Rhondda Leader Maesteg Garw and Ogmore Telegraph

Dririk aqd the Nation. Temperance Demonstration at Tonypandy. On Thursday1 afternoon and evening la,st Tonypandy was the venue of a large gathering of vv eslevan Methodists, drawn from all parte of the Rhondda Circuit, I the occasion being the long-looked-for- ward-to visit of that well-known temper- ance advocate, Rev. Henry Carter, of Harrow. The services commenced with a conference of temperance workers held at 3.30 in the afternoon at the English Wesleya-n Chapel, presided over by the circuit minister, Rev. W. R. Rose. Rev H. Cai-te,r commenced his discourse by asking the representatives of the various bands of hopes or temperance societies, numerous questions in relation to the working of their organisations, and gave some sound advice and methods to adopt for the advancement of the movement. He advised the importance of keeping the observance of Temperance Sunday, thus giving the scholars of the Sunday school an opportunity of signing the pledge. "If you keep a safeguard on the boys and girls," said Mr. Carter, "you will save t men and women of the future." All forms of evil would be. weaker if the i. drink traffic was not mixed up with it, because drink was at the bottom of two- thirds of the crime of the country. After the address, numerous; questions; were answered. After the service, tea was provided in the vestry, for visitors, when a goodly number were entertained. Fol- lowing the tea a demonstration of the Bands of Hope and Sunday Schools, took place, the procession starting: from Wes- ley Church, "Williiamaltown, headed by the Treorehy Wesleyan Brass Band. Banners and temperance mottoes were carried by the children and the demon- stration was one of the largest seen in connection with the Rhondda Wesleya-ns. Trinity Chapel (kindly lent) was the scene of the evening gathering, and the meeting was presided over by Dr. Alfred Jones, whose fame as a. temperance orator is just beginning to become known in Mid-Rhondda. He said he was delighted to preside over such a gathering. There were two reasons, he said, why he sup- posed he occupied the chair, firstly be- cause lie represented the medical side of the question, and secondly because he hod been a life-long teetotaller. Interest in the temperance question from a medi- cal point, commenced about 100 years ago, said Mr. Jones, when a Scotchman wrote a book on "The evil of Alcohol on the body." Since that time it had been one of progress, and the stars of the pro- fession were united in a, vigorous cam- paign for the temperance cause. Alcohol, if used it all, he thought, should be used just the same as other drugs. If any reason was to be found why people drank, it was for the same reason as John China- man took his opium, and that was be- cause it benumbed the brain (applause). Rev. Henry Carter then rose to address the; audience, taking as his subject, 'Drink and other social evils.' There were some people, he said, who were inclined to take rather a, pessimistic view of the temperance question, which was a great mistake. They should not let the foolish action of the House of Lords, in relation to the Licensing Bill, b80 thrown across the paths of human progress, and in the present political situation, the temper- ance reformer should not be down-hearted. On April 1st, the Children's Bill .would come into law. That was a, Bill to be proud of. It would make it illegal for little ones under the age of 5 years to be given intoxicants by its parents, and also it would be illegal for children to enter public houses during the hours of sale. The very title of his lecture, said the rev. gentleman, suggested that they should not think of drink from an indi- vidual standpoint, because it was bound up with every other social evil. The sweating system, gambling, bad housing, and the land questions, were dark and benighted evils, and lay at the back of all social problems. The drink problem could not stand alone the temnerance reform- er must be a social reformer, and the social reformer must be a temperance reformer. There was one problem, said the lecturer, in respect to which drink had a special bearing, and that was upon the little children, where the misery borne upon them by drunken parents, was plainly visible. The drink's relation to a child was murder, and children born into the drinker's family could not get so fair and just a start in life as those born into the abstainer's homes. It could be proved that children born of habitual drunken parents, bore enfeebled bodies, and hwbH «elf-oontro!. Here the lec- turer gave statistics bearing out his claim, which he had taken from medical authorities. Speaking of childhood as it presented itself to the day school teacher, he stated that at a New York school over 20.000 children were examined, and the habits of