The Glamorgan Gazette

BIRTHS, MARRIAGES, AND DEATHS. MARRIAGES HIGOINS—REES.—Dec. 8th, 1917, at the Parish Church Newton, l'orthcawl (by Special License), by the Rev. T. Holmes Morgan, Rector, Private Leonard S. Higgins R.A.M.C., eldest son of Mr. T. N. Higgins, Porthcawl, to Gwendoline, eldest daughter of Mr. Robert Rees, Butcher, Bryncoch House, Gilfach Goch, and grand-daughter of the late William Rees, Grocer, Bryncoch. 1749 DEATHS. BABBER.—On Dec. 12th, at 6 Highland Place, Bridgend, John G. Barber, aged 65. Sadly missed. Funeral to-morrow (Saturday); leaves house at 2.30. 1771 CORBETT.—Died' of Wounds, Somewhere in France, Nov. 25th, 1917, J. C. Corbett, aged 32, the dearly loved and loving Hon of Mr. and Mrs. Corbett, of 92 Nolton Street, Bridgend. Thy Will be Done." 1738 IN MEMORIAM. EDWARDS.—I-n loving memory of our dear brother, David Idris Edwards, who died Dec. 15th, 1915.—Too dearly loved to be ever for- gotten by. his loving Sister and Brother-in- law and little Nephews. 1734 GRIFFITHS.—In loving memory of our dear Mother, Mrs. Eliza Griffiths, of 23 Nanty- fly lion Terrace, NantyffylloR, who died Dec. 6th, 1916. Though death divides, Pond memory clings. —From her loving children. 1744 REES.—In ever loving memory of our dear Father, Win. Rees, Grocer, Bryncoch, who passed away Dec. 4th, 1915.—Sadly missed by his children. 1750

OLD MEETING JJOUSE, gRIDGEND (Bottom of Newcastle Hill). SUNDAY NEXT AT 6.80 P.M. REV. W. PRIESTLEY PHILLIPS, M.A. Subject: "ROOM FOR CHRIST." 1775 BRIDGEND MARKET. FOR the Convenience of the Public the A CHRISTMAS MARKET will be held for the Sale of POULTRY, &c., on DECEMBER 22nd and 24th. G. T. HARDWICK, 1771 Collector.

EWENNY. I At Zoar C.M. Chapel, the Rev. John Hughes, M.A., will deliver his well-known lecture on Williams,* Pantycelyn (English), at 7 p.m., on Wednesday, 19th December. Collections in aid of Church Funds.

[ FRANK HODGES BOMBSHELL. Is the question of the presence, or otherwise, of Mr. Fraitk Hodges (miners' agent) on the Bridgend Food Control Committee a question of national importance at this critical period in the history of the British Empire? One would thiuk so from the prolonged discussion it evoked on Tuesday night at the ordinary meet- ing of the Bridgend District Council, and from the warmth of feeling and the asperity im- ported into such discussion. The Chairman (Mr J. G. Jenkins), who was absent at the last meet- ing, was 40w present, and presided over the heated deliberations. At the -tart a letter W< read from the Aberbaiden Colliery workmen, affiliated to the South Wales Miners' Federa- tion, protesting against the exclusion of Mr. Hodges, and forwarding a strongly-worded reso- lution upon the subject.—Mr. Geo. Bevan: I move that the letter lie on the table, or under the table-l don't care which.—Mr. W. Jones: I second that.—The Chairman I think you ought to acknowledge it.—Mr. -NVm. Jones: What for? -Mr. J. T. Hitt: Why should Aberbaiden in- terfere with Bridgend matters!'—The Clerk: I have already acknowledged it.A communica- tion ,was also read from Mr. E. C. Morgan (sec- retary of Bridgend Trades and Labour Council), protesting against the "insulting attitude" of a section of the Council, re-affirming Mr. Hodges' nomination, and "insisting" upon his election.— The Chairman You will remember we passed a resolution that we should ask the Food Control- ler to consent to two additional members, and he ha& consented to an increase from 12 to 14. The Food Controller has acceded to our request, so that it is now competent to eled two more members.—Mr. J. T. Hitt thought one or two Labour members quite sufficient, and moved that the Council do not accede to the request.— The Chairman Does that imply that you will not elect two members represented by Labour at all, or that you will not elect two members nominated by the Labour party?—Mr. Hitt: I think it is quite sufficient on a committee which is not much good to anybody.