The Aberdare Leader

"Repeal the Act Demonstration at Aberamaifc The Grand Theatre, AW ram an, was crowded last Sunday night, the local branches of the I.L.P. and X.C.F. having organised a demon- stration to demand the Repeal of the Military Service Act. The chair- man. Mr. J. T. Norman, Aberaman, briefly announced the object of the meeting, and called upon Mr. George Richards, Abernant, to formally move the resolution: "That this meeting of the citizens of Aberdare and district demand the Repeal of the Military Service Act, o. 2, and pledges itself to oppose any exten- sion of the compulsory system." Mr Richards said that he belonged to an organisation which was bent upon fighting militarism. Unless they op- posed this measure more of their freedom would be taken from them. Speaking as a married man he said that if the Government brought in a measure that applied to him he would refuse to obey it. He appeal- ed to his audience to act like men and vote for repealing the Act. Councillor Idwal Thomas then rose to second the resolution. He be- lieved that the Military Service No. 2 Act was the most dangerous Act the democracy oi this country ever had to face. He opposed the Act as an Internationalist. He knew what Militarism meant in other countries and he knew what it would mean for the people of this land. There were a number of young men in this country determined to oppose this Act even at the risk of being placed against the wall and being riddled with shot. He also opposed the Act as a Trade Unionist. Trade Union- ists were gradually getting the reins Qf power into their hands and the upper classes saw in Conscription a means of crushing the workers. Mr. John Thomas, B.A., Trecynon, was the third speaker. He said that a perfect blizzard of militarism had swept over Europe, but there were still stalwart young men and married men who refused to bencl, let alone break, before it. He then gave briefly the five steps which led to putting of the yoke of Conscription on the free necks of the people of this land. The voluntary system had supplied a steady stream of men into the Army, but the Jingoes of. the country were determined to get Com- pulsory Service. The leader of these was Lord Northcliffe. A Coalition Government was formed which con- sisted of the worst reactionaries in the country. This Government brought in the National Registration Act. Mr. Asquith—the man who gave the pledges (laughter)—gave his pledge that this Act should not be used to force Conscription on the country. The Pink Form Scheme was then brought in to the disgust of the Jingoes. Lord Derby then came forward with a scheme that carried the Government and even stopped the mouths of the Jingoes—the Group System. Mr. Robert Williams, General Secretary Transport Workers, re- ceived a great ovation. After mak- ing a few personal remarks he pro- ceeded to attack Lord Northcliffe and his press. Why did Sir Edward Carson desire the Blockade of Greece? he asked. To get the neu- tral nations against Britain, to make it harder for this country to wage the war, 40 as to foist conscription on this country. The more they in- creased their reserves the more cer- tain did they make the destruction of the men now at the front. They had been gerrymandered into the Military Service Act by the damn- able supineness of their own trade union leaders. (Applause.) Lord Curzon, Lord Milner, etc., urged them to stand for liberty abroad. hat had they done for liberty at home ? Mr. Asquith was a well- poised, and well-oiled weathercock showing in which direction the poli- tical wind was blowing. The Tri- bunals were spreading their nets to take in the halt, the blind, and the lame to justiiy tne iniamous JJeroy figures. There was a movement now to send back 20.000 or so men from the Army. Men were to be drafted from their civilian occupations into the Army and back again. Could they see why? It was to have in- dustry organised on military lines. What sort of men were they 'comb- ing' out from the reserved occupa tions, the pliant tools of the employ- ers or the agitators ? (Voice The agitators.") "Who wept tears of blood over the consciences of farm- ers who refused to pay tithes? That scurvy trickster, Lloyd George," said the speaker. A member of the audience resent- ed this remark. Alr. Williams, how- ever, went on to say that the Minis- ter of Munitions was too mean- souled to support the young fellows r I who fought conscription. He (the speaker) flung bad: the taunt of coward at the jackanapes who ran the modern press by reminding them of the dangers every day faced by working men in their labour and to save comrades in an explosion. The way to end militarism was not to send one class instead of another. but to work for peace. The resolution was carried.

