The Guardian from London, Greater London, England • 20

20 THE MANCHESTER GUARDIAN, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 1935 STOP-PRESS NEWS LETTERS TO THE EDITOR THE FIRE At midnight on a Cairo summer night I wake up suddenly and become aware of the smell of smoke. It is ALLEGED ATTEMPT TO BOYCOTT HOSPITAL Libel Suit by a Miners' Union outcome of a scheme which originated ten months earlier. It was not fair comment" to say the circular was issued because of failure to get representation. A Hospital Board Mr. Griffith Morgan, secretary of the Bedwas Navigation Colliery Company, which he represents on the Caerphilly Hospital Board, said there were 23 members on the board and, on the question of Bedwas representation, he found himself in a minority.

Answering Lord Erleigh, K.C., he said the majority of the board were connected with the South Wales Miners' Federation. The Bedwas workmen were represented by two unemployed men. At a meeting of the hospital board in April, 1934, the situation created by the plaintiff union's scheme was discussed, and the pres3 were sent for. He protested against this at the next meeting, and explained that the colliery company were prepared to let the men subscribe to that hospital if they desired. I addressed -the meeting at great length," he added, and made it clear that there was no intimidation." Mr.

Cassels It was the policy of the hospital to keep it out of trade union politics Mr. Griffith Morgan The fact that they went out of their way to ask press representatives was taking part in a quarrel between two unions. The feeling is as strong as that, is it Yes. Thomas William Jones, compensation clerk, said that when cards were distributed to the Bedwas men so that they could authorise deductions for hospitals, some of them commented on the absence from the card of Caerphilly Hospital. They were told they could put down the name of any hospital they chose.

No persuasion was used. Sir. Victor Jones, chairman of the Bedwas branch of the plaintiff union, said that on April 20 last year he had charge of the canvass for membership of the union's scheme. No pressure or threats were employed against the men, who had perfect liberty to accept, or not to accept. Tiie Defence LORD SNOWDEN'S BROADCAST The Conversion Loans To the Editor of the Manchester Guardian Sir, Lord Snowden's claim that he was responsible for the balancing of the Budget and the measures for safeguarding the currency is as far-fetched as his assertion that the inclusion of the details of the War Loan conversion operation in his Budget of October, 1931, entitles him to the credit for the conversion.

Part III. of the Finance (No. 2) Act, 1931, merely legislated for the conversion. The National Government created the stability and confidence which reduced the Bank rate from 6 per cent on September 21, 1931, to 2 per cent on June 30, 1932, at which figure it has remained ever since No one knows better than Lord Snowderi that any attempt by the Socialist Government to convert the 5 per cent War Loan would have been foredoomed to failure, owing to the depths to which the credit of the country had fallen during their second period of office. In fact, during that time Mr.

Snowden was obliged to borrow over 320,000,000 at 5 per cent (30,000,000 of it at 90i). This 5 per cent Conversion Loan, 1944-64, stands to-day at 116i-117i and is a monument to Lord Snowden's mismanagement of the nation's finances, and its present Stock Exchange value is the measure of the recovery effected by the National Government. Mr. Ramsay MacDonald -told us in a broadcast speech in September, 1931, tnat the finances of the country were in such a parlous condition that it was impossible for the Socialist Government to raise any further American credits, the Unemployment Insurance Fund was hopelessly insolvent, and the- deposits in the Post Office Savings Bank were in jeopardy. And did not your London financial editor on September 9, 1931.

describe Lord Snowden's Finance Act, 1931, as "the frivolous Budget of last Yours, Austin E. Kavanagh. Constitutional Club, Manchester 2, October 31. THE LORD MAYOR'S SHOW "Glorifying Hunting" To the Editor of the Manchester Guardian Sir, I read that huntsmen and hounds are to take parfc in the Lord Mayor's procession on November 9. The public exhibition of this blood sport calls for emphatic protest from all humanitarians.

The Lord Mayor's Show aims at showing progress in all manner of national industry and art. Blood sports are a relic of a less enlightened age. Although, unfortunately, it still retains a strong hold in certain parts of the country, this is no reason why hunting should be glorified in the streets of London. Yours, (Mrs.) Gwladyb Cox. West Hampstead, London, N.W.

6, November 5. THE ELECTION IN ALTRINCHAM Sir E. Grigg and the League To the Editor of the Manchester Guardian fcSir, I accept Mr. Thompson's apology and thank him for it, even though he makes it the base for another attack. Let me say a final word on that.

If to strive for conciliation to the eleventh hour before war broke out is disloyalty to the then the Council of the League, which did so unremittingly richt lip to October 3. falls under the same condemnation as myself. Of course troops were being massed in Africa- If thev had not been there would have been no need for the urgent eiiurib ac conciliation wnicn tne league put forth. Its first duty, surely, was to prevent, if it could, war from breaking out. I have never said that we should not fight for the League.