—Mr. Geo. Bevan agreed, on the ground of co-option, and not as against any man. This, he reminded them, was a spending body. The sum allocated under the Order was k28, and now they had six or seven times exceeded the mark. Only the elected re- presentatives of the ratepayers should deal with Imattrs of finance. It was all very well to claim this, that, and the other. It would seem that some wanted to pack this body with their own friends, or those whom they imagined would be their friends at the next ejection. ("Oh, oh," and hear, hear.) They were chosen by the ratepayers, and he, for one, would not be dictated to by anybody outside. Apparently, they would have been better off if the committee had never been started. It was responsible for the price of milk, which was higher now than ever before in Bridgend; and he failed to see that any increase in the committee could im- prove matters. What in the world were they afraid of? (Hear, hear.) A few men met in a room, called themselves by a high-sounding name, passed a resolution, and sent it to them, and at once they threw up their arms, and shouted, "Kamerad, Kamerad," as if they were afraid of their own shadows. (Great laughter.) Why not stand to their guns, and do their best for their corLstituentse-Mr. Morgan Stradling: To be consistent, I propose that we adopt these two men! The labourer was worthy of his hire, and Labonr was entitled to fair representation. (Hear, hear.)—Mr. Henry Abbott: If I was by you now, Morgan, I should pat you on the back. (Laughter.)—Mr. Stradling: But I am not in favour of a person like Mr. Hodges.. (More laughter.)—The Chairman Don't touch upon that.—Mr. Stradling: I have come from the I ranks of Labour, and I shall do all I can for Labour "Vutij xt kicks over the traces. (Hear, hear.) I say the British workman is the back- bone and sinew of the country. (Hear, hear.) Mr. Henry Abbott: I second the motion that the two representatives nominated shall be members of the committee—and whv do I do 6o? -3ir. Bevan: To get votes at the next election. (Laughter.)—Mr. Abbott: Who are the chief sufferers?—Why the workers, many of whom cannot now get the necessaries of life, and I say you should select these two representatives. 1 have nothing to do with co-option. What is Mr. Bevan afraid of? Is he afraid of a revolu- tion ? Is ht afraid that theee Labour represen- tatives will overthrow the intelligence of the Council? (Laughter.)—Mr. Bevan: I am not afraid of the next election, if Mr. Abbott is. I can stand to my guns before him. I am not out for votes. I speak plainly. I am not out to oppose any man as a man. We are sent here to manage the affairs of the Council, and should do it. Mr. Akkott thinks he is the only man to uphold certain principles, which he throws to the wind the next minute. I don't want the committee to be a local House of Lords, which is evidently his object, to have his friends around him.—Mr. Wm. Jones: I am sorry to see Mr. Abbott go so far. He is the only man on the Council who wanted to vacate his seat for office. ("Oh.") Mr Stradling's amendment in favour of appointing two members was carried by one vote.—The Chairman then proposed the resolution, of which he had given notice, to rescind the motion passed at the last meeting for the exclusion of Mr. Hodges. He set out by saying he did not want personalities, and then submitted that to be logical they ought to carry the resolution. The previous meeting agreed to the nomination of a successor to Mr. Preece from the Labour party, and they consented to elect the u-oniinee of the Labour party instead of Mr. Preece. Presonally, he went further, and declared that the Council was morally and honourably bound to carry out the terms of the resolution. He understood from the report in the "Gazette" that Mr. Bevan objected to Mr. Hodges on three grounds-that he objected to representatives of Labour.—Mr. Bevan (inter- posing) I didn't say anything about it. Keep to the motion for rescinding. You are dealing with men, Not with the resolution.—Mr. Wm. Jones (impatiently) We don't want to hear about the man.—Mr. Stradling: By rescinding the resolution you would seem to suggest that the committee can't do without Mr. Hodges.— Mr. W. Jones: We'll deal with Hodges in good time.