The Llanelly Mercury and South Wales Advertiser

Alleged Lukewarmness of Welsh i Members. I A BREEZY CONVENTION. The Disestablishment campaign for the  joint counties of Carmarthenshire and West Glamorganshire was held at Llanelly on Thursday last. The afternoon conference was presided over by the Rev. Thos. Johns, D.D., I Capel Als. Dr. Williams, Landore, proposed the follow- jl ing resolution, That this meeting represent- ing the Progressive citizenship of Carmarthen- i shire and West Glamorganshire declares its unhesitating conviction that the State Estab- lishment of the Anglican Church in Wales is indefensible, inexpedient, and unjust; it, therefore demands, in the interests of political righteousness and of religious efficiency, that this anomaly should cease." Mr. H. Jones-Davies, Glyneiddan, Nant- garedig, said the modest demands of the re- solution had not yet been accomplished. He was sure they would all agree that the canker which had been sapping at the roots of the State should be removed. The case for re- ligious equality was !an overwheming one. Election after election, the voice of Wales had always been crescendo. There was no com- promising in the country about this matter; it was in the House of Commons they had I compromising The people wished to get rid I of the State Church and the octopus which had been the bulwark against the march of progress in this life for generations (applause). The Rev. Hugh Edwards, London, in sup- porting, said they were there to show to the country and to the Government that Wales was in grim earnest. for Disestablishment. Some time ago the Bishop of London asked what did Wales want with Disestablishment ? He would think he could have answered the question himself by now. They did not ob- ject to the Church of England as a spiritual organization. They were in sympathy and in agreement with them so far as their funda- mental doctrines were concerned. What they did object to was the connection of the Church with the State (applause). They did not be- lieve in preferential treatment, either in com- merce or religion. Wales was the only coun- try to-day where there was an alien church. Whatever argument Ireland had for Disestab- lishment, Wales had it twice over. The Bishop of St. David's had attacked the Rev. Evan Jones because he said that their num- ber was 150,000, and he should have stated 180.000. He would let them have their 180,000 and out. of a population of two million and a quarter the Church claimed to be a national church. Mr Asquith had submitted figures which showed that there were three Noncon- formists to every Churchman. Mr. Timothy Da vies, M.P., who also sup- j ported, said the Bishop of St. David's said in Convocation, held in London last week, fhat there were not more than half of the population of Wales Nonconformists. What j did the bishop wish them to believe by that He onl) wished Irs colleshues, the English bishops, to believe that the majority of the people of Wales adherod. to the Established Church He \13 quite wrong. The Bishop of St. nftvid's had been brought up as a Methods. ani he was evidently a better bisbo-i in cousequeuee tbiughfer). He (the Bishop) was not ignorant- of the history of Nononioi mity in W;d!s. and he could not feign to 1* ignorant, and lie should not go to i London and submit 'misleading' statements to the English bishops in Convocation. Th« res (Union was carried unanimouslv. The R v. j. Lloyd M'orgrm, Pont- do! proposed the -following res duti^n -"Thrt this r-'>r«ferern-o refoice; at the intm<lu">t'm i;, the Holtse of Commons by the Prime Mi'i;»ic>t of the Bill to terminate the State Eatabhsh- inent of the Anglican Church in Wales, ex- i presses its approval of the provisions of the Bill. nrgeB the Government to carrv it through all its stages with all possible speed, assures f them of the hearty support of the Welsh people in that task, and calls upon all who value religious freedom in both countries to prosecute a vigorous campaign in favour of tmeasure Mr Clement Edwards, M. P., who seconded, was cheered to the echo. He said he would declare frankly and bluntly there, as he had said at the Party meeting, that if the Welsh- •Party cpllectivelv would do their duty in this session of Parliament, then the Govern- ment would push the Disestablishment Bill through all its stages. The kind of thing that was being whispered now was that this magnificent Budget must be pushed through, ,in (I h( quite jigreed, and nothing must he done on the Disestablishment question to j->p.'i.rdise the possibilities of the Budget. Absolutely, he for one declined to allow the Budget to be placed alternately with Dises- tablishment. We wanted both, and we could get both (applause). It was said that at the first rsadinsr the House of Lords