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SOUTH GLAMORGAN ELECTION.
SOUTH GLAMORGAN ELECTION. MR. BRACE AT PORTHCAWL CANDIDATE HECKLED. COLONEL QUIN ADOPTED BY THE CONSERVATIVE ASSOCIATION. NOISY CONSERVATIVE MEETING AT BRIDGEND. TARIFF REFORM LEAGUE. THE LIB-LAB. CAMPAIGN. 0- BIG MEETING AT PORTHCAWL. ADDRESSES BY MR. BRACE AND THE RECTOR OF LLANGAN. THE CANDIDATE HECKLED: AN UPROAR. Continuing his campaign, Mr. William Brace, Liberal and Labour candidate, ad- dressed a crowded meeting at the School- room, Porthcawl, on Friday evening. County Councillor G. Sibbering Jones pre- sided, supported by the candidate, Rev. W. A. Edwards, Rector of Llangan Rev. W. J. Phillips, Newton; Messrs. John Grace, J.P., David Jones, David Williams (Bridg- end), T. James, H. B. Comley. etc. CHAIRMAN8 ADDRESS. The Chairman said the political outlook contained great possibilities. and this was a niost critical period in the history of the na- tion. When he last, addressed a political meeting at Porthcawl, he expressed the hope that he would live to see the great Liberal party united, for the need of unity was keenly felt then. The hope had been rea- lised Liberal principles had been revived, a.nd. led by a popular leader, the party was on the march to victory. (Applause.) It was alleged that the Liberal party had not a fine record, but he had prepared a list of the great reforms which they nad passed from 1832. He proceeded to give the chief re- forms. and asserted that the best domestic legislation ever passed was a tribute to the Liberals. (Applause.) The Tory party was devoid of initiation in democratic legislation. But all the beneficial legislation of the Liberals was passed in the face of the opposi- tion of the House of Lorcis. He was not prepared to advocate the abolition of the House of Lords, but the system should cer- tainly be amended. (Hear, hear.) If we were to make progress in the future, the House of Lords must not continue as at pre- sent. The party to bring this about was the Liberal party. (Applause.) Why was it that they found the cream of the Conserva- tive party leaving the ranks? (A voice: "They can't agree.") All the brilliant young men were leaving, and it waa a sorry sight to see the late Government's leader, Mr. Bal- four, degenerating from a statesman, if he had ever been one. to a mere politician. (lia-ught-er and applause.) The late Govern- ment had lost the genius of statesmanship. By the Education Act of 1902 they had given public moneys to particular sects, and the Agricultural "Rating Act had the effect of taking £ 800.000 from the public funds m favour of the landed interests. (Applause.) THE RECTOR OF LLANGAN, who received a flattering ovation, said he did not consider that he was neglecting his duties as Rector in speaking in various places in support of the candidature of Mr. Brace. (HQar, hear.) He believed that it was essen- tial to the well-being of the nation, and to secure national progress and righteousness, that the Government now in office should be established in its position by an overwhelm- ing majority. (Loud applause.) He was told that in consequence of his present pro- ceeding he would be likely to injure the establishment of the Church of England. (A voice: "So you will.") He had only to say tkat the kind of establishment, and the only establishment, that he agreed with, was that i. the best respect. and regard of the nation. (Applause.) No part of the Christian Church would have or could hope to have that establishment deservedly if for the sake oi any interest or privilege it held back from the right side in the day of battle, and allied itself to the forces of re-action. (Re- newed applause.) He belonged to a branch of the Church—the Church of England was but a branch—which allowed its ministers to enjoy the most complete freedom as to the political opinions they should embrace, and he was glad to know that all his brethren were not on the re-actionary side. Among those who were on the same side as himself were the Christian Socialist and Liberal Bishops of Hereford and Birmingham. (Ap- p)ause.) Could any good come out of Bir- mingham? (Laughter.) He much preferred the Bishop of Birmingham to the DICTATOR OF BIRMINGHAM, though perhaps Mr. Chamberlain was no locger employed in that capacity. (Laugh- ter.) He (the speaker) intended to do all in his power to secure and maintain freedom of commerce. (A voice: "We haven't free- dom.") He did not wish to injure the com- munity at large in the interests of any small sections, and to restrict the purchasing power of the smallest incomes, but he desired that the business of the country should be man- aged in the best interests of the greater num- ber. (Applause.) He agreed with the state- ment of the late Lord Salisbury, "Protection was not only dead, but condemned." As Liberals they would keep it condemned. ("No. no.") They were not, however, only going to defend the commercial system which Eng- land had enjoyed for so many years and guard themselves against having the great benefit taken away, but they were going to sit in judgment upon the actual achievements and performances of the late Government. The speaker asserted that there was a differ- ence of opinion on the fiscal question between Mr. Chamberlain and Mr. Balfour, when he was interrupted' by a shout of "No. no." He said he would leave that to the intelligence of the audience. (Applause.) Much interrup- tion followed, and the Chairman made several APPEALS FOR ORDER. Proceeding, the Rector said the country would not allow either Mr. Chamberlain or Mr. Balfour to out a hand on the commercial machinery of the country. (Applause, and a voice: "Don't be so sure.") They were not sure of anything in this world, not even that the interrupter was right. (Laughter and applause.) A crushing defeat of the late Government would be amply warranted by their discreditable record. There was an increase of a million a week in the national expenditure, which justified their condemna- tion. Language would be too weak a vehicle to properly characterise the most remarkable and unsuccessful schemes of army administra- tion and reform. If he had been a Tory, yea, ten times steeped in Toryism, the single item of Temperance Legislation would be suf- ficient to make him shake the dust from his feet of the late Government. That question had been dealt with in such a way that the interests of the community had been put under the foot of a particular trade. Shame.") It was a sound principle in all national affairs that the interests of all sec- tions should be subordinate to those of the community at large. He advocated that power should be given the public over the "trade," and that the people should decide the conditions on which it should be carried on. The ouestion should be dealt with on sound and searching lines. He was entirely opposed to the Education Act. which had ;n- flicted more injury on his branch of the Church than anything that had been done for the last 50 years. (Hear, hear.) His view was that all the elementary schools of the country should be one class and entirely under the control of the people. (Applause.) All the secular education should be carried on bv the State at the expense of the State. ajtd the principle that taxation and represen- tation should go together, must be main- tained. Out of school hours the various de- nominations could look after their own fol- lowers at their own expense. (Applause.) The late Government had introduced a SYSTEM OF SLAVERY. The people had been told that when the de- plorable and heart-rending war in South Africa came to an end it was to be a white man's country, and that the effect of the con- test would be the uniting and tying together of the Empire. No one was more anxious that the Empire should be united than he was, but he did not wish it to be tied to- gether with Chinese pigtails. (Laughter and applause.) To his mind. it was one of the most humiliating and disgracing phases of our national history that what was to all intents and purposes foreign