The Montgomeryshire Express and Radnor Times

Stitch in Time. There is an old saying, A stitch in time -saves nine," and if upon the first symptoms of anything being wrong with our health we were to resort to some simple but proper means of correcting the mischief, nine-tenths of the suffering that invades our homes would be avoided. A dose of Gwilym Evans' Quinine Bitters taken when you. feel the least bit out of sorts is just that stitch in time." You can get Gwilym Evans' Quinine Bitters at any Chemists or Stores in bottles 2s. 9d. and 4s. 6d. each but remember that the only guarantee of genuineness is the name Gwilym Evans on the label, stamp, and bottle, without which none are genuine. Sole ProprietorsQuinine Bitters Manu- facturing Company, Limited, Llanelly, South Wales.

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I OR TWR. Llawer o siarad sydd ac anhawdd i wr syml ydyw gwneud pen na chynffon o lawer ddywedir wrtbo. Bydded iddo sefydlu ei hun ar ryw uu neu ddau f) byneiau pydd yn sefyll allan yn glir a phenderfynu ffordd y rhydd ei bleidlais wrth hyny. Er engraipbt, eglur yw na ddylai chwe chanwr am eu bod wedi eu geni yn y teuluoedd maent feddu awdurdod i atal gwaith y chwe chant dewisedig gan yr etholwyr. Eto, nid mantals i bobl gyffreain y wlad hon fyddai fod tollau ar ymborth ac ymlaen ddygir i'r wlad. Drud iawn oedd byw i vveithwyr a'u teuluoedd yn amser y tollau er ystalm, a llwm oedd hi arnynt. Llawer amgenach yw er pan ddaeth Masnach Rydd. Ffolineb o'r mwyaf fyddai i ni gymeryd ein troi yn ol fel y myna yr ymgeisydd Toriaidd. Mae y ddau bwynt yna yn ddigon i beri i ddyn cyffredin roddi pleidlais i Mr Humphreys-Owen er mwyn iddo ef fyned i'r Senedd i sefyll y tu cefn i Mri Asquith, Lloyd George, John Burns, Churchill a'r rhelyw, ac i'w helpu i roddi atalfa ar rwysg yr Arglwyddi a dwyn i'n cyrhaedd lu o ddiwygiadau sydd wedi hir ddisgwyl wrth y drws. Rhaid mai pobl hynod o bunangar ydyw Pro- testaniaid yr Iwerddon. Dyma hwy wedi cael Rhyddid Crefyddol. Nid oes un eglwys wladol a'i hualau caethion yn cyfyngu arnynt wrth addoli. Eto deuant yma i ofyn genym bleidleisio i'r blaid 3ydd yn gwrthod rhoddi yr un rhyddhad i Gymru. Paham? Oblegid, meddent, y bydd yn ddrwg arnynt hwy os rboddir i'r Iwerddon yr hyn y ruae y mwyafrif o'i pbobl yn dyheu am dano. Cwrddais a phobl o'r blaen sydd yn jredu yn gryf yn hunanymwadiad pobi eraill. Gofynant yn daer am i Gymry ohirio dydd eu rbyddhad, rhag ofn y byddant hwy ar eu colled. Pan roddir i'r Iwerddon ffurf o hunan- lywodraeth gofelir am ddiogelu by wyd, meddianau, a iawnderau y lleiafrif. Yr hyn roddir i'r Iwer- ddon fydd yr awdurdod i drin a pbenderfynu ei hachosion mewnol ei hunan. Erys megis cynt yn rhan o'r Deyrnas Gyfunol a bydd cyfreithiau y Deyrnas mewn grym yno megis yma. Derfydd un path, ni chaiff y lleiafrif yn y wlad hono ormesu ar y mwyafrif. Felly y mae wedi bod yn. hanes yr ynys anhapus. Aiff y gallu llywod- raethol o law yr ychydig dirfeddianwyr ac Arglwyddi i ddwylaw cynrychiolwyr y bobl. 0 ran hyny gwedd at all ar yr un ymgyrch sydd yn yr Iwerddon ac yma. Brwydyr rhwag yr Arglwyddi a'r bobl ydyw yno fel yma. Bydd yr un dyrnod yn taro Arglwyddi y ddwy ynys. Dyna'r paham y mae yr holl gri a'r miri. Felly Gymry, wrth daro drosoch eich hunain, wrth bleidleisio yn erbyn gallu yr Arglwyddi yn y wlad hon yr ydych yn rhoi ergyd i'r ddolen olaf yn y gadwyn haiarn sydd wedi dal eich brodyr yn yr Ynys werdd yn gaethion ar hyd yr oesau. Druan o Tariff Reform, nid oes croesaw iddo gyda'r bobl, ac y mae ei ffrindiau yn troi eu cefnau arno. Dywedodd Mr Balfour na byddai waeth ganddo ei droi allan i'r bobl gael eu hewyllys (arno. Gofalodd am adael y geiriad yh amwys fel y gall olygu un peth neu arall fel yr eabonir ef, a rhydd fydd yntau yny diwedd i ddal nad yw ef yn gaeth o gwbl gan esboniad undyn, ac mai yn hollol fel arall yr oedd ei feddwl ef. Da genyf mai ofer fu taenu rhwyd y Referendum o flaen etholwyr prif ddinas Masnach Rydd. Man genedigaeth a hen gartref Masnach Rydd yw Manceinion. Saif Manceinion fel un gwr dros Fasnach Rydd. Gwyr llygadog sydd yno a gwyddant both sydd oreu i'r bobl. Ystyriaf fod cynygion y Llywodraeth yn hynod dyner tuag at Dy yr Arglwyddi. Fel y dywed Mr David Davies yn ei anerchiad: Cynwys y penderfyniadau yw, (1) Difodiant gallu yr Arglwyddi i atal Mesurau Arianol. Dyma allu na ddefnyddiwyd mohono gan yr Arglwyddi er ys llawer blwyddyn hyd y llynedd. Yr oedd heb ei ddefnyddio er ys cyhyd fel yr oedd y Brenin a phawb wedi anghofio ei fod. Yn ei anerchiad ar ddechreu tymhor, wedi dyweud gair wrth yr Arglwyddi a'r Cyffredin ynghyd, byddai y Brenin