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Scene in a horse car: A roughly dressed man, a newly-made husband and his wife are the occupants. Car goes off the track, and rough man says damn." Up jumps "hubby" saying: I "How dare you say 'damn' before my wife?" "How did I know your wife wanted to say 'd&mn' first?" was the reply.

1, Aberdare Church Parade. On Sunday morning last (Palm Sunday) the 2nd Glam. Volunteer Training Corps., Aberdare, had a Church Parade to St. Elvan's under the command of Capt. A. L. Gregor. Headed by the Town Band (Mr. J. Manley) they marched from the Drill Hall to the Church, where seats were reserved for them. They were met at the north door by Churchwardens Lloyd and Edwards, who marshalled them down the aisle. The service was choral. The Rev. D. J. Wills took the service, and the Rev. C. G. Wright read the lessons. The Vicar preached an appropriate sermon. Taking as his text Matt. 27, 17, l'arabbas or Jesus, which is called I Christ." the preacher said that we stood on the verge of an epoch in the world's history. The story of a gen- eration had been crammed into the small space of a few months. To-day was a great day^. Men and nations had been swept into the presence of God- We should do well to consider I the greatness of occasion, the great- \1 ness of opportunity and the great- ness of the past. The world had I grown very dull and uninspiring. A limitless desire for wealth, power and pleasure had-run like a flame through the nations. The fire of war had been a very furnace of puri- fication. >Vhat England was going fication. '\That England was going to be depended very Inuch upon what England was to-day. I am pleased to welcome you here in this church I this morning," said the Vicar. What the world needs to-day is í men of decision. Whom are you for to-day, Barabbas or Jesus? The call of Jesus will bring forth the best that is in you. Hear the pleading voice that speaks to you. So much depends on the answer you give. Oh for the courage of the battlefield m our common affairs, that we may once more set in motion in this world's life tides of love which shall flow over all lands, slowly changing cruelty into kindness, bitterness into sweetnesg and making all things new." At the end of the service the choir sang the Russian Contakion of the Dead to a Kieff melody. The service closed with the National An- them. There was a large congrega- tion. The members of the Corps looked very smart in their new uniforms.

Tabernacle, Aberdare. On Sunday evening the Rev. T. Madoc Jeffreys, the pastor, preached at Tabernacle English Cong. Church from the words, Launch out into the deep (Luke v., 4). He re- marked that an occasional disciple- ship of Christ must eventually lead to a permanent adherence of his cause. The Christian religion was not merely ?—?ompaign of successful preaching. it was not political speechifying that won an' election, but personal canvassing. Also in re- ligion it was not eloquent sermons that made for its success. Men must be linked on to it. At revivals great crowds became attached to the cause of religion, but when the ex- citement died down their enthusiasm waned correspondingly. The great need of true religion was men with strong, lasting convictions, not a transient exuberance. Christ need- ed to-day men into whose spirits the ardour of his campaign had entered. With the charm of his own person he led the casual disciples into the deeper enterprise of a permanent dis- cipleship. He bade them abandon the shallow waters of an occasional attachment and launch out into the deep. Christ taught also that all, not some of us, were to be fishers of men, catchers-not of dead men who were slaves to dogma—but real live souls. The Galilean fishermen would have made Jews of their converts but the Master wanted to make men of them. It needed live Christians to catch live men. Might God grant us the grace to listen to the call of Christ and launch forth into the deep of human service.

I Musical Distinction, I At an examination recently held at Cardiff by the Victoria College of Music, Miss Dorothy Hughes-Evans, of 2 Cledwyn Terrace, Trecynon, passed the Primary Grade in organ playing, gaining 104 marks out of a possible 110 (with honours), a very high percentage for a child of ten. Also Evan D. Owens, of Clive Terrace, Ynysybwl, passed an examination in music recently. Great credit is due to both pupils and their teacher, Mr. E. T. Edwards, A.L.C.M., Tudor Terrace, Aberdare.