servile labour should be established in a British colony. (Hear. hear.) If the Liberals were to vindi- cate all that was best in -L, iigland's history, an end must be put to the Chinese labour in South Africa. (Applause.) He supported the present Government because he wished to see the affairs of the country enter upon a reforming era, the whole machinery over- hauled, so that it might work in the beet in- terests of the people. (Hear, hear.) The land question should be tackled by the Gov- ernment, and they must get to the very root of the matter. (Hear, hear.) It was an as- tonishing thing that the present land system should have been tolerated for so long. The housing question should also be dealt with. for it was a. burning shame that so many thousands of their brothers and sisters lived in places in which they would be sorry to see their pet animals live. No country could make for the civilisation of the world while it tolerated these ulcers in its very heart. To assist in the removal of these ulcers, he was there as a supporter of Mr. Brace—(cheers)— the future member for South Glamorgan. (Renewed cheering.) He would rather for- feit all that made life dear. yea, and life itself, rather than hold back at this national crisis. (Applause.) THE CANDIDATES ADDRESS. Mr. Brace, who was received with pro- longed cheering, said he associated himself very heartily with the views of the Rector of Llangan. He was afraid they did not fully appreciate the kind of fight they were in. There should be no doubt in the mind of any- one that, after what the late Government had done, great reformation was required if the comfort and happiness of the people was desired. (Hear. hear.) Something had been said at a Tory meeting at Porthcawl re- cently regarding the coal tax. He reminded them that their prosperity in Porthcawl was closely bound up with thac of the colliers of South Wales and Monmouthshire, so that anything which affected the miners, in- directly affected them. (Hear, hear.) What had been the effect of the coal tax imposed by the late Government? The total amount raised by that tax had been reduced during 190.5 by £10,000 in comparison with 1904, which meant a falling off in the volume of trade in South Wales coal to the extent of £10.000 at Is. a ton. If they took the re- turns for the 11 months endinsr November, they would tind that the exports to foreign ports gave a tremendous decrease in compari- son with the previous year, and there had been a great loss of money. Colonel Wynd- ham-Quin had several opportunities for vot- ing against the coal-tax. but on no occasion did the Colonel feel called upon, notwith- standing his promises, to protect the interest of the miners and employers of South Wales in particular, and indeed of everyone else- for the coal trade effected more or less all in- dustries. (Hear, hear.) The coal tax was an absolute danger to the competition of England and Wales in coal, and its continued imposition would seriously affect the mineral prosperity of the country. It was all very well for the Tory candidate and his friends to talk about thinking imperially, but they must look after their own interests. What about THE COMPENSATION ACT of which the Tory candidate seemed proud. Who passed the (A voice: "The Con- servatives.") Why, if it had been left to the Tory members there would have been no Workmen's Compensation Act. (Applause.) It was true that the minister in charge of the Home Department introduced the Bill, but with the exception of six large employers of labour, the whole of the Liberals, inclusive of the Labour members, voted every time with the Tory Government in favour of the Bill. (Applause.) Was it not right to pay some compliment to those who. regardless as to the party to which they belonged, and moved by the sense of duty and justice, voted for the measure introduced by their opponents? The Compensation Act was as much a Liberal and Labour as a Tory one, and the Conservatives had no right to take all the credit. to them- selves. It was worthy of notice, however, that, Colonel Wyndham-Quin voted against every amendment, the adoption of which would have made the Act better and fairer. Colonel Wyndham-Quin had expressed regret that the late Government went out of office before introducing an Amended Compensa- tion Act. The workmen had cause to thank their stars that they had not done so. (Hear, hear.) Lord Belper's Bill was an indication of what the Tories would have done. It pro- vided that when a man reached 60 years, though he might be earning E2 a week, the total amount he should receive as compen- sation was not 50 per cent., as under the pre- sent Bill, but os. a week, and if he were killed his unfortunate widow, instead of receiving about £ 300, should be entitled to £ 25. (Shame.) It was a shame that a man, whose only offence was that he had become old in the service of the country, should be treated in that most contemptible manner. (Ap- plause.) MR. CHAMBERLAIN had been making some speeches Isabel y. (Laughter.) He regretted that the Member for West Birmingham had not been given a fair hearing at Derby, because he believed in the fullest liberty of speech. (Hear, hear.) If interruption and heckling could be justi- fied, however, it was when Mr. Chamberlain was' speaking, especially after the reception his friends had! given to their brilliant Welshman, Lloyd George. (Cheers.) Mr. Chamberlain had expressed annoyance at the action of the Conservative party in leaving the House rather than take part in a debate and division upon the question of Protection and Free Trade. If Mr. Chamberlain desired the issue to be faced, why did he run away himself? (Laughter.) It was nothing but rank cowardice and the betrayal of his leader. Colonel Wyndham-Quin had declared himself an out-and-out supporter of Mr. Chamber- lain's policy. (Hear, hear.) He did not expect Colonel Wyndham-Quin to say "Hear, hear" after the 23rd of this month. The Colonel would find that the electors of the constituency had arisen from their lethargy. (Applause.) The electors would recognise that, whatever wealthy manufacturers and powerful interests miijht gain by Proection. others had everything to lose. (''No, no.") He would prove" it. Mr. Chamberlain pro- posed a tax on corn. (Interruption, and voices: "No, no," and "You don't understand it.") It appeared to him that the Protec- tionists present had better have a little read- ing of their master's programme. (Laughter and applause.) They did not know their own mind. Mr. Chamberlain, he repeated, pro- posed a tax on corn. (A voice "That won't hurt us.") Everybody was not a millionaire. (Laughter.) He was not a milionaires' can- didate. He did not expect the millionaire's vote, and did not care whether he had it or not. (Applause.) He stood for the com-. mon people. At this point there was CONTINUED INTERRUPTION. and the Chairman appealed for order. Pro- ceeding, Mr. Brace said a 2s. tax on corn was proposed, and Mr. Chamberlain agreed that it would raise the price of bread. "But," he added, "I will take the tax off something else." (A voice "Hear, hear.") That gentle- man would not "Hear, hear." when he had finished. (Laughter.) Mr. Chamberlain said he would reduce the tax on tea and put things as they were. Let them imagine a family being reared on tea—(laughter)—and the parent saying to the child "I have no bread, owing to the price of it: but I have tea." Tea was not a necessity; they could live without it: but they could not live with- out bread. (Applause.) Mr. Chamberlain's argument was based on a wrong premises, as he was not comparing like with like. They could not talk about taking the tax off tea to counterbalance the increased tax on bread unless they were both in the same category; it waa absolute nonsense. (Applause.) Col. Wyndham-Quin, the tariff reform candidate. recognised the force of that argument when he said. "I am an unswerving supporter of Mr. Chamberlain's policy on the one condi- tion that it will not increase the cost of liv- ing." and Mr. Chamberlain