Liberalism Means Government by the People.

LIFE IN GERMANY. Glimpses in the Homes of the Poorer Classes. How the Rural Labourers Live. Work from 5 am. till 10 p.m. The following letter has been addressed to the 'Express' by Mr Evan Edward Thomas, Jkl.A., son of Mr Evan Thomas, Park-street, Newtown. It is an honest attempt to deal impartially with the conditions which obtain principally in rural Germany. Mr Thomas has been travelling about various parts of Germany for several months and has kept his eyes-as the Yankees say-well skinned, and carefully noted all that goes on around him. It is a candid statement, and of its kind is a more valuable impression than the few days' tour which the Tariff trippers had in the Fatherland. At present so much interest is being taken in matters concerning Germany that it would be well, perhaps, if I would try and give you some idea of what I myself have seen in Germany. I may say at the beginning that I am not going to write from a party point of view, because if I did what I would say would be biassed and prejudiced, and, therefore, any comparison of prices in Germany with prices in England cannot help you to compare the standards of living in both countries. The first part of my time in Germany I lived with a German pastor in a peasant village in the State of Hanover. The village was a large one, and was v&ty different from anything that I had seen in England. The road through it was very roughly paved with large stones, and it was so very uneven that large pools of water had collected all over it. The houses were not built close together, but between them there was a space of about a foot wide. Through this narrow opening the peasants threw all their dirty water, and it ran into the street; there it was left to stagnate until the Saturday evening, when the peasants usually cleaned their front door-steps. Most of the houses had stone steps leading to the door; this left a space between the first floor and the street level. This space was two or three feet high, and it was here that the peasant kept his pigs and his goat. Underneath the window was a latched door; this was the pigs' entrance. At the top of the house there was a kind of garret, over which was a rude pulley arrangement. In this garret was kept the fodder for the oxen, and the pulley was used as a means of taking in or bringing out this fodder. At twelve o'clock each day a man from the village blew a whistle, which was a sign that all the pigs were to be turned out into the street for exercise until three o'clock. At three o'clock they were again turned back into their respective homes. Each day, from twelve to three, the village was paraded by about a hundred of these swine. Needless to say, such a place had a very fine variety of strong smells. GREY, NOT BLACK BREAD. As to the work of the peasants, both men and women worked out in the fields. It was harvest time when I was in the village of Adelebsen, and so the peasants were working rather harder than at other times. Both men and women had to be in the fields at five o'clock in the morning, and there they had to remain until ten o'clock in the evening. At one o'clock they had an hour for dinner, and at four they had another half-hour for what in England we should call tea. What- ever they ate and whatever they drank they had to bring themselves and to sit down on the ground as best they could and eat it. The land- owner did not, as in England, give to those who worked for him The run of their teeth." The great landowner in Adelebsen was the Baron and his land he rented out to a certain Herr Nlauberg. Herr Nlauberg engaged about a hundred Poles, i.e., people from the country of Poland, to work for him. Half of these were women and half men. Huge barns were erected for them for them to sleep in, one for the women and one for the men. They lived on black bread, potatoes, and fat bacon. Black bread is rye bread, and it is not black at all, but grey, although it is called black bread. It is eaten in Germany just as white bread is eaten in England. both baron and peasant eating exactly the same kind of bread. NO HOME LIFE. To return, however, to the Poles. They only work during the summer time. During the winter they return to Poland, because the German people do not like them, and drive them away when they have no use for them. They are all under contract labour. Sometimes the Polish women have children during the time they are working in Germany. One day a woman is work- ing in the fields, often without any shoes and stockings, often ankle-deep in the wet ground. The next day she is in the barn giving birth to a child, and on the third day she is again working in the fields. It is generally specifically set down in the contracts that illness in connection with the birth of children means a breaking of the contract, and when such a thing occurs many of the landowners will send a Polish woman who has thus broken the contract back to Poland without paying her anything for the work she has already done. How much these people are paid I really do not know. To come now to the life of these peasants, and I must say that perhaps it is easier to say what this life is not than to say what it is. One does not see pretty little cottages, with ivy-covered walls, with flowers in front of the door, as in England. One does not see cosy fires and family circles; the German peasant's house is almost devoid of furniture. There is, indeed, no home- life in Germany as there is in England the people have little time to indulge in such com- forts; both men and women have to work the whole day in the fields. Then there are no village halls and village debating societies; no village treats and no village merry-making. The peasant women have large numbers of children; eight and ten is the usual number, and many have fifteen children. These are fair-haired, and blue- eyed serious little creatures, who, when they are not in school, are helping their parents in some way or another. They are not the merry-playing creatures that one expects children to be, but they are serious and heavy; they are, indeed, already peasants, rather than children. THE WOMEN'S EXAMPLE. I come now to life as it is in Berlin. This is my first experience of life in a large town, so that I am afraid I cannot give you a very good idea of what life is like here. The city is a very carefully arranged one, and very clean. There are no slums here, and there is practically no destitution here. Beggars are very few, indeed; one or two I have seen, and they address everyone as either Herr Doktor or Hen Baron. A well-dressed man is a baron, and one not well-dressed is a doctor. The poor quarters are to the north and the east, and if on a fine warm day one should go to either of these part;; one would find there a kind of large wooded district just outside the working district, where the workmens' wives go to sit in the after- noons. One may see five or six hundred of them, all clean and neat, generally with blue blouses and white aprons, and their small childien with them. They are always working at something. They make clothes for the children, or knit, or something of that kind. The German frau is a most careful