On the contrary, I said at the very Altrincham meeting to which Mr. Thompson refers that we might have to do so, but that the only legitimate use of armed force lay within the principles of the Covenant. My contention, however, is that the responsibility for using force must remain with Governments and cannot be shifted on to the League without straining its spiritual foundations and weakening it. In other words, I regard the League as a Church. Mr.

Thompson is naturally entitled to his own opinions upon of the Covenant, but his interpretation of it differs fundamentally from that of one of its original authors, General Smuts. Here is the litter's view, stated in a carefully studied speech at a dinner given to him by the Boyal Institute of International Affairs in London in November last In the first place, I cannot visualise the League as a military machine. It was not conceived or built for that purpose; it is not equipped for such functions. And if the attempt were now made to transform it into a military machine, into a system to carry on war for the purpose of preventing or ending war, I think its fate is sealed. I cannot conceive the Dominions remaining in such a League and pledging themselves to fight the wars of the Old World, and if the Dominions leave it, Great Britain is bound to follow.

I cannot conceive anything more calculated to keep the United States for ev er out of the League than its transformation into a fighting machine, pledged to carry out its decisions by force of arms, if necessary. And, remember, the United States has sti'll to join the Lcagne before it will ever he its real self. Membership of the United States was the assumption on which the States Jias largely de'feated its main objects. must continue to be the ultimate goal of all true friends of the League and of the cause of peace. There are, of course, people who say that the Leaonip -will lm mm.a debating society if, like a Church, it leaves to Governments the responsibility for using force.

I can understand a Socialist taking the view that Churches are mere debating societies. Socialism is nrnfminrllv material in many of its manifestations and takes naturally to the cult of force witness the fact that all our modern dictators have been Socialists first. But I cannot understand a Liberal holding that view of any spiritual organisation like a Church, unless he has completely lose nis ijioerai iaith. lours, Edward Grigg. Altrincham, November 6.

The League as a Church To the Editor of the Manchester Guardian Sir, Sir Edward Grigg suggests that the League of Nations should be no more than a moral and spiritual organisation, like a Church, which d-imands of its members absolute and scrupulous adherence to its ethical code but leaves to the State the power ot life and and control of temporal affairs." The League, he says, should do no more condemn the aggressor. Such confused thinking js a bad advertisement for the assembly in which Sir Edward Grigg has been a representative. Taking his simile at its face value, does he really suggest that the only curb to the law-breaker, be he thief or murderer, should bo the condemnation and innocuous excommunication of a Church? No, of course he does not, for he says in his letter that punishment is the duty of the State." But where is the counterpart of the State in international affairs? Sir Edward makes some reference to its being the responsibility of Governments," but has not the British Government Droclaimetl, loudest among all nations, that no punishment to an aggressor shall be attempted by individual Governments, and in particular by our own? And I am sure that Sir tidwarH be the first to applaud Miat dictum. xours 3,1. Kelley.

23, Cavendish Avenue, Finchley, London, N. 3, Xovenibero. The Title of "National" To the Editor ot the Manchester Guardian Sir, Believing as I do that the Government of this country should be a national one, I abject to one political party assuming the title for itself. I claim tor the Liberal partv and for mvself that we are nationally- minded and have the best interests of the country more at heart than the group of men who during the last four years have held the reins. To what purport we can imagine when, as one instance reveals, thev have spent 400,000,000 on our defence and now offer as an excuse for spending another that our defences are inadequate.

How long have thev known this? And if they believe in arms as a defence, why have they left the couutrv undefended? It would he held criminal in any other walk in life. Tf those millions had been spent in genuiue efforts for peace we could hae forgiven them. It is to be hoped that many constituencies. Altrincham among them, will decline to be bribed into support of men claiming "National" as tfieir title. I.

with all other members of our Liberal executive, much regret that we have not been able to secure a candidate to ficht this time. This constituencv has grown to such dimensions, 107,000 voters, that it is difficult to find men willine to contest it. especially jn the short time allowed. Yours, George Faulkner Akmitage, President Altrincham Division Liberal Association. Stamford House, Altrincham.

November 5. "Practical Modern Politics" To the Editor ot the Manchester Guardian Sir, The advice given by Mr. (Frank Thompson that Liberals in Altrincham should vote for the Labour candidate is backed by such inadequate reasons that all voters who are not blinded by party-bias will be appalled that those who hold responsible positions in the Liberal organisation should let prejudice carry them to such lengths. We are to vote Labour because Sir Edward Grigg is quoted as havinc said that the Italian Government had some grievances asainst the Peace Treaties and the Lea cut of XT; i'i. and that nuulil he a.

country to live in if rd on modem lines. Sir Edward did not say that Italy was justified in going to war to achieve her aims, and that is why she has been condemned by the League and why our Government has led that condemnation so strongly. No one can suggest that considerable reform is not badly needed in that backward country, and, if achieved peacefully, such a policy would receive general support. Mr. Thompson says that he has not quoted the whole of Sir Edward's speech.

