Welsh Journals

THE SHREWSBURY CONFERENCE. By Ernest Evans. was not animated by any excessive optimism as I set out for the Conference. Although Home Rule has for many years been almost as prolific a theme for perorations as the Welsh hills, no detailed scheme so far suggested had been credited with possess- ing very much of the grandeur or the stability of those hills. The Conference was held for the purpose of enabling Welsh M.P.'s to receive the counsel and advice of men representating local authorities in Wales, who have practical experience of the exercise of existing powers of local government and are acquainted with the details of local administration. There had been some criticism of the Welsh members on the ground that they had prepared a scheme without con- sulting anyone outside of their own circle. Although I am here writing not a defence of them, but my impressions of the Conference, I may perhaps be permitted to express the view that such criti- cism Was mis-conceived and not quite fair. If anything called for comment it was their temerity, not their audacity. They surely may be forgiven for having thought that we have reached a stage when it was unnecessary to hold a Conference in order to discuss Home Rule as a principle and pass resolutions. Resolutions will never achieve Home Rule resolution will. With a view to a discussion on practical lines they authorised a Committee to draft detailed proposals. These proposals, they submitted as the basis of discussion at Shrewsbury. No one was so simple or foolish as to imagine that the proposals would not afford a convenient-and to some a welcome -target for wielders of missiles of every size and description. But as one of those who had assisted in drafting the scheme I looked forward with interest to the comments, criticisms, and suggestions which I hoped would be forthcoming. The first thing that struck one on entering the hall was the paucity of the attendance. I saw at once that Cardiganshire was well represented. Five of its public men sat together, and four of the M.P.'s who were present were natives of the county. But it was apparent many Councils were not represented at all. Although I had not entertained any extravagant hopes, I was certainly disappointed. It was the smallest and, I should imagine, the least enthusiastic Conference of its kind ever held. On the other hand, what it lacked in numbers it made up in directness and relevance of speech. The Conference was opened with an admir- able soeech by the Chairman, Mr. Herbert Lewis, who is one of the living links between the early days of the political movement and the present, and who had devoted himself with characteristic energy and thoroughness to the preparation of the scheme, which he hoped they would admit showed a desire on the part of the committee to present to them and to Wales a sound, sane, reasonable, and as practicable a scheme as they could devise." Mr. Lewis gave a concise resume of that scheme, and invited discussion. No attempt was made by any speaker to give ex- pression to the demand, if demand there be, for the establishment of a Welsh Free State similar to the Irish Free State. But the die-hard point of view was expounded by Dr. John Jones, Dolgelley, who regarded Home Rule for Wales as a luxury for which there was no mandate at the present time. That view exists, and it was only right that it should be expressed. At the same time I confess to having experienced a chilly feeling at hearing these sentiments on the lips of a delegate from — Merionethshire It was, how- ever, accepted that the question of mandate had been settled two years ago at the previous Conference at Llandrindod, and the Chairman tactfully brought the debate to a discussion of the scheme in its bearing on the three main questions, viz. ­ I. What powers are to be granted to the Welsh Legislature ? 2. What are to be the financial relations between the Imperial Parliament and the Welsh Legis- lature ? 3. What is to be the constitution of the Welsh Legislature ? I. — Powers. There was little discussion on this point. The view was expressed that wider powers were ultimately desirable, but those suggested were recognised to be a substantial first contribution. They include matters connected with Local Govern- ment, Public Health, Liquor Licensing, Order and Good Government, Poor Law, Land and Agriculture, Public Education. In regard to the Judiciary, the proposal is that it be reserved to the Imperial Parliament until the Welsh Legislature shall have had time to settle down to its work; and that it shall be transferred to Wales if and when asked for by the Welsh Legislature. With a view to facilitating the acceptance of the Bill by Parliament, it was considered advisable to abide in the main by the recommendations of the Speaker's Conference on Devolution. This explains why so important a matter as Industrial Legislation has been included in the reserved services. Appa- rently on this question the Speaker Conference had invited the opinion of the Labour Party, and that party had unanimously advised that this course should be adopted. ill. — Finance. The discussion on this question was practical and, in some instances, very well- informed. So far as can be ascertained, the main items of expenditure on Welsh Services for 1921-22 amounted to £ 6,086,000. To this must be added the sum of £ 420,000 now received by Wales in respect of Local Taxation Grants, making a total of 16,506,000, for which provision will have to be made. The revenues which it is proposed to transfer to Wales were estimated to yield in 1921-22 £ 3,615,200. This leaves a deficit of £ 2,890,800. To this deficit must be added the expenses of setting up the Welsh Legislature, which it is difficult to estimate. These figures, be it observed, are largely estimates. Acting on the principle adopted by a Committee of the Speaker's Conference, presided