and painstaking woman; she is never idle, and the way in which she can make inexpensive meals is really surprising. The house frau with whom I stay oftep tells me that if the men in Germany were like the women then Germany would be high." But I know that most of my readers will be anxious to know something of the political events in Germany. What about unemployment in Germany"? you will ask, and of the "Tariffs" and of the Dreadnought" policy ? THE UNEMPLOYMENT QUESTION. First, as regards unemployment. Whether there is more unemployment here than in England I cannot say, but there are certain circumstances which exist in Germany, but which do not exist in England, which tend to lessen unemplopment in Germany. The first of these is conscription. .In Germany every able-bodied man has to serve three years in the army. This means that in any town or village in Germany all the young men from about 18 or 19 to 21 or 22 are soldiers and cannot work, and this must lesson unemployment considerably. In the second place, there are not so many people engaged in trade and industry as in Eng- land, more people being engaged on the land. Now, unemployment belongs almost exclusively to industry, not to agriculture, and therefore a 1- more agricultural community or a greater peasant population is necessarily less affected by unem- ployment than one which is industrial. In the third place the agrarian policy of Germany has a great influence in lessening un- employment. Briefly, this policy is that of mak- ing the land support the people. Enough corn must be grown in Germany to supply the whole of Germany with bread. As Germany is not a large country, if this policy is to be effected, every square foot of land must be under cultivation. And this is what one sees, even the hedges have been pulled up because hedges Ps, divisions between pieces of land are -a great waste. hrousrhout the whole of Germany you will see scarcely any hedges, and you will see no waste land. If the same policy, or, at least, if some- thing of this policy were carried out in England I venture to say there would be far less unem- ployment there. TARIFFS AND THE PEOFLE. I must say something about the tariffs. First, as regards industrial tariffs I know very little, and I really cannot say how they affect the trade and unemployment in Germany. About agricultural tariffs and their effect on the peasants I can perhaps say something. Now, if tariffs in corn are to effect to purpose of making Germany support herself they n.u.st do two things:— (1) They must raise the price of foreign corn so that it will pay people to buy German rather than foreign corn. (2) They must tend to produce sufficient corn to feed Germany because if Germany cannot produce her own corn the tax on foreign corn will only tend to make bread dear. GOOD FOR THE LANDOWNER. It is the second of these requirements of a suc- cessful tariff that you must carefully consider. A large landowner with modern machinery which requires a minimum of labour can produce a largo amount of corn at a profit, but a large number of peasants with little land and with very crude machinery cannot produce corn to sell so that they can make a comfortable living out of their labour. Hence any tariff on corn in Germany which is to be successful must tend to keep the peasants on the land and must also tend to keep them poor. TLis is what is happening in Ger- many, especially in the South,and the peasants themselves are very dissatisfied. A tariff on corn is a very good thing for the large landowner; it puts money in their pockets, but for small land- owners it is disastrous. I should like to say something of the German policy of aggrandisement together with the Dreadnought and military policies which are con- nected with it. Germany wishes to do two things, She wishes to become a great industrial nation and also to be a self-feeding nation. This is the first thing. But in the second place there are two parties in Germany, there is the aris- tocracy. which is oligarchic, and which practically rules Germany, and which is responsible for the aggrandising and military policy of Germany. This aristocracy is almost wholly Prussian, so that Germany is virtually ruled by a Prussian oligarchy. And then there is the democratic and more humanitarian party, which is fighting against the aristocratic rule and which is seeking to secure for the Reichstag, or what in England we should call the House of Commons, a proper share of legislative power. The Reichstag, or House of Commons, in Germany, has practically no legislative power. Then the whole of South Germany is opposed to Prussian policy-to Dreadnoughts, militarism, and conscription. DEBTS FOR DREADNOUGHTS. But let us look at this Prussian policy itself and let us see what are its chances of success. Firstly, if Germany's trade is to increase she must have a larger coast line and more ports, and this can only be done by taking over Holland and Belgium. In the second place she has not enough land for her people; there are already too many people on the land. What she wants to do is to push her territory out east through Russian Poland, where there is a good deal of land" to spare, on which she could settle some of her superfluous popula- tion. In the third place almost half of Austria- Hungary is peopled by Germans, which will eventually mean that in the interest of the German people as a whole this part of Austria Hungary will have to belong to Germany. This is the Pan-German dream, and a dream which the Prussian Oligarchy is undoubtedly trying its best to realize. But Germany is having to pay a heavy price for the struggling after this ideal. She is enor- mously in debt over the Dreadnoughts; her people are already very much overt&xed, with the result that the peasants in the south and east cannot pay the taxes, and in Bavaria, at least, they have shown signs of revolt. More taxes will mean a revolt in the south. Often and often they wail," Prussia! Prussia! is our undoing! Conscription is having a bad effect upon the peasant population. The young men, who, up to eighteen years of age, have had to live hard- plain food, hard diet, and hard work, are at once drafted off to the towns and thrown into the middle of luxury. The result is disastrous. They come back to their native villages dissatisfied and discontented, and are no longer willing to work on the land. And most of the conscripts aie drawn from the villages. The figures are: From Berlin and such large towns, 8 per cent. of those who present themselves are bodily fit to be accepted; from the smaller towns 30 per cent., and from the villages 60 per cent. Any navy policy in England cannot consider this Prussian militarism as German opinion; it must take into consideration the pull on the reins, and if Prussia continues much longer in her present policy there will undoubtedly be serious trouble in Germany, because it presses too hard upon the agricultural population of the south and east. I have tried to give you as fair and as balanced an account as I can of what I have seen in Germany. I have not written it in the interest of any party, and doubtless there is much in it that both sides will appreciate. E. E. THOMAS.