—The Chairman: You have mistaken the definition of Labour altogether. It is not only hands—but hands or brains! Labour is to exert the hiind or the hands. I take it you refuse Mr Hodges simply because you think he doesn't labour with his hands. (Laughter.) See where that conclusion lands you It will mean that all the members of the Labour party—Mr. Brace, Mr. Barnes (a member of the War Com- mittee) and Mr. Henderson, and other import- ant members—would not be fit to sit on your Food Control Committee.—Mr. Bevan: Non- sense.—The Chairman (proceeding) said Mr. Bevan's strongest argument seemed to be against co-option. Now as he (the Chairman) had before pointed out, there was no shadow of co-option in the scheme of the Food Control Committee.—Mr. Bevan: Why did you do it then?—The Chairman: The constitution is by direct appemtment of the Council. If the com- mittee consist of 12, they must be members of the Council. We cannot elect more than nine members.—Mr. W. Jones: I am surprised at you.—Mr. Abbott seconded the Chairman, and Mr. Hitt supported.—Mr. G. Bevan I am against it. I have never heard a weaker case put forward. He submitted that the compari- son betweei Mr. Brace and other Labour mem- bers, and Mr. Hodges was not a parallel case, because the former were elected and sent to Par- liament by their constituents, whilst Mr Hodges had not been elected by anybody. Respecting his arguments against co-option, Mr. Bevan went on: You were asked by the Food Commit- tee to call a public meeting, and you burked the question. You were afraid of it. I don't know why. Why not have called a public meeting? You shuffled out of it in a shabby manner! ("Oh.")—The Chairman It was carried by the vote of the Council.—Mr. Geo. Bevan You were asked to call a public meeting, and you burked it.—The Chairman It was carried by the vote of the Council.—Mr. Bevan The Food Control Committee asked you to do it, and you appeared to be afraid. You wanted some definition how far you could go. You quibbled, and wouldn't a dope the recommendation. Had you adopted lhe suggestion there wouJd have been no di,pijze *I —The Clerk: There was a recommendation that the meeting should be called, but it was turned ,.cwii.Nli- Bevan: That was because the Chair- man, or Mr. Hitt, wobbled—(laughter)—and I wouldn't carry out the resolution.—The Chair- man: We are right now. (More laughtel-.)- \lr. Bevan: The Chairman showed the white ieather. ("Oh.") If he had come forward .?'Idiy the thing would have been pai. The Chairman is responsible for all the bother that j ,i?s arisen since. 1 am s?tished there has been I interviews between some of the members. I I' .dil still in the same position. I have not al- tered one iota.—Mr. Morgan Stradling said he thought the man selected would have been one .i-om the ranks—a direct Labour representative. tIe said nothing against Mr. Hodges, who al- ready must have sufficient to do in the interests of the colliers he represented. If he came on the Food Control Committee he must neglect t those interests, and a lot of his time would be —waited or utilised. (Laughter.) They wanted a man who could "eel, and speak, and act for Labour, and not an agitator, who lived on agi- tation, and therefore had not the same feeling as the workers themselves—an agitator for Lab- I our, and not on Labour.-—Mr. W. Jones, speak- ing strongly, expressed the view that the Chair- man, as a choolma6ier, ':liying on the ras," I had no right to be on the Council. ("Oh.") The speaker ridiculed the idea of Mr. Hodges' I indispensabHity, and said "the man should be fighting in the Army. The colliers would go I on the earne without this young man, who should be ashamed to stay at home, while other I young men of the same class had joined up; "and" (now addressing the Chairman) "you ought to bfe ashamed to allow it to arise a second time-a. man in your position. (Laughter.)— The Chairman: All right; we will put it to the vote. I don't say anything in reply to you. You have taunted me with living on the rate- payers' money, and I don't live on the rate- pavers' money.—Mr. Jones: I don't; I work- yoli live on it.