The Merthyr Express

I M J TO.DAY'S DISPLAY AT H. fa at&rtling-startling In Its bright- new, in its variety, in its freshness( In WMffiyjj? its up-to-datenecB, bat, above all, in the number of | MS W SENSATIONALLY LOW PRICE OFFERS in W i WATCHES, CLOCKS, RINGS, ALBERTS, %ga £ J BROOCHES, SILVER GOODS, PLATE, t^K^m ^CUTLERY AND LEATHER GOODS. See this unique sight TO-DAY.^ To see it properly, sure you see the 'ACME,' the wonder of the Wateb Laii-s'L-ng SOLII- GOLD (;UARI)S fu so D world. 351') 18/6 UGLD OLIL) (.OLD (;FM LOCKET, 10/IL Com- ITING, plete Nec-L-lat 171& G/S r as use Lie huncireds ofoth.t iF fr.- 3/6. to choose t'rom up to 95 St. 0/ diapaire of eirary kind neatly prc!BpHf executed. $EE THE ./Sy "t. PARCEL Knivtt /a<LV6R r S poont, S3 piMM m ING rigi.2 fa,.Ous y" SeUc^om^ Plater* *(f 1 Flo»tMV*sI 4 B^cngirw^S.'w ales, wntes M»rch*/ W&jlJ LEVER | ff\[ H M*liy d«aigtt> 8 |JJK 18, iqio :— Olia of your 'Acme' —lie Wrucl. < v3*5TV' 11 # end sizes. # Levers was bought by my/ 9*G^*W <&|E> ovvr Wl 8 SILVER, A^TUNAT€>IYHA^GA^DI^OWNTD OFF/* PTOPLEHTRE the accident, the^watoh tnd CTer I ALRE#TT I 11 r Hi nil >i l rim quality everywhere i i II ]\l as I FULL MONTH'S TRIAL ON ANY PURCHASE AND YOUR FT" A\l RAIL FARE PAID ON PURCHASES OF 25/- AND UP. 1 Jlj = BSI H. SAMUELKIJ PI 119, HIGH STREET, MERTHYR. \WM$M B Also at Cardiff, Newport and Swansea. 4/- MONTHLY *i" secure 10/6 and 21/- Bales of HOUSEHOLD PR APERY, also Blankets, Sheets, Quilts, Boots, j ostumes, Skirts, Suits. Clothing, etc. Send postcard tor Hats. Wholesale Supply Co., 79, Knightrider Street, London, E.C. IMPORTANT TO ALL. A UNIVERSAL REMEDY. Through indisputable .proof from Europe, Aus- Asia, Africa, and America, The "MAN- Jlerbal Ointment- c,an lay claim to the dis- "nction for healing all manners of diseases to which £ uuman body is subject. Fiiiils t,reParcd in three distinct strengths—As No. 1, Mfil' 'or ^,i;lcer, Tumours, Lupus, etc. As No. 2. j 6"'™, for Toisoned and Virulent Wounds of every Inscription, Rheumatism. Piles, etc. As No 3, Mild. (5?r a'l manner of Skin Diseases, Burns, Scalds, sprains, etc. etc. The Prices per pot for No. 1-2/9. 4/6 and 8/6. „ Nos. 2 and 3-1/1, 2/9, and 4/6. A. is sold bv the follow ins Dispensing Chemists, .17.. -iN[e-srs V A. Wills, 3a, Victoria-street., Mer- thyr T." Davies, Porth; D. E. Davies. Treorchy; Evans, Aberdare: Oliver Davies, Mill-street, ,°otypridd; Mr. D George, Dispensing Chemist, g5. Bute-street, Treherbert; Mr. T. Thomas, R.P.S., Consulting Chemist, Cash Drug Stores £ >•. Treharris; Mr D. Y.'illiams, M.P.S.. Dispens- er Jrhemist, Commercial-street, Mountain Ash, etc., {jji obtained direct from the PrOprietoR, The Mannina" Ointment Co. (Trade Mark) Main Street, FISHGUARD. Please write for Free Booklet. ns d 6d AGAltV A "Soros r1 Ipwewa in not only because ■S9|] S it saves money in jS^l! ||f the clothes it saves, B^'iS Sit but because it gives ILj@ the best results. IT fMfo THOMAS, Bristol HAVE YOU A BAD LEG J^ith wounds that discharge or otherwise, per- surrounded with inflammation and swollen, ■hat when you press your finger on the inflamed s*rt it leaves the impression ? If so, under the T510 you have poison that defies all the remediei tott have tried, which, if not extracted, you "ever can recover, but go on suffering till death peases you. Perhaps your knees are swollen, being ulcerated; the same with the round which the skin may be discoloured, Or there may be wounds; the disease, i: allotf- ( d to continue, will deprive you of the powei to walk. You may have attended various hos- Pltalg and had medical advice, and been told your case is hopeless, or advised to submit to krnputatica; but do not, for I CAN CURE YOU. I DON'T SAY PERHAPS BUT I WILL. because others have failed is no reason I Send at once a P.O. for 2s. 6d. to M. E. ALBERT, 73, FARRINGDON STREET, LON- "Orj and you will receive a box of Grasshopper Ointment I,Ild Pills which is a sure remedy for the cure y. Bad Legs Housemaid's Knee Uuloerated *°ints, Carbuncles, Poisoned Hands, Tumours, Abscesses, Sore Throat, Bronchitis, Bunions, 44d Ringworm. (Copyright.)

