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MONTGOMERY.

THE CONSERVATIVE CANDIDATE…

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THE CONSERVATIVE CANDIDATE AT WELSHPOOL. Bombarded by the (C Express." "Whom He Blames for Misrepresentation Turbulent Scenes in the Street. "Newtown Paper!" Newtown Paper!" Newtown Paper!" A score of times and more the 'Express' was thus advertised at the Welshpool Tory meeting in Welshpool on Mondav night. Seldom within recent years has there been such a big gathering in Welshpool's Town Hall on the occasion of a political meeting, and never, perhaps, in the history of this ancient and historic borough has a meeting with the representative of the local Peer in the chair, held in support of anti- land taxation and food taxes, turned out such a damp squib. There was compara- tively little enthusiasm, and but for an at- tempted demonstration against the Ex- press' by Tories at the back of the hall, the audience, whilst waiting for the Colonel and others to mount the platform, would have experienced a monotonous time. In fact, this Tory cry about the Newtown Paper" did more than anything to upset the proceedings. The reason for it was the challenge which the 'Express' had made that morning to Colonel Pryce-Jones with reference to the sale of a garden in Severn-street valued at £ 800., particulars of which our readers will recall. When the Colonel mounted the platform there was loud cheering. With him came Mr Forrester Addie, the chairman of the Welshpool Conservative Club and the repre- sentative of Lord Powis, Mrs Pryce-Jones, and Mrs Forrester Addie. Mr Addie, who presided, announced a let- ter from Mrs Peter Beck, Trelydan, re- gretting inability to be present, and stating i: we particularly wish everyone to know that we are working against Mr Humphreys- Owen." Mr Beck also wrote supporting the candidature of the Colonel. The oratory was led off by the Rev T. Kingsborough, from the Ulster Unionist Association, whose endeavour was to show the untrustworthy character of the Irish people. A WORD OF CHEER. During this speech a sensation was (caued by a working man shouting out, H I wish the Colonel would look up a bit he is looking down!" Miss Bateman, of London, having spoken on Tariff Reform, the Colonel rose to the singing of "He's a jolly good fellow" from the rear of the hall. It. was noticeable that in the body of the room, where the responsible electors sat, the enthusiasm was not on a par. Before the resolution is moved," said the Colonel, "I hope I shall have no diffi- culty"—(uproar and cries of Chuck him out I") The audience rose from the chairs and turned its gaze to the back of the hall, and not until the interrupter had been turned out, amidst "hurrahs," was peace restored. Mr Addie asked for silence, which was answered by a whistle. Order now, please" another whistle, and then the Colon-el resumed. I was saying, he continued, that. I don't -think I shall have any difficulty in putting before you very briefly the reasons why you, -the men of Welshpool, and the Boroughs will return me by a triumphant majority (cheers). Our election in these Boroughs is to be put off until almost the last poll in the country,—("Shame!")—because it is thought that by putting me on the run, and putting you to the great trouble and expense of this unnecessary contest, the Radicals are going to have a better chance .of winning.—(A voice, Where's J. D. Rees, sir ? ")—But I think that you in Welshpool will run me in (cheers. Councillor Jen- kihs, Hear, hear.") 1 wish to tell this large audience that important as Tariff Re- form is—and Tariff Reform will come in a few years, if not by my own party, by the úther-that there is something for the time being greater than Tariff Reform, and that F 1 is our bitterest opposition to indefinite Home Rule for Ireland.—(A Radical voice: We want cheap food, Colonel !")—In Ireland there are friends of ours who are Catholics, and there are friends of ours who are Protestants, and it has been MY GOOD FORTUNE on more than one occasion to vote for Catholics in the House of Commons. It is because we want in Ireland, flie same as in other parts of the United Kingdom, peace and goodwill—(A Voice: "Good lad)—that we cannot trust Mr Asquith with a blank cheque to introduce Home Rule for Ireland without knowing what it means. If that Home Rule Bill is carried we shall have in Ireland our good friends the Catholics and Protestants fighting among themselves (A Voice: Good old Colonel," and laughter). I It is because we cannot run the risk of bloodshed in Ireland that we oppose the proposals of Home Rule by the presene Government (applause). A paper has been handed to me asking why, as I am in favour of self-government for South Africa, I am Not in favour of self-government or Home Rule for Ireland. I don't want any votes on false pretences. in South Africa, they have a Second Chamber. There the different States have agreed to join the Federation, and South Africa is thousands of miles from our shores. With regard to Ireland it is a different tale. It is within a few miles of us. It might be the base of hostile operations by a foreign foe. We say that Ireland should be satisfied with the same self-government as we have in England, Scotland, and Wales (applause). It, seems to me it is always my misfortune to be on the defence—to be defending great interests and institutions. How is it we are having an election within twelve months of the Finance Bill, which we objected to because it contained other things besides