would reject the Bill. Then the sooner the better they got that over, so as to be ready for the second asking. A distinct pledge had been made to Wales in this mlttcr. and. so far as he was concerned, be vras determined that that pledge should be kept (applause). Mr. W. "Llevelyn Williams, -AI.P., said he was at one with Mr Edwards in saying rb.t the Government was pledged to the hilt carry the Bill through the House of Com- mons, and that it would be absurd to say that Wales would be satisfied with a mere second reading of the Bill. It would be wasting the time of the Government and fooling the coun- try if t-h > Government simply meant to carry the Bill forward to a second reading. The next practical question was whether there was time to carry the Bill forward through all its stages'. The answer to that question would depend upon the advancement of the Budget, which was the greatest Budget ever introduced, and on that question he disagreed with Mr Edwards. The. Budget was the great charter of the democracy of the country, and therafore lie thought -every Radical in the Kingdom would say that the first object of the Jioverninent should be to place on the Statute Book the Budget, which the House of Lords (fould not throw out. "I say at once," ho said, in my own constituency, that if the question comes for me to choose between this democratic Budget, and the Disestablishment Bill-of course, I do not mean which I prefer, hut. merely because we all know thai: the latter will not become Rev. Towvn Jones: No. Mr. Williams: Do you mean to tell me that the House of Lords ,m pass the..D)-r>K«h merit Bill ? Rev. Towyn .Jon: How do you know they \vou't ¡applause).. I Mr WjHiain?: WeH, of course. T am not like Mr. Towyn Jones. J do not. mix with the I dukes and lords (cries of "Order") Rev. Lloyd Morgan: Stick to the resolution, Mr. Williams. Mr. Williams: Mr. Jones is quite at Libedy to say anything he likes after I have finished. and not before. In spite of that interruption, in my humble opinion, notwithstanding the snnetior knowledge of Mr. Towyn Tones. This remark raised pandemonium. and there was a great uproar and cries of '•W.ith- draw." Mr. Williams: I will withdraw nothing -it Withdraw W h/ did T A Y-ei 0T-u i r.- .< V I i 3 or?. \1 I • j v!;tV;1 ;,i !'¡;ir! j. < f ■■■ I Rev. Lloyd Morgan: You were not speaking to the resolution. A delegate (to Mr. Williams): You said, Notwithstanding the superior knowledge of I; Mr. Jones," and that is insulting. Mr. Williams: If that is insulting to Mr. Jones, I withdraw (applause). I am sorry for this interruption If you will allow me-anù I am speaking in my own constituency—in spite of any interruption I am going to lay my views before you, and without fear and without favour (applause). In my humble opinion, the Disestablishment Bill, even if it is carried through the House of Commons, will be rejected by the House- of Lords. That is my view, and for the first time I have had it advanced that that is not the case. All we can hope to do, even in the Commons, is to make it a part of the case, against the House of Lords, because it will inevitably be rejected by the Upper Chamber. The question might arise whether we are to sacrifice the benefi- cent provisions of the Budget, which provide for sickness and old age ,or whether we shall sacrifice the Disesta,blishment Bill, which we know will not become the law of the land during this Parliament at any Tate. If such a question arises, then I say my vote will be in favour of the Budget, but I hope and be- lieve it might be found possible to pass both the Budget and the Disestablishment Bill (applause). The Irish Party had long been the favoured pets of Governments, and after the Budget he was going to demand that the Disestablishment Bill should have precedence over the Irish Land Bill (a voice: "Yes, the Irish members fight for it"). The Rev. Towyn Jones followed in a fiery speech and said that the Welsh people were equally anxious with Mr. Williams to pass the Budget, and they wanted Disestablish- ment as well (applause). If Wales did not now get it, the fault would be entirely that of the Welsh members. He was very glad to see the stand taken by Mr Clement Edwards In this matter Mr. Edwards had done more service than all th" Welsh members put to- gether (applause). Why did the Irish mem- bers get what they asked for? It was be- cause they had a single eye to the welfare of their country, and nothing else. That was the spirit which should animate. Welsh mem- bers. Compare for a moment what the Labour members had done, and what had been accomplished by the Welsh Party. The Labour Party only numbered 31, but they had made their mark already upon the statute book in this Parliament. After further discussion the resolution was carried.