—The motion was carried by the Chairman's casting-vote—a decision that made subsequent discussion still more heated, and be- cause of frequent interpolations, even more frag- mentary in character. The Chairman, who kept remarkably cool and suave, formally moved the appointment of Mr. Hodges to fill the vacancy occasioned by the resignation of Mi. E. Preece. Mr. Hodges, he pointed out, had done magnificent service for the country. South Wales had been threatened with two rike-s-en- gineered by the Pacifists—and Mr. Hodges, Mr. Vernon Hartshorn, and other miners' agents, had been in the fore-front of the battle oppos- ing the Pacifists in their malignant intention to "down tools," and put the country in peril. Mr. Hodges was a resident in the town, and a Labour leader. Scores of colliers came here every week to consult Mr. Hodges. Men could not be in town without food and drink, and this must bring a substantial revenue to Bridgend. They had been told not to irritate the working classes, and especially the colliers. They had had three letters from colliery 'lodges, so that already they had irritated them to some extent. They were faced with this great problem of the shortage, and unequAl distribution, of food, and in Mr. Hodges they had a man of intimate knowledge and practical experience of the mean- ing of these things—one who had made political ecenomy his life's study—the very subject the misunderstanding of which had cause d so much confusion and so much chaos in the country. Mr. Hodges was a man of the highest skill and intelligence, and, should be on the Committee.— Mr. W. Jones: If he is so intelligent, why don't he take a command in the Army? (Hear, hear.) —The Chairman claimed to be a democrat, and was giving an exposition of his views on democ- racy, when Mr. G. Bevan (interposing) asked, What has that to do with the motion?—Mr. H. Abbott: I think it a shameful act when the Chairman was called away to meet and welcome his son from the front, that advantage should be taken to upset the general feeling, and to— Mr. W. Jones: I don't make a fuss when my sons come h-ome.-The Chairman I won't have that.—Mr. Jones: Shut up your mouth. (Up- roar.)—The Chairman My son is dear to me.— Mr. Jones And so is mine; I have seven. My sons are as good as yours. Why did you leave the chair ?—The Chairman Because my eon has been, wounded.—Mr. Jones: So has my son; two of them have been wounded.—Mr. Hitt (depre- catingly) One would think we were deciding the fate of nations. (Hear, hear.)—Mr Abbott: Time was when Mr. Bevan was a Radical—a Radical of a robust type—but I can't say it now. He has changed entirely.-At this juncture there was quite a turbulent scene.—Mr. Hitt exclaimed, "Go on," and Mr. W. Jones, taking up the cue, said, "Yes, go on; I am prepared.— Mr. Bevan, as an amendment, then proposed the previous question. Mr. Hodges, he observed, in an interview, had referred to his (the speaker's) occupation in life. In answer, he said that those he served had never, under any eircumstancet. dared to influence, direct or con- trol his public life-which gave him a certain advantage over Mr. Hodges. The latter's ap- pointment was partly political, and he could only express himself so far as the chain of his employers would permit. Recapitulating his views on co-option, he said he had always been a democrat, and was still a democrat-at any time prepared to face his constituents. Why seek to do away with the franchise? He wanted the ballot-box only, and outbursts of Pecksniff- ian oratory, or of self-satisfied Mugwumpian knowledge, had not the least influence upon him. To contend that extension meant co- option was wrong. Yet they saw the idol of the Garw-the County Magistrate—creeping in by the back door of co-option, showing a great re- gard for the Bench of which he was such a dis- tinguished ornament.—At this stage there was more verbal wrangling, during which the Chair- man protested that he was not a "wobbler," and Mr. Hitt (looking weary and worn) said, with a bored air, "We are not deciding how long the war is going to last."