Merthyr Education Authority. COST OF NEW BUILDINGS. # COMPARISON WITH THE COUNTY A meeting of the Sites and Buildings Com- mittee of the Merthyr Education Authority was held on Tuesday, Coun. W. Lewis (Tre- harris) presiding. The Deputy iSurveyor was instructed to pre- pare an estimate for the erection of a. new in- fants' school to provide for 200 children in the Mount Pleasant and Pontygwaith districts at Merthyr Vale. I A sub-commifctee reported having visited the Morthyr Vale and Treharris Schools with re- gard to the provision of new desks and the re- moval of galleries, the Deputy Surveyor giv- ing an estimate of the probablo cost of the desks, viz.. Merthyr Vale, £ 180 4s., and Tre- harris £ 346 5s. lid. He also stated that the I amount of loan overspent at Merthyr Vale School during the recent alterations was £ 230, and at Treharris School £ 489 18s. ld. The esti- mated cost of removing galleries in the Tre- harris boys' and infants' schools wo<s £ 152.— It was agreed that for the present half the amount of the estimated cost of providing desks be spent, and that tenders be invited for removing the galleries. A sub-committea reported having visited Nel- son, Ystrad Mynach, Bargoed elementary schools and Bargoed Higher Elementary School, belonging to the Glamorgan County Council, and also the Aberbargoed and Flcur- do-lis schools, belonging to the Monmouthshire County Council, and reported what they saw in each case. The Committee said they wore much impressed with the bright, cheerful and clean appearance, as well as the suitable equip- ment of these schools, and were of opinion that some of the arrangements adopted by the Glamorgan County Council might with advan- tage be copied by the Merthyr authority, viz., the system of heating, the arrangements of cloak-rooms, and also with regard to ventila- tion. There were no maps, etc., on wails, and they, therefore, did not collect the dust.—The Chairman, who alone constituted tho deputa- tion, and who was accompanied by the officials, said the cost of the visit was only 2s. per head (hear, hear). He found that the rate of the Glamorgan County Council for elementary and higher education was Is. 6d., whereas in Mer- thyr the rate was 2s., 4nd Merthyr did not compare favourably with the county in the matter of modern schools, architectural ar- rangements, and everything else. It cost Mer- thyr 25 per cent, more than the County Coun- cil, and their schools were not as good.—Aid. D. W. Jones: Give us a hint as to why the difference is so great.—The Chairman declined. —Aid. A. Wilson: It is no advantage to tell us' of the cost, unless you say what the pro- bable cause is. Is it the scale of salaries?- The Chairman: The County Council build schools cheaper than we do.—Aid. D W Jones said the Chairman had visited several up-to- date schools, and compared them with the whole of the schools in the borough; Mer- thyr had some of the finest schools in England and Wales. In the couuty a large proportion of the schools were old, dilapidated buildings. The Chairman must also consider the assess- able value of the county, and also that of the Borough of Merthyr. If the Chairman told them the cost of education per child in the county of Glamorgan as compared with that in the borough of Merthyr they would have some- thing to go upon. Coun. Isaac Edwards pointed out that during the last fivo years the Merthyr Authority had spent a considerable sum on new schools. The following tenders were received for teach- ers' room at Abercanaid School:—J T. James, J6153 10s.; H. Protheroe, B172 10s.; N. Moss, 2164; J. W. Radnedsre, £ 210; Geo. Mere- dith 1;6128 10s.; E. L. Sullivan, £ 171; Hather- ley and Co., Rhymney, J3200. The tender of the first named was accepted. The Surveyor's estimate was J6135. A letter was read from the Departmental Committee of the Board of Education with re- gard to the cost of school buildings, and ask- ing whether the cost could not be reduced by the use of materials other than those used. —The Chairman said that H.M. Inspectors compelled the authority to spend so much money on buildings. Aid. D. W. Jones: Would you give that in evidence?—The Chair- man Yes.

