The Llanelly Mercury and South Wales Advertiser

Parliamentary Expenses. -0- MR NATHAK GRIFFITHS AND COUNSEL'S FEES. At the monthly meeting of the Urban council on Monday evening the counsel's fees 111 Aspect- of Parliamentary expenses were Considered. Mr. Nathan Griffiths said he desired to ask "? or two questions before they confirmed t minutes of the Finance Committee of May 28th. ?? ? not wish them to think that he did so from any morbid curiosity (laughter). IT e b.eheved cheques were passed to Mr. C.  "utehinson for £ 384 6s.: Mr. Honoratius Lio?d, K .C! ??? ?' ?'? and ?' Mscassey, ?1?"0 1' 6s. What he desired to know was, why .as there a distinction between the amounts ? the opposition of the Gas Bill and the ftrPf positiorx of the. Rural Council Water Bill? .*?y found some items in respect of expert l,ees, Dr. J. C. Thresh, L73 10s.: Messrs T. and • Hawks ley, £ 304 10s.; and Messrs J. Taylor, ns and Santo C'nmp, R246 8s.; and there ?' and Santo Crimp, ?246 8s.; and there ^s an amount of ?43 6s. 64. from Messrs. to'o Cook and Hammond, in respect of car- n ad plans for ihe Water Bill. He be- 'llei,ed if ?cy took cartoons of some people in  town, they would be well worth the no* ney (laughter). He would like to know lrhat Was the original amount of the bill of "I?* A. Rhys Roberts, the Parliamentary 4gerlt,. They had already paid him £ 500, and ?account must be considerably high. ?e Chairman: Terri hI y w Mr. Nathan Griffiths, continuing, said he 1 as asking the question. He was a couneil- I 4r, and lie was fully entitled to know the a^oum, of his bill. ¡ o.The Chairman: Put your question in a con- Se iialiiier, and I will endeavour to answer sM r. Nathan Griinths: What was the origi- I ? amount of the bill of Mr. Rhys Roberts? I The Chairman: I cannot give vou the exact I amount. me. Nathan Griffiths But the Clerk can tell i ryle. i ^e- Chairman: The biH has been submitted ??xaticn.—— II  Mr. Nathan Griffiths: You do not mean to ,tell me that the Clerk cannot tell me from 'I 1 Memory the amount of the bill? The Clerk; I will tell you directly. The HPa ay- ment of £ 500 was made by the Council, so I that the Bill could be submitted for taxation. The Chairman: There is no intention to uPPress anything. I l' Nathan Griffiths said he would also be to know the amount that had been de- tlted to them in respect of their opposition to the Gas Bill and Burry Port and Rural TMs- lIet Council Bill. f The Chairman said it was quite impossible for theim to apportion these particular dlUOunts. Air Rhys Roberts's account inclu- d their opposition to the Gas Bill and the ?ater Bm. ^Mr. Nathan Griffiths: I do not want them th-nlght. Will the Clerk undertake to give 'he'll at some future meeting? 1JThe Cle,rk said the matter would obviously  hronght before the 'Council. The commit- tee had not yet quite imished their business.  ?'- Nathan Griffiths o?erved that he de- ?d to know th? original amount. They n? ?"? that the original amount was an ^riiitant one. Even though Mr, Rhys P,ob'?Tts was a partner of Mr. Lloyd George, r h Made exorbitant charges, there was no i ason why they should not engage, another ?ntleman. ??. W. Bramwell Jones objected to Mr. N. d rifiithe's renection upon Mr. Rhys Roberts. ? fee, with costs, was a very fair one. Mr. Nathan Griffiths Eaid he was not cast- ng a reflection upon ir,. Rhys Roberts. It Vvas Mr. Bramwell Jones's duty to stand up for his profession. He would like to know "hy the Council paid Mr. Rhys Roberts £ 500 On account before sending it, up for taxation? The Chairman replied that before they paid ^Unsel's fees they were bound to submit them for taxation before iliey paid them. Mr. Nathan Griffiths: But we are in the r^k with regard to the amounts. The Chairman: You are in the dark, or you would not say what you have 'just said. Mr. D. James Davies remarked that they silt the accounts for taxation, or perhaps the *?<'al Government Board Auditor would sur- ?rge them. The Clerk said that the amount of Mr Rhvs .