—Mr. Bevan, repeating his assertion re "exploitation of the public," said that the charge of t2 a ton for coal was an ex- ploitation of the public. The colliers paid only a quarter of the price. Suppose every class in- sisted upon having what it produced at a quar- ter the price, where would they be to-day? Sup- pose John Ploughman demanded it, what a row there would be! Talk about down tools—it would be a case of "up tools," as well as "down tools." When thtrewa-, a rise in the price of coal, the men's leaders demanded their share of the spoil, and got it, and who but the public paid the advance? If Mr. Hodges wanted to benefit the community, as suggested, why didn't he approach the Coal Controller, and take off the 216 a ton put upon the price of coal? The Government would listen—the Government was beautifully pliant to the miners. Then he had said Mr. Hodges ought to be in the Army, and he still said it. He was surprised that a man of his age had been left out of the Army. In what sense was he better than others? He did not produce an ounce of coal. Who now was the democrat? Mr. Hodges was fond of a gun- fond of sport. He believed (Mr. Hodges would correct him if he was wrong) that with his man, his dog, and his gun, he had before now shot over the much-despised land belonging to the Earl of Dunraven in this neighbourhood. He (Mr. Bevan) wanted to give him something bet- ter than playing the country gentleman. He wanted him to don khaki—a benevolent Gov- ernment would provide him with a rifle and ammunition, and if he went to France, he would see the game. (Hear, hear.) To say that nobody could take Mr. Hodges' place was sheer nonsense; and in regard to work of national im- portance, the most important thing Mr. Hodges could 'do was to fill the ranks, and help to man the trenches. When the Great Reaper came with his sickle, who then was indispensable? He was astounded the Chairman-who so loved his country—could defend such attitude.—By the casting-vote of the Chairman, the choice fell on Mr. Hodges.

BRIDGEND MEAT PRICES. The Increasing Milk Shortage. Questions affecting the food supply, and the manner of its distribution, were discussed on Monday night by the members of the Bridgend Food Control Committee. over the meeting, which, as usual, was held in the Public Lib- rary, Mr. J. G. Jenkins, J.P. (chairman) pre- sided, and the mem bers pre-.ent were: Mes*?rs. Morgan Stradling and Henry Abbott, with Mis. Herdman, Messrs. Walter M. Powell, Robert Roberts, and W. H. Petty (co-opted members).— A letter was read from Mr. W. J. Edwards ^sec- retary of the Local Butchers' Association) to the effect that the Association regretted the com- mittee seemed to have decided to discontinue the existing arrangement arrived at amicably, and which had proved ,,0 satisfactory in regard to the sale of meat, and the prices. He under- stood it was the wish of the committee that they should keep accounts and present a balance- sheet periodically. Was it possible for the pre- sent arrangement to continue until January bt:- Christmas was a busy time, and it would be impossible to devote the time necessary to making an absolutely correct balance sheet; in fact, under the present conditions, it was not possible to make one, and it wa-s only a farce from beginning to end in the districts where it had been asked for. Could not something be done to regulate the price of milk so as to en- sure a supply? In conclusion, Mr. Edwards wrote that the butchers were in favour of a uniform price list.—The Chairman: Shall we enforce the Order, or come to some settlement? The suggestion in favour of a uniform price is a good suggestion, and I take it the Federation will take it up on Thursday next.—Mr. Petty I move that we waive the matter until after Christmas.—Mrs. Herdman seconded, and the committee agreed. The question was next discussed of the short- ening milk supply, and in particular the best means of securing priority for the children of necessitous parents. Of the already limited supply there can be no doubt, Mr. Abbott say- ing he had visited houses in which children had neither butter nor margarine. Full power was given to the executive officer to order milk upon a report which Nurses Mainwaring and DeJahay will prepare as to the number of children in the town not already supplied.