Welshpool Pensions Sub- Committee. A meeting of the Welshpool Pensions Sub- Committee was held at the Town Hall, Welsbpool, on Monday. Mr David Pryce (chairman) pre- sided, and there were also present—Messrs Wm. Humphreys, J. Pugh, and E. R. Owen, with Mr J. E. Tomley (clerk) and Messrs H. J. Molineux, W. Perry, T. F. S. Forse, and J. J. Marshall (pension officers). At the previous meeting of the Committee a resolution was passed, and ordered to be sent to the Boards of Guardians in the area, expressing the hope of the Committee that the Boards would continue to allow to paupers who obtain old-age pensions the services of the medical fifficers. Replies were read from Clun, Forden, Llanfyllin, and Newtown Unions approving of the sugges- tion of the Committee, while the Atcham Board Board wrote to say that they had taken no action in the matter. In reply to an enquiry by the Chairman, the Clerk said that the number of pensions allowed in county up to the present is 1,786, and the weekly amount of pensions £ 431 3s Od, or X22,417 4s Od yearly. Some of the pensioners had, however, died since the pensions were granted, and he hoped at the end of the year to present a report showing the actual number then in receipt of pensions in the county. Ninety-two applications for pensions were dealt with. Eighty-five were allowed 5s weekly, and one 4s. Two were disallowed and four deferred. Out of the pensions granted, seventy- four were to persons who had previously been disqualified by poor-relief. It was decided to hold a special meeting at the rising of the County Council on Monday, the 19th instant, to deal with outstanding claims in time for the pensioners to have their books for the new year.

