1 JUNE 1912, Page 2

Mr. Lloyd George,.who was the principal speaker at a great

demonstration in favour of Disestablishment at Swansea on Tuesday, said that the connexion of the State with religion was an injury to the spiritual life of the country. Turning to the question of endowment be declared that " we cannot give away the property of a nation in order to earn a meretricious credit for generosity." Gigantic problems were awaiting settlement, but Parliament, was afraid, and all parties seemed to be affected with nervous prostration. As he was at home he meant to talk freely—and, let us add, he was as good as his word. The situation needed courage, and nine parts of courage was faith. " For Heaven's sake let us apply our principles fearlessly." He flung back the charges of sacrilege, theft, and greed on the assailants of the Bill. Vessels consecrated to the sanctuary were still on their sideboards, meat dedicated to the altar stocked their larders to-day, and the greatest people in England owned land which at one time belonged to the poor and to the service of religion.