The Rhondda Leader

Editorial Notes. Mr. Thompson, Tylorstown has once more returned to the discussion of whether or no we should seriously recognise tho sincerity of the Conservative working man. If we cannot commend his dis- cretion, we can at least heartily commend his courage. It is obvious to all that Mr. Thompson has swallowed a considerable quantity of what is passed off by the Yellow Press as political gospel," but which every intelligent student of poli- tical history knows tOo be nothing more nor less than half-truths interpreted to the order of the "moneybags" of mono- poly and privilege. He reiterates, parrot- like, the platitudes about Chinese Labour and the New Hebrides Labour Ordinance, and, moreover, asks us to believe that the party who have been engaged in repatriating yellow serfs from the Rand have committed them- selves to an order of things infinitely worse in another quarter of the globe. Surely, there must be a, limit even to Mr. Thompson's gullibility. He also expects the same record of legislation from a Government which has only been in power for two years, and confronted with such a petrified anomaly as the House of Lords, as from a party which has been in power for an almost unbroken period of twenty years. He further tells us that his Tory masters contemplated bringing in a Bill which would place the Trades Unions of the country upon a more satisfactory basis, but that previous to introducing such a beneficent piece of legislation, it was imperative to wait for the report of a Departmental Committee of Inquiry. We have heard of Departmental Com- mittees and Royal Commissions being appointed as a very convenient and ex- pedient method of shelving important ques- tions, and this we know, that despite earnest entreaties from organised Labour, the late Conservative Government either conveniently overlooked the necessity for such legislation, or left it to be drafted by a more capable and sympathetic Government to follow. He, moreover, thinks that it is premature on our part to rejoice at the prospect of the Eight Hours Bill becoming law. Our rejoicing is quite justified, and we see nothing, that will hinder the progress of the Bill, except it be the House of Lords, backed up by the "blacklegs" of a purblind Conservative- cum-Democratic section of misinformed miners and Clubdom apologists. The miners of the Rhondda are not in the com- plete enjoyment of all the freedom they are entitled to. The process of emanci- pation is, however, going on, and its pro- gress would be considerably accelerated if Conservative working men and apathetic voters could wrench themselves away from the party of reaction and capitalised greed. Even from Mr. Thompson we would expect more loyalty to the prin- ciples of democracy. Our correspondent further admits that he spoke at Peckham. Nvhat we would like to know is: Which party did he support—that which seeks to give miners more hours of rest, better ventilation in mines, and greater immunity from accidents, or the party which aims at keeping the miner down to his present position.? Mr. Brace, we know, was also at Peckham, and like the true friend of Jjabour that he is, voluntarily offered his services to the Liberal candidate, and in so doing, performed yeoman service in refuting the false statements made that the iiignt Hours Bill would mean ruined industries and dearer coal. What did Mr. Thompson do r Did he stand up and urge the cause of the miner, or was the weight of his well-woven oratory thrown in with the party which countenances such statements ? If he favoured Mr. Gawtrey, what becomes of his Conservative con- victions? On the other hand, if he threw in his bag and baggage with Mr. Gooch, and thereby, gave colour to the crusade of lies and misrepresentations against the Bill, we should like to know what he has to say to the 2,500 miners who so implicitly believed in his genius and integrity for the position of miners' agent. Is it necessary to pursue the argument further? We think not. His attitude begs the whole question. We are glad to find that in Mid- Rhondda there are two musical societies which are conducted on the most likely lines to bring about in the near future substantial successes for Welsh choral reputation. We refer to the Mixed Choir under Mr. David Evans, now preparing for Llangollen; and the Male Voice Society under the tuition of Mr. Emrys Richards. The Mid-Rhondda Philharmonic Society has not yet been repulsed in any contest, and it even has the unique record of lowering the flag of the celebrated Staffordshire combination at Corwen. The Committee are level headed people who are quite adepts at management and busi- ness, while their knowledge of the right musical methods is based upon long past experience. Every Tom, Dick and Harry must not presume upon admission in the old sweet lackadaisical fashion. He must deserve his entrance by going through a searching test, and he must also give guarantees that he means serious appli- cation. When Societies are managed on these lines, success must follow; and we have every confidence that the future will bring its undisputed laurels and triumphs. Perhaps the most striking revelation in the Mid-Rhondda district is the training qualifications of Mr. Emrys Richards, whose male voice singers dis- played, at their recent concerts, qualities which are rarely excelled. The perform- ances of The Martyrs (Maunder) and The Desert" (David) by this Society was a most compensating entertainment. The outstanding feature of these concerts was the clean precision and phrasing of the singers, while the intonation and expres- sion were agreeably surprising. That Mr. Richards is a, voice, trainer of no mean capacity was proved beyond denial. We noticed baritones and bassos among the singers who were no longer in their old registers. As a well-known illustration, we may point to Mr. Gwilym Evans, Silver Grill. Throughout his singing career he has sung among the first basses, but on the advice and training of Mr. Richards he has been made a most effec- tive first tenor; and there were other equally striking transpositions of voices in the Society. It all proves one thing, at any rate—that Mr. Richards knows his business, and equallv emphasises the moral that no one should presume to take in hand vocal training unless he has learnt the rare and difficult science of voice treatment. The singing of the Society at these concerts proved that it has a trainer with a masterly knowledge of what choral societies require. With this con- fidence in the fundamental conditions of management and training, we have no hesitation in predicting that if the material and mind now at work in these societies will continue in the love of music in its noblest aims, a great future of triumphant rewards awaits them.