—The Executive Officer submitted a memorandum from the Ministry of Food. conferring upon the com- mittee. the power to prevent milk going outside the -dis-t-riet.-T-pon mention of a specific case by Mr. Walter M. Powell, it was resolved, on the motion of the Chairman, to communicate with the Ministry of Food asking for sanction to vary the terms of the Order so as to make it applic- able to the period preceding the Order, which is dated October 7th.—Mr. Walter M. Powell pro- posed to instruct local milk vendors not to supply ice-cream shops with milk during the period of shortage.—Mr. Petty cecondtd, and the committee agreed.—Mr. Walter M. Powell emphasised the great urgency of devising a sys- tem under which poor children should not be allowed to suffer any deprivation.—Mr. Robert Roberts: The only thing is to "pool" milk somewhere in the centre of the town, and then people will be able to go and fetch it.—Mr. Petty agreed with Mr. Powell. The shortage, he said, in a few months would be still more serious, and now was the time to prepare a scheme.—Eventually, it was decided to invite the local milk sellers to attend for consultation with the committee at the meeting on Monday next. ■

LOCAL LICENSEE. j In Role of Good Samaritan. A Bridgend licensed victualler playeu tne part of the Good Samaritan, and instead of being commended, was penalised for doing it. But it was a Police Court case in. whicn he fig'iied, .i.ti not a parable. At Bridgend on Saturday-before Alderman William Llewellyn (chairman) and other justices—Alfred E. Coibett. Tennis- Court Hotel, Caroline Street, w as summoned for selling rum to be consumed off the premises, for permitting the said rum to be taken away, and for selling it in a bottle without a label specifying the name and situa- tion of the licensed premises. Defendant pleadeo not guilty to selling, and admitted the other two charges.—Inspector Rees Davies stated that at 8 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 2nd, from information received from Aberkenfig, he and P.S. Loveluck visited the Tennis Court. They there saw Corbett, and told him that a man named James Bailey, a collier, of 14 Thornton Teirace, Pontycymmer, who on the previous night was at the licensed premises, was then at the Police Station at Aberkenfig; that in hisi possession were two small bottles, one contain- ing rum, and the other beer; and that he had stated he was supplied with the liquor at his (defendant's) hou-e. Defendant replied: "He stayed the night; he was not very well, and I supplied him with 2, worth of rum in a bottle, and also the beer, and he left with my wife's brother just after dark, at about 6 p.m. to, night." Witness reminded him he had only a six days' license, and he replied, "He (Bailey) had a nasty fall, you know, last night." Later, he called at the Police. Station, 'and asked for forgiveness. He was told "he would be re- ported." "Then," he answered, "I shall leave the house."—Defendant: Bailey had a nasty fall.—The Inspector: He bad a small scratch on the nose. The fall took place on Saturday night; it was through drink.—Defendant: He was practically unconscious in my house. I have a sympathetic nature, and acted the Good Samaritan.—The ( hairmaii You are fined £ 2 for selling; k2 for permitting the liquor to be taken off the premises; ai -Ld -ti for selling with- out a label—in all £ 5.—Bailey was then form- ally charged with taking the rum away.—P.C. McCarthy -aid that at 7.15 on Sunday night he saw defendant and another man at Aberkenfig. Defendant had a bottle protruding from his pocket, and witness, discovering that the bottle contained rum, asked defendant where he got it from. From what he said witness took him to Aberkenfig Police Station. There witness I searched him, and in his trousers pocket found a half-pint bottle containing beer. Questioned he said, They gave it me last night, and I brought it up here." Fiii(-d .C2.