His reasons will be understood bv all fair-minded people. Fortunately, modern voters need more solid arguments to convince them that they should jeopardise the wellbeing of the community and the strong position we occupy abroad, to vent the spite of a tew old-fashioned politicians who do not keep abreast of modern thought! We all know what would happen if Labour ruled this country to-day, and we know that, although a Liberal Government is no longer a possibility, thinking men and women who have been supporters of the great Liberal Governments of the past care sufficiently for their countrv to give their votes for the men who will support good and well-ordered government so that the ordinary citizen may live and work in peace. Liberals should vote for Sir Edward Grigg because he will support, more than the Labour candidate, those principles for which the pre-war Governments strove, and if the National Government is returned with a reasonable majcrity we shall be assured of a few more years of strong government and ordered progress, and shall be delivered from dangerous social experiments and the effect of unsound finance. These are the reasons which should influence us, not a small extract from a speech which does not give the implications which the Liberal chairman suggests. Let those Liberals who support Mr.

Thompson hold on to worn-out shibboleths and vote Labour, but let those who study the practical modern politics and put the wellbeing; of their country first of all vote for the Natioi-al Government candidate. Yours, Noel QI. Reform Club, Manchester, November 5. STRETFORD CONTEST Mr. A.

C. Crossley and His Candidature To the Editor of the Manchester Guardian Sir, In your issue of to-day you say that "Mr. A. C. Crossley has gone to seek his fortune elsewhere to make it possible for.

Mr. Dodd to fight (at Oldham)." I wish to make my action clear beyond possible doubt. I resigned as prospective candidate for Oldham a year and a half ago, to enable a National Liberal to fight. I had no great expectation of finding another constituency and, indeed, had no desire whatever for one outside the Lancashire district. Only at the last moment was I offered, and gladly accepted, the chance of Stretford.

a neighbourhood with which my family have many honourable connections. Indeed, this opportunity was a pleasant surprise, as I had actually completed arrangements for an electoral tour in support of my friends, and this included a whole week's stay in Oldham. Any suggestion, therefore, that I left Oldham for another seat is one whicli I feel bound to contradict on the spot. Yours, Anthony Crossley. Glenfield, Altrincham, November 5.

The Council of Action's Recommendation To the Editor of the Manchester Guardiai Sir, May we intimate that the Council of Action ior the Stretford Division, acting in conjunction with the National Council, intends to support, by any means within its power, the candidature of Mr. Tom Myers According to plan, a copy of the manifesto of the Council of Action for Peace and Reconstruction with the questionnaire has been sent to both the candidates. The reply from Sir. Tom Myers has been accepted by the council, which- intends to do all in its power to secure his return to Parliament. The council, therefore, invites all who approve of its policy to vote for the one candidate who has undertaken to support that policy, returned to Parliament.

lours, A. E. Chismax, B.D., Chairman of the Local Council. Florence Johnso.v, Hon Secretary. Conway.

Road, Hixton, November C. BRITISH SUPPORT OF THE LEAGUE The Fear of Conscription To the Editor of the Manchester Guardian ali resPnd to Mr. Molteno's appeal and probe more deeply than he does into these important matters. He rears that support of the League will involve us in conscription, and seems to suggest that in order to avoid that calamity we ought to repudiate our somewhat tardy recognition of our obvious duty as members and relapse into our previous disloyalty (or would he have us resign at once like honest and revert under these modern conditions to the pre-war chase after the phantoms independence and isolation. He advocates pacts of non-ageression, ignoring the fact that the Covenant is such a pact, as binding and as likely to prove efficacious as anv pact could possiblv be.

When at the Disarmament Conference Britain, in common with the other Great Powers, turned her back on the League and its principles, and plaved entirely for her own hand, seeking some immediate advantage over the rest, she did her best to make disarmament impossible, to promote rearmament and another arms race, and eventually to force us iuto conscription. France has all along expended Iter energy in hunting for alliances and pacts, which are contrary to League principles, instead of doing her utmost from the beginning to strencthen the League and gain for herself the safety which nothing but a strong League could possiblv secure. Such lapses (and there are plenty of others) fully account for the present muddle, the German menace, Mussolini's adventure, and the general unrest and indecision Halting between two opinions, trying to run'with the hare and hunt with the hounds, on Great Britain's part cannot possibly help to clear up the muddle. We must either plump wholeheartedly for the League at the expense of some present inconvenience or let the world go on sliding back into its pre-war conditions with the certainty of conscription and worse in the not" very distant future. Mr.

Baldwin. Sir Samutl Hoare, Mr. Eden, and a few other members of the Government see this clearly enough and have at last succeeded in prevailing upon the rest to throw in Britain's lot with the League, but there are still influential isolationists, lip-servers of the League, and reactionaries left who may force their way into tiie new Government and undo the good work now in progress, unless the electorate takes care that the overwhelming majority of Conservatives returned shall be staunch and declared Baldwinites, and onlv.a small minority Ainery'te. Churrhillite; or even ClnmlHM-ia'nites. Yonr.

-J. Price Williams. November 4. smoke -with a singularly unpleasant smell the smell of smouldering blankets. I lie and think about this smoke.