Mutual Property Invest- ment and Accident Co Ltd. Social Gatherng at Tonypandy. A social gathering in connection with the Mutual Property Investment and Accident Company, Ltd., was held at the Gwalia Restaurant, Tonypandy, on Wed- nesday. A conference of managers, officers and members took place in the afternoon, followed by an admirable luncheon. In the evening, a public meeting was held, presided over by the Rev. Wm. Williams (C.M.).. In the course of his opening remarks, the rev. gentleman stated that he was prepared to do what he could for the Society. Many companies went under so many names that it was very difficult to obtain any useful and satisfactory infor- mation from them, but that evening they had the chairman of the directors and the departmental managers present, who would be prepared to give them every available information about the Society and its objects, and he was bound to say that their presence had given him an impressro,n that they were men of integ- rity, straightfonyard in business, and fully prepared to carry out their responsibili- ties to the members and subscribers of the Society (applause). He had had an opportunity of inspecting their tables and the results achieved, and from what he had seen he had no hesitation in saying that it was a, Society which would heartily commend itself to the miners of the Rhondda, Valley (hear, hear). Letters of regret at inability to attend were received from 'Mr. T. P. Jenkins, J.P., and Councillor William Thomas. Mr. A. W. Kenyon, the house-purchase department manager, gave an outline of the Society's objects in regard to the matter of house purchases. The Why pay rent question, said the speaker, was in the air. They seemed to breathe it everywhere. Even the atmosphere itself was charged with it. Successive Govern- ments endeavoured -to legislate upon it, md various Acts of Parliament were being alaced upon the Statute Book, such as jhe Small Holdings Bill, &c. Local govern- ng bodies also) took up the matter, and vere trying to solve this important ques- iion of the working classes. All these things pointed to a growing and laudable desire on the part of the public to become the owners of their own dwelling-houses. Tie was afraid that in regard to this ques- tion the people of the United Kingdom were far behind the peoples of the United States and France. In the United States, one-half of the people owned their own houses, whilst three-fourths of our neigh- bours across the Channel were lords over their own homes. In the United King- dom, only one-tenth of the total popu- lation owned the houses in which they lived. There were more than six million houses at an annual rental of £ 20 in Great Britain, and nine out of every ten of these were owned by people other than their occupiers. During the last fifty years, rents had increased no less than 10 per cent., the increased expenditure going to swell the profits of the landlords. The speaker then went on to outline the scheme of the company. The subscriber" was asked to pay a sum of 10s. lOd. per month for five years. He would then be advanced a sum of P-250 at a reasonable rate of interest, the money to be repaid at certain periods mutually agreed upon by both parties, and the subscriber would have the benefit of a compound interest credited to his loan account on his five years' subscription, which would bring the principal borrowed down to C217. He urged all to take up this house-purchase scheme and study it carefully, as the money paid was a good investment and not a total loss as paid to the landlord (applause). Mr. Morton, the chairman of the com- pany, said that their prospects were great. The company's success had been rapid and well-maintained because it was based upon principles of equity and justice (applause). Vocal and instrumental items were con- tributed during the evening by Messrs. David Pugh (Clydach Vale), Jonah Jones (Aberdare), H. Ware, A.C'.V. (Tonypandy), accompanied by Mr. D. R. James (Peny- graig).