Calfaria, Aberdare. The annual musical festival in con- nection with Calfaria Baptist Church was held on Sunday last, which turned out to be one of the most suc- cessful yet held. The majority of the hymn tunes were taken from the local gymanfa programme, together with the following anthems, which were excellently rendered: "Teyrn asoedd y Ddaear," by J. Ambrose Lloyd; Bendigedig fyddo Arglwydd Dduw Israel," by John Thomas, Blaenanerch; and "Awn i Dy yr Arglwydd," by -Isaac Lewis. The solo and quartette were sweetly sung by Mrs. Lizzie Jones, Mrs. Bessie Williams, Messrs. G. W. Fletcher and Ben Pugh. Mr. Pugh also gave a rendering of Rwy'n mynd," and Mr. Fiiher. Davies sang Dies Irae." Mrs. Lizzie Jones sang Neges y blodeuyn." Mr. Willie George addressed the meeting, tak- ing for his subject Mawl." which was very instructive. Mr. Daniel Griffiths conducted both morning and evening meetings. His enthusi- asm inspired the choir to great 1 sffort, and the effect was electrifying it times. Mr. J. H. Hopkins con- j lucted the children's meeting in th(- ifternoon. This also proved a splen- 1 lid success. The young choristers lad been very well trained. The )residents for the day were Revs. lames Griffiths, the pastor; Mr. D. y lichards and Mr. Eynon. Prof. Tom h )avies presided at the organ in a C nasterly manner. Mr. J. Dyrin b )rice was hon. secretary. n

Trecynon and Llwydcoed Notes. BY MARCELLO. Pa and Ma are anything but unani- rnous on the big question of christening their newly-arrived boy. She is war mad j and wants to call the kid either Verdun or Kut. He on the other hand is a peace- at-any-price conscientious objector and suggests Henry Richard or Ramsay Macdonald. At the time of writing there is no sign of settlement. I fear that this is but the beginning of trouble. Later on the mother will want to feed the infant on brimstone and treacle and the father will insist on Quaker Oats. M has been informed that no hot cross buns will be sent abroad this Easter. She is hot and cross about it, for she had intended to send a cargo to her boy in France. But I think he will take the affair quite coolly. I don't think he has digested the stuff he had from her last yeax. There is a coolness between the Tre- cynon boy and the Mount girl. Is there no way of making it up? No, Marcello will not consent to act as umpire in a lovers' tiff. When the devil says "Fall out," Cupid generally says "Fall in" in a very short time. And they obey. My dear girl, don't be jealous of your girl friend. She is only filling up the gap with him when you are unavoidably absent. When you are away how can your best boy do better than spend his time with his best girl's best friend P As a set-off against the waning glory I of Aberdare fair on the Ynys we had this year the revival of the Trecynon fair on j Hirwain Road. I mean the flower show last Sunday on the 16th, the time honoured date of the Aberdare institu- tion. There were more "floral tributes" on the heads of the living than on the graves of the dead. I know of a Tre- cynon damsel who had ordered a new headgear for Easter, but the milliner had to work double overtime in order to get it ready for the floral com- petition on Palm Sunday. Un- fortunately, however, the rain greatly marred those exhibitions. My word, you should have seen Private in his new uniform tripping it down in the direction of Aberdare last Sunday morning. The Veterans Brigade is not the place for him. I You could have sworn that this gentle- man in khaki was not a day more than 25. I am told that he was the most agile in the whole Corps last Sunday moruing.