Public Demonstration. BIS OF ST. DAVID S IMPUGNED. A public meeting was held in the evening at Zion Chapel, Mr. Llewelyn Williams, M P., presiding. The Chairman, in his introductory remarks, said that if they were going to win Disestab- lishment, the credit was chiefly due to their conductor, Mr. Lloyd George (applause), and if he were to turn against them it would be too late for them to obtain the severance of the Church from the State: but he did not be- lieve for a moment that Mr. Lloyd George would turn against the claim of Wales (ap- plause). He asked them to harmonize and work in unity: then, ere long, they would leap the benefit of their toil (applause). Mr. Timothy Davies, M.P., said that when the Disestablishment Bill came before the House of Commons he believed Mr. Llewelyn Williams won id do best for securing the severance of the- Church from the State. He had heard Mr. Williams speak, and his heart was always towards Wales. He wished to propose a resolution that that meeting adopt and approve of the resolutions passed at the afternoon conference. They had heard a great deal during the 1>1, few days with re- gard to the Disestablishruent of the Church in Wales What was the Bishop of. at David's anxious to prove? He v-id stated in the Church House and a" ( < x iti jn, in Lon- don, that the Nunconfunni"t:; of Wales were not half the population. Ir he were a Welsh u?mbei..or li\ea in the diocese of St David's, he would make, the Bishop prove the mis- leading figures he had given at Convocation, and ask him what he meant by putting them forward. He also sa. forward. He also ;'l that the Church of England was nlimerie:1", stronger than any single Noncont ■ del: ruination. That was not a true st nent. According to the st.atement of the Prime Minister, two of the three denominations in Wales were stronger than the Church of England. Although lie was not familiar with the figures in regard to the Baptist Church, he could say that they had n. far greater influence with the workers of Wales than the Church of England. He did not know where the Bishop of St David's had his figures from—possibly, the last cen- sus, which included lunatics, the inmates of workhouses, and those in the public-houses: all these belonged to the Church of England (laughter and applause). Mr. Clement Edwards, M.P., said the ques- tion of Disestablishment, as far as Wales was concerned, was past argument, and the only thing that concerned them was, what was going to happen to the measure this session ? The broad principles they were agreed upon, and they said that religion was a matter be- tween the man personally and his God. It was not for the State to teach religion. There must not be denominational tests for any class of civil servants, whether they were teachers or whether they occupied any other position Then it s politically hurtful and socially destm t ind unjust that one par- ticular sect should be put in a position of privilege (applause), and the tenets of that sect be taught at the expense of the whole community. They were going for the Disen- dowmaat of the Church so far as. the tithes were concerned. In the House of Commons recently, Mr. Balfour had the impudence (ap- plause) to go against the whole range of ec- clesiastical authority, and the whole range of our authoritative mothers, to assert that the tithes were in the. nature of voluntary offer- ings, and not in the nature of taxes. Wales had stated the question by returning thirty- ¡ four members (applause). From 1838 they had had great men in the movement supporting this question, including Richard Dilhvyn, Thomas Gee, Sir Osborn Morgan, and others. It was now being whispered that they were- to I stand aside for the Budget. He thought it was the most magnificent Budget that had ever been produced (applause), but he objec- red entirely, as one individual in the Welsh. Party, to have, it put upon him that he must either abandon Disestablishment or sacrifice i the Budget. It was not necessary (apphuse). The longer the session would be extended by the Budget, the greater the chances for Disss- tablishment. He would tell them why. A great measure like the Budget could not he I taken on more than three Parliamentary days a week. The further it was extended, there- fore, the larger number of weeks from which they were to nnd spate day" which may be devoted to other measures, and it was the duty of the Welsh Party to see that some of t hose spare days wore found for Disestablish-" ment (applause) They wen iold to trust the Government He agreed (h,1r, Iiaar), and ?'hey would Imep their pow der dry (loud ap- plause). The Irish Party were in one solid compact body, speaking with one voice. The Scotch members acted in the same way. Lon- don moved andVmdou clamoured for great reforms, and they had them. The Labour Party moved as a solid body, and pressed their claims forward. Now, then, it was the. duty of the Welsh Party on this question to move exactly in the same way (applause). He believed that if the Welsh Party would do their dutv this session, then ihe. Government '.vr-.i d d Ii nr] the. r. r tiro'' n nass the u'/it 1 rea d '1 fhe r-orn- sf.