Welsh Newspapers
Search 15 million Welsh newspaper articles
13 articles on this Page
. THE GENERAL ELECTION.
PROBABLE "WALK-OVER" FOR MR. S. T. EVANS. NO FEDERATION CANDIDATE. LLYNVI AND GARW MINERS DISSATISFIED. THE CONTEST IN SOUTH GLAMORGAN. COLONEL QUIN AND MR. BRACE BUSY. Events moved rapidly in regard to Mid- Glamorgan last week-end. On Friday the Miners' Federation gave their veto to the Labour candidate idea, and their decision was immediately followed by the withdrawal of Mr. Boyd Harvey's name in the Conservative interest, and a letter of "congratulation and gratification" from the sitting Member. With this resolution of the Miners' Federation, the prospect of a Labour candidate vanishes, and it is quite unlikely that a Conservative will be nominated without the prospect of a three- cornered fight. Mr. S. T. Evans comes to this conclusion in his letter to Mabon. We understand that at least one Conservative is prepared to contest the seai, but the Execu- tive Committee of the Mid-Glamorgan Con- servative Association have practically decided not to adopt a candidate. It goes without saying that a Conservative would have no chance of success in fighting Mr. S. T. Evans, though he would be doing his party some good by keeping that Member at home during the campaigns, and he would also be keeping the local Associations in trim. On the other hand, a majority of 5,000 is a hopeless task to be faced, and an uncontested election is probably better than a hopeless defeat. At any rate Mr. S. T. Evans is rejoicing.
[No title]
Mr. Frank Edwards, the Liberal Member for Radnorshire, who is a brother of Mr. T. Lloyd Edwards, of Bridgend, will have a doughty opponent in Mr. C. D. Venables- Llewellyn. This is Mr. Edwards's fourth con- test, and he has tasted the bitterness of de- feat and the sweets of victory. In his first contest he secured the seat by the narrow majority of 81, at the next election he was unseated, and at the last time of asking, he was again returned—this time by between 100 and 200 majority. By profession, Mr. Edwards is a solicitor, and nas quite a string of initials after his name-B.A., D.L., and J.P., as well as M.P. He has been high sheriff of the County of Radnorshire, and is now deputy lieutenant of the county. He is also a member of the Reform and National Clubs. Mr. Edwards is a Churchman.
FOOLISH THOUGHTS.
FOOLISH THOUGHTS. By FOOLISH FELLOW. Colonel Quin intends doing his level best to Wyndham. Bridgend's "scenic artist" has been quite outshone. See Adare-street. The Colonel is Bracing himself up with Quin- ine. S.T. has felt 'Evanly ever since receiving that wire that the Federation would not oppose him. Providng he can embrace a seat at Westmin- ster, Mr. Brace don't care a pair of braces about that pun, Brace of Braces." Cowbridge has decided to go dead Conaervar tive, so there's an end of it. No use Car- diff Irishmen shouting Ivor for Iver." Cowbridge has said. Now that the political orators are getting to work in real earnest, it is strange how- some of them can speak so well and say no- thing. Fine art, political oratory! "I've got votes in Cardiff, Mid-Glamorgan, and South, and not one shall a Radical have," exclaimed a Bridgbndian; "Radical to me is synonymous with Rascal." Come, come. We're only warm yet. Polling day is a long way off. The man who stood in Caroline-street for a fortnight "watching the spot," has now shifted his position to the vestibule of the Market Buildings. Though a strong Tory, he hopes some good may come out of the spot, in spite of its colour. The Miners' Federation Is the best in all the nation, As everybody ought to see. That Labour agitation Has gone down to damnation Hurray! say I-S.T. Who's Mr. William Bruce, anyway? A cor- respondent who has been doing the round of the Welsh constituencies has written up his conclusion for the "Star," and he finds that the Lib.-Lab candidate in South Gla- morgan is a Mr. William Bruce! The Brucer.
- CONSERVATIVE CAMPAIGN.