^■Qberts's bin was some ?930. The Commit- 6e thought themselves justified in paying ?500 J* account, and the balance would be sub- ltted in the ordinary course. The charges ■ ere moderately drawn out, and they would See whether the, taxation bore that- out or not, whether they got the benefit- of the taxa- IOn. Mr. William David observed that he would Upport Mr. Griffiths if he asked for a return J- the costs in connection with .each of the ills. He believed it would relieve the anxiety niany of the ratepayers, and it would be of Service to the members of the Finance Com- lllittùe to know exactly what these various- patters had cost tliem. It would also be a sUide for the future. If Mr. Griffiths pro- Posed a return of the cost of their opposition ó the Rural Council and Burry Port Water 18"11 and the promotion of their Water Bill, e would second him. th Mr. W. Bramweli Jones: May I point out at this is an usual thing for us to do. I The Chairman said the Finance Comnritte.e had anticipated all these matters, and, so far s possible, all the costs had been tabulated •jFttder the various headings. Some of the ac- (nJ,nts had been, submitted for taxation, and hers returned in order to endeavour to get "reduction in the amounts. As soon as the f'inanee Committee were in a position to tabu- "?e the costs of their opposition to the Rural fhgj Council Bill, and the promotion oP wieir own Bin, thev would do so. Mr. D. Jas. Davies: They have always done Mr. Nathan Griffiths said he was obliged to Mr. David for his suggestion. hut, to lie on !he safe side, because there wr-s such a ^u,iible in the: matter, and each item wa.s Illtebnixccl with the other, he thought it be a matter ofapprcc-iatiun to know •■ he costs or these various bills. He thought It W¡if.; only fair, and it would relieve most of then; whan the weekly new spapers were issued with the ropnrl of these matters. They need (hen be worried of tluur appearing in the Newspapers. Tlte Clerk: And von will include the Am- manford Gas Bill. The Chairman: I am quite prepared to ac- I ?Pt your resolution if yon like: but, as I ?ave said, Die Committee are taking stcpe to f: ahVlate these things. Mr. Nathan Grimths replied that if the airman would not accept his proposition ■fe-he would give notice of motion. Mr. D. James Davies said he would agree if Mr. Griffiths added the words" as usual" to his motion. Mr Nathan Griffiths: There is DO "as usual" ?'ut it. 1 h?e been here for 'I).?, last ?u:)' I will stick to my resolution. three years; and I cannot say that it has hoen ¡he Chairman said he did not wish to ¡ ?hie Mr. Grim.ths out of order, although the ?mmittce wore prepared to do what he de Sired. 11 Mr. David said he would like to say that he ^ad ?cu a statement of tabulation at the manc-e Committee. As the Chairman had Sivcn them an assurance that it would be done, he believed they ought to be satisfied. Mr. Nathan Griffithis said lie clearly under- stood that the Chairman had given a distinct Undertaking that the matter would be atten- de to. There was no necessity for his reso- wtion so lolif as lie.; did so. Mr. W. Bramweli Jones said it would be Xo,T mi.ere.vtjng to know the cost of their op- 1 position to the various Bills, and the promo- tion of their own Water Bill, and then they would be able to show what the Bill has cost them. Mr. Nathan Griffiths' was one who de- elined to promote a Bill last year which would have saved their going to Parliament this year, and would have saved the Llanelly ratepayers thousands of pounds. Mr. Nathan Griffiths: I did not know that you promoted a Bill last year. | Mr. Bramweli Jones said they wished to promote a bill at the same time as the Rural District Council. Mr Griffiths and his friends opposed the Bill, and it was carried that they should oppose the Rural Council's Bill, and promote a Bill of their own this year. They would have saved the ratepayers thousands | of pounds if they had promoted a Bill last year. Mr. Nathan Griffiths said that Mr. Jones was playing to the gallery, and he described i his sta-temente as hitting below the belt. He did oppose promoting a Bill last year, and as it happened his own friends opposed it also. He thought they were justified in doing so. If they had promoted a Bill last year, at the same time as the Rural Council, they would certainly have lost it. After some further argument the minutes were confirmed. I

A Disputed Will. -0- MINISTER'S WIFE v. MINISTER. At the County Court on Monday, before His Honour Judge Bishop, Elizabeth A. Thomars, wife of the Rev. Lewis Thomas, a Wesleyan minister, sued the Rev. William Castellon Jenkins, Kidwelly, under a. deed of convey- ance. Mr. W. Llewelyn Williams, M.P., appeared for the plaintiff, and Mr. T. R. Ludford. repre- sented the defendant. Mr. W. Llewelyn Williams said that Mrs. Thomas's mother was a Mrs. Rowlands, and became a widow in the year 1877. Her hus- band left by his will all his property 1o his widow for life, and the remainder to his daughter, who- was the plaintiff in the case. In August, 1884, Mrs Rowlands, who was then a widow, married the defendant, the Rev. W. Castellon Jenkins, of