said that they could not support his proposals unless they were in favour of increasing the cost of liv- ing. Were there any agriculturists present who thought the tax on corn would be of benefit to them? (A voice: "Certainly.") Let them see where' the interrupter stood, and how much he knew about it. (The in- terrupter "You needn't be so sarcastic any- way.") It. was not for the interrupter to sav how he should be treated in return. If they cared to interrupt he would seize his op- portunity to bite into the bone. (The inter- rupter: "I wanted to learn, you the gentleman did not want to be dealt witn sharply, he had BETTER KEEP QUIET. (Laughter and applause.) The price of corn was now between Ss. and 2ys. a quarter, and agriculturists told him that before he would be able to break up their present system of farming and lay their farms down for wheat growing, corn must be 38s. to 40s. a quarter. How. therefore, would an increase of 2s. a quarter be of advantage to tne agriculturists? It would not. (Applause.) It was never designed to advantage British agriculture the whole design of Mr. Chamberlain was to give a preference to the colonies. (A voice "Quite right.") He was prepared to make still fur- ther sacrifice for the colonies, but he had yet to be persuaded that the colonies had ever asked for this preferment or for charity. This country was now carrying an enormous burden for the colonies, and the colonies knew full well that thev would not be dealing fair with England to demand further assist- ance. (Applause.) It wasisaid by their op- ponents "But Germany dumps her goods here; we would prefer to buy from the colonies. (Voices: "Hear, hear.") So would he on proper terms. But the colonies could not give us what we wanted: they could not supply tinplate goods, steel bars. billets and blooms. (Applause.) They must not only deal with the effect, but with the cause. Why was it Germany could sell steel bars in England at £-11515. or £.5 as against £.5 10s. or £6 charged by our manufacturers. The1 cause was the enormous royalty charged. (Applause.) When the applause subsided, several Con- servatives present shouted. "That's incorrect, sir." and AN UPROAR ENSUED. Above the din could be heard shouts of "Turn him out." "Send him home." and "Call his mammv." Mr. Brace appealed for order, which was eventually restored. Someone de- clared that Mr. Brace was misleading, and the candidate said "I will challenge my repu- tation on it." (Applause and further com- motion. Voices: "Turn him out.") The Interrupter I thought you were will- ing to answer me. The Chairman: You can ask questions at the end.. Mr. Brace I will deal with that interrup- ter now. He is helping me considerably, and I am not in the least disconcei ted. I know what I am talking about; I would not think of coming here and making statements which I cannot prove. Low cunning and de- ception pays no one, and it certainly does not pay a candidate who seeks your suffrage. (Applause.) There was some further interruption, but Mr. Brace was afterwards able to proceed. He said he had asserted royalties handi- capped home industry. The present royalty upon steel rails was lOd. per ton in France. lid. in Germany, and 5s. 9d. in England. (Applause.) They were not his figures; they were the figures of Sir Christopher Furneas. who had written a book called "The American Invasion," and who was one of the greatest experts on steel in the country. ( Applause.) Sir Christopher asked in that book, "How is it possible for British steel producers to pro- duce at the same prices as Germany, France or Belgium when we have THESE ENORMOUS ROYALTIES to carry instead of theirs; and, further, the small royalty paid in France and Germany is paid into the Imperial Exchequer and used for the reduction of the national rates." (Ap- plause.) The same interrupter "We should like to have that system here, Mr. Brace. (Loud laughter and applause.) Mr. Brace I am obliged to you. It is to get that system here that I am standing as a candidate. (Applause.) Do you hope for one moment that by supporting Colonel Wvndham-Quin you shall have such a system as the taxation of mineral royalties and other things:'— no")—or that they should be directed into the Imperial Exchequer. If that gentleman is really sincere in what he has publicly stated, he has no alternative but to vote for Brace. ( Laughter and cheers.) (The Inter- rupter "What about the Radical land- owners?") Mr. Brace said that was a meet- ing called to discuss the action they would take at the forthcoming election. They had no need to flv to the ends of the earth. The candidates were Colonel Wyndham-Quin and himself, and they must decide which of the two they would vote for. He had explained what he stood for, and as the interrupter agreed with that policy, his proper place was in his (Mr. Brace's) committee-room. (Ap- plause.) The speaker went on to say that owing to England being a FREE IMPORT COUNTRY, the freightage on goods exported was shared with that of goods imported, whereas the ships of protected countries had to make one journey in ballast, and thus we were able to compete with other countries in coal and other trades. (Applause.) Mr. Chamber- lain knew nothing of the matter. The Ger- man market was as absolutely free for British coal as our markets were for Germany steel bars, billets and blooms. Every year we sent to Germany millions of tons of coal, Wales alone sending nearly half a million. If we went in for the fiscal policy of Mr. Balfour or Mr. Chamberlain, we would have hundreds of thousands of tons of coal thrown back on our markers with no customers, and the value of the coal would be much reduced. Who were the biggest dumpers in the world? Germany? (A voice: "Not far short.") The interrupter had still a long way to go on this question. Germany sent to Etiglatid as dumped material her surplus stock. (A voice: "We don't want it.") Wales, how- ever, sent 80 per cent. of the total product of coal. South Wales lived almost entirely on the dumping of coal. and they were asked to destroy themselves bv adopting the fiscal proposals. The freightage would not be shared with imported goocfe, and our coal could not successfully comnete. (A voice "You are misleading the audience.") He asked the audience to say that he was a truthful man. (Applause.) After giving extracts from a report on the matter pre- pared after visiting coal depots abroad', the speaker declared that the way to RELIEVE THE INDUSTRIES of the country was to abolish royalties, tax them, or direct them into the channels of the State or of the municipalities. (Applause.) He said he wished to remove the prejudice that he was standing as a Labour man; he wanted them to lose sight of the candidate and keep in mind the principles he was stand- ing for. They had now an opportunity to work out their salvation. The Prime Minis- ter had taken his courage in both hands, and the electors must do their part. Colonel Wyndham-Quin was too fully interested in the present system to advocate reform. (Loud applause.) In reply to questions, Mr. Brace said he was prepared to agree to the principle of Home Rule for Ireland. He was in favour of the establishment of local authorities in Wales, E'ngland. Scotland, and Ireland to deal with their respective affairs, and thus relieve the present cumberous and congested Parliament. The present Parliamentary system was too unwieldly for dealing with the affairs of such a great nation. The various bodies, however, would be subject to the supreme Parliament. (Applause.)—In reply to Mr. T. D. Bevan. he stated that he was in favour of a "Rest" being erected at Porth- cawl for the use of disabled colliers, and would do all in his power to bring the desired end about.—He also expressed himself in favour of clubs being treated as public- houses. under the same jurisdiction and pen- alties—(applause)—and he was also in favour of the abolishment of grocers' licenses.