The public are again warned that, the sys- tem of paying premiums (or any sum above the ordinary steamship or railway fare) in this country to gain instruction in farming in Canada is liable to grave abuse, and is con- sidered by the Canadian Government to be unnecessary. YouQg men who are going to Canada in order to obtain a knowledge of farming are strongly advised to pay no fee of the kind to any private agency, but to appl for information to the Canadian Assist- ant Superintendent of Emigration, 11, and 12, Charinq Cross, London, S.W., or to the chief clerk at this office.

COAL CRISIS. LEADERS CRITICISED AT THE CARDIFF CONFERENCE. CHALLENGE TO MR. STANTON. An important conference of miners' delegates convened by the Executive Council of the South Wales Miners' Federation was held at Cardiff on Saturday, to receive the report of the National Conference and to arrange for the ballot of workmen on tho terms of the proposed agreement. Mr. W. Brace, M.P., presided, and Mr. W. Abraham, M.P., was also present. The delogat- numbered 315, representing 156,491 miners, iid the proceedings, which were con- ducted in private, were somewhat animated. ABERDARE DELEGATES AND THE COUNCIL. Mr. W Brace, M.P., and Mr. T. Richards, M.P., gave exhaustive; reports of tho course of events since the last conference, explaining that a deadlock having been arrived at, another meet- ing of the Conciliation Board was held as tho result of the mediation of the Board of Trade. At this last joint meeting, the owners submit- ted materially revis-ed proposals, but, as the workmen's representatives were ctnli unable to accept them, a reference was made to the Miners' Federation of Great Britain at a con- ference held in London. At this conference the Welsh representatives applied for the operation of the 20th Rul., but this application was re- fused, and the Welshmen were advised to accept the terms offered them on the ground that tho points of difference outstanding were not of sufficient importance to justify a national or even a sectional strike. After refreshing the minds of the delegates on these points, Mr. Brace, in the course of a very strong speech, opened up a discussion in regard to the attacks made by Mr. C. B. Stanton upon his colleagues in the speech delivered by that gentleman on tho preceding day. Mr. Braoa made a pointed challenge to Mr Stanton to substantiate the charges which were implied in his criticisms. (the Chairman) as well as his fellow-mem- bers on the Executive Council, who were the subject of these criticisms, courted the fullest investigation. He invited Mr. Stanton to for- mulate his charges, so that the members of the Executive Council concerned might knn", whether it was suggested that they had been bribed, or whether they were so weak-kneed as to be totally incapable of carrying on the work. He expressed his bitter resentment of Mr. Stanton's insinuations, which were the last thing they —c 'd l^ave expected from a col- league. The" iticisms were uncalled for, dis- courteous, and •>Solutely unwarrantable. Mr. Stanton himself was in full possession of the facts, and kn, p-ecisely what had transpired, and was quite aware that the Executive Coun- cil had done its utmost to secure the best pos- sible terms for tho workmen. Mr. Stanton then replied at great length. His chief poin* was that he was not bidding for popularity, as was shown by the fact that he himself was constantly assailed by the pub- lic and the press because of the policy he was pursuing. Continual attacks were being made upon him, so that he was not trying to be on the popular side, but with him it was a matter of conviction. He then went on to complain that he was being voted down at the Executive Council, and nearly alwaya found himself in the minority. It was only by taking the course that he had taken tha he was able to bring before the workmen of the coalfield the griev- ance which the workmen in his own district complained of, and which they sought to have remedied. Mr. T. Richards, M.P., then replied to Mr. Stanton, and in very strong terms controverted tho allegations made by Mr Stanton as to the general conduct of the Executive Council. Mr. Richards then went on at length to refut-o the statements made by Mr. Stanton as to his being in any way unfairly dealt with by his col- leagues. These statements, urged Mr. Rich- ards, were not onlv manifestly unfair, but quite erroneous, and, like Mr. Brace, he (Mr. Rich- | ardsj, too, very strongly resented Mr. Stanton makinr charges which were absolutely baseless. The subsequenv proceedings were marked by an extraordinary outburst of feeling