Kidwelly. Ili the same month Miss Rowlands, the daughter married Mr. Thomas. Oil Sept. 16th, 1886, Mrs. Jen- kins (who was then married the second time) made a will, leaving all her personal pro- perty to her daughter of the first husband- the plaintiff in the present case. Mrs. Jen- kins died last year, and probate of her will had been proved. On Sept 22nd, 1886, six days later, some premises known as Pistill- gwyn, were purchased by Mrs. Jenkins with her own money for P,300 from Mr. Howell. He had a copy of the conveyance, and the difficulty really aro-sei out of the wording of the conveyance. His submission was that if he were able to establish that the zE300 was found by Mrs. Jenkins, and not by Mr. Jen- kins at all, then there was no presumption in law of an advancement in favour of the hus- band at all. Elizabeth Ann Thomas, wife of the Rev. L. Thomas, a Wesleyan Methodist minister, said her father died in 1877, and her mother mar- ried the Rev. W. O. Jenkins in 1844. In Sept., 1886, her mother made a will, of which she got probate. Some days later her mother pur- chased Pistyllgwyn. Mr. Williams: Do you know who provided the money to purchase Pistyllgwyn ?—My mother told me that she found the money. Did you ever hear your mother talking to Mr. Jenkins about Pist.yllgwyn ?-Yes, on several occasions. Sometimes my mother and Mr. Jenkins did not see the same way, and on such occasion" she said she had bought Pistyllgwyn. I And what did Mr. Jenkins say to that ?—He- did not deny it. I Continuing, witness said her mother died while on a visit to witness in Somerset. Three months later she saw Mr. Jenkins, and told him that. it would lie necessary to have a valuation, whereupon he said, "Valuation I Everything belong to me." He then said lie would consult his' lawyer, and she said she would also see a lawyer. Cross-examined: You are taking action on a (lead twenty-five years old?—Yes. During the twenty-five years that he lived with your mother they had some disagree- ments ?—They did not live happily together. And was that because she kept the purse ? I don't know. I put it to you that he gave every penny of the £ 12 10s. per month, which he earyie(I as a minister, to your mother ?—I -daresay he did. Margaret Evans, Pengale Farm, Ferryside, cousin of the late Mrs. Jenkins, said she was on visiting terms with the defendant and his wife up to the time of the latter's death. She heard Mrs. Jenkins say that she had paid for Pistillgwyn. Mr. W. Howell," solicitor, also gave evidence with regard to correspondence that had taken place with regard, to the property. He added that on May 3rd the defendant, called at his office., and in a conversation the defendant I said that Mrs. Jenkins had paid all the pur- chase money for Pistyllgwyn out of her own pocket, but refused to come to a settlement. Cross-examined: Have you told the court all that was said?—No, but I have given all. that was said of importance. ¡ Mr. J. Lee Davies, solicitor, stated that he with Mr. Jenkins; who said the £ 300 paid foT I Pistyllgwyn was her own money. Mr. Ludford said his contention, was that I Pistyllgwyn, on which he. had spent a con- siderable sum oi money m repairs, naa been given him. as a present. Defendant, who was a widower, had six children, and had lived with his wife for 24 years, and during a considerable portion of this time she was an I invalid. Rev. W C. Jenkins defiosed that lie had been a pastor at Capel Hill, Kidwelly, for 42 years. In 1886 his wife said she proposed pur- chasing Pistyllgwyn, and proposed conveying it, to them both—sharing it between them. He told her then, Well, I will take it as a wedding present," and she said, "Very well." Mr. Ludford: Is that the only gift she gave you ? His Honour: because she gave herself (laughter). Mr. Ludford: Apart from herself, was Pis- tyllgwyn the only property she gave you?-- Yes. Cross-examined hy Mr. Williams, witness said the deed in respect of Pistyllgwyn had been in his possession since it was executed. Mr. Williams; Can you say whether this deed was sent to you by post or handed by the solicitors Messrs. Re-es and Edwards?—It was handed to me hy the solicitors. Re-examined, witness said that since the deed was handed to him there had been no question ühoui; the house until the present time. His Honour gave judgment in favour of the defendant. Mr. Williams: Then I will as1-; you. to state that we are eniitled to oue-half of the pro- perty. Mr. Ludford: That is not disputed. His Honour: All T am prepared to say is that. I do not grant the plaintiff what she has asked for.