The County Council roadmen have been granted a holiday on the Monday following Christmas Day. Heirloom jewels worth several hundreds of pounds have been stolen from the Duke of Argyll's London residence. We understand that, at the request of the Free Church Council, the Rev James Morgan Gibbon, has prepared a very opportune treatise on the finding of the late commission on Welsh Dises- tablishment. The Right Hon. D. Lloyd George has also furnished a stirring foreword. This book will make a very important contribution to the question and should be scattered broadcast through the country. It is a most lucid presenta- tion of the case for Welsh Disestablishment.

LLANIDLOES GOVERNORS. Do the Fees Suit the District ? Mr Gwilym Edmunds presided over the ordinary meeting of the Llanidloes County School Governors held at the School on Tuesday evening. Those present were Messrs Richard George, Godfrey Bowen, J. Kinsey Jones, and Savage, with the Head Master (Mr E. R. Horsfall Turner). APPOINTMENTS. A letter was read from the University College of Wales, Aberystwyth, informing the Governors that as a result of the election for two represen- tatives for the county, Mr Gwilym Edmunds, of Doleaog, Llanidloes, and Mr T. R. Morgan, Machyniletb, bad been appointed. A letter was read from the Board of Education stating that they bad decided to extend the benefit of Article 40 of the Regulations of Secondary Schools for Llanidloes School. TOO LATE. Mr David Jones, Seaham Cottage, Llanidloes, wrote applying for one of the X2 10s bursaries advertized in the local papers, for his child, but it transpired that these two bursaries were awarded at the last meeting to two scholars who had already been granted a half bursary (. £ 2 10s), thereby making them X5 bursaries. A TRIBUTE. Referring to the appointment of the late Clerk, Mr Spencer, as assistant secretary to Mr David Davies, M P., the Chairman said that Mr Spencer had filled the office as their clerk for many years. He had always found him exceedingly careful in everything, that he always gave sound advice, and he was a man in a thousand almost. He was not a bit surprised that Mr Spencer had been appointed to fill his present responsible position. He thought that Mr David Davies could not have chosen a better man. He proposed a vote of thanks to Mr Spencer for his past services and congratulations upon his important appointment. Mr J. Kinsey Jones seconded, and Mr Horsfall Turner, in supporting, said Mr Spencer had been very efficient in his work as clerk to the Governors, and took a real interest in the school. He was extremely sorry to lose the company of Mr Spencer in the work of the school. The vote was carried unanimously. SCHOOL FEES. The next item on the agenda read as follows, To consider the advisability of recommending a reduction in the amount chargeable as tuition fees." The Head Master said that when he brought the matter forward he thought that there was a possibility that some influence might be brought to bear upon the scheme. He knew that the fees of the secondary schools in the county varied greatly, but he was not sure whether the fees were quite elastic enough. They were allowed to charge a minimum of £ 4 4s, but there were many places in South Wales where the fee was X3 3s. It seemed to him that the people of Llanidloes were not able to piy more than the people in South Wales. The fees in Bangor were .£10, and those in the quarry districts three guineas. He sup- posed that the fees were made to fit the locality. He had brought the matter forward so that the question might be open to inquiry as to whether the fees suited their district. There might be more pupils attending the school if the fees were lower. At any rate, if there was some reason why more pupils did not attend the school they ought to get at the bottom of it. Mr Savage said he had never heard any of the parents complaining about the fees, and he did not think there was any need for a reduction. The Chairman If we reduce the fee to three guineas we should require fourteen more pupils. Mr William Ashton: What is the maximum charge ? The Clerk Five guineas. The Head Master: The Board of Education have the matter under consideration now. Mr Ashton: Weuld it not be advisable to defer the question until we see what alteration, if any, is made in the scheme ? Mr George said that was just his feeling. They ought to look after the finances of the schools, but the main object was to try and bring education within the reach of every child. He would like to see the day when all secondary schools and colleges were free to everybody. Mr Godfrey Bowen said he would not like to see the school finances crippled in any way. He asked if the reduction of the fees would alter the grant. The Head Master: No. Mr Bowen, continuing, said he agreed with Mr George that they ought to look after the finances of the school. The Chairman remarked that 18 pupils received free scholarships, and there were 27 who paid fees. The real fee for the school was JJlo, so everybody were really receiving the education at half price. He did not know what prevented a layger number of pupils attending, but he doubted whether the cause was too high fees. Perhaps it was that the parents did not value secondary education sufficiently. He was in favour of wait- ting to see the report upon the matter by the Board of Education in order that their action might not be stultified. The headmaster said he was quite of the same opinion, but his purpose meantime was served in having the matter discussed. It was certainly a subject that ought to kept in mind. If the fees did not present a large attendance then they ought to discuss other probable causes. Pupils did not come young enough. They had them com- ing from the elementary school at the age of 15 and 16, when they ought to be well versed in secondary education, and when they came there at that age they did not take so much interest in their work and were backward. If they were going to take French or Latin they ought to start at twelve. The Chairman: Would they be sufficiently learmed in elementary work at that age ? The Headmaster: They ought to be. In large towns at the age of twelve boys were in a high position in secondary schooling. The question was very important and they ought to get at the bottom of it.