— Asked a question about cement. Mr. Brace said he was not a travelling encyclopoedia. (Laughter.) Would Colonel Quin know ? (Laughter and applause.) VOTE OF CONFIDENCE. Mr. J. Grace moved a resolution approving of the candidature of Mr. Brace, and pledg- ing the meeting to do all in its power to se- cure his return. They would go forward determined to maintain the freedom of trade which the country had enjoyed, and they would not be led away by the conjuring tricks of the Conservative leaders. The Conserva- tives were raising all kinds of bogeys, but the electors must not be led away. Mr. Cham- berlain's red herrings were usually fresh be- cause he was generally at sea. (Laughter and applause.) Mr. H. B. Comley scconaed. Mr. Brace advocated reforms which were urgently needed, while Colonel Wyndham-Quin be- lieved in legislation for the classes whom he represented in Parliament. The vote was taken, and the Chairman de- clared the motion carried unanimously. When the Rev. W. J. Phillips was propos- ing a vote of thanks to the speakers, the op- position asserted itself, and there was ANOTHER UPROAROUS SCENE. A Conservative rose, waved his hat, and called for "three cheers for the Colonel,' which were.met with "cheers for Brace." An- other Conservative essayed to sneak, but his voice was drowned in a thunder of hooting and yells. Notwithstanding the appeals of the Chairman, the disorder continued, anfl eventually the Rev. W. J. Phillips resumed his seat. Order was again restored, and Mr. Thomas James seconded the resolution. He ex- pressed regret that all the speakers had not been given a fair hearing. (A voice: "Why not give ours a fair hearing.") Colonel W yndham-Quin was not interrunted when he addressed a meeting in that room. (Hear, hear.) In further remarks, he said Wales had always oeen indebted to Llangan, and it appeared that it always would be. (Ap- plause.) The motion having been carried with accla- mation, the Rector of Llangan acknowledged. and on his motion a similar vote was accorded to the chairman. The meeting, which had lasted nearly three hours, then terminated amid shouts of "Vote for Brace," and "Vote for the Colonel."
MR. BRACE AT COWBRIDGE. --------
MR. BRACE AT COWBRIDGE. SPEECH BY THE HON. iVOR GUEST. A meeting in support of the candidatures of Mr. William Brace for South Glamorgan and the Hon. Ivor Guest for Cardiff was held at the Town-hall, Cowbridge, on the 4th insc. There was a large attendance. Councillor John Williams presided, and supporting him were Lady Wimborne, the Hon. Ivor Guset, Mr. W. Brace, Mr. T. W. David, Alderman John, Alderman James, Rev. O. Jones, Rev. Thomas Jones, Messrs. J. Bevan, J. David, Pendoylan; R. Watkins, John Lewis, E. W. Miles, W. Williams, Charles Davies, and Daniel Evans. The Chairman said thev bad entered upon a battle that was fraught with most momen- COLONEL W. H. WYIDHAM-QUIN, D.S.O., Conservative Candidate f)r South Glamorgan. k tous issues, for in this election they had to decide whether they should still enjoy cheap food and the privileges oi Free Trade, or whether they would go back to the dark days of Protection, with all its misery and want. (Applause.) The Hon. Ivor Guest, who was cordially greeted, said this was the first time he had had the opportunity of addressing an audi- ence in Cowbridge, and he was glad to see gentlemen present whom he had' known in other relations of life, who had come to give him their countenance and support. (Hear, hear.) He thought it said a great deal for the enthusiasm of the Liberal party in Cow- bridge that on such a dirty night so many persons should have come to the meeting. (Hear, hear.) It was a matter of congratu- lation that that meeting should have been in the nature of a joint meeting between Mr. Brace and himself. (Hear, near.) The in- terests of Liberalism and of Labour were id,entical-(hear, hear)—and he believed that unless the Liberal party and Labour party worked hand-in-hand, their opponents would defeat them in the long run. Referring to the change in his political views, he said that before Mr. Chamberalin raised this Protec- tion cry, he found himself in opposition to his party. There was the Army question, the Army muddle, there was the Sugar Conven- tion, and there were other matters on which he found himself against his party. But Free Trade was the question that had brought him over to the Liberal ranks. (Applause.) This was a Protection election. (Hear, hear.) They wanted to settle now. once and for all. whether they were to have the system of Free Trade that they had enjoyed so long and under which they had prospered, or whether they were to have Mr. Chamberlain's Protec- tion, and he would say that every Free Trader, whether he was a capitalist, a work- ing man, a Conservative or a liberal, if he was a Free Trader it was his duty to come forward on this occasion and record a Free Trade vote. (Applause.) Alderman John moved, and Alderman James seconded, a resolution pledging the meeting to support Mr. Guest at the forth- coming election, and the resolution was car- ried with .only three dissentients. Mr. William Brace followed with all ad- dress. in the course of which he urged the electors of South Glamorgan to vote so that their own interests should be safeguarded. Thev were told at a meeting the other eve- ning that the Agricultural Rating Act was a measure of relief to the farmers, but the people who received the greatest benefit from that measure were the not the farmer. (Applause.) Mr. Lloyd George moved an amendment to that Act with a view to confirming the relief to the tenant- farmer, but Colonel Wyndham-Quin voted against-it. Mr. T. W. David moved, and Mr. John Mr. T. W. David moved, and Mr. John Lewis seconded, a resolution of confidence in Mr. Brace's candidature The resolution was carried by a large majority. THE COG FARM INCIDENT. At this juncture, Mr. J. W. Hall got up to ask a. question. There were shouts of "plat- form." and after some hesitation he ascended' the platform, and said he wished to make some remarks to justify statements he had made at the Cowbridge Farmers' Club meet- ing concerning the Hon. Ivor Guest at the Cog: Farm. The Chairman said he could not allow Mr. Hall to make a speech, but he might ask a l question. The Hon. Ivor Guest, however, said that for his part he was prepared, to the best of his ability, to answer Mr. Hall. Mr. Hall thereupon handed Mr. Guest a copy of an agricultural paper containing a report of an arbitration between the outgoing and incoming tenant of the Cog Farm, which Mr. Guest perused. He was proceeding to enlarge upon this, when Mr. Guest said: If you will allow me to interrupt vou, I think I can shorten the dis- cussion. The case is quite a simple one, and is, in fact, nothing but that of a usual valua- tion as between the outgoing and incoming tenant, both of whom, I may say, were old tenants of mine. My appearance in the valu- ation was only due to some irregularity in the lease, and was necessitated thereby. The valuer for the incoming tenant was Mr. John Lewis, and the valuer for the out-going ten- ant was Mr. Iltyd Thomas, who, I may say, seems to have been very unreasonable in the matter. These gentlemen were, unfortun- ately. unable to agree, and Mr. Illtvd Thomas, I believe, applied for arbitration. The arbitrator fixed upon bv the Board of Agriculture was Mr. Robert Forrest, and he, having heard the case. ga\e his award. I personally had nothing to do with the matter. I could not have benefitted in any sense by the award, whatever it was, and', as a matter of fact, I was E250 out of pocket towards the expenses of the arbitration. (Applause.) Mr. Hall endeavoured to pursue the discus- sion. but the Chairman ruled that this was a purely private matter with which that. meeting had no concern, and refused to allow him to proceed, whereupon Mr. Hall left the plat- form stating that he was prepared to prove by documentary evidence what he had stated at the Farmers' Club meeting. Mr. Guest said he would be very glad to meet Mr. Hall at a convenient time and dis- cuss the matter with him. (Applause.) Lady Wimborne afterwards addressed the meeting.