CONSERVATIVE CAMPAIGN. REPRESENTATIVE MEETING AT COW- BRIDGE. ADDRESSES BY COLONEL QUIN AND SIR FORTESCUE FLANNERY. A well-attended meeting of Vale of Glamor- gan electors was held' at the Town-hall, Cow- bridge, on Tuesday afternoon, in support of the candidature of Colonel W. H. Wyndham- Quin, D.S.O., M.P. Mr. F. W. Dunn, J.P., presided. In addition to the candidate, there were on the platform Sir Fortescue Flannery, Bart., M.P., Unionist candidate for Cardiff, Llantrisant, and Cowbridge; Captain H. C. Prichard, Pwllywrach; Meters. Lewis Mor- gan, J. W. Courtis, Cardiff; R. C. Griffiths, Bridgend (Conservative agent for South Gla- morgan), and others. Lady Eva Wyndham- Quin occupied a front seat in the body of the hall. CHAIRMAN'S ADDRESS. The Chairman said the political situation was somewhat unique, as the Liberals had taken office orior to the General Election. It was not surprising under the circumstances that there was some confusion, but the posi- tion of the Conservatives was perfectly clear. The Unionists were agreed that Home Rule should be fought right and left, and no at- tempt on the part of the Liberals to interfere with the Imperial Parliament would be toler- ated. The Conservatives were also united as to the necessity for a reform in our fiscal system, and they had every confidence in their leader and in Mr. Chamberlain— (cheers)—though Mr. Balfour was not pre- pared to go so far as the ex-Colonial Secre- tary. The ideal of Cobden had never been realised and never would be: we had not had free trade in this country, but free imports. Cobden's policy was all very well in theory, and it would work well in practice if all coun- tries accepted it. But rather than emulating England, other countries had been raising their tariff walls of Protection, and our indus- tries were being handicanned, and in some in- stances throttled. The Conservatives had always been the best friends of the working- men. (Applause.) SIR FORTESCUE FLANNERY, who was cordially received, said he had known their honourable Member in the House of Commons for many and had known his popularity there and the respect in whica. he was regarded not only by all on the Con- servative side of the House, but by his politi- cal opponents as well. He had known hin. when he was absent fighting the battles of his country in South Africa, and he rejoicei that the electors of the constituency had re- elected him notwithstanding his absence 01 that patriotic duty. (Apnlause, and a voice: "We'll return him again.") As a Unionist party they had great traditions to uphold. They were now fighting a Government that had just assumed the reins ot office, and which had absolutely excluded Lord Rosebery from its ranks. To his mind the Government wiiis weakened to an enormous extent by the aD- sence of Lord Rosebery—(hear, hear)—abort whom he could say that at least in regard to foreign affairs, in regard to maintaining tie dignity of the country, he was a safe man. The country as a whole regretted the omi:- sion of Lord Rosebery, and the life of the Government would be much shortened by the absence of his Lordship. He claimed that from an agricultural point of view, in the latest phase of legislation affecting agricul- ture, there was a record of good work dbne by the Constitutional party in the teeth of unscrupulous an opposition as ever the his- tory of their country recorded—an onposition carried on by many of those who were now sitting in high places in Downing-street and Westminster. (A voice: "What good woik is that ?") Sir Fortescue said that he would tell them. There was the work which wis described! as the LANDLORDS' RELIEF ACT. It was an Act to provide that one-half of the rates levied upon agricultural land should be discharged out of the Imperial funds, raistd from all the sources of revenue of the whole taxation of the country. There was r.o farmer there who did not know that he had only to pay half the rates that he former.y paid. (Applause.) How was that proposal received by the then Opposition ? They 63.d that the relief from the rates would go into the pockets of the landlord. It was all very well for their opponents to aay that, when the farmer was relieved of a part of the rates that he would not be better off, because the landlord would raise his rent. Mr. Lloyd George—(applause)—yes, they applauded him now, but let them wait a moment-Mr. Lloyd George went to Birmingham, where he de- livered' a speech which was almost wholly de- voted to the "Landlords' Relief Act." Well, Mr. Lloyd George had to leave that meeting disguised in the uniform of a policeman, but he had got a uniform of a very high character now, and he (Sir Forescue) did not begrudge That was the misrepresentation of the Act, but what were the facts? When the Act was renewed on the expiration of the five years for which it was originally passed, not a man among the Opnosition, from Mr. -Lloyd George downwards, had a word to say against it. (Applause.) The Conservative party believed that the question of AGRICULTURAL PROSPERITY was a larger question than the mere prosper- ing f10^6 ,w.k° were concerned in land. 1 hey believed it was an important national question, affecting the safety of the people of the country not only as regarded the physique, health, and stamina of the race, but they believed that the improved prospects of agriculture would assist people back to the land, and so relieve the pressure of competi- tion for employment in the towns. (Ap- plause.) Ihe question was connected with that of fiscal reform, for they desired to see the cost of some food cheapened even though it might not be possible to decrease the cost of all food. They wanted a fair field for our manufactures. if a prosperous state of affairs existed in the manufacturing centres, it would increase the prosperity in the agri- cultural centres. (Hear, hear.) In conclu- sion, he asked the electors of South Glamor- gan to again return Colonel Wyndham-Quin to Parliament. It would be a misfortune to the country if the experience of a soldier like the Colonel were lost. (Applause.) If they were united in their efforts to maintain the constitutional and patriotic principles, they would again enable the Colonel to serve his constituency and country with that singleness of mind. that patriotic instinct and disinter- ested diligence