I wonder irritably why people should elect to burn their blankets at midnight. Then I wonder with a mildly sympathetic interest if perhaps one of the neighbours' houses has caught fire, At last, when a wisp of smoke feels its way through my bedroom window, I begin tentatively to consider the possibility that it may be my own house. I put on my dressing-gown and go sceptically downstairs. Here th'e smoke is thicker, but it is still coming into the house from outside. I go into the garden and my suspicions are suddenly confirmed.

I see the smoke issuing from the room in the basement in which sleeps my servant Daoud. I go down the steps and open the door of this room. Inside it is dark and the smell of smouldering blankets is intense. I switch on the light. In a corner of the room is Daoud's bed.

Smoke pour3 from the bedding, and on the bedding, as if on a funeral pyr.e, lies Daoud. Daoud is a heavy sleeper. I shake Daoud. I explain to him in a loud voice that his bed is on fire. Daoud is unwilling to believe me.

He thinks that I am part- of his dreams. To exorcise me he pulls the blankets over his head. He causes a draught. Little tongues of flame begin to lick Daoud centlv behind and he becomes dimly aware that the heat is greater than the normal temperature of an ugypxian summer nignt. xie casts the blankets petulantly aside and the little tongues of flame, refreshed by the rush of air, burst "into a cheerful blaze.

With a howl of dismay Daoud leaps suddenly from his bed. He stares at the flames and smoke and it is borne in upon him that the bed, his bed, is on fire. Alas he cries in a loud and dolorous voice. the house is nn fire And before I can arrest his progress ne -nas rusnea irom the room ana disappeared Bhoutinr into thn Relieved of the presence of Daoud I examine the fire in greater detail and find that it is a trifling and unimportant fire, limited to the blankets. I get a oucsec 01 water ana a lew spadefuls of earth from the garden, and in a quarter of an hour I have extinguished the fire.

Congratulating myself upon my presence of mind and coolness in an I leave Daoud's room and emerge into the fresh air of the garden. But as I stand, breathing deeply and allowing my eyes to become accustomed to the intense darkness my attention is caught by a confused noise of shouting and Tunning feet. I look down the road and see their white galabiyehs fitfujly illuminated by the flickering light of lanterns a motley throng of men preceded by Daoud and advancing at full speed. Waving buckets and utterinp cries of courageous determination, the throng surges through the pate. They see the lights which.

I have left on upstairs and downstairs. They smell the acrid smell of smoke and they conclude that no time is to be lost. Directed by Daoud, and much reassured by the absence of unusual heat, they swarm round the house and begin to dash water against the walls. Taking my shouts of dismay for encouragement they redouble their efforts. They throw water through the windows and a few of the most daring even venture into the house, dragging behind them the garden hose.

While I am attempting to get into Daoud's head the idea that there is, in reality, no fire to put out, powerful headlights and the clanging of a bell announce the arrival of the local fire brigade. I abandon my argument with Daoud and rush desperately to the gate determined to stave off this further evil. But the firemen misunderstand my eagerness. They see the flicker of lanterns and hear the shouts of Daoud's helpers gallantly at work and they push me politely aside. Calm yourself," "they say reassuringly have no fear.

This is not a serious matter. In a quarter of an nour we snait nave it under control. Disrecardins mv exhortations, thev attach a hose to a hydrant in the road and direct a powerful stream of water through the illuminated upstairs windows. I stand before them. I wave my arms.

In the name of God," 1 cry despairindv. "there is nn fire!" The firemen look at me pityingly. They iiuuK inac iear lias unhinged my reason. Thev shruc their shnnlrlers. tapping their foreheads knowingly, and continue to direct water through the windows.

When they consider that Mic names are suthciently subdued a party of them adjust the straps of their helmets, place wet cloths over their noses and mouths, and, seizing axes in their hands, advance irrimlv iinnn the house. With the resignation of despair i accompany them. the house the smell of smoke still lingers. The nostrils of the firemen dilate and they grasp their axes more firmly. With looks of set resolution they enter tne ironc aoor.

Ten minutes later thev emorrr "Wullahy!" they say in tones of reproach and disapproval, there is no fire." "That is what I I reply patiently. I said There is no fire Then why," say the firemen in indignation, "did you send for us?" "There was a fire." I answer, "in my servant's room. It was a small fire and I put it out by myself. It was my servant who. without instructions, summoned the brigade." Finding them incredulous I lead them to the basement.

Daoud's room has escaped the ministrations of Daoud's friends. There is a little water on the floor, a little earth on the bod, but otherwise it is curiously undisturbed. I go haughtily to the bed. "Here," I say, throwing back the blankets, "was the fire!" But there, peacefully asleep, lies Daoud. H.

K. Zieglee. LANCASHIRE The back-page article to-morrow will be a poem in the manner of Walt Whitman entitled Lancashire." In it the author, a prominent member of the cotton trade, pictures the growth and decline of Lancashire's chief industry, and deals with the causes and cons'e-quences of lhat decline. The Board ot Trade ha3 requested its solicitor to take the necessary steps for holding a formal investigation into tiie circumstances of the stranding of the steamship Iddlesleieh, of London, on Black Bock, Alta Vela Island. Caribbean Sea, on June 7.