the parents inquired into, when it was found that, where both parents were drinkers, no less than 53 per cent. were, to use an American term, "dull- ards," and where both were abstainers, only 10' per cent. were dullards. The children were the citizens of to-morrow, and their character was being decided in the home life to-day, and, therefore, the country's future depended upon the total abstinence of parents. The problem of poverty, he said, was a great one, 12,000,000 inhabitants lived, either on or under the poverty line. Quoting Sir Thomas Whittaker, the rev. gentleman said that the average working man's family spent about zE17 per annum on strong drink, while the rich man's family spent about P,44 per annum. He de- plored this unwise expenditure of those who ought to know better. The average wage paid for unskilled labour in York, was 18s. per week, and to receive 21e in London, was the extreme, and if 8s. per. week was taken out of these small in- comes for drink, there was left a very small balance for food, rent, etc. Thus it was evident that some had to suffer, and the chief sufferers were the children. They had to learn the lesson of hardship Slowly and sadly, and God, in His infinite mty called them home and saved them from that bitterness which their parents had become acquainted to at their cost. The society of the N.S.P.C.C. was a satire itself on our civilization. To think that such a society was needed to protect the child from the cruelty of the parents was deplorable, 90 per cent. of the cases brought before the notice of that society were drink caused. Until Britain was organized honestly and bravely they had failed in their duty as a Christian nation. The usual votes of thanks brought a red letter' day in the history of Wesleyan Methodism in the Rhondda Circuit to a close.

Men in Fighting Spirit. Cymmer Miners and Agents. There is an ominous cloud of unrest passing over the South Wales coalfield these days, which is fraught with the gravest consequences. The immediate matter at issue is, of course, the action of the Powell Dutfryn Company in stop- ping the Aheraman Pits because of a dispute' in the Gellideg Seairi. This action is bitterly resented by the men, and a threat has been made by the leaders to call out the whole body of men employed by that Company. This phase of the question was deliberately discussed at a meeting of the Executive Council held at Cardiff on Monday, which was very largely attended, and while there were not wanting those who demanded the stopping of the whole machinery in the coalfield, others favoured a sectional stoppage. It was ultimately agreed, however, to adjourn the discussion pend- ing a meeting of the Conciliation Board on Wednesday. The following is a copy of the official report furnished to the Press at the close of the meeting — Mr. Alfred Onion'3 supplied the official report to the Press at the close of the conference, and said it was one of the biggest conferences held at Cardiff. No Credentials Committee was appointed, but there were over 300 delegates present. Mr. W. Abraham, M.P., presided, and Mr. W. B race, M.P., occupied the vice- chair, and in the absence of Mr. Thomas Richards, M.P., who was indisposed, Mr. Alfred Onions acted as secretary. The Chairman, in opening the subject, advised the conference to direct its atten- tion to the, business for which it was called together, and said there was a joint meeting of the Conciliation Board to be held on Wednesday next, when the question to be discussed at this confer- ence would come up for consideration, and he had strong hopes that through one of the agencies at its disposal the Con- ciliation Board would find a way of satis- factorily settling the question. He went on to express the opinion that the policy of the owners—the associated owners in the coalfield—appeared to him calculated to bring about a stoppage, and gave instances of their action as evidence- of this contention. He then went oil to give a resume of what had taken place at the Aberaman Colliery from the com- mencement of the dispute there until that day's conference, and finished up, by advising: that there should be complete unity among the workmen in dealing with this matter. A long discussion took place in which Mr. Brace, Mr. W. P. Nicholas, Mr. Stanton and Mr. Onions took part, and it was ultimately moved by Mr. David Lewis, Mountain Ash, iiid6 seconded by Mr. Idris Walters, Abergwynfi — That this conference, having discussed the situation at the Aberaman Colliery created by the Powell Duffryn Com- pany giving the workmen notices to terminate contracts and stopping the collieries, expresses its entire confi- dence in the policy of the leaders as set forth in the manifesto issued to the coalfield, and that in view of the meet- ing of the Conciliation Board on Wed- nesday next this