which had always distin- guished him m the Parliament of the country (Applause.) COLONEL QUIN'S ADDRESS. Colonel Wyndham-Quin, who was received with loud cheering, said he would be pleased, if adopted by the Conservative Association of South Glamorgan, to offer his services for the third time. (Hear, hear.) Perhaps he would be more correct in saying the "second time," because as a matter of fact he did not offer his services on the laet occasion, as he was then in a place where no heed was taken of politics. (Laughter and applause.) They were now on the eve of a severe fight. The Conservatives had no cause to be ashamed when they presented a repurt of their work to the electors, for the late Government had been able to put on the statute book a num- ber of very useful measures. If there was one department in which the Government had excelled it. was in foroirrn affairs, which had been conducted in an admirable manner, firstly by the illustrious Lord Salisbury— (oheers)-and secondly by the Marquis of Lansdowne. They had only to consider the treaties which had' been made with France and Japan to assure themselves that the 1 Foreign Ministers of the late Government had done more in the interests of the people than any Foreign Ministers in the history of the country. (Applause.) He somewhat re- gretted that Mr. Balfour, whom he had loy- ally supporttd all along the line, had thought fit to quit office before dealing with two mat- ters in particular, namely, the extension of the Workmen's Compensation Act and Redis- tribution. However, he was not one of those who, in any way, cavilled at their position. (Hear, hear.) It was yet an early day for them to attempt to pick to pieces the policy of THE NEW GOVERNMENT, but there was one thing that he thought should be discussed on every platform, and that was the fact that, above all other things, that Government was a Home Rule Govern- ment. (Hear, hear.) The "larger policy" that Sir H. Campbell-Bannerman advocated in respect to Ireland was Home Rule pure and simple, containing provisions that an Irish Parliament responsible to the Irish people should be set up in Dublin. It would take the government of the country out of the hands of the loyalists and put it into the hands of lawless men. (Applause.) Mr. Redmond had stated on many occasions that he would not be content until the last link had been broken between Ireland and this country; the goal of the Irish Nationalists was the national independence of Ireland. If this goal were reached there would be a dangerous enemy at the rear of Britain, al- ways ready to assist our foes. It was true that there were some prominent members of the Liberal League in the Cabinet—gentle- men like Mr. Fowler, Mr. Asquith, Mr. Hal- dane, and Sir Edward Grey-but that did not re-assure him; it was no guarantee that Home Rule would not be dealt with. If these gentlemen opposed any Home Rule measure introduced by the Liberal Govern- ment, it would be perfectly easy for them to resign their offices and Sir Henry Campbell- Bannerman would appoint others who would not be obstacles in the way of granting the Irish demands. The late Government had, however, not been unmindful of Ireland, and' they had given them everything short of Home Rule. They had given the same sys- tem of local frovemment to Ireland as pre- vailed in England and Wales. The farmers of this country had lost E150,000,000 through foreign competition. TARIFF REFORM would confer very considerable benefit upon the agricultural community at large-(hear, hear)—though he was far from saying that it would have the same effect as it would upon the manufacturing industries. The inter- est of the Unionist party in agricultural industry was shown by the Agricultural Rating Bill, the regulations for preventing contagious diseases amongst herds and flocks, and the systems of light railways that they had introduced. Though he could not sup- port any land system such as that which had been tried in Ireland, the Colonel said he would readily support any system which would be of real benefit to the tenant farmers of this country. (Applause.) After all, one of the chief issues at the forthcoming election would be that of Free Trade, or rather Free Imports, and he would not shirk the issue. (Hear, hear.) The Liberals had no real remedy for the unemployed difficulty, but the Conservatives had in their fiscal proposals. (A voice: "Chinese labour.") There were, according to an estimate by an authority, 13 million of unemployed men in the country, and this meant a far greater percentage than existed in any of the protected countries. He had always declared himself to be an out and out supporter of Mr. Chamberlain, but he also agreed with Mr. Balfour's proposals of retaliation. (Applause.) There had been a great deal of shouting about Cobden, but they must look at the present POSITION OF COMMERCE in this country. If they looked at the figures with an unbiassed mind—and he felt that this question was not a political one but a national one—they must come to the conclusion that the policy of Cobden would not suit England at the present day. It was all very well Free Fooders saying that we were never more pros- perous than we were to-day. It must be re- membered that other countries who had pre- viously been far below the commercial status of England were now getting richer, and' ex- porting more manufactured goods than we were. That was one of the effects of the per- nicious system of free imports; it placed the home manufacturers at a great disadvantage in competing with the foreigners. Mr. Bal- four proposed that the Government should be placed in a position to say to the foreign countries who had these tariff walls of Pro- tection that, unless they removed those walls and enabled our goodis to be imported into their country free of duty, we should build up similar tariffs to prevent their goods en- tering our country. (Applause.) Was there anything wrong in that? No it was a fair proposal, and he hoped that the electors would see the fairness and justice of THE FISCAL PROPOSALS in the forthcoming elections. As to the pro- posals of the Member for West Birmingham, they went in the same direction as that of the ex-Prime Minister, but a good deal far- ther. He was fully convinced that with the propositions of Mr. Chamberlain