Gair at yr Etholwyr. Hoff etholwyr Bwrdeisdrefi Maldwyn, peidiwch digaloni 'Mlaen yr awn dan faner rhyddid Unwaith eto i ro'i ergyd. Byddwn bur i wlad y gan, Bydded Cymru oil yn lan Rho'wn ein vote i Humphreys-Owen, 'R hwn a'n harwain yn y blaen. Os am drecbu Ty'r Arglwyddi Rhaid in' bellach ymwroli, Mynwn hawliau fel etholwyr, A dychwelwn y Rbyddfrydwyr. Byddwn bur i wlad y gan, &c. Rhwydd-deb fo i Humphreys-Owen 'Dano'r gelyn yn ei dalcen, Peidiwn gadael i ran Tori, Fyn'd ar sedd yn nghanol Cymru. Byddwn bur i wlad y gan, &c. Trefeglwys. SIARL TRANNON.

Dolfor Rainfall for November, 1910. Date. In. Date. In. 1 0.13 17 0.09 2 0.10 18 — 3, 0.19 19 — 4 20 — 5 aid 21 — 6 0.32 22 0.21 7 0.16 23 0.65 8 0.13 24 — 9 25 0.11 10 0.44 26 0.07 11 27 0.48 12 0 26 28 13 0.29 29 — 14 30 — 15 -—— 16 0 06 3.85 Total for November, 1909—1.04.

BUTCHERS' HIDE, SKIN AND WOOL Company Limited, New Canal-street, Birmingham. —Current Prices: Hides-90 and up, 53 -5 80 to 89, 5f—5* 70 to 79, 5f—5|; 60 to 69, 5*—5i 50 to 59, 5f—5j 49 and under, 5|—5$; cows— 60 and up, 51-51 50 to 59, 51-51 49 and under, 5 £ —5 £ bulls, 5—4|; warbled and irregs., 4i-5-1. Calf, 17 and up, 6i; 12 to 16, 7J; 9 to 11, n j light, 7j. Horse hides, 22/3, 21/ 19/3. 17/6, 15/3,11/6,8/9. Wools-Lots, 10/9, 8; 5,8/2, 7/9, 7/6, 7/ 6/10, 5/9. Welsh—4/7, 3/5, 2/2. Fat—Best beef, 3d; best mutton, 3id; seconds, 2fd; com- mon, lid. Mixed fat, 2.gd. Bones-Maxrew, 1/3; waste, lOd per score.

Warning to Milksellers at Newtown. AN UNWELCOME ANNOUNCEMENT TO THE PUBLIC. Dr Wilson, the medical officer ef health, sub- mitted an exceptionally interesting and arresting report respecting milk vendors, to the Newtown Urban Council last week. I have," be wrote, made the usual inspection of cowsheds and dairies, and ov t& wnole find them satisfactory, but I am sorry to say many have fallen back into their dirty habits. Owing to the non-registration of a great many cowsheds and dairies, it is impossible for me to keep an eye on all people selling milk, and for the last time I warn all persons sealing milk, in no matter how small a quantity, that if they do not register before next meeting of the Council, I shall ask for summonses to be taken out against them for non-compliance with the Cowsheds and Dairies Order if they do not keep them in a proper state of cleanliness. This year we have, according to the registered dairies, about 25 gallons less milk per day coming into the town, and according to the population this works out at one gill per head per day. This is a disgraceful state of things, and in my opinion does not represent half the amount of milk which is sold in the town, thus showing the number of non-registered milk sellers." In a postscript the Medical Officer adds- 'There is, I understand, a movement afloat to establish a union amongst milk-sellers with a view to an increase in the price of milk sold. If this is carried it will almost make the price of milk prohibitive to the poorer inhabitants of the town; even as at present the small consumption is no doubt due to the large prices charged. This being the case with the other necessaries of life, the high prices demand that only the purest quality should be supplied, and to this end I will ask you again to appoint an inspector under the Food and Drugs Act, as for the past year. I, as medical officer of health, have not received one report from the County Inspector." Mr Barnes said he could not see what the Council had to do with the prices charged by milkmen. Mr Parry Hear, hear. The Chairman thought that steps should be taken to have all the milkmen registered. There were, he understood, about eleven vendors who had not got the license. Their registration was necessary in order that the medical officer might know of their premises, and be able to inspect them. Mr Parry: What action would you take in regard to those who merely supply milk to the vendors ? Mr Barnes: It does not make any difference. The Chairman moved the adoption of the doctor's report. Mr Ford: What about the prices charged for milk ? ° The Chairman: We cannot deal with that. That is a private arrangement between the milk- sellers. 1 move. also, that notice be served upon those persons who have not yet registered. Mr Humphreys: You agree then with having free trade in this matter ? The Chairman: I believe in having good milk. Mr W. H. Jones: I know of a party who brings milk to Newtown, and sell it to retailers. Would he have to get a registration license ? Mr Barnes: Certainly. The Clerk (Mr Woosnam) Yes he will have to register as well as the others. The report was thereafter adopted.