conference stands ad- journed until Monday, March 15th, when a report of the position shall be given and the future policy decided upon. This was carried by an enormous majority. The issue at Aberaman is, however, only a part of the matters in dispute in the coalfield. It is computed that there are already about 10,000 men idle in various ,parts of South Wales through the action of colliery owners in closing down pits which they claim to be unremuner- ative, while the question of a satisfactory wage-rate in abnormal places is also a matter that calls for immediate treat- ment. Coupled with this is the recent declaration of the coalowners that the Eight- Hours Bill, which is about to come into operation, of itself terminals the ve'1 existing agreement governing the con- ditions and wages of the men, which, under ordinary circumstances, would not have run its course until the beginning of next year. It is known that the owners' decision is based on advice given by eminent counsel—Mr. Montague; Lush. K.C.—whilst no less interesting is the announcement made by Mr. W. P. Nicholas, the( Federation solicitor, at the meeting on Monday, that, in the opinion of eminent counsel, whom we are told is no less an authority than Mr. Rufus Isaacs, K.O., consulted by him, the Act does not in any way affect the wage agreement as such, but simply affects certain customs attached to that agree- ment, and that the wage agreement, therefore, should run its normal course without interference. Meanwhile, the coal trade is in a state of alarm that it has not experienced for some years, and it is to be hoped that counsel and moderation will prevail.

Meeting of Cymmer Workmen. Dissatisfaction Amongst the Lodges. Miners' Agents Censured, A meeting of the workmen of the Cymmer Collieries was held at the Palace Theatre, Porth, on Sunday afternoon. The workmen of the neighbouring col- lieries were also invited to attend, and to take part in the deliberations. Mr. John Hughes (checkweigher) occupied the chair. The Chairman, in opening the meet- ing, said that it had been convened in order that the Cymmer delegate might have a mandate from a united meeting; also to afford an opportunity to the day- men and the nightmen to discuss their situation at the Cymmer Colliery. Speak- ing of the situation at the Aberaman Colliery, and the proposition to draw out the rest of the Powell Duffryn's workmen in consequence, the Chairman stated that the result would mean that they would have to levy, themselves very heavily to support those men. Proceeding, he further stated that it appeared to him that there was really no difference in the position at Aberaman and their own "position. As far as he could see, they were in the same predicament. Mr. Morgan had stated at a previous meeting—held at Porth. to consider the question off the I Five Feet Seam—that they were to go to work until a general settlement could be brought about, and that all those who were working in abnormal place. and not receiving 5s. 4d. per day plus the percentage, should have their money made up to that amount (cries of "That's right "). "But now," continued Mr. Hughe,3i, he denies having made such a statement (cries of Shame "). Depu- tations had waited upon him and obtained no satisfaction. Mr. Morgan now said he had not meant anything of the kind. Their committee having paid out some money through the statement of their agent to workmen in abnormal places, lie (the chair- man) wished to know whether the meet- ing agreed with what had been done by the committee. He did not wish to infer j that their agents had not the ability; | that was aJI right, if they remained firm and consistent (hear, hear). All men. were judged by their associates. They were condemned for not having settled their price list at_ a more opportune time. But a price list liad been drawn up, and their price list at a more opportune time. But a price list had been drawn up, and been approved of by the agents at the time; but when brought before the arbI-, trators, their agents had not given their » list an opportunity ("Shame"). He was j afraid they had been misled in this busi- I ness from beginning to end. Referring | to the present disorganised condition of | the Federation, the Chairman deeply regretted it, and said there was urgent need of changing the defective links and welding the Federation chain more firmly together (hear, hear). Mr. Ben Wheeltifr (cheekweigher) ex- pressed great satisfaction with the in- terest displayed by all the workmen in the question under consideration. The committee had commenced a price list for the new seam in 1905. Many meet- ings had been held, but Mr. Morgan had attended only a few. The price list had been drawn up by themselves in com- parison with other seams, &e. The list was submitted to the agents and approved of. Yet