on the part of the respective partisans. It was main- ta-ined on the one hand that, altnough Mr. Stanton had occupied the platform for a great length of time, h", had completely failed to meet the challenge that. had been made to him to define the charges which were so clearly implied in his speeches. On the other hand, Mr. Stanton's supporters from the Aberdare district were prominent with declamatory re marks, in which they supported their leader. The leaders were freely denounced, and it was further suggested that they had deviated from the policy of the conference as laid down by the December meetincr in accepting the media- tion of the Board of Trade. It was maintained that the leaders were wrong in agreeing to meet the owners, whatever the Board of Trade might suggest, and accept anything but the original proposals put forward by the Decem- ber conference. It was reported by other dele- gates that the people who now deprecated the intervention of the Board of Trade we.ro the very people who previously advocated interfer- ence on the part of the authorities. The Welsh representatives, it was pointed out, had all along the line fought against the owners' pro- posals, and the only reason why they now ac- cepted them was that it was their bounden duty to submit to the Miners' Federation of Great Britain. OFFENSIVE REMARKS. As the discussion proceeded, the excitement bccame still more intense, and it seemed that occasionally in the wranglo the conference was oblivious of the object for which it was prim- arily called. Both from the platform and in the body of the hall language was indulged in which resulted in the offenders being called upon to withdraw. It was in the heat of this discussion that a delegate from Bwllfa, Aberdare, submitted a motion censuring the leaders and calling upon them to resign, and the discord continued un- abated. The affected leaders, who ,of course, form the majority of the Executive Council, intimated through the officials that they were by no means averse to being called up for judg- ment, and were quite ready to resign in favour of other members whom the conference might regard as being more competent to discharge the duties devolving upon them. Some of those who had already taken part in theso animated proceedings endeavoured to dis- suade the conference from voting upon the re- solution. Mr. Brace, howevsr, intimated that, now that the resolution had been duly moved and seconded, he was determined that tho con- ference should be tested, and wou!d not consent to the withdrawal of the motion under the cir- cumstances. Both himself and his colleagues were anxious that they should know precisely the views of the conference. Whan Mr. Brace put the motion to the meet- ing, it was found, unnecessary to count the votes, as, notwithstanding the amount of dis- cord created, only a very small fraction of the delegates voted in its favour. During the morning session, a very large number of questions were put to the officials regarding the purport and effect of the various proposals, and Mr. Onions was occupi-ed for a long time in giving explanations of the points raised. It was intimated that the recommendation of the Executive Committee that the terms of the proposed new agreement should be submitted to the workmen to be ballotted upon. This was carried unanimously, the small aggressive section again voting to the contrary. They also voted against the advice given by the Executive Council that the men should continue working nutil the 9th inst., in order that tho ballot should be taken. OFFICIAL REPORT. The following official report was supplied to tho press at tho conc'usion of the proceedings j by Mr. T. Richards, M.P., the generaj secre- tary:— "This was a general conference, at which there were present Mr. W. Brace, M.P. (in the chair), supported by Mr. W. Abraham, M.P. (general secretary), Mr. A. Onions, J.P. (treasurer), and a full attendance of the Coun- cil members. "Mr. Brace and Mr. Richards gave a repot on the interview with the President of the Board of Trade and the further negotiations that had taken place with the coaJowners and the proceedings at the Miners' Federation of Great Britain conference, after which a gen- eral discussion took place and a large number af questions asked upon the proposed terms of the new agreement, which wero replied to by Mr. A. Onions on behalf of the Executive Council. The following resolution was carried: That the resolution of the conference of December 13th bo adhered to, and the pro- posals for a settlement submitted to a ballot of the workmen, as arranged by the Execu- tive Council.