Rhondda Temperance Campaign Promise of Support for Licensing Bill. The temperance campaign organised by the Rhondda and Pontypridd Temperance League has been the means of creating considerable interest in, and enthusiasm for, the Licensing Bill now before Par- liament. Meetings have been held every night during the week throughout the two Rhonddas, and no less than 32 speakers have been holding forth in defence of the Bill each evening. Alderman E. H. Davies, J.P., presided at Monday night's meeting at Nazareth, Pentre, and his observations as a magis- trate on drunkenness, its cause, and the prospect of considerable remedy afforded by the Bill were heartily welcomed. The Rev. H. H. Adams, Cardiff, de- clared the Bill to be the most courageous, comprehensive and far-reaching measure of temperance reform that had ever been brought forward by any Government. It might not be all they desired, added the rev. gentleman, but it was a very great advance, and the Government deserved to be congratulated and helped by all interested in temperance reform. The Rev. Richard Morgan, Tonyrefail, addressed the meeting in Welsh. Miss Edith Jones and Miss Nana Jones contributed to the evening's programme by well-rendered solos and recitations. The opening service of the temperance campaign of Tonypandy and district was held at Bethania on Monday night, Mr. D. R. Jones presiding. The Rev. H. Davies, Ynyshir, addressed the meeting in English, and dealt exten- sively with the Licensing Bill. He said it was not a political but a moral ques- tion. He had seen bills placarded about stating that beer would cost more. Would it cost more, asked the rev. gentleman, than tears, sorrow, heartbreaking, and life itself? The Bill would not only reduce licenses, but would also reduce rates. Despite Peckham and Manchester, this righteous cause would succeed, and the Bill, when passed, would usher in the dawn of a better and brighter day. A resolution in support of the Licensing Bill was proposed by the secretary of the campaign, the Rev. J. Lamb (Carmel), and unanimously carried. Tuesday's Meeting. On Tuesday night, the campaign was continued at Carmel, Trealaw, Mr. Owen Buckley occupying the chair. The Rev. T. Morgan, Skewen, who addressed the meeting opened his address by asking, Was John Barleycorn going to kill John Bull, or John Bull going to kill John Bar leycorn ? He said temper- ance promoters must make, the Licensing Bill a, matter for prayer. Why were these meetings being held to protest against certain houses in the Valley? They did not protest against drapers, grocers, or any other trades; but as to the drink traffic, unless this was crushed it would crush them. Qould they call this country of ours, that was spending £ 166,000,000 on intoxicating liquors, a Christian nation for spending this money on that which was not bread? Alcohol was not in the programme of life, and was not necessary. The liquor traffic was a cruel trade. It robbed men not only of their money, but of their comfort, families, health and heaven, and gave them in return hell. The speaker advised everyone to read the Bill carefully, so as to be able to explain it to others. The Rev. R. B. Jones, Ynyshir, who was also advertised to address the meet- ing, was for some unaccountable reason not present. The Rev. J. Lamb proposed a resolution in favour of the Licensing Bill, and the Rev. M. H. Ellis, Trealaw, seconded. The proposition was carried by a large majo- rity. On Saturday, in connection with the above, a procession of all the Bands of Hope in the district will take- place, headed by the Salvation Army Band. The procession will start at 4 o'clock, com- mencing at Salem, Llwynypia, and the other Bands of Hope will join them as they proceed through the main street. On reaching Miskin Square, Trealaw, tem- perance workers will unite with the pro- cession, and march back through Tony- pandy to Jerusalem Chapel, where a meeting for the children will be held.

Nucsing Association Benefit Football Match at Tonypandy. We are asked by the Committee of the Mid-Rhondda Social and' Athletic Club, ronypandy, to call the attention of any person holding tickets for the recent foot- ball match in aid of the funds of the Mid-Rhondda Nursing Association, to "eturn same and any monies by Saturday, May 9th, to the secretary of the Mid- Rhondda Athletic Club, 87, Primrose St., so that the account can be closed on that late, and a balance sheet prepared and >ublished in the Rhondda Leader," and o enable the Committee to hand over the iroceeds to the treasurer of the Nursing Association.