroud, and on being asked where the brand new cover came from, replied, About the time I got these some other spook lost them." There is reason to believe that about the time some of the kings of finance come into fortune, there are others, not kings, who lose a lot of money. This predatory Budget will help adjust burdens to cor- respond with the strength to bear them, and those most able to pay will, willy. nilly, participate in the privilege of giving, as the parsons were wont to say, according as they had prospered. "There are far too many calls on people m a small place like Newtown," remarked a well-known tradesman while he fastened his purse after disgorging a shilling for a functional ticket thrust upon him by a sweet, persuasive damsel. This mild pro- test is not without reason, particularly on the part of tradesmen, whose customers em- brace all divisional denominations and parties. Yet there are two charitable in- stitutions that command our highest admir- ation and constant sympathy, on behalf of which the Cycling Club and Silver Band are conspiring together. I refer to the Mont- gomeryshire Infirmary and the Newtown District Nursing Association. The enter- tainment- which is being arranged by these organisations for Saturday, September 11th, will consist of a comical football match in the afternoon, a carnival in the evening, and a public dance on the following Monday night. In order that the utmost benefit may be realied, it is hoped that promoters of other entertainments will kindly note the date. What desperate arguments will be forth- coming next? I see an emblazoned Tariff Reform poster which illustrates the wis- dom of Protection by the fact that the popu- lation of Germany is increasing more ra- pidly than ours. Here, then, is a political Sairey Gamp gone canvassing. Gaze at the unsold, unfilled perambulators, think of this perishing British industry, and ask yourselves, in the language of the Tory leaflets, "Are not these reasons for Tariff Reform ? Since the work for all" pos- ter was stealthily, though ignominiously, hauled down from the rambling van as a fallacy much too transparent for the decep- tion of even the densest of mortals, its- place had to be taken by something equally ^captivating. It is, at any rate, equally ludicrous, and adds to the gaiety of Tariff Reform propaganda, which is hardly less entertaining than the funniosities of the Primrose League. The school vacations have again come round. The voice of the dominie is silent. the strap is laid to rest, the vexation of multiplication and the dismay of fractions, both decimal and vulgar, have, for a time, become things of the past. It is typical of childhood that it soon forgets its troubles, for, so far as the children are con- cerned, lessons now are as a thing that never was. The woods and lanes, the fields and the hillsides, are now their haunts of pleasure unmarred by any thoughts of re- sponsibility, and these resorts ring with childish glee, so that even the very birds are silent, as if wondering what it all f t i" ea' ve"est curmudgeon is in- lected with the prevailing gaiety, and can scarcely forbear to join in the cheer. Music can charm, attract, and distract, according as the vocal chords are attuned. Distraction appears to have been the' fate of many citizens of central Newtown the other Sunday evening, when a countryman musically more ambitious than talented, "let go" in sacred song with a fortissimo that made the very roof slates vibrate and the household gods dance as to the order of a volcanic disturbance. Demented deni- zens declared it was the last trump, others whose nerves stood the test, hailed it as "the lost chord." Eventually all were agreed it was neither, nor even tolerable, and so measures had to be taken to forcibly stop the unmelodious gush. Residenters predict a wholesale exodus from this quarter of the town if that chiel dares pitch his pipe there again LUKE SHARPE.