The National Memorial. THE FIGHT AGAINST CONSUMPTION. This terrible white man's scourge, unfortunately so deadly in Wales, is at last to be confronted with an organised attack. The beautiful counties of Cardigan. Carmarthen and Carnarvon are among the blackest spots in the whole of England and Wales. Out of the total number of males who died from consumption in Carnarvonshire in 1909, 60 per cent. were under 40 years of age, and, out of the total number of females who died from the same disease, 75 per cent under 4U. The chart below shows that out of 100 men who die of consumption the greatest number die between the ages of 25 to 55, the working period of life when men should be in their prime, of greatest help to these dependent on them, and to their fellow men and women. CONSUMPTION—A Disease of the PRIME of LIFE. MALES. 23 out of every hundred dying from consump- tion die between 25-35. 22 out of every hundred dying from consump- tion die between 35—45. 19 out of every hundred dying from consump- tion die between 45-55. 64 out of every hundred dying from consump- tion die between 25-55. Out of every three deaths from all causes between the ages of 20 to 45 years one dies from consumption. The heavy black line in the above chart shews how the number of deaths from consumption is relatively small up to about 20 years of age, but from then on the death-rate rises at a fearful pace until the greatest height is reached at about 25 years of age, and it is then maintained for some years until about 45, when, as the line shews by taking a downward course, the death rate diminishes steadily until we find it in those people of 65 years and over about the same as in young children under 10 years eld. -40.

The Welsh Church Commission. At last the official report of the Welsh Church Commission has been issued. The most interest- ing part of the report for Free Churchmen is that prepared by the Liberationist members on the Commission. The preparation of this special portion of the report was entrusted to Sir John Williams. His report deals with the origin and early history of Nonconformity in Wales and other important facts, all of which were ruled out by the chairman of the Commission when the witnesses tendered their evidence. Mr J. H. Davies has discovered the most glaring discrep- ancies in the figures put forth by the Established Church. Another special report has also been prepared by the Rev J. Morgan Gibbon, jn which he deals with the notorious weakness of the Anglican pulpit in Wales, its utter lack of sym- pathy with the national aspirations of the Welsh people, and the poverty of attendance at its ser- vices. Although the Commission does not say so, the figures given in the report makes out an over- whelming case for Disestablishment.

YOUR ATTENTION IS INVITED. I LEND jeiO to £ 10,000 to all classes. I LEND quickly, reasonably and confidentially. I LEND honourably and straightforwardly. I LEND to persons entitled under Wills, etc. I LEND without formalities or fancy tees. I LEND to suit your own requirements. I LEND on simple note of hand alone. I LEND the full amount required. I LEND any distance. MR. G. CUMMINGS, 28 HIGH ST. (facing New St.), BIRMINGHAM

Mr. Addie's Unfulfilled Promise CAUSES GREAT INCONVENIENCE AT LLANDYSSIL. The condition of the Montgomery road to Llandyssil, near Cwmhinkin, was described in a letter from Mr G. J. Wrougliton. the esteemed village schoolmaster, to Mr C. S. Pryce. the Clerk of the Forden Rural Dis- trict Council. The road, said Mr Wrougli- ton. had more than two feet of water on it, and he did not know how the postman wuuld reach there that night. He knew that he (Mr Pryce) was not to blame in the matter, but he hoped he would try and get the authorities ,to do something at once. He believed the water course was still choked up. and they all believed that that was the chief cause of the condition of affairs. The postman had not arrived, and he did not know how he could get there. In a postscript the writer added: "The post- man had just called. He went through water above his knees. He has recently had an operation to his eyes." Mr Edward Davies It says in that letter that the state of the water course is the reason why the water does not go away. The Chairman (Mr Percival Hurlbutt) Is that the water course which Mr Addm has promised to open F The Surveyor (Mr W. P. Hole) Yes. Mr E. Davies Can we compel them to open it ? The Clerk Evidently in consequence of the course not being opened the road gets flooded. The Surveyor: There are two or three Acts which deal with the question; if you take the Highway Act you can compel the owner to open it. It is an old turnpike road and the road under the oJd Act should be kept free from water by the owner and occupiers This road afterwards became a main road and tht-;n it became dis- mained, so I don't know how it applies. The Clerk: My own opinion is that if it causes an obstruction to the road we can compel the owner to clean out his own water course. The Chairman: I don't think it is necessary to look up the Act, Mr Addie has promised to do this. I propose we write to him and tell him what discomfort and inconvenience have arisen by him not fulfilling what he has offered. The Surveyor: Mr Addie told us that the tenant was not very eager for this to be done. But at any rate the water course certainly ought to be put right. It is a very serious thing for anyone to walk through thb water 18 inches or two feet deep. Mr Edward Davies: If the water course were cleared we could soon see how we fared afterwards. The Chairman I have no doubt that it is the watercourse which is causing the mischief. If it were cleared there would then be no further flood- ing. Mr John Edwards: The water should certainly be kept off the road. The Chairman I will move then that the Clerk be instructed to wiite to Mr Addie reminding him of his promise and pointing out that its non-ful- filment is causing great inconvenience to the village. Mr Edward Davies: I think a copy of that letter should go with it. The Chairman: I don't think we want to bring in any threat at present. In the letter that is being written now it will be sufficient to remind him of his promise.