-re. ;;ud f'o nvort .^ge. and e-ond it to the House of Lords. They were .told that I the Lords would reject it. It was an extra- ordinary thing how suddenly people seemed to understand the minds of the Lords (laugh- ter and applause). Why were the Lords now more certain to reject the Bill than they were I in 1895? How more certain were the Lords to reject the Bill than the Plural Voting Bill and the Land Values Bill? It was not for them to trouble what the House of Lords would do until they did it (applause). They heard that the great predominant question at the, next election would be the veto of the House of Lords If the Bill came before the House of Lords, and if they rejected it, in- stead of being against the Liberal Party, who are now redeeming their pledge to Wales, the fight would be in Wales and other parts of England against the House of Lords (hear, hear). They had watched for forty years for the achievement of this great measure of reo I ligious equality, and they said that if they were not to be the laughing stock of other parts of the community—with an unpreceden- ted Liberal majority—they were to assert themselves in this fight (applause). The Rev. Penar Griffiths, Mr.' Edward Powell, Aberdovey, and Mr. Edgar Jones, M.A., also addressed the meeting. j )

I An" Outrages Clause." I LLANELLY AND SWANSEA WATER I COMPETITION Further consideration of the clauses of the Llanelly Water Bill occupied the, attention of a Committee of the House of Commons over which Mr C. D. Rose presided, on Thursday. Mr. Freeman, K.C., raised objection to the inclusion of a new clause which set forth that the Llanelly Urban Council "shall not, without the consent under seal of the Swan- sea Corporation, supply water within, or for use within, the counties of Glamorgan, and Brecon, and the corporation shall not, with- out the consent under seal of the council, supply water within, or for use within the county of Carmarthen." Counsel said that the water limits of Swansea were the borough of Swansea,, and Swansea had no powers out- side whatever. The only obligation they were under was an obligation put on them in relation to an Act of 1892 granting them a new source of supply, As a matter of fact, there were only two small places outside supplied by the Swansea Corporation. A more outrageous clause than the one under notice, counsel said, he had never met with. They were practically seeking to get a hold on three counties adjoining by reason of the fact that they were under obligation to supply two little places in the neighbourhood. Mr. Knox, K.O for the Swansea- Corpora- tion, said they were perfectly willing that this clause should be confined, so far as the county of Glamorgan, to those districts they I' were under an obligation to supply. Mr. Freeman said the Swansea Corporation were seeking to take advantage of a purely i permissive agreement, and to turn an obliga tion which rested on the corporation into a privilege for all time. This would prevent the local authorities in the two districts pri- marily concerned from either getting a fresh supply if they did not like that from Swan- sea, or from being able, to obtain by competi- tion more reasonable terms. Mr. Lewis, on behalf of the Llanelly Rural District Council, objected to the Llanelly Urban Council being allowed to exercise any rights outside its own limits of supply. He supported the object ms of Mr. Freeman. Mr. Knox said t'he clause had been agreed to as the result of negotiations between, the Llanelly Urban Coun d and the Swansea Cor- poration. He suggested that the clause should read: "The council shall not, without the consent under seal of the corporation, supply water within, or for use within. any district in the counties of Gl; morgan or Brecon for use wherein the corporation may, under Section 30 of the Swansea Corporation Water Act, 1892, be required to give a supply of water; and the corporation shall not, without the consent under seal of the council, supply water within or for use within, the county of Carmarthen." The Committee refused the clause. The consideration of the clauses was con- cluded on Friday, when the outstanding ¡ clauses of the measure were adjusted, and the Bill, as amended, was ordered to be re- ¡ ported to the House for third reading )