was bound up the future prosperity of this great Em- pire, for their acceptance would result in greater commercial reciprocity with our Colonies. (Applause.) In conclusion Colonel Wyndham-Quin expressed a hope that the electors of the constituency, whom he had had the honour to represent for ten years, ap- preciated his services on their behalf and would support him to the degree they had when he previously appeared before them as candi- date. (Applause, and a voice: "Don't fear; we'll do it.") He was keenly interested in the farmers of the Vale, and he was proud to think that he was the fifth member of his family who had had the honour of signing himself M.P. for Glamorgan. (Applause.) MR. TUDOR HOWELL. Mr. Tudor Howell, B.A.L., formerly M.P. 7 for Denbigh, followed with a short address. The electors of South Glamorgan would be very foolish, he said, if they parted company with Colonel Wyndham-Quin for someone who would not be of any use to the constituency. (Hear, hear.) Colonel Wyndham-Quin had served them with faithfulness and zeal for ten years, and his Parliamentary record was not in the least discreditable. He had been thinking hard about the achievements of THE LIBERAL PARTY on behalf of the farmer, but he had failed to remember them. And he did not think any- one else could remember them. (Laughter.) The Liberals had tried their best to prevent the passing of the Agricultural Rating Act in 1895, and if it had not been for the determin- ation of the Conservatives the boon would not have been conferred on the farmers. If they believed what Mr. Lloyd George said on that occasion, the Conservatives would have regarded themselves as great thieves of pub- lic money. The alleged wickedness, of the Government in passing the measure had now passed from the recollection of their friends. If it was such a terribly bad measure, why on earth had not the Liberals opposed its renewal? It was because the election was coming on, and they were afraid of the farmer's vote. Not a word' was said in op- position to the renewal of the measure, and it was an absolute proof that even their op- ponents regarded its working as successful and fair. (Hear, hear.) Colonel Wyndham- Quin was a supporter of the party who had conferred the boon on the farming community and he felt sure the Vale farmers would ap- preciate his services in their interest. (Ap- plause.) On the other side of the fence they had a gentleman known as Mr. Brace. (A cheer.) He was glad to know that Mr. Brace had at least a single supporter in that large audience. (Laughter, and a voice: We can spare him.") WHO WAS MR. BRACE? He understood that even the Liberal party did not want the services ofBrace as their candidate; they wanted' Mr. Lief Jones. (Hear, hear.) They would not accept the present candidate, and' it seemed to him that they were asking the electors to do what they themselves would not do. (Applause.) Mr. Brace would make an excellent member for some other constituency, but he was no good to South Glamorgan. (Hear, hear.) If he were returned! to Parliament he would repre- sent not the whole of the interests of the con- stituency, but a certain section-the Miners' Federation. He felt sure the electors would do with Mr. Brace what they ought to, do— give him second place. (Applause.) Colonel Wyndham-Quin had represented agriculture and mining to the best of his ability. (Ap- plause.) Alderman Lewis Jenkins moved! a vote of thanks to the speakers, and Mr. J. W. Hall seconded in a vigorous speech. If Mr. Brace went to the House of Commons, he would- be there as a paid repre- sentative of the Miners' Federation, and he had admitted this. Would it be conducive to the welfare of the Vale ot Glamorgan that their representative should be always at the call of the Federation, whose interests would be his only consideration ? The policy of the Federation and its leaders had always been utterly selfish. (Applause.) If they wanted an instance of what the Labour men were capable of, let them go to the Bridgend Board of Guardians and see how they carried on there. There was a large preponderence of the miners' representatives, and, they in the Vale knew that they had no regard for the prosperity or comfort of the Vale of Gla- morgan people. These Labour representa- tives were the men who referred to the beautiful Vale—the Garden of Wales-as a howling wilderness. (A voice: "Shame.") The motion was carried: with acclamation, and a similar vote was accorded the chair- man for presiding.
MR. BRACE'S CANDIDATURE. ----------e--------'
MR. BRACE'S CANDIDATURE. -e- MEETINGS AT TREOS AND COYCHURCH LIB.-LAB. CANDIDATE CRITICISES COL. WYNDHAM-QUIN. Continuing his campaign. Mr W. Brace, the Progressive candidate for South Glamorgan, addressed meetings at Treos and Coychurch on Wednesday evening. The first meeting was held at Saron Congregational Chapel, Treos, and there was a good attendance. The chair was taken by Mr. W. Jones-Thomas, of Pencoed, supported by the candidate, Mr. David Williams, Bridgend; Mr. J. R. Allen, Bridgend; Revi Stephen Junes, etc. CHAIRMAN'S SPEECH. The Chairman said it was a very good thing that at last the country had seen the end of the Tory Government, after ten years of rule, or rather mis-rule. The Government had run up a long score, but it was a very bad one, though they had the effrontery to call them- selves the strongest Government of modern times. (Laughter.) The Government was, indeed, so strong that the Cabinet had to be patched repeatedly, so that it might hold to- gether, and it was a matter of conjecture whether the actual leader of the Government was inside or outside the Cabinet. (Laughter.) Mr. Balfour claimed to be the leatler, but Mr. Chamberlain seemed to be very much in com- petition with him for that interesting office. It might have been a surprise to the Tories that Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman had been able to form such a good Cabinet, but it was admitted by all that it was a strong and representative Cabinet. Colonel Wyndham- Quin represented a party that was destruc- tive to the best interests of the,country, and as such he was not deserving of the support of the electorate. (Applause.) MR. BRACE'S ADDRESS. Mr. Brace, who was cordially received', said the electors were not to be blamed for the misdeeds of the Government, because