------COL. QUIN AT BRIDGEND.…
COL. QUIN AT BRIDGEND. co CANDIDATE ENTHUSIASTICALLY ADOPTED. SUPPORTERS CONFIDENT. The South Glamorgan Conservative Asso- ciation, at a meeting at Bridgend Town-hall on Saturday afternoon, unanimously adopted Colonel W. H. Wyndham-Quin, D.S.O., aa its candidate at the election. The meeting was well attended by representatives from all parts of the constituency. Mr. O. H. Jones (Fonmon Castle) presided, and amongst those present were Col. Gaskell, Mr. A. C. Mackintosh, Colonel J. Picton Turbervill (Ewenny Priory), Mr. J. M. Randall, C.C., Mr. S. H. Stockwood. Major J. C. Coath, Mr. S. H. Byass (Bridgend), Mr. J. 1. D. Nicholl (Merthyrmawr), Mr R. L. Knight (Tytheg- ston Court), _u1". R. K. Prichard (Bryntirion), Mr. Oliver Sheppard (Bridi-end). Mr. Rees Thomas (Boverton). Mr. Wm. Thomas (The Hayes). the Rev. E. S. Roberts. M.A. (rector d Coity), Rev. F. C. Williams (Coychurch), Xr. J. T. Salathiel (PeiicoeQ), Mr. D. Spencer Cowbridge). Mr. A. H. Bullock and Mr. C. Irinkwater (Whitchurch), Dr. Egbert Wil- lms, Mr. W. E. Lewis. Mr. W. Hopkin (Bridgend), Mr R. C. Griffiths (agent), Messrs ,to Hopkins, E. J. Lewis, J. Walter Hughes, J Sankey, J. L. Lambert, W. E. Bradshaw (Iridgend), W. Thomas. J.- Elias (Porthcawl), W Powell (Cornellv), Griffith Edwards (Coy- clurch), A. Hoi sou (Pwllygwain), Arthur S'aton (Barry). Rev. John jones, Messrs. A. E Trotman. Robert Coles (Porth), M. J. Tiomas, Owen Watkins, D. Hoi man, Wm. Hi yman, S. Morgan. Jenkin Williams, T. Cdes. E. S. Williams (Cvmmer), H. Griffiths, T Morgan (Penygraig). W. Jenkins. Thos. Morgan. H. Griffiths. Evan Evans. William Williams, Wm. Beach, Wm. House (Peny- gfcig), etc. CANDIDATE ADOPTED. rhe Chairman formally moved the adoption of Colonel Wyndham-Quin as candidate, the nlttion being received with loud applause. Tie gallant colonel, he said, had been their immberi for ten years. They had sent him ino Parliament twice, and he hoped they would carry him to victory a third time. (Cieers.) If all the membeis of the Unionist pa-ty, to whatever wing they belonged— whether Fiscal Reformers or Free Traders, thlY ought to remember that first. and fore- mftt they were Unionists—would work hard foi the candidate they were going to choose to fight their battle, then they had1 not much reason to be afraid of the issue. (Applause.) Th>y need not fear about the work of the caididate; he had been working all the time he had been their member, and had made hinself acquainted with practically everybody in ,he constituency. (Applause.) Colonel Gaskell seconded. Colonel Wynd- hatt-Quin, he said. had during the past ten yea-s given the closest attention and the mo.t efficient service to his marty, and had in most unusual way studied the particular req irements of that important constituency. (Applause.) Colonel Wyndham-Quin was frou their point of view an ideal candidate— (aT))Iause)-a man they liked,ta man of their cololr, and a man who in time of trouble and diffi-ulty, did or said exactly the right thing. (He,r, hear.) He (Colonel Gaskell) did not dou.t any more than he doubted he rose that moning "that, if they were all united, put asi all minor differences, and did not shrik from doing all they could, that Colonel Quii would again be returned as Member for Souh Glamorgan. (Loud applause.) THE COLONEL'S PROSPECTS. M. William Jenkins (a Penygraig miner) said that in Penygraig they intended to work as hrcl as possible for the return of Colonel Wynlham-Quin—(applause)—and he asked then not to believe the hue and cry in the Vale that all the miners were going to vote for r. Brace. Mr E. S. Williams (a minor from Cymmer) beliered Colonel Wvndham-Quin would re- ceive quite as much, if not more, support in Cyrriher t'lian he did at the last election. Mi. S. H. Stockwood said he supported the motkn on behalf of what they were pleased to cal Colonel Wyndham-Quin's native parts. Spealing cn behalf of the old county town, he assured tiem that the Colonel's position there wrs becoming safer year by year. (Hear, hea'.) They had' the forces collected together oi the previous evening, and he was glad to a that, if anything, there were too many voluiteers. (Applause.) All the can- vass cards vere ready, and it was hoped that the first cjnvass would be ready by the end of the week. He had to confess that he re- garded canvassing as an evil—(hear, hear)- though perhaps a necessary one. He could confirm what, the previous speakers had said that, far from losing ground in any part. of the constituency, Colonel Wyndham-Quin had gained territory since the last election. (Ap- plause.) After hearing the report from the northern part of the constituency, he was certain that the Colonel's return was assured. (Applause.) Mr. John Elias (Newton) assured the meeting that. Porthcawl would go strong for Colonel Wyndham-Quin. Mr. Brace at his meeting at that place on the previous day failed to bring forward one subject which satisfied the intelligent electors, and no remedy for the unemployed difficulty. Mr A. HoLsoii (PVllygwain) said he had not the slightest douot that the present member would be returned by a large majority. Mr. A. C. Mackintosh said the constituency embraced all sorts and conditions of people, and Colonel v\ yndham-Quin had represented one class equally with another. Mr. Arthur Seaton (Barry) said that if there was as much work done as in 1895 and 1900. Colonel Wyndham-Quin would get quite as large a majority." If Mr. Brace's sup- porters kept U1) the tactics they had pursued, the Conservative party would have to, mc-ct them at their own game, as they did when Mr. Walter Morgan contested the division. Mr. William Thomas (The Hayes) having supported the motion, it was carried unanimously and with f. iuige. At this point letters -(i telegrams re- L' gretting inability to attend were read from the Earl of Plymouth, the Mackintosh of Mackintosh. Sir John Gunn, Sir William Thomas Lewis, Mr. Iltvd Nicholl (The Ham), General Tyler, etc. On the motion of the Chairman, seconded by Mr. A. E. Trotman (Porth). the opera- tions of the association were suspended until after the election. COLONEL WYNDHAM-QUIN'S SPEECH. Colonel Wyndham-Quin, M.P., then en- tered the room. and was accorded a great re- ception, the members rising and cheering for some minutes. In his adaress, he said he- need hardly express the pleasure it was to him to hear that the South Glamorganshire Conservative Association had again unani- mously adopted him as their candidate. This was the third occasion on which he had had this honour, and the compliment was to him a greater one now than when he was first selected. He could look back over the last ten years with a certain sense of complacency, for during that time he bad done his best to justify their confidence in him. (Applause.) They could be certain that if he had the honour to be again re- turned to Parliament—a (Voice: "iou will," and applause)—and he believed' he would—he would always endeavour to make himself de- serving of their continued confidence. He could claim that for the most part of the last three months he had not been an idle man— (hear, hear)—he had tried to the best of his ability to prepare for the battle, and had at- tended something like forty meetings in vari- ous parts of the constituency during that period. The election had been sprung upon them, and it was therefore fortunate that he had been able to take a preliminary