f If you are drinking any other cocoas will you do this ? Place half a teaspoonful quantity of boiling water ^^2 of the cocoa you are using to each and then TASTE in one cup, and half a BLINDFOLD, or without Sfl §} Allfnzffii/ yl teaspoonful of Rowntree's knowing which is which. 4# in another, add an equal You will appreciate the E-P Rowntree Flavour It appeals to a refined taste, its fovowr, Mawho fancy The deliciouaness of RQwn.. they do not like cocoa at all « tree's Elect Cocoa, the delicacy change their ffliftcla whar* it's I. of itri ilroma, are twQ pqiuto in Row»tre§% ———n~ 1 -■ ir • 11 .ii— 11 I »■' i" 1 11 naij 11 ) 1

f THE LATEST MODES 1 IN 0 j HATS OF EXCEPTIONAL STYLE I \f; I AND INDIVIDUALITY. I I g The Newest Styles for all occasions. We have secured i I an especially extensive selection of the very newest 1 I Spring: Millinery Models this year, and can show you S I most delightful Hats for every possible occasion. B I ç Every Millinery Mode of the moment is represented I I here, and the new designs are so varied in character that you will have no difficulty in selecting a Hat that becomes you. We can put you in touch with Good Quality and Good Value, which you can hardly fail, we think, to appreciate. q We have also an excellent selection of Flowers, Feathers. I Mounts, and Wings. I 41 is impossible for us to describe the charm of the I newest Millinery adequately here. We will content I ourselves, therefore, with extending to you a, cordial I invitation to inspect them. HIGH STREET, "MERTHYR. III II LLLLL HUM I !!)!!))! II ■ III II ■■■!«!■ H.! I III— II I.

The first Admiralty order for ooal has just been shipped from Llanelly. j

HORTON'S I.X.L. PILLS Are Guaranteed to cure Private Cases, Dis- charges and Complications of the Urinary and Sex- u5i ?r8ra/!s> 'P. e'^?er sex. whether acquired or con- stitutional also Gravel and Pains in the Back; warranted free from Mercury. Sold in boxes 4s. JLacJ^ ™ free b>' tlie Proprietor, HORTON & CO., Chemists (late Chief Dispenser from the Birmingham General Hospital) (29 Dept.). Aston x-,P,x?l.1D £ ham LETTERS ANSWERED. HAVE M,VER BEEN KNOWN TO FAIL. N.B.— Cannot be had from other ChemiatA.

-=- -= I The Dark Side of Convict Life; r [Being the Account cf the Career of HabsT WILLIAMS, a. Merthyr Man.] i CHAPTER XI. During the whole time I was at Portland, I never kept myself four months clear of a re- port, although I had a clean sheet on my arrival there. I can well remember a certain officer at Portland, who was truly a good man and quite different from all the rest, He had been over twenty-five years in the service, and was well up to all the games practised by lags, and it would take a good man to take him down. I can remember saying something to him in the year 1900 in the separate cells, when he was engaged at the time giving me a special search- ing according to orders. He said something in answer to one thing I told him. and I said, "Now you speak the truth." "Speak the truth," ctays he, "I never spoke the truth in all my life, and I am not going to start now." Of course, I know that was merely a joke of his, for I have reason to believe that he was one of the most truthful officers in the whole pri- son. He did me a kindness, although smalt in its way, and I thought a great deal of it. I happened to be undergoing a course of bread and water punishment, and it was at Christ- mas. W hen he handed me my eight ounce pun- ishment loaf he remarked, "Look here, Wil- liams, my boy," says he, "you have a long sen- tence and I am heartily sorry to see you on a day like this on bread and water, but, hang it," says be ''I will break the rules for once in my hfe. Whrereupon he immediately went to ih« cook house, which was situated 50 yards away, and brought me another loaf although it was strictly contrary to rules, and I do belipve ha' would have gladly given me a plum pudding if lie dared. Many a time I had good advice from that man, for