they had used the majority given them on a kharki issue to legislate for their narticular friends. But the electors' responsibility came in on the 23rd of this month, when they would have to vote for either Colonel Wyndham-Quin or himself. If they supported! the sitting Mem- ber they would make themselves responsible for the doings of the late Government in con- nection with the Education and Chinese labour policies, the endowment of the great brewing interest, and the remainder of the programme of re-action. (Hear, hear.) After all, politics was not a game, as some people were inclined to think. He could not imagine why people had a different standard when they judged the conduct of a politician than they had when judging that of a busi- ness man. If a farmer deceived another, he would not be given a chance to deceive again. It appeared to him that the sacredness of political life had not been fully realised. The Government would be good or bad according to the righteousness and honesty of the people. The late Government had not been honest, and unless the electors protested at the forthcoming election, they would be ac- cepting the responsibility for the tricks which that Government had' played during the last ten years. (Hear, hear.) He was a Noncon- formist—not a narrow one. for he recognised goodness in all the religions of the world—- but ho stood for tho f noKtical and reli- gious liberty. If his friends wished to be- lieve in the doctrines of the Anglican Church, there was no reason why they should not have the fullest liberty to profess their religion. (Hear, hear.) And it was from this point of view that he wished to argue THE EDUCATION QUESTION. The Conservative Government, instead of creating a national system of unsectarian edu- cation, had passed an offensive measure which had caused the great strife of the last two or three years, a measure that was cal- culated to breed hypocrisy. (Hear, hear.) He advocated a complete system of unsec- tarian education. (Applause.) Surely it would not be impossible for all the denomina- tions, including the Church of England and the Catholics, to agree upon a syllabus where- by plain Biblical instruction could oe given to the children without in any way offending the susceptibilities of any denomination. He held as a cardinal principle that as the whole of the schools had new been placed on the rates, the ratepayers should have full con- trol. (Applause.) Every authority that was to govern our educational system should be directly responsible to the ratepayers, be- cause, unless this were the case, the rate- payers had no chance of protecting what was their birthright and interest. He held that the schools should be open to any headteacner conditionally upon his having the scholastic knowledge necessary for the post, but there were 14,000 schools from which a Nonconfor- mist was excluded. (Shame.) It was not a question of clericalism at all: they were fight- ing for the maintenance of the principle that taxation and representation should go to- gether. If the Government had only passed that one Act dealing with education, Colonel Wyndham-Quin, who supported it in all its stages, was undeserving of their votes. But COLONEL WYNDHAM-QUIN was responsible for taking advantage of the kharki vote in other directions. If a nation had ever been deceived, England had in con- nection with South Africa. It could not be too strongly emphasised in that part of the Vale of Glamorgan, which had sent so many Volunteers to the South African War, that such services afforded no guarantee for secur- ing employment in that country now the war was over. As a matter of iact, according to an order in operation in South Africa, no per- son could enter the Transvaal or the Orange River Colony unless he had jE20 in his, pos- session or had a position to go to. (Shame.) There was no necessity to take a hypothetical case at all, because one of our Australian colonists who had volunteered and fought through the South African campaign had tried to re-enter that country in order to find employment, but owing to the fact that his resources had run down to within a few pounds, he was not allowed to land, notwith- standing the sacrifices he had made to serve his country. (Shame.) They talked about bringing the Colonies into closer touch with the Mother Country, but the Government could do nothing worse than the passing of such an order to alienate the sympathies which ought to prevail in every part of the Empire. There was an economic as .well as a moral side to the Chinese labour question. The mine-owner said he could not work his mines at a profit without the Chinese labour, and it appeared the Kaffir would not work at the wages offered. For years, however, these mines had yielded a profit of anything up to 200 per cent.; the mine-owners had re- ceived in one year not only the whole of the money put into them, but double that amount. The mine-owners could afford to pay a reasonable wage for white labour, and still work their mines at a hisrher profit than any of the coal-minea or industries of Britaili were worked. (Hear, hear.) CHINESE SLAVERY had been introduced, however, and there was now a reign of terror among the simple, home-loving farmers of South Africa because of the wandering bands of Chinese. In the dead of night the farm-houses were attacked by Chinese who had broken out of their com- pounds, and the homes had to be equipped with fire-arms and ammunition. This was the result of the vicious system. As to the moral side of the question, it was incompre- hensible that the Government of a* highly civilised nation would tolerate the herding together of 50,000 men under such servile conditions. Colonel Wyndham-Quin, who had supported the ordinance in all its stages, I was responsible for the state of affairs. War to him (Mr. Brace) was an abomina- tion; it seemed to be a phase of madness. (Hear, hear.) If he had his way, every man who made war should go out to fight himself; he would not think for a moment of allowing Emperors, Kings and Statesmen to make war, and then put scores of innocent men to fight each other, some of whom perhaps knew nothing as to what the quarrel was about. This had been the case in the South African War. But if the nation wanted war, let it be a righteous war. (Hear, hear.) Britain