tour, otherwise it would have been impossible for him to have gone around the whole of the polling districts in the time at his disposal. He had visited practically the whole of the scattered constituency, and they would be glad to hear that from every quarter the re- ports were of a. most encouraging nature. His opponent had been WOOING THE CONSTITUENCY longer than he had, and he was spending much time there endeavouring to further his candidature, while he (the colonel) was in Parliament attending to his duties as their representative. He was not at all dismayed, however, and he believed that a triumphant victory was to be attained if one and all put their shoulders to the wheel and entered the battle in a right spirit. (Applause.) They must face the enemy with enthusiasm and determination, and success would be theirs. As Conservatives, they could* point without fear to the useful work of the late Govern- ment during the past ten years. They had been able to place on the statute book of the country many valuable social reforms, and they had something to show for the time and money spent. (Hear. hear.) Above all, they could go to the country with confidence, knowing that they had carried out the foreign affairs of the country in a manner which left nothing to lie desired. (Applause.) In conclusion, he would express his heartfelt gratitude to those present, some of whom were old acquaintances of his. and had' fought previous battles on his behalf; others were just taking up the weapons for the first time. (Applause.) Mr. J. 1. D. Nicholl moved a vote of thanks to the Chairman, who, he said. had worked hard for many years for the South Glamorgan Association. Mr. A. E. Trotman having seconded, the motion was carried.
..---------THE: EVENING MEETING.
THE: EVENING MEETING. ROWDY SATURDAY NIGHT AUDIENCE. CANDIDATE GIVEN A GOOD HEARING. There was a crowded audience at the Town- hall, Bridgend, on Saturday evening, when the chief speakers were Colonel Wyndham- Quin, D.S.O., and Mr. Tudor Howell, late M.P. for Denbigh Boroughs. It was noticed before the opening of the meeting that a noisy opposition section had gathered at the back of the hall and in- the gallery, and the moment the meeting was started this opposi- tion developed into rowdyism, which was kept up more or lees during the whole meeting. The only speaker who was given anything ap- proaching a fair hearing was the candidate, who was seldom interrupted. Whilst others were speaking, there was an incessant rumble of voices from the back of the hall, with occa- sional shouts to the speakers, and the patience of the Chairman and his supporters was taxed to the utmost. Constant appeals to reason and for "fairplay' were unavailing. Mr. S. H. Stockwood presided, supported on the platform by Colonel W. H. Wyndham- Quin, D.S.O., Mr. Tudor Howell, Mr. O. H. Jones (Fonmon Castle), Colonel J. P. Turber- vill (Ewenny Priory), Mr. J. I. D. Nicholl (Merthyrmawr), Major J. C. Coath, Mr. R. C. Griffiths, Mr. Oliver Sheppard, Mr. W. E. Lewis, Mr. S. H. Byass, Mr. R. K. Prichard (Bryntirion), Mr. T. M. Price, Mr. W. Hopkin, Mr. J. L. Lambert, Mr. W. Hopkins, Mr. W. M. Richards, Mr. W. McGaul, and others. THE CHAIRMAN'S ADDRESS. Mr. Stockwood, who was leceived1 with loud applause and some booing, said he judged from the few "boos" that they would have some fun, but he hoped they would also have good temper and good order. (Hear, hear.) He thought he could rely on a Bridgend audience to give all the sneakers a fair hear- ing, as fair a hearing as the Conservatives had always given to Mr. Brace and to every other candidate who came before them in the Liberal interest. (Applause, and a voice: "Good spirit.") Yes, that was what was wanted. It was a great pleasure to him to be once more on the same platform as Colonel Wyndham-Quin who was again the candidate in the Unionist, interest. (Applause.) The formality of selecting the Colonel as candi- date had been gone through that afternoon and there was no necessity to inform them that there was not a single dissentient voice. (Loud applause.) From the Rhondda down to Barry and from Penarth to Porthcawl thev were unanimous in saying that Colonel Wyncl- ham-Quin should be the Member of Parlia- ment for South Glamorgan. (Cheers and booing, and a voice: The last lap now.") They would talk about it being the last time at the next election, or the election after that. (Applause.) They would GET THE COLONEL IN this time. (Interruption.) He ask eel them to remember the ten years' good services ren- dered by the Colonel, not only to the Conser- vatives, but to the division as a whole, and he felt sure that those present would join with the rest of the division in returning him to Parliament. (Applause and hisses.) He asked them to give all the sneakers a patient hearing even if they did not agree with the views expressed, and proper questions would be answered. (Interruption.) The ques- tions should be put in writing. (" No, no.") He said "Yes," and he was in charge of the meeting. There would be no misundertand- ing if the questions were put in writing. (Applause.) The Chairman then called upon Mr. Tudor Howell to address the meeting, but a scene cf disorder ensued, several in the gallery shouting "Put the Colonel up." When the noise subsided an elderly gentleman occu- pying a front seat called for "Three cheers for the Colonel," which were lustily given. The Chairman appealed to those who were guilty of horse-play to behave themselves. On order being restored, MR. TUDOR HOWELL said he had read an account of a meeting held in that hall in December—(interruption)—in support of the candidature of Mr. Brace. (Faint cheering and a voice "Good old Brace.") He realised that he was speaking at a time when the position of affairs in the world generally w,as very serious. During the last few years there had been wars and rumours of wars—( a voice: "Who made them?")—they were told' by a friend of the gentlemen who were interrupting that there were 13,000,000 people on the verge of star- vation, and that. within the last- 25 years the agricultural interest of the country had lost capital to- the extent of £ 150,000,000 • they were also aware that the question of the un- employed was now a permanent problem. (A voice "You can't settle it.") Realising the position of affairs, he perused the account of the Liberal meeting to see what views were being expressed befo-re the electors of Bridg- end. An old friend of his—Alderman Hughes—was in the chair, and he expected to learn from him that he was prepared to deal in a serious manner at. a serious time with SERIOUS TOPICS. He was surprised to find that Alderman Hughes thought the electors, at a time of serious election, would be satisfied in hearing from a political platform a lot, of nursery rhymes. (Laughter and applause.) In addi- tion to Alderman Hughes, there was present the parson from Llangan. (Annlause, and booing.) He would rather have a parson in the pulpit than on the platform. (A voice: "Leave Llangan alone.") The parson had come from Llangan to give advice on business to the business people of Bridgend. He had not heard that this parson carried on any great industrial business at Llangan, and all he could say was, that if he was a business man, he was a very exceptional parson. He had yet to learn that business men when dis- cussing a business topic were going to listen to the advice of someone who