A stands for Asthma, the patient may fret: B for the Breath he hardly can get; C for the Cold and. the terrible croup; D for the dollars the doctor will scoop; E for the Ease that one longs for in vain; F for the features distorted with pain;, G for the Ciai)t-Great Peppermint Cure— ■ H for the health that follows it sure.

i Education Committee. -0- INCREASED ACCOMMODATION RB- I QUIRED. A meeting of the Education Committee was held on Thursday evening last, Mr. Herbert D. Rees presiding. The other members pre- sent were Messrs. W. Bramweli Jones, Evan Evans, D. R. Jones, John Simlett, D. James Davies, Joseph Roberts, E. Willis Jones, and Mrs. Phillips, together with the CJ-erk (Mr. T. W. Wat-kins). SCHOOL HOLIDAYS. Mr. W. Bramweli Jones called attention to the fact that. when a ha-lf-holiday was granted to some of the schools for obtaining a percen- tage of attendances, they did not take it when they were entitled to, but reserved it until j the following month, and then took a whole day. I The Chairman: I do not think that is so. I Mr. Jones: I hope not. The Clerk observed that it was not done within his knowledge. Mr. D. R. Jones Did not New Dock School take a full day on the occasion of the Fair ? The Clerk replied in the negative. Mrs. Phillips: Would it be allowed? The Chairman: No; I do not think so. Mrs. Phillips: Have we ¡;ny control with regard to the Church of England School? The Chairman: We do not wish to interfere. Mr. Willis Jones: What is the objection to the method of reserving the half-holiday? The Chairman: They might reserve many half-holidays, and then take a whole week. Mr Simlett said that in Glamorganshire they reserved the half-holidays, and took a whole week at Whitsuntide. Mr. Willis Jones: Could our own schools not do so? The Chairman replied that he thought the members preferred the preeent inducement. Mr. D. James Davies remarked that the new I method had improved the attendance con- siderably. The matter then dropped. i PUPILS FOR THE MINISTRY. I I Whilst perusing the returns, Mr. D. James Davies -enquired how many of their pupil teachers intended studying for the ministry. The Clerk replied there were two, one cf whom was a scholar at the Higher Elementary School, and the other a pupil teacher. One of them was a relative of the Rev. W. Trevor Jones, and studied privately. Mr. W. Bramwell Jones: How long has lie been here? The Clerk: Three years. Mr. Jones: Did 'lie serve his articles with us ? The Clerk: His time will expire on July 31. Mr. Bramweli Jones said they should have a clause inserted in their agreement with re- gard to the education of teachers who in- tended studying for the ministry. Mr. Evan Evans: Perhaps the young man might have changed his mind since lie be- came a pupil teacher. Mr. Bramweli Jones: Then he ought to re- fund the money. Tho matter then dropped. I HAS THE CHAIRMAN POWER? I With regard to the proceedings which the Committee intended taking against one of the parents for his child's non-attendance at school, the Chairman said he had an inter- view with the father of the child, on the pre- I vious Friday. He thought that rather than take proceedings against the. parents, who bad continually to pay the fines, it would be better induce them to, send their children to school regularly. It was a. great hardship for them to pay fine after fine. This particular parent had, however, undertaken to see that his child would, attend regularly in future. Mr. D. James Davies observed that there was a resolution on the books that proceed- ings be taken against parents for non-attend- ance, with. the. exception of the cases which the Chairman thought the- attention of the Committee ought to be called to the facts. He understood that proceedings were being taken in every case to which the attention of the Committee had not, been, called. He would like to know whether that resolution had been departed from. I The Chairman: It has not been departed from. Mr. Davies said there were na.mes before the Committee' a month ago, and lie .suggested that the matter should come before the Com- mittee before proceedings be taken. Mr Bramwell Jones: Has the- Chairman had an opportunity of bringing the matter before the Committee? Mr. Davies said that at the last meeting proceedings were to be taken, and the. facts were to be placed before them. The Chairman: Since then we have had an interview with the parents. Mr. Davies said the duty of the Chairman was to sign the book that night. Mr. W. Bramwell Jones remarked that he thought it was generally understood, that if the Chairman thought it a. hardship to take proceedings, lie could deal with it, and tlieii bring the facts before the Committee. That was the spirit of the resolution which was passed. Mr. D. James Davies said it was not as to whether they approved, or not of the action of the Chairman, but whether the resolution they had solemnly passed had been departed from. He did not say that he did not approve of the action of the Chairman, with regard to the parents. The Chairman: The Chairman and Vice- chairman have full power to act. Mr. D. James Davies: They have not full power to act, and I object to it. They have full power to sign, and they must bring the matter before the Committee. Mr. Joseph Roberts: It has lieen. done be- fore. Mr. D. James Davies: Well, it ought to lie stopped. The Chairman; And I promise you it will be done again whether you pass