a man he was in the best sens4 of the word. but where there is to be found one good officer you will find many the reverse I remember one who used to take charge ol parties when the regular officer would be doing night duty. and he would lose no time in re- porting half the gang before the proper officer came back. Ihis, of course, is dene chiefly to show the other officer up, for even officers sometimes cut each other's throats; that is to say they do their best to get each other the sack, in order o make a name, so to speak. The man I am speaking of was always on the look-out for trouble. Properly speaking, ha carried trouble in his pocket I remember on one occasion a poor old warder, and one of the good sort, to give him his due, one day forjroi accidentally to put the double lock on one ol JT; u rS" and assistant warder hap. pened to be on patrol shortly after, and while around, tr-YinS the doors, discovered a hf nsLrna °" Tluj*ing <*> m*k« quickly, he lost no time in giving ku iult tWn/K° 1ZT PrifCJPaJ- with the ra- -suit that the poor old warder was fined threa htlf'crow,ns- wl" £ .13 caJled amongst officials 8¥et" f*™ offioer was once iq J" ?f convicts known as the special party, and they were employed in an tjiere are situated twelve eeS arate bores, and in the oentre of each is a block of granite stone, fast to which is an iron hami mer and ring, attached to a chain. Each con- viot is employed breaking flint into dust, and fLj M a .^eerous form of employment tU av« *u £ plied ?'lth »lrc goggles to protect A convict was one day hammering away at a pjece of this flint when suddenlv it JX "P £ nick him in the eye, cutting ?Uugb,th? SOgglA,. seriously injuring his wf+K go under aE operation, but without saocess. When the Medical Officer made inquiries as to how the accident happened it reported that the man did it mirDoselv with the intention of getting into the infirmary.' ™™iWwQOtrhln? Sf tbekind. No man JQ proper state of mind would injure his eve-sieht dl^t A fr f of T few days on koepital P* U f«Veare later 1 ih? same man at back fn"uQ; Isle'°/'W^ht: he had come back for a fresh terra of penal servitude, and I could not help feeling sympathy towards him, for, sad to say, he was stone blind, the injur- ed eye having affected the other one, and n^ WhW3 ,H a3- h,m for ever- As to the borate man himself can corro- (To be continued.)

IN AGONY WITH ITCHING RASH "Some three years ago I suffered from a slight rash which grew gradually to such a pitch that it developed into weeping eczema. So bad was 1, the disease spreading over my face and whole body, that I would only go out wearing a veil so extremely thick that my features were unrecognisable and I myself could hardly see. In addition to this, every night, on account of the terrible itching anci sores, my hands had to be bound up and then tightly tied behind my back and as even then so intolerable was the agony that I would scratch where possible with my feet and rub my face against the bed clothes my r/arenta had eventually to firmly tie my feet together and bind a silk handkerchief all over my face. I mention these facts with rcjuctancc but they show the condition to which I was reduced. This went on for nearly two years in spite of specialists and treatment at two hospitals, but all gave me up as incurable. I was then advised to try Cuticura and, being desperate, did so. I slept better the first night, and persevering, the itching gradually grew less, and the so disappeared. Now I am free from blemish, rid of tho irksome bandages and can dispense with a veil. My cure is so wonderful and complete that I feel I should like others to know of this and though you will quite appreciate from the above facts my not disclosing my name, I hope that you will see fit to publi&h this letter for the benefit of others. I am now only twenty, so you will understand what my cure means to me. L-y G na, Grand Parade, Eastbourne, Aug. 27, 1909."