did not carry on any sort of business. He read on. and at last he came to something which was true. one of the speakers saying that at last the Liberal party had come to the promised land of office. That was perfectly true, and was the thing they had been speaking about for months, and thev had got it after a campaign of slander and vituperation that- had not been equalled in the annals of this country. (A voice: "Call him to order.") They had heard about the limpets who stuck to office, but when Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman had a chance he accepted the office he and his friends had been longing for, though they had not a majority in the House of Commons. Owing to a running fire of interruptions, the speaker failed to proceed, and the Chairman again appealed for order, and requested a man seated in the gallery to leave the hall, which he did. Mr. Howell: If you are AFRAID OF THE ANSWERS to Mr. Hughes and the Rector of Llangan, t does not say much for the cogency of their arguments. Proceeding, he said he woul deal with the statement of Mr. Hughes that. large sums of money had been expended by the late Government. It was of course im- possible to carry on a war without money. The late Government had a war which was necessary in order to preserve—(a voice: "The pigtails")—the great Empire which had been built up. While Mr. Hughes was draw- ing attention to the great expenditure of money by the late Government, lie might also have drawn attention to the fact that the same phenomena was apparent in the case of great County Councils like that of London. They had to face the fact that the taxation and rating of the country had become such a burden that it was absolutely clogging the wheels of our industries. He would point out- to Mr. Hughes when he said that the Government had been guilty of extravagance, that the stream of extravagance had passed over the whole face of the country, and it was time that we reconsidered our financial posi- tion. The position should be reconsidered not only by those who sat in Parliament, but by the municipalities—the County Co-Liiie and, indeed, by all the public bodies which spent money. (Applause.) Mr. Hughes went on to say that the Unionist Government was the friend of the PEER, THE PARSON, AND THE PUBLICAN. (A voice: "And the Chinamen"-laughter.) But he read in the paper a few days ago that a batch of Liberal Peers had just been made —(laughter)—and there was a rumour—and a well-founded one—that a big Radical was go- ing to be made a Peer, namely. Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman. (Applause and boo- ing.) Mr. Hughes said the Agricultural Rat- ing Act was passed for the assistance of the Peers. (Voices: "Leave Hughes alone," "Three cheers for the Alderman.") He (the speaker) was in the House of Commons when that Act was passed. (A voice: "You are not now.") He was never beaten at the poll —(applause)—and the man who succeeded him was not beaten at the poll. (Renewed applause.) The Act was one of the best measures ever passed for the agricultural community. ("No, no, and a voice The landlord.") Would they ask Mr. Hughes the next time he presided on that platform whether he would ADVOCATE THE REPEAL of the Act. When the Act came before the House of Commons it was met by the most strenuous opposition, and they were told it was one of the most iniquitous Acts on the Statute Book, but when the limit of time for which the Act was passed expired, the Radi- cals did not, lift a finger against it. Let them ask Mr. Hughes whether, if the Act was for the assistance of the peer and not the farmer, why his friends did not take the op- portunity of opposing it. (Loud cheers.) Then the Government was accused of being the friend of the parson—of course, he did not refer to the Rector of Llangan. (Laugh- ter.) Mr. Hughes said the Government were friends of the parson because the Education Act was passed. Again the speaker failed to proceed owing to great commotion at the back of the hall. The Chairman said it was evident that the Radicals present were afraid to hear the truth. He appealed to them again to be bett er-ma nner ed. The Speaker: I am not conscious that I have said one word which is unfair. A Voice: Don't talk about Llangan then. Come to the point. Mr. Howell: It is not what one would ex- pect in an intelligent place like Bridgend. You seem to be afraid to listen to reason. The Interrupter Leave the Rector alone. Proceeding, Mr. Howell said there were 31 million pounds worth of schools in the coun- try which had been erected' by Churchmen. No one asked that these schools should be assisted by public money if they did not give secular education of the STANDARD REQUIRED by the Government from schools not built by the Church. The ratepayer paid for secular education, and that only. Let them remem- ber that a Churchman paid rates as well as a Nonconformist, and if he Wanted hie children educated in a Church school, why should any fair-minded Nonconformist refuse it? Within the last few days Sir Alfred Thomas the leader of the Welsh Liberal party—(applause and booing) had given his adherence to the exclusion of the Bible from the schools. As far as he (the sneaker) could understand, they were getting so radical in some parts of Wales that the Bible was becoming out of date. Were they g0.illg to teaCh the New- castle programme to the children ? ( 'Yes" and "No.") With regard to the publican, if. was a very easy matter to throw stones at him. All they did on some platforms was to shout "Bung," and the people laughed, and there was an end of it. The publican had rights as much as any citizen of Bridgend. (Hear, hear.) It was'certainly fair that the trade should be compensated for any injury which was inflicted on it by an Act of Par- liament. He reminded1 them, that so far as the compensation to the trade was concerned, not a penny came out of the ratepayers' poc- kets. The speaker declared that the fiscal proposals would provide a solution to the,Tin- employed difficulty, which could' not be solved1 by charity. In conclusion, he expressed re- gret that he had not been able to deliver a more connected speech owing to the continual interruption of his opponents. He asked them p?ause^)lt0 the matter for themselves. (Ap- COLONEL WYNDHAM-QUIN £ ? "TJ a"d cheer- nit,- He said he did no-t think there waa any need for him to appeal for a hearing in Bridgend, whether the audience included Radicals or not, because during the ten years that he had been honoured to the constituency in Parliament he had always been given a patient hearing. (tlear, hear.) If, however, some of his opponents imagined -and it was in his opinion an erroneouS im- agination—that that was the last time that o! ruld^avf hon(>ur of addressing them their Member, surely they would extend to him the kind consideration usually accorded to players when they appeared on the on what was known as their "farewell be-r^- fit. Loud laughter.) He was ple-ased to be able to address a meeting of Bridgend elec- tors so soon after his adoption as the Unionist candidate. (Applause.) He somewhat re- gretted the step which Mr. Balfour, the eacter of the late Conservative Government, had taken 111 resigning oince he would have pieterrecl that. the Unionists should have re- mained in power for the next Session so that they could deal with the question of REDISTRIBUTION OF SEATS. (Hear, hear.) This was not a party question at all. and his Radical friends must be in favour of equality of representation. For a long time past there had been very great elec- toral disparity among the various constituen- cies. No greater evidence could he provided of this than South Glamorgan, which had an electorate of over 21,000 and only one Mem- ber-it was for them to say whether that Member was good', bad, or indifferent. (.