j Miss Rocheforte's Benefit. j The Royalty Theatre was crowded on Friday evening before last, when a complimentary benefit to Miss Alice Rocheforte, the popular manageress, was given. The Bond of Mar- riage was the title of the play, and the prin- cipal parts were taken by the "Leah" Com- pany, with the exception that Miss Rocheforte I' filled the role of "Lucie Le4gard ie"? and Miss Juha Lewis as Hilda" The chief interest in the piece centres upon Lucie' Legardie," and although the role is a most exacting -and difficult one, Miss Rocheforte, particularly after the first act, acquitted herself splendid- ly. At times the climaxes were particularly well reached, with the result that the audience again and again demanded that the curtain should be risen in older that they might show their appreciation of Miss Roche- forte's talent. During the evening Miss Rocheforte was the recipient of four beauti- ful bouquets. Miss Lewis, too, went through her allotted duties in the play very creditably I and at the intervals she rendered solos in a manner which appealed to her auditors. She was presented with a. bouquet of choice flowers. The other parts were well sustained, particularly that of Prof. Jamieson by Mr D'Arcy Kelway, who seemed to be one of the favourites with the audience. Between the acts Mr. Richard Thomas, in addition to Miss Lewis, rendere d solos in such a manner as to ¡ command unfeigned admiration. I

South Wales Engineers. II VISIT TO LLANEI.-LY. The members of the South Wales Institute of Engineers paid a visit to Llanelly on Thursday, and spent a busy day inspecting some of the best-known works for which the Tinplate town is famous. After their arrival, the party proceeded to the South Wales Works, where they were received on behalf of Messrs Richard Thomas- and Co. by Mr. Dd. Jones (secretary), Mr. C. P. Lewis (manager of the tinplate works), and Mr. John Lewis (manager of the steel works). At the invita- tion of the directors of the company, the party sat down to lunch at the Memorial Hall, after which a hearty vote of thanks was accorded Messrs. Richard Thomas and Co. Later on j the party wrecondueted round the splendid I tinplate and steel works, where they were able to see in actual operation the latest equip- ments in tin-making and steel-smelting. At the. filed works special attention was given to the Morgan. Gas-producer and the electric chargers, which have done away with a great deal of manual lalxmr. Subsequently a. move was made to the Glanmor Foundry and the South Wales Pottery, where some splendid uxamples. of the potter's art were seen in the making. At 5.30 a dinner was held at the Stepney ( Hotel, where references were made to the ad- j mirable works that Llanelly possessed. j The arrangements for hospitably entertain j ing the visitors were carried f-ut by Mt. Arnold, civil and mining engineer. ■ Yon cannot do bettor 1 "Y Stores, f von want !t. money.

A Pastor's P!ea.  A Pastor's Plea. I GAMES AT THE COUNTY SCHOOL. At the annual meeting of the Pupil Teachers' Centre on Thursday, the Rev J. H. Rees, presiding, Mr. J. S. Tregoning, in ac- cordance with notice of motion, raised the question of school fees. The education authorities had raised an objection to the compulsory payment of one shilling per term by the pupils for games. In order to get over the difficulty, lie suggested that the school fees be raised to 31s. a term. This would amount to the same thing in the end. The parents at present paid 30s a term, and also found the shilling for games. Mr. Joseph Roberts seconded the motion. A question of the payment by the scholar- ship pupils was then raised. Mr Tregoning said they would lose all that. The Chairman stated that it was clear they had no power to charge scholarship holders. Mr. Thomas Thomas said he was sorry to have to oppose the motion. He did not agree with making the games fee compulsory. The children, if interested, should make a special effort and contribute themselves. If they made a special effort in that way it would prove a valuable. lesson to them in after life At present the lads got plenty of money from a general fund, and were led to believe that there was a gold mine behind them. He did not think children should go gallivanting about the country playing foot- ball. Only recently he noticed a bill amount- ing to pounds for the repair of footballs alonel It might be necessary, but he did not agree with a compulsory payment. Mr T. Greville said that whilst he did hot altogether agree with Mr. Thomas, he would second the motion. It would be unfair to charge the ordinary students, and allow the scholarship holders to have the games free. The Master said it would facilitate matters if the Clerk collected the fees. The. amount was nearly £80 per annum from the boys and girls together, and he considered that such a financial transaction should go through the accounts. The lads did not go gallivanting about the country, as stated by Mr. Thomas. They were always in charge of a master, and defrayed half the travelling expenses. They always considered it an