BETTWS.
Through the generosity of the inhabitants of Bettws and district, the local Reception Committee have had the honour of granting a bounty of £3 to twenty of the heroes who have returned home on leave from active service.
Appended are the names : —
Capt. Richards, Sergt. R. Higgs, Sergt. D. Francis, Corpl. W. Davies, Corpl. W. Rainford, Privates W. Coslett Evans, John Thomas, Stanly Allen, Sam Howells, J. H. Griffiths, W. H. Powell, D. Aubrey, Albert Jolly, Tom Freeman, Albert Davies, W. J. Edwards, T. Evans, and Glyn Davies, Emlyn Thomas, R. N., and Dyfrig Williams, R. N.
Two of the Heroes mentioned have fallen in action, viz., Private Stanley Allen, Welsh Guards, and Stoker Dyfrig Williams, H. M. S. Indefatigable; while Private Sam Howells has been permanently disabled.
Whenever circumstances would permit, reception concerts have been held at the Bettws Council Schools. Though the burden has been heavy, the committee, as yet, have not crossed the borders of their district to elicit subscriptions.
In the near future, an opportunity will be given to all those who sympathise with the work of the committee to give a helping hand. As long as the support of the inhabitants lasts, the good work will be carried on. Mr. W. Fowler is chairman of the committee, and Mr. ? R. Griffiths secretary.
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GARNANT NOTES.
[By GARNANT.]
We were glad to see our old friend, William Benjamin, Twyn, Garnant, home again. Private Benjamin has been in France for over twelve months, and after being in hospital for a while, he is now discharged as medically unfit for further service.
ITEMS OF INTEREST.
The French reply to the offer of the enemy took the form of a grand assault at Verdun, where they captured nearly 12,000 prisoners.
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Germany is disappointed at the Premier’s reception of their peace offer, and it is declared that our policy of waiting until Germany is vanquished means eternal war.
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The scope of the new Man-Power Scheme embraces all persons from 16 to 60. Fit men above military age are to go on the particular form of war work for which they are best suited.
If the system of voluntary national service fails, as the Derby Scheme failed in the end to supply the need, the Government mean to come promptly to the House of Commons for compulsory powers in regard to the labour of men between 41 and 60.
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An important speech by the new President of the Board of Agriculture, Mr. R. E. Prothero, foreshadows the limitation of the price of wheat to 60s. per quarter, and prices of other products will similarly be fixed.
Cottage gardening is to be revived, grass lands ploughed up, the Board will see that seeds are procurable and at a reasonable price, and farmers are not to lose their men. No men are to be called up on January 1st until the census returns are carefully scrutinised and examined.