1935. The formal investigation lias bwn liseil for liearinir ai the -Law Courts. L'ardifl, on Novoinher 21. TEN MEN ELECTROCUTED 1(1 TRENCH men working in a trench -n-ero electrocuted and burnt to death Alhandra, near Lisbon, yesterday. The men were working in a deep trench water conduit, many of them tinjing at the time, when suddenly bucket which was being lowered into the tieueh from a lorry accidentally struck an electric hisjh-lensiou post carrying current of a thousand volts.

A sudden flash swept the trench, and terribly r-nrned, the men fell dead, says a Bouter message this morning. SIR ERIC DRUMMOND SEES FRENCH AMBASSADOR Sir Brie Dnunmond last night ha 1 a meeting with the Frem-ii Ambassador in Home, Count il' ChambriVu', and discussed with iiii'i the political situation following o-i his visit to "Sigrtor Mussolini j-estoi-day. It is expected that further meetings the tw.o' Amlbas-' sadors will take place in tbe next few daye, says a Press- Association War Special message from Roma thic morning, CATHEDRAL SERVICES Matins at 11: Evensong at 3.30. Tlolr Communion. Waekdirs.

daily at 7' 50 a tn llolv DlTs and FrldBTS feharsl). fc IT a.m. alter duo notice. Thursday. Holj Communion, at 7 30 and 10 a m.

(lor nioceiau Conlerence). Matins said. 11 a.m. At 10 a.m. Holy Communioa: Nicholson in 1) Hjmni S16.

545, 553, 261; Evenioni: Gladstone in Anthem. When tba Son ot loan shall coine' (Uarvood, Ko. 547). Tho funeral took at St. Mary's Church, Welshpool, yesterday, of Mrs.

Kathleen Plate! Griffiths, wife of the Venerable Ellis Griffiths, Vicar of Welshpool and Archdeacon of Montgomery. WESTMACOM'S FRUIT SQ'SIL But on th Mirtet. AU hctsls. -17. Msrliet HU PAINLESS Childbirth.

Miss'Macdonald's -Twilight Sleep Homo (only address), 67, Upper Charlton Hoad. Whalley Range. Tat 2607 llou BKlf. DIGESTIVE PILLS fromWESIMACOTT'S will enra your- troubles. 17.

Marks Street. BIRTHS, MARRIAGES, AND DEATHS Announcements tn this column are charged al tba rata ot Is. 60. per line. All steb announcements must bo authenticated bj the nims and address tho sender, and la Itis caie ot "Engagements" by the elgnaturea 01 both parties.

Fostag stamps or postal order may fas sent la payment. BIRTHS DAWION. On the 6th to Mr. and Mrs. DOUGLAS DAWSON, a on.

28. Cypru. Ateaue, Falrharen. Jforember. 6, 1935.

at The Crolts SHril5nU.me- Cheadle. Holme, to Mr. and. Mu HAROLD n. T0G1IAN, a son.

DEATHS November 6. 1935. at Xenjn. Sharpies Parir. Bolton.

JOHN WOOD, the deir husband ol Agnss Mary ASHWOBTH. in his 75ta year. th' St. Annes-onSta. (Kitty), dearly belorod only Jfel" Wilson BAirKRSBY, ol Wmgfleld.

Washvay Road, Ash- Interment at Brooklands Cemetery on Friday, twelva noon. Inquiries Coop and Sons, Ltd. TeU Pendleton 14B7. Norember 5, 1935, JAMES HAMKR. ot Ferns Holme, Walmersley Road, Bury.

Inter nient at Christ Church. Walmersley, on Friday. Norember 8, at 1 30 p.m. Friends please accept this (tho only) Intimstlon. HA RTLE Y.

On November 6. suddenly, at Harden. 'J? ora't. Blackpool. ALBERT belored husband ol Elisabeth Ellen HARTLEY.

In his 73rd ye.r (one time manager County Bank. RawUnstall). Interment Saturday noon, November 9. at Lone-holme, RawtenitilL iho after short Illness, MARGARET ELIZABETH, the belored younger c'. Annie ind tho laU Alfred HUGHES, of 256.

Mauldeth Road West, Wltblngton. aged I 27 ZFi- Methodist Cnureb. Worsley Road, Winton, this- day twelve noon, prior to Interment at Birkenhead Cemetery. 2 30 p.m. Inquiries Coop and Sons, Ltd.

TeL Pen. 14B7. H5i Ji-iT1 5th 'Woodstock. Manor uuiun, mm oi wiimngLon. M-4KY ol Edward and Mary Church, Cheadto Hnlme, at prior to interment at Alderley Craetery, Friday, Korember Ben Lloyd, 51, Station Road, Cheadlo Hulme.