I.< 11II" ■ ■ iwwiwyLCf RHYMNEY VALLEY FOR PEACE. A largely-attended meeting of the workmen of Bargoed and district was held last Friday evening at Bargoed. Mr. H. Major, Gilfach, presided. The Agent (Mr. Walter Lswis) explained seriatim the terms of the new agreement, and afterwards emphasised that, whatever might have been said, tOO truth was that every one of the Welsh leaders who attended the London conference, voted in favour of a national strike at the earliest possible date. Having regard, however, to the result of the conference, he pointed out that in a sectional fight there was only the possibility of-defeat. AIr. Albert Thomas (sub-agent and secretary) said if they called for a strike with its disastrous effects in poverty, misery, and degradation, I they would bring upon themselves a grave responsibility. He knew there was a bitter feeling prevailing because things which they had long worked for had not been realised, and because they would have to work for another five years under a system which was not a bit better than the old. Despite these regrettable features, however, he advised the men to accept the terms in the circumstanoes, but at the same time protest against them. A resolution was carried accepting the terms, while at the same time protesting against them. Mr .Albert Thomas (sub-agent) addressed a meeting of the workmen of the No. 2 McLaren Colliery, Wellington (Rhymney), on Friday afternoon. Having explained ths salient fea- tures of tho new agreement, Mr. Thomas ad- vised the men to be very careful regarding the ballot, because he had no hesitation in say- ing that if the ballot went against them they would "eventually be beaten and be at the mercy of the employers." A resolution was unanimously adopted that the men work until the ballot, and that the delegates to the Cardiff Conferenco be instruc- ted to vote for the agreement. A mass meeting of the workmen of the Llan- bradach Collieries was held on Friday evening, when Mr. Hubert Jenkins (agent) explained the terms of the agreement. While he was greatly disappointed that the desired terms had not been obtained, he considered it his duty as their representative to recommend them to accept the terms offered, in view of the fact that they had failed to get support for the application of the 20th Rule. Resolutions were passed that the terms be accepted.—A vote of confidence in the Agent was carried. WHO SHIRKED THE VOTE? Mr. Walter Lewis (agent for the Rhymney Valley miners) addressed two large meetings at Fleur-ds-lis and Maesycwmmer on Tuesday night. Mr. Lewis told tho men not to be m;e- led by trumpet blowing and tall talk. On one lon occasion, at the National Conference, a war trumpet was sounded in the morning, but when the time for voting came, the war trumpet blowers were not present. He asked the men who were the most enthusiastic, those who re- mained in the Council Chamber, or those who spent part of their time outside? He advised the men to vote for the acceptance of the terms, and though no resolutions were passed on the issue, there were general expressions of approval and gratitude for the advice. CAERPHILLY MINERS' DECISION. At a mass meeting of the miners of Caer- philly, Energlyn, Gwernydomen, and the sur- rounding district held at Caerphilly on Tuesday night, Mr. F. Tilley presiding, the following resolution was carried by a good majority:— "That we regret the resolution of the national conference which withholds national support to the South Wales miners, thereby throwing the Welsh miners upon their own resources, and being of opinion that a sectional stoppage would end disastrously to the workers gener- ally affected, we accept through the force of existing circumstances, the terms offered by the employers." MINERS' MEETING AT EBBW VALE. SPEECHES BY MR. VYCE AND MR. EVAN DAVIES. AGENT AVISE MEN TO ACCEPT TERMS. A special meeting of the Ebbw Vale and District miners was held at the Workmen's Hall on Saturday evening, and attracted a crowded attendance. The meeting was called for the purpose of explaining the position of affairs in connection with the new agreement. Mr. Evan Davies (president) was in the chair. Mr. George Davies gave ax. exhaustive report of the National Conference, that took place jn London, and explained the terms of the agreement.-A discussion ensued, the feeling of some of the men being ttat the question of abnormal places should have been dealt with, while there was some confusion over raising the equivalent selling price of coal. The chairman explained that in the old agreement the sell- ing price was lis. 10d., which equaled 30 per cent., while under tho new agreement the mini- mum selling price would be 12s. 5d., and the percentage would be 35 per cent. The position was practically the same, with the exception that the minimum had been raised when the selling price of coal would be between 14s. and 14s. 9d. per ton it would be a flight advantage to the employer, but it would also be an advan- tage to the men, as the employer would natu- rally try and keep the prioe above 14s. so that the wages of the men would not go below 50 per cent. Mr. W. Vyce, miners' agent, who had been at the Cardiff Conference, said that there were some portions of the new agreement that would be difficult for the men to understand, but he would endeavour to explain them fully. He laid emphasis upon the fact that they had been able to raise the minimum, one of the men's objects of the federation. He was in favour of the overlapping shift, as it would do away with one of the chief complaints in that district—that of some of the men working in other men's places. By the ovoilanping shift that difficulty would be removed. As they were aware, the abnormal place question had been left out. and tha potion ig that respect r24 aj at j —mami MI—T