a vote of censure upon us or not. Mr. D. James Davies: I can lor Hie resolu- tion. At a later stage the Chairman said that Mr. Davies would have to. give notice of motion fclr the submission of the resolution, because the Clerk could not, put his hand on it at that- time. The discussion then, dropped. SCHOOL I The Chairman said lie would like the Com- mittee to give their close attention to the matter of revising the accommodation at the schools. The increased accommodation re- quired for the whole of the schools was for 411 children, which, was practically equiva- lent to one of their largest schools. Mr. W. Bramwell Jones: Is it not of such importance that we can call a. special meeting to consider the matter? Mr. D. James Davies: We have got Mr. W. Bramwell Jones hero to-night, and we might not have him again (laughter). Mr. Willis Jones: Can we have the figures? Then wøcan see whether it would be ad- visable to adjourn. The Chairman gave the following figures Copper Works (Infants), decrease 50; Market- Street (Girls), 35; Market. Street (Infants), 43: New Dock (Girls), 94; New Dock (Infants), 42: Lakeficld (Infants), 32; Church of England (three departments), 79. There were several oilier schools of a minor nature. Mr. Joseph Roberts said lie thought there was an overplus in the schools of the, town. Considering th^ reduction in the schools, and the increased accommodation required for 411. he would like to know how they stood. The ,Chairman said that from the returns of the last, month it appeared that the number of children on the registers was 6038, and. they had accommodation for 6429. I Mr. Evan Evans said that. many pupils from the Copperworks School would leave after the summer holidays, and many of them would be transferred. The Chairman said they had other schools to consider, and the future of the town. Mr. ]). James Davies proposed that the re- turns be submitted showing the number on registers and the average attendance, and then they could deal with the accommodation. Mr. Joseph Roberts said he was under the impression that they had accommodation for over 600 above the number now attending school. The Chairman replied that it had been re- duced considerably. The proposition of Mr. D. James Davies was agreed to. I I CONTRACTS. I A letter was read from Messrs. Arnold and Sons, Leeds, stating that their contract, for the supply of school material would expire in July. They were prepared to renew the con- tract for another year at the same price as be- I fore. If the Committee decided to have new tenders they would be prepared to submit prices in due course. Several other authori- ties, who had found their supply satisfactory, had agreed to renew their contracts. Mr. W. Bramwell Jones proposed that they advertise in the usual way. Mr. D. J ams Davies enquired whether they could not have better prices by asking them to quote for one year and three years. It was decided to -advertise, and also stipu- late in the advertisement that. prices be given for one and three years. MATS FOR THE SCHOOLS. A letter was read from the Swansea Institu- !I tiori. for the Blind, asking the Committee to favour them with any orders- for yarn mats for use in the schools. The Board of Educa- tion had sanctioned the training in their workshops of lads over sixteen years of age, who had completed their examinations, and it was desirable that they should be suppor- ted, or the institution would be of no use. The Clerk said he purchased the mats at the present time from local tradespeople. It was decided that future orders be sent to I the Institution. PAYMENT OF CLEANERS. I Mr. E. Willis Jones stated that recently al- terations were made in the rate of payment to the cl-eaners of the schools'. The new scale had been in operation since January, and formerly the cleaners had their fire-wood pro- vided them, but since the. new scheme had been in operation the amount of money al- lowed for fire-wood had been deducted, making the increase equal to the original salary. The Clerk said the cleaners would receive the allowance for fire-wood as before. They would probably receive it next month. ENTERTAINMENTS AT THE SCHOOLS. Mr Evan Evans called attention to the fact I that during last week some ladies and gentle- men were giving entertainments to the child- ren at the various schools. He would like to know, if such was the case whether they paid for the use of the schools. Mr. D. R. Jones said they gave an enter- tainment to the children of Bigyn School, but the performance was given at St. Paul's. Mr. Evan Evans said they performed at the Copper Works School, and he wished to know whether they paid for the use of it. The Chairman said the performance was given from an educational point of view, and the use of the school was granted free. Mr W. Bramweli Jones enquired the nature of the instruction. The Clerk replied, that they delivered ad- dresses, and made some collarettes and anti- macassars. The teachers of the Intermediate School spoke highly of the entertainment. Mr Joseph Roberts said the company ought to have performed before the Chairman be- fore he gave his con sent. Then he would know what kind of performance it would be (laughter). Mr. Evan Evans said they ought to have paid for the use of the school. If anyone from the town desired the use of the school, they would have to pay for it. The Chairman: It was entirely in the inter- ests of the children.