TeL 377. MO 0 RB- On Norember 5. GEORGE MOORE, ol -and and. Brazil), aged 61- years. Serrlce and jcremation will take -pUca at Lawns- wood Crematorium, Leeds, Saturday.

nszt at -3 pjn. No flowers, by special request. Braiilian papers please copy. KbCT sldence. 2.

flifltttnA CIjAKKK. t)ta beteTed daughter ol the. lata Thomas TOWNEND. Interment at Hoehdalo Cemetery on Saturday. Iiovember at twelte, George Vn KatWJlITE.

"SBS iJSl Btasbury Feacock. -phone 3397 WILKIHiOM-On he 61b, at Lyndhunt," Ful- 'oI WALTER, BAILEY anil the arm W. and. Ltdr. wish to eipresi their great appreciation for the numerous letter.

ilceiTedf tor tb' tribute. Un. BATU and Family wish to thank all Mends ad-. neighbours for their kind belo and jmpaUw-in their sudden. bereaTeuSnt, alio' fiojal 10.

St. MaryVRoad, Safe "to MVSSSt" afiitianka to all. friends Ior their hejptal sympathy- inw beISr sistcraUo to-Uiart- thS RSSlli.Be5.b?rVi"r and TonJn iypi8r tor their and 2SV Mc'i: f-irtwle indiridiabl- ana not to attoped and addressed envelope. mactotSZ" 7.i93Sj The hearing was continued by Mr. Justice Macnaghten and a special jury in the King's Bench Division yesterday of the action by the South Wales Miners' Industrial Union and Benefit Society, alleging that they had been libelled in two articles in the Daily Herald on April 25 and 26 last year.

They complained that the articles suggested that they had attempted to boycott the Caerphilly Hospital and had intimidated workmen into signing con-tracting-in cards in connection with a benefit scheme introduced in April, 1934. The plaintiffs denied that this was true, and said that the effect of the articles was to cause unrest and dissatisfaction among the members of the plaintiff union at Bedwas. The defence was a denial that the articles referred to the plaintiffs, or that the words complained of were capable of the alleged, or any defamatory, meaning. They also pleaded that the words were true in substance, in their ordinary and natural meaning. A further defence was that the words were fair comment, published in good faith and without malice, and on a matter of public interest.

The defendants were Odhams Press, Limited, the Daily Herald (1929), Limited, Mr. W. H. Stevenson, editor of the "Daily Herald," and also Mr. John Roach, secretary of the Caerphilly Hospital, who, the plaintiffs alleged, supplied the matter on which the articles were based For the plaintiffs, Lord Erleigh, K.C., and Mr.

H. H. Koskin; for the first three defendants, Mr. J. D.

Cassels, K.C., and Mr. Valentine Holmes; for Mr. Boach, Mr. J. W.

Morris. K.C.. and Mr. T. G.

Roche. Intimidation Denied Mr. William Williams, secretary and agent for the Bedwas branch of the South Wales Miners' Industrial Union, was further cross-examined by Mr. J. D.

Cassels. K.C., yesterday as to alleged intimidation of men working in the Bedwas mine. He denied that intimidation took place, and said that the dismissal of some 150 men about a month after the contracting-in cards relating to the hospital scheme were handed round was due to quota restrictions. Cross-examined by Mr. J.

W. Morris, K.C., Mr. Williams said the Caerphilly Hospital was regarded with great affection by the Bedwas men, for whom it had done noble work. It was extremely desirable, he said, to keep the hospital out of any dispute between the plaintiff union and the Miners' Federation. Before "plaintiff union was established at Bedwas every man had to belong to the Miners' Federation, Mr.

Williams added, and in twenty years seven years' work was lost through illegal strikes." (Mr. Morris I cannot stop you having your little dis at the federation whenever you wish. Mr. Williams said that about 80,000 was subscribed to the Caerphilly Hospital, before his union became interested at Bedwas, and many men were now unemployed who had subscribed earlier. They were still subscribers, on a smaller scale.

Plaintiff union did not ask for representation on the hospital board as a union, but as representing workmen contributors. Mr. Morris suggested that, having failed to get representation on the hospital board, a circular was issued asking the Bedwas men to transfer from the Caerphilly Hospital to hospitals at Newport. Cardiff, and Merthyr. Mr.

Williams said the circular was not issued until twelve months after the request for representation, and it was the GOVERNMENT AND EDUCATION An Open Letter An open letter addressed to all friends of education states that the "National" Government's attitude towards education can be judged from its record. Among the points put forward are: 1. There are a quarter of a million children in classes of more than fifty and two and a quarter million in classes of more than forty. At the same time there are thousands of unemployed trained teachers. 2.

Fifty thousand children die annually before the age of five and yet no attempt has been made to provide nursery schools for the two million children in the 2-5 age group. 3. Circular 1437 issued by the National Government has made the provision of free meals contingent on a medical examination, and not on the fact that the family income is too low to provide adequate food. 4. There are still over 1,200 schools on the black list." urge all friends of education (the ooen letter states) to ask candidates if they are prepared to give unequivocal support for each and every one of the following proposals: 1.

The immediate raising of the school-leaving age with provision of adequate maintenance grants, and without exemptions. 2. The restoration of the 50 per building grant. Provision of nursery schools. 3.