rT—nTm—i—iTCT——n present. He believed that the abnormal place question should be a general one, and not dealt with in any one particular district. Speaking of the Sunday night shift, which had been in- serted in the new agreement, Mr. Vyce said that some time ago a resolution was passed by the executive council that where tho employers wanted -an afternoon or Sunday night shift, they must pay six turns for five turns' work, and also that the hour of work on a Sunday night should be the same as under the old ar- rangement. The Ebbw Vale district had re- mained loyal to that decisioq. It had cost them hundreds of pounds to carry it out, and when the employers refused to pay the six turns for five turns the men affected were stopped from working. He was sorry to find that the reso- lution passed by the executive was too strong for some of the miners of South Wales, and they did not abide bv it. Those who had re- mained loyal to that principle were to-day called weaklings and back-boneless. He was of the opinion that if every district had carried out that resolution, better conditions would prevail in the Welsh coalfield. When they met the .employers on Saturday week, and had their proposals placed in their hands, it was a case of accepting the conditions or stopping work. They took the matter to a national conference held in London, when it was decided to recom- mend the South Wa^es men to accept the terms. That meant t,hat thev would not sup- port them if they decided to come out on strike. He (Mr. Vyce) had got into hot water r at the Cardiff Conference that day because he refrained from voting at the National Confer- ence upon bringing into operation the 20th Rule. Upon being asked why, he explained that it was patent to everyone in the confer- ence that the English and Scottish delegates were against bringing into force the 20th Rule, and that it would not be wise for the Welsh de- legates alone to vote in its favour. Personally he thought that after they had gone through the whole of the negotiations, it would have been better if the miners of South Wales had taken the matter into their own hands, and he for one would have recommended that the terms be accepted. The fact that the National Conference had hesitated to put the 20th Rule into operation has robbed that rule of its in- fluencing power, and it would no longer be held up as a dread to the employer. The con- ference had made it plain that if the Welsh miners intended to fight they would have to do so alone, and it. would bo disastrous to the South Wales miner if that' were to happen. It was true that the agreement did not give them was true that the agreement did not give them all they sought, but he believed it gave them as much as they could possibly get under any circumstaifbes. The agreement represented the ¡ employers' final concessions, which had to be accepted as they stood or a stoppage would oc- ¡ cur. The final acceptance was with the men, and they could accept or reject the proposals bv their votes on Wednesday. Let them consider when casting their vote, "Can I when casting my vote against the' agreement obtain better conditions and better terms?" If they thought they could they could vote against the agree- ment. He was afraid that if they did ceaso work they would go back upon worse conditions thau they worked under at present (cheers). Mr. John Williams^ another delegate, gave a report of the Cardiff Conferenoe held that day. He said the day's proceedings opened in a duel between Mr. Braoe and Mr. Stanton, in which there was some strange talking; it w# o* a rowdy character. The leaders were called weaklings and boneless, and all kinds of uncomplimentary names. The agreement was fully discussed, and the abnormal place ques- tion coming in for special attention, and it was eventually decided to appeal to the National r Conference to make the question a general one. Mr. John Barber, another delegate, said that Mr. Williams had overlooked one important pSrt of the business, as it affected that district. There was an impression in the conference that the Ebbw Vale district was against putting the 20th Rule into operation. Their agent was instructed to vote in favour of putting the 20th Rule into operation, but he did not vote for it. He was not the only one either, and he (the speaker) agreed with Mr. StAoton when he called them weaklings and with no back- -k?1?6- Tr Aoept had not represented the Ebbw Vale men, but his own views. The mem- bers of the executive should be more united in their work. I Several speakers urged that the fault rest- ed with the National Conference, and not with the South Wales executive. It was they who refused to put the rule into operation. Mr. Evan Davies said it was quite an easy matter to blame some one else in order to get out of a difficulty themselve. He was firmly convinced that if the wages of the miner in the vtt? o Wales coalfield were effected, the M.F.G.B. would have put the 20th Rule into operation. He was afraid that in some of the districts in South Wales the work was neglect- ed by the agents, and when a new agreement was being drawn up they wanted clauses in- j serted'that, would wipe out the results of that neglect. What they wanted was more solid work in some of the districts, and less trumpet blowing. Some of the agents expected the millenium to dawn by inserting clauses in the new agreement. He would be ashamed to have the public know that in the Ebbw VaJo dis- trict they were men working for 2s. 6d. a dav. Yet such was the case in some districts, and it. did not reflect much credit upon the ayent in charge of these districts. It would be far more honourable for those men to look after their duties than to pick holes in their leaders (cheers). The meeting shortly afterwards concluded, no resolution being submitted.