Six Hours Entombed. I I TUMBLE MINERS' ESCAPE. I A TERRIBLE EXPERIENCE. I An accident which might have had disas- trous results occurred, at the Great Mountain Colliery, Tumble, which is owned by Messrs. J. Wad dell and Sons, on Monday. Four miners were entombed for about six house, but fortunately escaped unhurt. It appears that at 12 o'clock, while Daniel JBowen, Ponfyberem; David Rees, Tyhitian, :Minfoel; John Phillips, Adulam Row, Felin- toel; and William Lloyd, Cefneithin, Cross Hands, were engaged in working coal in the furthermost part of the Big Vein, they were startled by a deafening noise, and immedi- ately the air became charged with dust and gas. They soon discovered that the cause of this was a tremendous fall of debris in the Barry, about 20 yards from their working- place, which had shut them in. The thud was heard in the various districts of the colliery, and the vibration was dis- tinctly felt in some parts. Rescue parties hurried to the scene, and under the direction of the manager, Mr. John Davies, and the under-manager, Mr. William Jones, set about" the task of effecting the release of the four men. Fortunately, the airway was not dis- turbed to any appreciable extent, otherwise the lives of the entombed men would have been despaired of. It was realised that it would be hopeless to attempt to remove the debris in order to get at the men, and the I rescuers, who worked like Trojans, set about clearing the airway, along v hieh they encoun- tered many obstacles, falls having taken place as a result of what had occurred in the Barry. It was through the airway that the I entombed men eventually were reached and released. News of what had occurred spread through Tumble and. Felinfoel, and in the latter vil- lage there was considerable anxiety owing to the rumours that the men were buried under the debris; The men, although they naturally felt the suspense of being entombed for so many hours, looked none the worse for their experience. They were subsequently con- veyed to their homes in a waggon. John Phillips paid: "We wliiled away the time as best we could. Of coursc, we were none too sure that our escape would be I effected. There was an awful possibility of our being overcome by gas, but, luckily, suffi- cient space remained to allow of the passage of air. It was an experience I should not like to go through again."