finance, because it hit the landlords and the licensed victuallers, and others in business ? Mr Redmond voted for the Finance Bill against a great many of his own friends in Ireland, on the under- star ding that afterwards the Government was to come to the veto. Mr Asquith could not go 011 any longer, because he knew Mr Redmond would not allow him. Mr Red- mond said he intended to extract Home Rule from us. We know what that Home Rule would be, and we are determined it shall never become law (cheers). Mr Bal- four has told the country that if Mr Asquith will agree to a referendum on Home Rule we will tfgree to a referendum on Tariff Reform. Mr Asquith has refused the chal- lenge. I DON'T KNOW whether he means that the whole of the Tariff Reform programme is to be deferred until the people vote on it or not, but at any rate, no taxes will be put on any article of food until the people have given their decision.—(Cheers, and a Voice: "What about the Newtown paper ?") In my opinion there was no rea.-on to be afraid ever before, because, as Miss Bateman has pointed out, if ✓you put a small duty on wheat for the sake of getting a preference, and take it off another, I cannot see, and the working men of the country generally will agree, that there can be no addition to the cost of the food of the people. In these Boroughs, if the people cannot trust me, I hope they will trust Mr Balfour, for he has said that no taxes will be put on food supplies until the people have voted for it. On this occasion I hope nobody will be so FOOLISH AS TO VOTE AGAINST ME ■—(smiles)—because they think they will get a little loaf. I hope that those who may again be misled—misled by the "Newtown paper "—(laughter and smiles, and a Voice: "What about the garden, Colonel?")—1 hope that those who are likely to be misled on this important point will remember that they have been taken in more than once by misrepresentations such as the black bread and Chinese slavery. I sincerely hope—(A Voice The Newtown paper ")—that if Mr Balfour does get a majority that he will go in for a moderate DUTY ON MANUFACTURED GOODS AND CERTAIN LUXURIES coming into this country.—(Councillor Jen- kins: Hear, hear).—You have a gentleman in Welshpool, Mr Macdonald, who has started a new industry here. I remember he told me that under Tariff Reform lie could double the number of hands he now employs (applause). And now, you men of Welshpool—(A Voice: What about the Newtown paper ? ") I ask you not to be led away on this veto question (cries of Chuck him out," and uproar). The Chairman: Order, order. Two men were ejected—one a commercial traveller and a staunch Free Trader from Birmingham. The Colonel I appeal to the men of all parties and creeds. The policy of the Government is this The House of Com- mons shall be predominant, and there shall be no Second Chamber. That means that any House of Commons, Liberal or Conser- vatives, shall pass their measures if they go up to the House of Lords for three suc- cessive sessions. The House of Commons might grant Home Rule for Ireland, and yet. the people would have no vote on it. They may even tax food, disestablish and disendow the Church in Wales, or go in for conscription, or hand over Ireland to Ger- many, or give away one of the Colonies to Russia. Are you aware that the House of Lords will be untouched by the Radicals ? They are going to leave it as it is, but take its usefulness away. We know that people change from year to year and from century to century. The only bulwark between the rampant whim of the House of Commons is a Second Chamber, and that is the pres- ent House of Lords. The Earl of Powis's representative: Hear, hear. THE REFORMED LORDS. The Colonel: Now what is our pro- gramme ? The Lords have said that they do not wish to be members of that House merely on the question of heredity. They have agreed that in future the Peers shall be qualified by high office, great service, such as generals, admirals, and governors, and men who have been in the House of Commons, secretaries of State, and others, and chosen from among all parties, Churchmen and Nonconformists and Roman Catholics, who shall make up one half, and the other half shall by some form of nom- ination come from outside. Is not that a sound and sane arrangement ? Are you to prefer rather to follow those politicians who seem to seek their own ends for power, in- stead of the greatness of the Empire ? (cheers). A SMACK AT MR. LLOYD-GEORGE. I appeal to Liberals and Liberal-minded men not to take counsel from some distin- guished politician who may come to New- town again on the eve of the poll, and use his beautiful voice to get my own towns- men to vote against me. I hope that you in Welshpool will remember whenever this distinguished gentleman comes to Newtown, I shall want you to make up for the votes I may lose there (applause). I should like now, going off at a tangent, to show you what Home Rule is. Suppos- ing Home Rule, full powers, were given to my friends at Llanidloes (laughter). Where should we be. gentlemen ? (great laughter and cheers). Think of my wife and I can- not go there to attend a private meeting of my supporters—(shame)—without run- ning the risk of danger to life and health. Here the Colonel paused, and looked down at the press table, where the Ex- press representative was seated. I regret, he continued, to refer to my friend. It is the paper, and I can go for it. I regret to say, as far as I have been able to learn- I have not had time to read it—that there has not been a word of regret in the New- town paper for this scandalous attack upon a lady..