Free meals to be provided where the family income falls below a certain sum per head after rent has been deducted. 4. The reduction in the size of classes to forty as a maximum. 5. The immediate establishment of the principle of free secondary education with a liberal provision of free places as a first step towards free secondary education for all.

0. The restoration of the original Burnham Scales. 1 The signatures appended are: Lascelles Abercrombie, Eleanor Barton, P. M. S.

Blackett. Harold J. Laski, H. Levy, A. J.

Lynch, J. R. Marrack, R. H. Tawney.

TO-DAY'S ARRANGEMENTS Fa bun Jsectnre: Mr. 3- K. Ratclifle nit "The itatuce i I Nazi-Fasciit Plannlnc" Friends House, I London. 8 30. Sir Xingslej Wood at Conference on Welfare ol Cripples and Xnralid Children.

Drapers HalL London, 10 SO and 50. Forle's Literary Luncheon: Lord Xfttnsaay and Others, 1 Grorrencr Hotue, London L. Mr. Baldwin at Leeds Town Hall. 8.

Mr. Walter Rnncunan at Luton. Mr. Anthony Eden in toe Leamington and Warwick Dtrision. Sir Herbert Samnel at Darwen and FeniscowTes.

Mr. Herbert aforriion' Broadcast, 9 40. Manchester and Salford Somptimist Club of Manchester: Luncheon Grand Hotel; ladr Claire AnnesW on The Douglas Social Credit Scheme," 8. Manchester and Sailord Women's: Christian Temperance Association: Diamond obi lea Celebrations, MilUm Hall. 5 50.

Manchester Statistical SocMt: Dinner, with Sir George Schoftrr as Chiel Midland Hotel. 7 15. Manchester Diocesan Conference: Aatnmn Ueetinr. Hoaldswortb Halt Deamyate. 11 15 2 50, and 7 50.

Manchester and District Esperanto Union: Professor W. E. Collintnn on Idiotismnj en Interaacia Lingvo" Manchester Social Clnb 8 Leairae ot Nations Union (Witbincton ranch Special Meeting to Hear the Three Withinrtoa Candidates. Mr. E.

L. Yltrnmz- K.C CoanriTIor T. Scott Morton, and Colonel W. CL Boa. West Didibnry Public Hall, 8.

Sport Hutbr Union: Oxford Unircrritjr t. AH Blacks- Mr. Cassels, for the defence, said that what the plaintiffs complained of was an allegation of intimidation. He submitted that a trade union could not be guilty of intimidation and could not bring an action for libel on that ground. Intimidation was something which only a person could do.

If this were an action by officials of the union it might be another matter," said Mr. Cassels. Mr. Morris submitted that there was no defamation in the two sentences which Mr. Roach was alleged to have communicated to the newspaper.

Mr. Justice Macnaghten said that the words of the first sentence meant nothing by themselves, but could not the jury look at the setting, including the heading Why hospital boycott began Mr. Morris said they could not, and he also submitted that there was no evidence that Mr. Roach supplied the information as alleged. The newspaper- statement couiu nut ue put in as proving iiseit.

His Lordshin held there was a case to go to the jury. Mr. Justice Macnaghten had previously allowed Lord Erleigh to muii uuswers 10 mierrogaiones jn wmcn Mr. Roach admitted -that' he communi cated to the Daily Herald representative substantially as alleged. The hearing was adjourned until to-day, THE WEATHER Forecast for Td-day The Meteorological Office issues the ionowing ioiecaBt ior tbe period from General Inference.

A depression centred west ol the Hebrides is almost stationary and fillinc np, while shallow troughs ot low pressure are raorinc eastwards across the British Isles. In al districts there will be occasional showers and bright in the early morning. London Wind south-westerly, moderate; bright intervals; occasional showers; fog inland in the early morning; ground frost early; average day S.E. mild E. Ending.

Wind south-westerly, moderate: brirht in terra! occasional showers; fog inland In the early morning; croon frost inland early; average day N.W. and S.W. V. Hfffrilinrfi a Wales. Wind south-westerly to westerly, mode ciquuj; ongnier intervals: occasional showers; average day temneratnre.

N.E. Ensrland, E. and S.W, Scotland. Wind southerly, moderate; mainly cloudy: brighter intervals; occasional showers; local fog inland iu mo cijy murning; grouna irost iniana cany; average ay temperature. Farther OiHTooIc.

Fair in the South and East showers and bright intervals elsewhere. Irish Sea. Wind south-westerly, moderate; mainly i iriiervxis; occasional snowers; Yiaiomij laaicuy goou; sea moaeraie. Sun rises Sets Mrmn rises Sets To-day 7 18 4 27 2 39 p.m. 2 55 To-morTOW 7 20 4 26 2 57 p.m.

4 23.m. For every ten miles north or Manchester sunset Is enrlier by 31 seconds. LAM P.TIM FOR VEHICLES 4 57 p.m. DEXTER OVERCOATS in Thistledown Fabrics, at prices from 4 guineas, are now awaiting yonr inspection at Philip Hnrafrey and Hosiers and Shirtmalcers. Crass Street and Albert Square, Manchester.