was now paying the penalty because she had forgotten her traditions of freedom and righteousness. Immediately Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman took office, what did he do? Within 48 hours an order was issued that no further importation of Chinese serfs should take place in South Africa. (Ap- plause.) Proceeding to deal with AGRICULTURAL MATTERS, Mr. Brace said the new Government had shown its sympathy with agriculture by the inclusion of Earl Carrington in the Cabinet as the President of the Board of Agriculture. Earl Carrington was fully m sympathy with the farmers, and as he was the President of the Welsh Land Commission which sat at Cowbridge, he was cognisant of the grievances and desires of the Vale of Glamorgan farmers and of Welsh farmers generally. (Hear, hear.) First and foremost, the farmers wanted fixity of tenure they must feel safe in their holdings. They had now an oppor- tunity to return to Parliament one who would be in favour of this reform, as well as of compensation for improvements, a fair rent court, and, in fact, all the recommendations of the Welsh Land Commission. He asked the Vale farmers to strike out now for agri- cultural emancipation the day of battle was fast approaching, and they mieht never have such an opportunity again. Let them make this stand for principle, and they would neVer regret it. They could not expect fixity of tenure or like reforms by returning a land- lord to Parliament. No. The interests of the landlord! and the tenant farmer were not identical, and when they met, it was not the landlord who went under. There had been a great shout about the Agricultural Rating Act, but it was admitted that the landlord got the benefit of it. (Hear, hear.) After all THE FISCAL QUESTION would be an important one in connection with the election, and he had to warn the agriculturists of the Vale against lending themselves to the policies of either retalia- tion or Free Trade. It was not intended by either Mr. Balfour or Mr. Chamberlain that home agriculture should be assisted; they wanted to assist Colonial agriculture, and the English and Welsh farmers would have to pay for it in time. He had avoided references to the sitting member, and he hoped per- sonalities were not to be introduced. He urged the electors to forget the personality of the man Wm. Brace, remembering that they were fighting for great, sacred principles, that England's future depended on the result of the election, and above all that "principles are greater than men." (Applause.) They were face to face with a great national crisis, and he hoped Wales would speak with no un- certain voice, and send men to Parliament who would back up those principles. (Ap- plause.) VOTE OF CONFIDENCE. Mr. J. R. Allen moved a vote of confidence in Mr. Brace, characterising the late Govern- ment as a most retrograde one. Mr. D. Williams, in seconding, said he had been asked to apologise on behalf of the Rector of Llangan for his absence. Rev. W. A. Edwards was working assiduously to secure the return of Mr. Brace, and would to God that there were more clergymen like him. He hoped they would do their duty as Noncon- formists in the great fight that was but a couple of weeks ahead. Nonconformity had been trampled under foot by the late Govern- ment, who had been guilty of giving doles to their friends—the parson, brewer, and capi- talist. The glittering promises of the Tories were glittering shams—pledges that were never intended to be redeemed. (Applause.) The motion was carried unanimously. THE COYCHURCH MEETING. Rev. Stephen Jones presided over the meeting at Coychurch Schoolroom, and after an address by Mr. Jones-Thomas, Mr. Brace delivered an address criticising the work of the late Government, and detailing the policy of the Liberal Government. The Conserva- tives were misleading when they declared that the Liberals wished the Bible t9 be thrown out of the schools, and if as a. result of the present controversy, secular education be- came the order, the Anglican party would have themselves to blame, because they in- sisted on sectarian education. The Liberals would deal with the land problem and the unemployed difficulty as they should be dealt In reply to questions, Mr. Brace declared himself in favour of the Disestablishment of the Church in Wales, and said he believed it would be in the interests of the Church that there should be a severance from the State. It would be a greater spiritual power. He also advocated leasehold enfranchisement, terming the present system "legal brigand- age." (Applause.) A vote of confidence in the candidate was passed, there being several dissentients. Replying to the vote, Mr. Brace said he was hopeful as to the result of the election. The sitting Member had stated that he was entering into the contest with great conn- denoe. All he could say was that Colonel Wyndham-Quin had great courage. If he had such a programme to defend as the Colonel had, he would enter the contest not with great confidence, but with fear and trembling. Unless he misjudged the feeling of the electorate of South Glamorgan, Colonel Wyndham-Quin would have cause to fear and tremble on the 23rd of the month. (Ap- plause.) The usual votes of thanks followed.
GARW MINERS DISSATISFIED.…
GARW MINERS DISSATISFIED. CRITICISM OF THE FEDERATION EXECUTIVE. STRONG EXPRESSIONS. I The Garw District of Miners spent much m time on Monday in discussing the question of ■ f running a Federation candidate in Mid-Gla,- 3- morgan in opposition to Mr. S. T. Evans, K.C., M.P. There waa a large attendance of delegates at the meeting. The question was raised by the Ton Phillip delegate, who called attention to a report in the Press as to the decision of the Federation Executive not to convene tne adjourned con- H ference at Tondu, to consider the advisability of running a Labour candidate. It appeared that the requeat of that district of miners that the conference should be convened came up for discussion at the last meeting of the Executive at Cardiff on Friday, though Mr. T. Richards, M.P., the general secretary of the Federation, wrote to the last. meeting of the district that he was about to call the ad- journed conference, and, in fact, was issuing the circulars. The Executive had passed a. resolution to the effect that the policy of the