AN HISTORIC DISPUTE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 96, 26 April 1933, Page 6

AN HISTORIC DISPUTE.

The Rev. T. E. Roberts, aged 76, a. leader of the Calvinistic Methodist Church of Wales, who died at Maesyrhedydd, Aberystwyth, in March, will be remembered chiefly for the part he took when a young man at Llanfrothen, with Mr. Lloyd George, who was then a young solicitor, practising at Criccieth, in establishing the right of Nonconformists to be buried in the parish churchyard. The case also had a considerable effect on Mr. Lloyd George's fortunes. The incident, described by Mr. J. H. Edwards in his life of Mr. Lloyd George, is to the effect that a North Wales quarryman, a member of the Calvinistic Methodist denomination, desired to be buried near to his daughter in the parish churchyard. The rector held that if Mr. Roberts was to officiate and not himself no such burial could take place. The grave was therefore closed and permission refused. Mr. Lloyd George advised that the original grave should be reopened. It was reopened, the funeral was fixed and the mourners were advised that if the gates we're locked against them they should open them by force. The funeral party was preceded by several North Wales quarrymen armed with bars and files, and, finding the gates locked, they burst them open. The burial took place, Mr. Roberts officiating. The case was taken to the County Court and decided in favour of the Church authorities. In the High Court the decision wag reversed, and the legal opmlon of Mr. Lloyd George and the action, of Mr. Roberts were vindicated, ,