their list had not been con- sidered when they were before the arbi- trators. They then pushed forward the Hafod price list, and asked the agents whether they were willing to accept it if a minimum clause could be inserted. A very unfair question, continued Mr. Wheeler, to ask in the presence of the I employers (hear, hear). Questioned as to whether it was the same seam, Mr. Wheeler said it was not. A further deputation was referred to which had recently waited upon the agent in connection with the unemployed Cymmer men. Mr. Morgan said he did not know what, was, to do with them, as I he had no sympathy with them" (cries of Shame and Chuck him out "). Mr. Cyril Thomas, treasurer of the lodge, said he was not present at the committee meeting when it was decided to make up the wages of men working in abnormal places. He was. however, pre- pared to accept responsibility with the committee for the action. He had in- quired the reason of the new departure from custom, but had been referred to the statements made by the agent, which statements lie afterwards recollected having heard, and which were to the effect that the men in the new seam were to go to their work, and if they did not have proper payment for working In abnormal places, thev were to bring their ease before him, and he would obtain for them what they were entitled to, if not more. Thus had he (Mr. Thomas) paid out as treasurer of the lodge money to men employed in abnormal places. He had never thought that this money was to come out of lodge funds. While he understood that the agents would obtain the money from the management. Mr. I Morgan denied having made the state- I ment. t Mr. J. H. Lewis, chairman of the No. I 1 Rhondda District, concurred with all s that had been said. | A vote was taken upon the mandate, I and it was decided to sunport the Powell Duffryn workmen bv calling unon all the f miners of South Wales to throw down their tools. A vote of censure was also passed upon the agents, Messrs. D. Watts Morgan and Tom Evans. Mr. John Treharne (checkweigher) and others also addressed the meeting.

Reclaiming Lost Women. Address by Mrs. S. M. Saunders A public meeting was held at Trinity Vestry, Tonypandy, on Monday night, March 8th, when Mrs. S. M. Saunders, Pencoed, delivered an excellent lecture. Mrs. W. Ambrose Williams presided, and spoke of the great rescue work done in Cardiff, on which Mrs. Saunders had come I to lecture. She also said that we ought f|§ to try to raise women of the lower grade, | help them, and give them the hand of f to try to raise women of the lower gi-ade, help them, and give them the hand of f fellowship. Women's meetings for this purpose were being held at the Library, Tonypandy, by the ladies of the district. » Mrs. Saunders lectured on the rescue I of the fallen women of Cardiff. She said that midnight meetings were held for the purpose of gathering these women from the streets, and then trying to sober them by giving them food and tea, and telling them of God's word. She had known 70 drunken women to come into the'meeting in one night. Sometimes 50, and other times only 30, but most of them were young women, fallen into the depths of s degradation. One young woman had i once come in, and she was down in the depths of sin, but they spoke to her that night, and afterwards taken her in hand. and now she was in service, trusted, and highly respected. Mrs. Saunders then related the career of two young women she had met in this way, how low and degraded they were when she first saw them, but afterwards respectable, and glorifying God's word. She said that very often the meetings were turned into pandemonium through the women's drunken state. Once it had been awful, and they could not make them be quiet, but one of the rescuers present started reading a portion of the Scripture, believ- ing that God's word would have power amongst them, and immediately they became quiet. The work, she said, was terrible, yet most pitiful, but it had its glorious side. The following also spoke: — Mrs. Whittock, Mrs. Tudor Williams. Mr. Odgers, Mrs. Arfon Jones, Mrs. Dalli- more, Mr. A. Davies and Mr. G. Wil- liams. A vote of thanks was accorded Mrs. Saunders and all who had taken part.

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Penygnaig Workmen Advocate j "Combined Stand." At a crowded meeting of the Naval Colliery workmen, Penygraig, held at the Butcher's Arms Hotel, on Saturday evening, it was unanimously agreed: — That we, the Naval Colliery workmen, to the number of 2,000, are of the opinion that the time lias arrived that we should make a combined stand against the aggressive policy of the coalowners, and pledge ourselves to render loyal support « to our leaders In any course they may adopt in the present crisis to secure the best interest to us as workmen in the coalfield."