Injustice to Llanmerewig. Sir,—The parish of Llandyssil has five managers for Cefnycoed School, and I think one could be spared to represent Llanmercwlg. Now, sir, I have no doubt my facts, and I beg to thank Mr R. Jones for taking notice of my letters, but since he has become so personal I cannot continue the correspondence.—Yours faithfully, December 8th, 1910. J. G. MILLER.

To Succour the Poor at -1. Christmas. Sir,—I would consider it an extreme favour if you would publish in your valuable paper my appeal for the needy. We are all aware that Christmas is fast approaching, and through the severe frost I have no doubt there will be a good many homes in Newtown which will feel the effects of the frost through the breadwinners being knocked off work, and also those who are unemployed. Might I suggest that a few ladies and gentlemen band together and collect from those who are disposed to give foodstuff, clothing, and money, and so bring Christmas cheer to the homes suffering from privation. I am only in ordinary circumstances myself, but would gladly give my shilling. Shopkeepers would no doubt gladly give their aid towards such a worthy ob- ject. Hoping some abler pen will follow mine, ONE IN SYMPATHY.

HUNTING APPOINTMENTS. MR. DAVID DAVIES' FOX HOUNDS WILL MEET ON Monday, December 12.Carno, 10-30 a.m. Wednesday, December 14 Old Hall, Llanidloes 8-30 a.m. Thursday, December 15 Dolfor, 10-30 a.m. Saturday, Deember 17 Bettws, 10-30 aan. MR. DAVID DAVIES' BEAGLES WILL MEET ON Tuesday, December 13 Staylittle, 10-30 a.m. Friday, December 16 .Caersws Bridge, 10-30 a.m.

Mr H. Samuel's fine volume of Christmas bar- gains is profusely illustrated and brought up-to- date, and the book caters for all purses, and embraces an enormous number of novelties which are sure to be popular. Every order may be given with the understanding that the article can be returned within one month if unsatisfactory. The wealth of Christmas gift suggestions con- tained therein ranges from watches to gramo- phones, and includes high-class jewellery, cutlery, plate, leather goods, and innumerable fancy articles something for every taste, however fastidious, and for every purse, however slender. Any reader who sends a post card to H. Samuel, 200, Market-street, Manchester, will receive the book of gift bargains by return. A full list of Mr H. Samuel's fifty or more branch establish- ments will be found inside, and we understand that any reader mentioning this paper will receive a special bonus gift with any purchase exceeding the sum of 5s.—Our readers should certainly write for this free volume. CAMBRIAN RAILWAYS.—The passenger, etc., receipts of the Cambrian Railways for the week ending December 4th show a decrease of JGIOO, and those in respect of minerals, merchandise, and live stock show a decrease of JE130. Abounding Trade. The trade returns for November are as good as the election returns. The imports for November show an increase of 2-9 1 millions over last year, and those for the eleven months au increase of 45 millions. The British exports show an in- crease of 3i millions, and those for the eleven months an increase of 48t millions. Here, again, -s the facts are precisely the opposite of what the case of the Tariff Reformers requires. They say that we aire losing markets, and that our manu- facturers cannot obtain an entry yet it is in articles wholly or mainly manufactured that the increase in exports have taken place. Electors will not fail to nota that trade has indeed gone— but gone up. Lord Bosebery Asked for Fair Play "The time has come when the right of the House of Lords to oppose an absolute Veto to the wishes or the legislation of the House of Commons should for ever cease. We boast of our free institutions. We swell as we walk abroad and see other countries-we make broad the phylacteries of freedom on our foreheads. We thank God that we are not as other less favoured men; and all the time we endure this mockery of freedom. You are bound hand and foot. You may vote and vote until you are black in the face. It will not chang& the face of matters at all. The House of Lords still will control at its will the measures of your representatives.—Lord Rosebery in 1894s,