Musical Successes. At recent musical examinations the following pupils of Prof. T. J. Mor- gan, F.T.S.C. (Pencerdd Cynon), Cwmbach, Aberdare, were successful in pianoforte playing Associated Board of the R.A.M. and R.C.M., Primary Division:- Master Clifford Joyce, Hazel Dene Villa, Woodfield Terrace, Penrhiw- ceiber Miss Jessie Jones, 86 Park View Terrace, Abercwmboi; Master Thomas Henry Jones, Oakwood House, Well Place, Cwmbach Mas- ter Gwilym Davies, Greenwood House, Cwmbach; Miss Gwyneira Isaac, Glascoed, Abernant Road, Aberdare. All gained a very high percentage of marks. The Tonic Solfa College, London. I -Preliminary and Second Grade in Staff Notation: Miss Marian T. Gray, 54 Wind Street, Aberdare Mr J). L. Evans, 33 Mostyn Street, Aber- cwmboi.—Theory of Music, Elemen- tary Stage Miss Marian T. Gray, Mr. D. L. Evans, Abercwmboi. London College of Mnsic.lnter- mediate Section, Pianoforte Playing Miss Doris Jones, 2 Green V illas, Cwmbach, securing high marks. — Elementary Section, American Or- gan Playing: Miss Ada Palmer, 2 Chapel Row, Cwmbach.—Elementary Section, Pianoforte Playing: Miss Annie J. Ebenezer, 10 Spencer St., Cwmaman. They were examined by Mr. F. J. Karn, Mus. Doc., London.

Local Mems. BY MEMO. Fifty years ago the following para- graph appeared in a newspaper As an indication of the prosperous stace of the coal trade it is mentioned that from the Merthyr, Aberdare, and Rhondda Valleys was conveyed, on -baturday week, 2,900 tons of coal to Cardiff, this being the largest amount of traffic carried during one day since the opening of the Taff Vale Raillvay." That quantity seems very insignifi- cant these days. Two ordinary size collieries have an output of 2,900 tons. Probably the tonnage now conveyed daily from these valleys to Cardiff is somewhere in the region of 100,000. The Aberdare Valley would possibly account for about 20,000 tons daily. As you were" is the position of the Abernant tenements and their tenants. After all the fuss, after all the heart-searching and pocket- searching and stocking-searching, everything is void and the Marquis of Bute remains, owner, because the J premium on a new lease contravenes some Act passed by Parliament deal- ing with increases rents, etc., dur- J ing war-time and 6 months after. } It is hoped that none of the tenants have been disturbed. Some buyers wanted the houses to live in. Whether in some instjances the ten- ants had quitted I do not know. Possibly the sale will be held all over again after the War is over, or after the Act has been so altered as to admit of such a beneficial transaction as this undoubtedly was. Now is the time for the tenants of the Bute to save money so as to be ready when -lie cottages are again put under the lamraer. M, ■■ i -iii i n f

Mamma: "Now then, Charlie, don't ou admire my new silk dress?" Chai- ie: "Yes, mamma." Mamma: "And, 'harlie, all the silk is provided for us y a poor worm." Charlie: "Do you lean Dad?".

Cwmdare Notes. BY RAFFLES. I hope to be present next Rent Day. Last time the rent was paid there was ructions. Doorstep courting doe:-tl-'t always pay, i but the end is close at hand. Which end? '-i Very sorry the chickens died. They I wouldn't have laid many eggs. They were all cocks. Don/t dose the next lot with strawberry juice." I Have you a new stock of chewing-gum, D-, for the next big meetings on Sunday? — Who stole the brass fender? Raffles knows. If you want to know who Popcorn is, keep your eye open. He's getting married Easter Monday. Mary Elizabeth Ann will sing the opening solo at the concert to be held at Ventre Clutches. We sh#ll hear of some sickness in that locality afterwards. Gaffer Nos has not regained conscious- ness since the price of beer has gone up. What price porter? "You can't deceive me, John! I'm sharp1, you kiiow, sharp as a knife." f "Yes, Maria, you resemble a knife—a table knife-you never shut up."

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