Adtt. YESTERDAY IN MANCHESTER Wtiltwarth p.it Meuorolotfcal Obitirmtoij Wednesday. November 6, 1935 Bright Barometer Tendency Study TcMlny Yeaterd; Barometer p.m. (Millibars) The mlllibir i the lntfrnitloml anlt of bafo-metno preuare. On.

tboausd millibars ona bar) equals 29.55 Inches ol mercDiv. On, inch ol o.rearr 53.86 D-lUitars. Sbada Temperatures. Dry bulb 9 a.m. I Maximum 60 5 IWhlilhOnm ,9.1 AC 1 I 11 mc To-day Yesterday Humidity (percentage) 9.m..

9 p.m. (In Sunshine (hours) m. eo S7 0-3 4-0 5-8 0-1 THE SUPPLY OF RAW MATERIALS Lord Luke on the Problem At tbe annual general meeting of -the British National Committee of the Inter national Chamber of Commerce in London yesterday Lord Luke, who was re-elected chairman; spoke or the question of the supply, oi raw materials. He said that at a time when thpre harl Deen sucn over-proaucuon ot raw materials he could not understand the suggestion 4hat primary material producing countries were not supplying raw materials to all countries that wished to buy-them. It bad even been suggested that these, producing countries might' be redistributed.

The problem of access to supplies arose in part because the world had ceased temporarily to look to London an organic multilateral clearing-house for all operations in foreign" exchange. By attempting to establish a-bilateral settlement of trade' and payments through balanced 'exchange with each individual foreign country, many countries had increased their, transfer difficulties to -the point which they were now unable to buy essential raw materials. ANIMALS IN TANGIER To the Editor of the Manchester Guardian Sir, In an article which appeared in a recent issue of your paper, under the heading of Animal Welfare Abroad," your contributor makes the following statement: "Nowhere in the world, perhaps, are animals more cruelly treated than in Tangier, which is without an animal welfare -society." This statement is incorrect, as the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals of the Poor, of which the Prince of Wales is the patron, has been established in Tangier for more than ten year3. We have recently honoured by a visit to our hospital in Tangier from the Princess Koyal, accompanied by the Earl of Harewood and Lord Lonsdale, who showed great interest in our work and greatly encouraged us by their approval of our effort. The British Consul General, Mr.

Ernest Gye, is the chairman of the local committee, and the society enjoys distinguished local patronage, including that of the diplomatic agent of the United States and of the Consul Generals of the Netherlands, France, Portugal, Belgium, Italy, and Spain. The P.D.S.A. blue-and-white badge is to be seen on the brow of the passenger transport donkeys. This badge is issued to the owner of an animal as a token that his donkev is fit for the work of carrving tourists. The work of the P.D.S.A.

"and the blue-and-white badges are familiar to thousands of tourists who visit Tangier, and we frequently receive letters from visitors to that town indicating the satisfaction they feel that they can ride on donkeys which they know are fit and able to carry them. But the work of the society goes farther than attending to passenger donkeys. Thousands of animals of every description are treated every year in the P.D.S.A. Dispensary at Waller's Fondac. We know only too well the vast amount of work still to be done, and if any of your readers interested in animal-welfare work in Tangier care to communicate with us we shall be glad to give them first-hand information on local conditions there and to indicate how best their help can be utilised.

Yojrs, Maria -Dickin, Founder and Hon. Director the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals of the Poor. 14, Clifford Street. London, W. 1.

November 2. Our contributor writes 1 must apologise for the statement that there is no animal welfare society in Tangier, but I would point out that the Tangier branch of the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals does not appear in the list of societies for the protection of animals throughout- the world which is issued by the R.S.P.C.A. Ed. GUARD." A COUNTRY DIARY Koeth Xorfolk Coist, Xovembee 4. Truly one never knows what may turn up on these marshes, especially after stormy weather, though often these strange birds have proved to be merely escapes from private parks where foreign waterfowl are kept as ornaments on the lake which is so frequently a feature of them.

Such will, I expect, prove to be the case with a curious duck which has lately reached this coast, and there met its death two days ago' during the evening- flight. Yesterday I was fortunate enough to see it in. the flesh before it was dispatched to the taxidermist. Its salient points were the pintail-like shape of the head and neck, extremely short black tail, and slate-blue legs, which extended beyond the tail as far as the tarsal joint. The body colour was chestnut, paler below, the wings black without speculum, and the mantle beautifully patterned, chestnut black, each black feather being broadly fringed with chestnut.

A narrow black line running down the nape accentuated the slendemess of the neck, and the bill, like the legs, was slate blue. Its species has not yet been identified. Some grey geese hae come in, and one, a grey-lag, was killed the same evening as the duck. Flocks" of chaffinches are to be seen coming in from the sea, and rooks and jackdaws travel westwards whenever the rain ceases to fall. For the.

third successive a grey wagtail has come to winter on the village -though whether" or not it is the' same individual it is impossible to say. II. M. G..