EUROPEAN POLITICS. I TWO-v;.S. j I I THE COMMAND OF THE OCEAN. An article (II. so gone bye quoted an extract from Dr. Thomas, the author" Elpis Israel," in which he wrote the Czar thus: "You will not be able to c-ope with England upon the sea. She will make you respect her power there-; for God has given her the ocean. How little do the British know that there is a Divine side to human politics! Their thoughts are only on their own selieii-ies-flieir own am- bitions: but these schemes and .ambitions are working out a design long known and long anticipated by those who love the Bible and. know the fullness of its message. Sixty years after Dr. Thomas wrote that note- we; find the London "Standard," for March 13th, 1901, stating "The Statement explanatory of the Naval Estimates for 1901-1902, which was issued by the Admiralty last night, opens with an announcement, for which the country was pre- pared. A eiiin of nearly thirty-one millions will be required, the increase on the amount voted for the current year being rather more than two millions. There; will be no reluc- tance in the House of Commons to sanction any outlay which has been proved to be in- dispensable for maintaining the efficiency of our principal defensive force. All that will be required of Ministers is to show that the money is really needed, and that it will be spent to the best advantage. Yet there is matter for very serious reflection, not only in I the unprecedented magnitude of the demand, ) but also in the rapidity with which our Naval Budget has grown in recent years. We thought we were doing a great deal in 1898- 69, when the total of the Estimates did not reach twenty-four millions. For the twelve months following it rose to twenty-six and a half millions, to which were subsequently added appropriations in aid to the amount of I another million. For the current year the aggregate charge has been nearly twenty-nine millions, and now we have to face a further increment of two millions. It is impossible to view with a light heart this stady increase of the burden, of armaments. But examina- tion will show that it has been rendered necessary by influences which are beyond the control of British Statesmanship. In the case of the Army, the experience obtained in con- nection with the operations in South Africa has convinced, the most sceptical and the most optimistic that our Military organisation was dangerously weak. There were. not only serious defects of system, but the scale of our establishments was inadequate to enable the nation to meet, without embarrassment, its obligations as an Imperial. Power. Pre- cisely the same considerations which dictate the duty of improving our strength on land I suggest the need of perfecting our prepara- tions for retaining the command of the I uceau. 'I On November 18, 1908, its reflections arc: The sea is the great artery through which flows the life-blood of the British Empire, and if it were stopped but for a moment we should surely die. Five-sixths of the food supplies of the people come from overseas, and all the raw materials for our workshops; the sea is the only highway to the outlying provinces of the Empire: the only track along which our outward and inward trade may tra- vel. The British Navy must- jiolice this road to its furthest limits, they must guarantee, the security of wide-scattered dominions, and they must also shield even from the threat of at- tack the sensitive nerve-centre of the Empire. We cannot, afford to contemplate even the pos- sibility of invasion, because we have no Army strong enough to meet. it; and we dare not run the least risk of seeing our sea communi- I cations interrupted, because there is no land frontier over which supplies of food might come." I "WAKE UP THE MIGHTY." These items remind us of Jesus' words: I" Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for expectation of the things which areeoming on tho world (Luke xxi. 26). Peace is the ¡ desire; but war, and preparation for war, is I the experience. Supposing the money that I has been spent on navies alone for the last ten years had been spent on peaceful projects, what possibilities would lay ahead. It is not man's mission to "speak peac-c to the I heathen," but Christ's (Zech. ix. 10); it is His work after His return to establish the king- ¡' dom of God and to make wars to cease unto the end of the earth, and break the battle bow (Ps. xlvi. 9). In the meanwhile just look at the mightly nations of the earth waking np for war purposes, as seen in the following I cost of navies (it will be noticed in harmony with Dr. Thomas's anticipations, Britain I heads the list): In the course of a reply in parliamentary papers to a question by Mr Mackarness, M.P., it is stated by Mr. Mc-Kenna that the total i naval expenditure of Great Britain during the 1 last ten years has been as follows:—1899-1900, £ 25,731,220; 1900-1, £29,998.529; 1901-2, £ 30,981, 315; 1902-3, -231,003.977; 1903-4, £ 35.709477; 1904-5 I £ 36.859,681; 1905-6 £ 33,151,841: 1906-7 £ 31,472,087: 1907-8 (estimated), £ 31,419.500: 1908-9 (estima- ¡ ted), £ 32,319,500; total, £ 318,647,127. France's yearly expenditure has fluctuated, the ex- tremes being £ 12,144,120 in 1899 and £ 13,107,701 II in 1901. This year the estimate is £12,797,303, and the ten years' total £ 126,122,028. Russia has spent £ 104,642,215 on her navy in ihe past I ten years. In 1899 -her expenditure was £ 8,306,500, and this Increased everv vear, ex- cept 1904. up to 1906, when it was£ 12,490.444. In 1907, the estimate was £ 8.850.240, and this ¡ year it is £ 9,333,915. I Germany has steadily increased her expen- diture, her rates being far ahead of Britain, Russia, and France. Her figures are as under j Total. Year. Expenditure Appendix B. £ £ 1899 6 6"(" 0." b-O QC' ¡ 1899 6,672,788 50.997 1900 7,648.781 54.370 1901 9,530,333 118.762 1902 10,044,031 70.260 3903 10.401,174 69,581 1904- 10,102,740 95.162 I 1905 11,301.370 172.715 t 1906 12,005,871 218.089 I 1907 13,623.924 286,863 1908 16,596,561 371,803 f T0tals 107,927,573 1.508.602 f 1,503,602 II ci tc-tal 106,418,971 Thus in ten. years Germany has noaviy trebled her expenditure. -4 I (To be continued, God willing.) I

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