honour to represent the school. There were payments of three- pence and upwards towards the library and reading-room, and twopence a term for the debating society. Last year they lost Z to £ 0 on the sports, which was made. up in various ways. The scholars also made a con- tribution to the Hospital of 3d. to 6d. each. He could not see that the. proposed charge could make one half-penny difference to the parents. In the- past, there had been no ob- jection on the part of scholarship holders to paying Is for games. Mr. Tregoning said the Board of Education objected to the charge for games being made compulsory. Mr. Thomas Thomas stated that it should be made clea.r to the parents that this' pay- ment was not compulsory, and that they could refuse to pay. The Chajrman said he felt sorry for the children of any parents who refused to con- tribute. Mr. Thomas stated that there were other forms of exercise besides playing football. Mi". Tregoning said the Clerk might stiIl collect the shillings for the games when ap- plying for the school fees, and at the same time make it clear that the fee was not com- pulsory. Mr. Greville said lie was sorry to hear the Chairman support football. He would not do so from the pulpit. The Chairman replied that he did. not wish to be misunderstood. He might inform Mr. Greville that he had advised parents from the pulpit to give their children plenty of exercise. He did not believe, in always keep- ing a boy at his books, and, on the other hand, was quite aware that they might go to the extremes even in exercise- Personally, he was1 prepared to continue paying the games fees for his children. Mr. Greville: said he was satisfied with the explanation, and was glad the Chairman had the courage of his convictions. Ministers preached from the pulpit against football, but in private conversation upheld it. The Chairman suggested that the matter be Peferred to a small committee. Mr. Thomas oaid he would withdraw his motion if it was clearly understood that the fees weare to be voluntary. It was decided that the Clerk collect the games fees as in the. past, but that the parents be informed that they were quit, voluntary, and also that the children who did not pay would not be entitled to join in the games. Mrs Philllps said that would be hard lines for the children.

Thrown Under the Wheels. I FARMER KILLED NEAR PONTARDULAIS. A distressing fatality occurred at Llannon, near Poutardulais, on Friday afternoon. A farmer, named J. Morgan Thomas, of Cildcle:wi Fawr Farm, was driving a cart from the potato field, when the horses bolted, and I be got thrown under the wheels, which .passed over his body. Death resulted in a few minutes after the fe?v, illl-ii-iites f l if. Dr. Isaaicwas called, and .found deceased had sustained a fractured ueok; he had also broken bis .shoulder-blade a.nd some of his ribs. THE INQUEST. I {1-, -¡.' J. Mr W. W. Brodie, the deputy coroner, held I an inquest on the body at Cilddewi. Farm on Friday afternoon Edith Davies, Cilddewi -fawr, gave evidence of identification, and said the deceased was 37 years of age. On Friday last she was working in a pota.to field, about 200 yards from the fanD. The. deceased was carting manure from the farmyard, where the two servant boys were, loading one cart, whilb he took the other to the field. About noon the deceased started to return from the field with. an empty cart. He had no reins for the shaft horse, but had a ploughing line for a leading rein for the leading horse. When he left witness the deceased was sitting down in the front of the c-art, on the near side. On reaching halfway down the field, she heard him shouting "Whoa!" to the horses. Witr ness looked up, and observed that the horses were galloping, and deceased was walking on the shaft on the near side towards the head of the shaft horse. Witness ran after the cart,, which went through the gateway into the adjoining field. She then saw the de- ceased being dragged for two or three yards. She saw the shaft horse go over liim, but did not see the wheel touch him. She went to him nt once, and found him lying on his back with his arms lying at his sides. Witness asked him if he was hurt, and he raised his hands a little and moved his Hps, but did not speak She immediately went for assistance. In the riekyard she, saw the cart upset, and the shaft horse lying on the ground. The deceased was subsequently carried into the house. The leading mare was rather frisky all the morning. During witness's stay of two years at the farm she had never seen the horses run away before. Dr." R. J. Isaac, Pontardulais, said that on examination he found that there were two bruises on the left elbow, the neck wa.s dis- located and fractured, the ilfth and sixth ribs on the left side were broken, and had pene- trated the luiu1 Th; cause of dcafh I l>v.vfh/'