Federation was not to interfere with the sit- ting members of Parliament, who were in fav- our of the political programme of the Feder- ation, and that they therefore saw no good purpose in calling a conference. That was at peculiar resolution, and he would go so far as to say that the Council had no option as to '• whether they should call a conference. The miners in the constituency had demanded- and they had a perfect right to demand— that an adjourned' conference should be held, s and the Executive had: ignored their request.. £ The miners had been paying :|| THE PARLIAMENTARY LEVY F for a very long time, but what. was the use of ■$? doing so if a Labour candidate should not be .:4 brought forward when they requested one. It f# seemed evident that the Executive meant to 'ignore the decision cf the Federationists of the constituency, and all the trouble in tak- ing a ballot had gone for naught. The views of the Labour men in othei parts of the divi- sion had been taken, and the result had been of a most satisfactory character. There were, no doubt, two opinions as to whether the time had arrived for the bringing out of a Labour candidate, but he contended that that had nothing to do with the Federation. It was not the business of the Executive to decide whether a candidate should be brought out; they had only to CELII the conference of workers and let them decide for themselves. The miners of South Wales and Monmouth- shire paid sufficient in Parliamentary levies to run 10 candidates, but, as a matter of fact, only four were being brought out. It was an unfair decision, and the Executive should be r brought to book for it. The objection to the sitting member was that he did not at- tend to his Parliamentary duties, and surely that was sufficient reason.* The Agent (Alderman John Thomas) said he was not present at the meeting of the Execu- i tive owing to an important business engage- ment. He fully agreed with the decision of the Executive as to the inadvisability of bringing a Labour candidate forward, believ- ing that the constituency was not ripe. He thought, however, that the Executive should have convened the conference, though he felt sure as to what the reseult would be, after the recent visit of Mr- Evans to the consti- tuency.. T • The retiring Chairman (YIr. W. Lewis) gave it as his opinion that the decision of the Executive was nothing but a SNUB TO THE fEDERATIOXISTS of the division. Whether the time was ripe or not, the adjourned conference should be held. What had happened in Breconshire? Labour had been snubbed by the Liberals, and why should there be this hesitancy on the part of the Executive? The Ton Phillip Delegate: I think the Exe- cutive are more Liberal than Labour. ,7 leaders seem to think that there is no differ- ence between the Liberals and the Labour, but it is strange that in some constituencies we are fighting Liberals as well as Conserva- tives. Mr. W. Lewis moved that the general sec- < retary be asked for an explanation of the de- cisionn of the Executive, and this was seconded. ■ *■ A Kenfig Hill Delegate said, no satisfaction, Karl lioen eiven the Executive, because all Fecieratiomats, allowed to participate m the ballot, and this was no criterion of the probable support. The Ton Phillip Delegate moved as an amendment a vote of censure on the Execu- tive, but he afterwards withdrew it. Alderman Thomas pointed out that in the scheme it was provided that no one could. be run as a Federation candidate unless he had a reasonable hope of success, and the scheme was not provided for the purpose of WRECKING ANY POLITICAL PARTY. Another Delegate spoke in strong terins of what he described as the unreasonable deci- sion of the Executive, and thought an explan- ation should be demanded. Another Delegate said it Was ridiculous to expect the miners to pay their Parliamentary levies if their wishes in regard to Labour candidates were not going to be put iiito JS effect. The majority of the miners in Mid- Glamorgan had definitely decided thit a Federation candidate should be brought for- ward, and why should that decision. te ig- nored? He would not be prepared! t> pay Parliamentary levies in future if a candidate should not be brought forward. | The motion to write Mr. T. Richarls de- manding an explanation of the decision was carried. A Delegate from one of the lodges in South Glamorgan spoke in strong terms with regard to the proposal to run a candidate in Bfecon- shire in opposition to Mr. Sidney Itotinsoll, who, he said, was fully in sympathy with Labour ideals. He felt sure that if ;nch a Labour candidate were brought forward it J would mean the | DEFEAT OF MR. BRACE | at the poll in South Glamorgan, as it would leacT to the loss of the support of reve al pro- minent Liberals. He had himself wrtten to Mr. Brace on the matter, pointing out the in- .in- evitable consequence of oppooition co -,Ir. Sid- x ney Robinson. Penarth was at present in- clined to support Mr. Brace, but tlat sup- port would be withheld if they saw any deter- mination on the part of the miners to fight Breconshire. They must not forg;t that there was an old wound in South GhlllOfgan which would be re-opened by the fcr^onshire ? affair- Alderman Thomas said the Fea«racion had been snubbed 60 far as BrecotiMhue tvas con- cerned. A conference of miners fould be held. The matter then dropped. Mr. George Mort, secretary of t]J.e Briton Ferry Trades Council, wrote that the ballot of the workers resulted as follows:—For I Labour candidate, 573; against, [)7; spoilt votes, 5. MAESTEG MINERS ANG1.Y. t: At a meeting of the Maesteg district of the South Wales Miners' Federation at Maes- teg on Monday, a motion was subletted con- demning the action of the Executive Council in declining to call a conference to (Jiscuss the advisability of running a Labour candidate in Mid-Glamorgan. Some delegates, spoke in strong condemnation of the action of the Executive, which they looked upon a slight to the miners of the district who b.3d declared through a ballot in favour of running a Labour candidate; but after an explanation from Mr. Vernon Hartshorn, agent, I\t; to the reasons of the Executive, the HioWtm was withdrawn, but it was resolved to take steps immediately for the formation of an Organisa- tion to promote direct Labour representation in the division.