^aughter, and voices: "Good.") On the other hand there were divisions like Newry and Kilkenny which had the same represen- tation as South Glamorgan, though the elec- torate totalled between 1,800 and 2.000. Thus the people in these small constituencies had something like ten times the political power of the electors of South Glamorgan. The sooner this question was faced as it should be faced, the better for all. Mr. Tudor Howell, in the course of his interesting address-- (iroiiical laughter)—yes, and it might have been interesting to them if thev had had the grace to listen. (Applause.) Mr. Howell had indicated that the present Government came into office largely owing to misrepresentation. That was a. statement which, he believed, his friends at the end of the room would, at the bottom of their hearts, agree with. (Cheers and cries of "No.") He would not deal with the misrepresentation^ in detail—in fact, much of it was not- worth talking about—but there was one subject upon which he desired to clear the air. He would raise a 6torm when he mentioned CHINESE LABO: R. (Applause and booing.) He would like to point out that all the gloomy prognostica- ica- tions pronounced about Chinese labour some months ago had been entirely and absolutely falsified. (Cheers and criefs of "No.") The main objection to the introduction of the Chinese in South Africa, so.far as he had been able to glean, was that the Chinese, which had been imported, would displace the white labour in the mines. (A voice: "Quite so. ) Let them inquire into the facts. So far from any white men being thrown out of employment, there were actually over 5,000 white men engaged in the mine's more than there were before the Chinese were intro- duced. (Loud applause.) None of them wisned to see Chinese sent to South Africa if they could do without them, but it had been proved up to the hilt that native labour could not be got end white labour was impossible. It should be remembered that the mines of the Transvaal formed the largest asset of that country, and if the Government of the Transvaal were unable to receive a large re- venue from the working of the mines, they would be quite unable to pay for the current administration of the country. There had been quite a mistaken notion with regard to the Chinese question. After the great ex- penditure in life and blood, they would surely not wish to arrest the development of that territory. (Hear, hear.) Tne late Govern- ment- never forced the Chinamen on the people of the Transvaal. The people of the Transvaal asked for the Chinese themselves. Roughly speaking, the white population of the iransvaal numbered about 70.000. and out of that number a petition, signed by no p V an was forwarded to the House of .CoinuiojiH asking for the importation or Chinese labourers. (Hear, hear.) Among those who supported the importation were people of every grade of society, a united Press, and in addition the Free Church Coun- cil of South Africa forwarded a resolution to the Free Church Council of this country beg- ging them to desist in their agitation against. Chinese labour. (Hear. hear.) No doubt, some of his friends were under the impres- sion that the present Government were going to stop this "infamous traffic." If so. they were very much mistaken. (No, no.) The ultimate decision would rest with the new Government of the Transvaal. The new Prime Minister had publicly stated that if the people of the Transvaal desired to retain the service of these Chinese workers in the mine. he for one would look upon it as a domestic matter, and did not wish to inter- fere. The new Liberal Government had just acc^P^'e<i office, and it- would be ungenerous on Part of the Conservatives to begin cavilling Pt them. As a Unionist candidate —he wanted to lay particular stress on the word Unionist—he wanted to warn the elec- tors of South Glamorgan that the Govern- ment was a HOME RULE GOVERNMENT. (Interruption.) Their. Liberal friends al- ways protested. (A voice: "it is only a Tory trick.") Well, he did not ask them to take his word for it, and he would read the words of the present Prime Minister in his speech at the Albert- Hall. '(Applause.) Sir henry Campbell-Bannerman said: My desire is to see an effective manage- ment of Irish affairs III the hands of a re- presentative Irish party, but I lay ,8tr on the proviso that it must be consistent to and leading up to the larger policy. (Interruption.) His Liberal friends at, the back would agree with him when he said that the "larger policy" was practically Home Rule, as introduced by the late Mr. Glad- stone. Sir Henry Campbeil-Bannerman and those who acted with him were under the im- pression that the people of this country would not srta^nd iiome Rule pure and simple, and so, in ordei to throw dust in the eyes of the people, he wished to introduce Home Rule by the insidious process of devolution. ("Shame.") Surely, if Sir Henry believed that Home Rule would be good for Ireland, it would have been more straightforward if he had brought in a Home Rule Bill straight off, without endeavouring to do so by a side wind. (Applause.) Speaking as an Irishman and as one who had always kept in close touch with Irish affairs, he declared that Mr. John Red- mond, and those who acted with him, was waiting to be satisfied on the Home Rule question. Whether the electors of the coun- try believed that Home Rule was going to be given or not, Mr. John Redmond believed it -(bear, hear)—and the real leader, or rather aictator, of the Liberal party, if they came T after the election, would be Mr. jonn Redmond, and not Sir Henry Campbell- Bannerman. (No, no.) In a recent speech, 1r. John Redmond declared that the ULTIMATE GOAL of the Nationalist party was the national in- dependence of their country, to overturn the domination- in the land and to put the InVh- njen in charge of home affairs. These were 'l|So the views of the Irish Press, and one of the chief Irish organs recently stated that? every vote given for Sir Henry Campbell-Ban- nerman was a vote given for Home Rule. (A voice: "Hear, hear.") He was not discus- sing the rights or wrongs of Home Rule for- the moment; he first of all wanted it to be thoroughly impressed on the minds of the electors that there was not the least doubt, if a Liberal Government were returned as the result of the forthcoming elections, the thin end of the wedge of Home Rule would be in- troduced. It did not make much difference whether the Home Rule would be granted piece-meal or absolutely at first they as Unionists must resent any such movement. (Applause.) It would have one result, and that was the separation of Ireland from this country—the result which the Irish National- ists, had in view. (Hear, hear.) No one in that audience who had reflected on the mat- ter could deny seriously that that was so. The Irish people were a. high-couraged race, and rightly or wrongly they had it in their mind that for a generation past their coun-, try had suffered an (Continued on Page 7.)