—(A voice, "Shame!") And now, gentlemen, I have been long enough.—(A voice: "What about the New- town paper ? ")—We have stood our defeat. If we win, they cannot deny us the joy of victory (cheers). The last time, although we lost by ONLY 13 VOTES, we cannot forget that we polled fifty more than we have polled before. I can only thank you again and again for the magnifi- cent support you have given me in the past, as the humble supporter of such a splendid cause, and I hope we shall be victorious this time, because I have got so many young friends who have only had votes on several occasions, and they tell me they have never voted for the successful man yet (laughter and smiles). Whatever may take place at Llanidloes, we shall in the other boroughs conduct the fight in a gentlemanly and straightforward manner (cheers). A CHARACTERISTIC SPEECH. Dr Hawksworth said it was ridiculous to jeer at any man for being descended irom Norman robbers. He thought they were all descended from robbers, if they only went back far enough. Could Mr Lloyd George certify that within the last thousand years none of his ancestors had stolen a RheeNr run away with a leg of beet Darwin said that we were all de- scended from apes, but they should not be so rude as to suggest that Mr Lloyd George was descended from a monkey (laughter). He might be, but they did not blame him. 'But yet he would persist in referring to the habits of his ancestors. When one read the speeches of some responsible Cabinet ministers, one blushed for one's country, and asked what manner of men were those who were set over them. Mr T. J. Evans, whom Mr Addie de- scribed as the popular mayor of Welsh- pool," rose to second a resolution of con- fidence, which was carried unanimously. The meeting then terminated. A SCENE IN THE STREET. big crowd awaited the emergence of the Colonel from "the hall, the while crying "Newtown paper' Newtown paper!" which must have considerably disconcerted the gailant Tory candidate. As soon as he came through the front door on to the pave- ment, the Colonel wtis whipped into an armchair, and carried "down Broad-street to the Royal Oak Hotel. So enthusiastic were the bearers that only an appeal from the Colonel prevented them from carrying him to an upstairs room in the hotel, from the window of which he subsequently spoke. His only companion in the room was the representative of the "Newtown paper." Ladies and gentlemen, he said.. I thank my friends for their grcyit kindness in chairing me from the Town Hall. I hope the next Government we shall have will have the opportunity of trying some other policy than Free Trade.—(A voice: "The Newtown paper.")—Notwithstanding Free Trade, we find the food of the people is dearer than when the late Government was in power. At this statement a man in the crowd shouted LIAR! wijhicli caused a tremendous commotion. Unfortunately for the Colonel, Welshpool that night was the staying place of two commercial travellers, both shrewd men of the world, and hailing from Birmingham. It was one of this pair who astounded the Tories with "liar." A disturbance imme- diately arose, in the midst of which a Welshpool Conservative threatened to thrash this insolent! alien, even though he had come from Joseph Chamberlain's land. But the Birmingham chap gave his Tory antagonist to understand that he had been in similar positions before. He would not accept the CHALLENGE TO FIGHT in the street, because, said he, If I go for you, your friends may set on me. But if you want to have it out, come with me into a. yard, and we will settle it between ourselves." The invitation was not ac- cepted. Meanwhile, the Colonel had gone on with his speech in an effort to disparage Free Trade. Concluding, he said: I only ask you my friends in Welshpool to trust me again, as you did from 1895 to 1906. Don't be misled by misrepresentation. When you see my friend, the Newtown paper, trying to run me down, just say to them, "It is just the opposite of that" (laughter). We have beaten the Newtown paper before, and we will give it a beating this time (laughter and cheers). They just insert the kind of things to mislead their readers, and their circula- tion will go down if they continue to do so (laughter). Thus ended the Colonel. I AT MONTGOMERY. Colonel Pryce-Jones spoke at Montgomery on Monday night, where he defended the Church, and endeavoured to substantiate all that is contained in his election address. He also severely criticised the action of Nonconformist ministers after the manner of the local Tory press. I hope," he con- cluded, that you are not down-hearted. They blamed me last time for being opti- mistic. I am more optimistic than ever, and yet we may be defeated. I think we are going to have a surprise. I shall be disappointed if we are not on the right side this time. I met an old friend of mine a few days ago. I said. 'Well, Mr Gillart, what sort of a time did you have at Mont- gomery after the poll P' He replied, I went to the Dragon and had lunch by my- self. There was nobody there' (laughter). Well, it didn't used to be like that when we won (laughter). Addresses were delivered by the Rev T. Kingsborough, Mr Herbert G. Williams, and Mr William Watkins, Newtown, and at the close a vote of confidence was unanimously carried.

DOLFOR.

NEW MILLS.

DOLANOG.

CAERSWS.

ELECTION CRACKERS. e

HODLEY.

TREFEGLWYS. *

TREFNANNEY.

LLANDINAM.

LLANIDLOES.

SARN.

ITHE GENERAL ELECTION.

LLANWNOG.

TREGYNON.

PONTDOLGOCH.

BERRIEW.