[No title]
A report that the late Mr. Robert jjayies, of Bodlondeb, Bangor, has left to Mr. Evan Roberts a legacy of ze5 a week i» officially stated to be untrue. PRINTED and Published by the Central Gla- morgan Printing and Publishing Company, Limited, at the Glamorg^ Gazette" Offices, Queen-street, Bridgsna, n the Parish of Oldcaetle, in the County )f Gla- morgan. "1 FRIDAY, JANUARY 5th, 1906 t
Advertising
————i ■ YOU MUST NOT READ THIS! 0 It does not interest 0 you! I T. G. LLEWELYN, (LATE E. GRIFFITHS), E'WENNY SHOP, BRIDGEND. # It is well that you should know in good time that the Noted EWENNY ø- SHOP. SALE! Commences on Thursday Next! Thursday Next! JANUARY llth M Ewenny Shop will be CLOSED ALL DAY Wednesday Next, January the 10th, Day previous to Sale. On account of the very quiet Season, T.G.L. is expecting to have A Record Sale! 3 The Stock is VERY HEAVY, and it must be GREATLY REDUCED. SPECIAL NOTICE I The Bargains will be so SPECIAL NOTICE I numerous at this Sale that T.G.L. is not sending out any Sale Circulars, as it would be impossible to let you have any idea of the Bargains. DON'T FORGET THURSDAY NEXT I 0
[No title]
South Glamorgan will attract a good deal of attention outside its own boundaries dur- ing the coming contest, owing to the fact that a Lib.-Lab. candidate is opposing the sitting Member. There is more than the usual ele- ment of doubt about the result, inasmuch as Mr. Brace is an altogether unknown quan- tity. Whilst one section of his supporters believe he will make a stronger fight than a Liberal, another section have doubts about his prospects and sigh for an out-and-out Liberal. Last week the "Daily Mail," in its election predictions, gave Mr. Brace a win, but on Monday the "Western Mail" stated that there was a growing belief that Colonel Wyndham-Quin's majority will be larger than it was in 1900 or even in 1895. They also predict unprecedented enthusiasm for the sitting Member on poll day.
[No title]
A contest which will be watched with more than ordinary interest in South Glamorgan, and particularly in the neighbourhood of Bridgend, is that at Chorley, Lancashire. Here the Liberal candidate is Mr. Crawshay Williams, son of Mr. Arthur J. Williams, J.P., of Coedymwstwr, an old Member for South Glamorgan. Lord Bellcarres is the sitting member, but though he won the seat at the last time of asking by something over a thousand votes, Mr. Williams is sanguine of victory for his party. In one sense he deserves the seat, whether he frets it or not, for he has closely nursed the constituency, never leaving it for months past. He is being supported by Mr. Winston Churchill, Mr. Lloyd-George, and Sir Robert Reid, the present Lord Chancellor. Mr. William Brace has also rendered assistance in the mining portion of the constituency.
[No title]
Mr. Tudlor Howell, B.A.L., who has been addressing meetings for Colonel Wyndham- Quin in various parts of the constituency, is locally connected, being a nephew of Alder- man Wm. Howell, J.P., of Lletia, Pencoed. Mr. Tudor Howell is a native of Cardiff, and the son of the late Dean Howell, of St. David's. He was educated at Shrewsbury Grammar School and New College, Oxford, and was subsequently called to the bar. He is attached to the South Wales Circuit. He represented Denbigh Boroughs in Parliament for some years, retiring in 1900. Mr. Howell is only 42. His grandfather, the late Mr. John Howell, of Pencoed, was an ardent Cal- vinistic Methodist deacon, and one of the most enthusiastic Radicals in the neighbour- hood of Bridgend in his day.
MID-GLAMORGAN. .■
MID-GLAMORGAN. NO FEDERATION CANDIDATE. i. MR. BOYD HARVEY WITHDRAWS. Electoral matters were discussed at some length at the Executive Council of the South Wales Miners' Federation held on Friday at Cardiff. The Council again considered ap- plications received from the districts of the Federation within the Mid-Glamorgan con- stituency, asking for a conference with the view of considering the advisability of select- ing a Labour candidate for Mid-Glamorgan. After a full discussion, it was resolved:- That seeing that the policy of the Feder- ation is not to interfere with the sitting members of Parliament who are in favour of the political programme of the Federa- tion, this Council resolves that no good purpose can be served by calling a confer ence in the Mid-Glamorgan District. MR. S. T. EVANS'S THANKS. The following letter has been sent by Mr. S. T. Evans, K.C., M.P., to Mr. W. Abraham (Mabon), M.P., with reference to the decision of the South Wales Miners' Federation not to contest Mr. Evans's seat in Mid-Glamorgan: 3 Whitehall-court, S.W., Dec. 30th. My Dear Mabon -1 must write a word to thank you and the Council of the South Wales Miners' Federation for the decision which is announced in to-days papers. The resolution which the Council has passed (without any solicitation of any kind from me, as you know) naturally gives rise to feelings both of gratitude and of gratifi- cation gratitude, because in all probabil- ity the result will be that we shall be spared the trouble and great expense of a contest in Mid-Glamorganand gratifica- tion, because it shows that my past politi- cal conduct meets with the approval and confidence of the miners and their leaders. I hope we may still for many years have the privilege of continuing our co-operation towards the attainment of those objects which you and I have in common. Cofion caredicaf, a blwyddyn newydd dda, a llawer o honynt. Yours sincerely, S. T. EVANS. WITHDRAWAL OF MR. BOYD HARVEY. Mr. J. Boyd1 Harvey, J.P., of Tondu House, Tondu, the managing director of North's Navigation Collieries, who was invited by the Mid-Glamorgan Conservative Association to contest the division in the Unionist interest, finds himself unable to accept the invitation at the present time. A contest in the division is, in view of the above circumstances, highly improbable.
MR S. T. EVANS A CONGREGATXONALIST
MR S. T. EVANS A CONGREGATXONALIST I, The Examiner," the organ of the Congre- gationalists, places the name of Mr. S. T. Evans among its list of CongfRationalists who are candidates for the new Parliament.