OPERETTA AT BLAENGARW. Great Success. On Wednesday and Saturday evenings of last week excellent performances of Astor Broad's cantata, "Golden Haif and Three Bears," were given by the children of Mount Zion English Baptist Church, Blaengarw, before crowded audiences at the Workmen's Hall, Blaengarw. The chairman for Wednesday evening was Rev. D. C. Davies (Blaengarw) and on Saturday, Rev E. C. Jone-. The singing, as well as the drama- tic side of the performance, waj- of a high order and reflected great credit on the arduous work and great ability of the conductor, Mr. J. Lugg, BIapn?arw. The following were the artistes: — "Que?n," Madame A. Rees-Perkins, Pontycym- mer; "Golden Hair," Miss "B. M. Spares, Blaengarw; "Bard," Mr. B<'n Jones; "Big Bruin," Mr. William Jones; "Mammy Muff," Master Percy J. Thomas: "Tiny Cub," Master James Floyd; "Faithful." Miss Eunice Hatch: "Lightfoot," Mrs. D. Michael; "Airy," Miss Gladys Sparkes; "Frailty," Miss Florrie Els- bury "Will-o'-the-Wisp," Miss G. Michael. Each of the artistes did their work admirably. and special mention must be made concerning the Queen and Golden Hair, who gave the audi- ence of their best. The scenery, etc., wa- in the capable hands of Mr. James Lawrence, who was stage manager. Miss Robinson, Tymeinor In- fants" School, in her skilful manner, supplied I' all the paper flowers and decorations. The ac- companists were: Organ. Miss C. Elsbury; piano, Mr. G. H. Spark es. A.T.C.L. Much praise is due to all who worked so hard to bring' abtmt sHch a successful concert, which was the "hit of the season." The energetic sec- retary was Mr. Jack Thorn. Blaengarw.

Advertise in the "Glamorgan Gazette." If I you want to sell, boy, or exchange, you cannot do better. I

I SMALL TALK. Bridgend Food Control Committee have > adopted a scheme whereby, through a ey&tiem of tickets, parents will at all times be able to secure milk for their children. Mr. Brace, the Under Home Secretary, tells a good story of himself and Lord Rnondda. Discussing the food queues, Mr. Brace aosked the Food Controller why didn't he stop them. Here you are—you can have the job your- self," was Lord Rhondda's reply. "So, thank, you," returned Mr. Brace, "lm not pi; appli- cant for the job. « Swansea hae the proud record of being the pioneer in the collection of waste paper, which has already contributed more than £ 1,^00 in the relief of rates. Before the war, the man who sang cf "the Good Old Days when George III. was King," was launghed at as a fool for his folly. So far, so good; but one of the blessings they had then, which is now denied us, was the blessing of cheap meat. Half a century ago prime breasts of wether mutton were &old in the Herford market at 4d. per lb., a lower price than had been in that city for nearly half a century, or at least since 1821 and 1822. None in the war have fought with greater spirit or made more sacrifices than our county police. On Monday, the Chief Constable re- ported to the Glamorgan Standing Joint Com- mittee that the strength of the force was 464, being 277 below the authorised strength; 376 had joined the colours, of whom 41 had made the supreme sacrifice, and 33 had been dis- charged from the Army for various reasons. Altogether 22 members and ex-members of the force had gained decorations in the wai. The Ministry of Food continues to issue an avalanche oi "Orders." One of these was the "Oil Splitting Order." The "Hair Splitting Order" is a title that would apply to most of these Orders. The daily output is em harassing, involving a prodigal waste of paper. It is, too, very complicated reading—not tm5Y for a novice, and even an expert might be par- doned if h. found himself inextricably en- tangled. Well might Mr. Henry Abbott a*k—as he iid with some signs of quite natural impatie««e—- at the last meeting of Bridgend Food Control Committee, "Why don't they bind these Orders up in the form of a manuel, instead of distri- buting them about in such a fashion that they are sure to be lost or destroyed?" Even a learned body may differ over the meaning of the simplest things. It is one of the prerogatives of the great never to agree. Take Bridgend District Council, and its off- spring the Food Control Committee. What is Labour ? What is co-option ? What is a democrat? These are que-stion-, thct baffle and divide our sanhe-drin asunder. He who approaches the sanctum sanctorum of our local Food Control Committee treads, in more senses than one, upon dangerous ground. The approach by way of the stone steps at the Public Library is very slippery. There is a large printed "Caution" to be careful about those steps, as, in ca-.e of a fall, the OOBse- quences would be more or less serious. Already there have been several Earrow escapes. At the meeting of the Committee on Monday night, the executive officer suggested that his staff should be insured, and the oommit- tee instantly agreed. The question arises whether, in view <f these steps, the members themselves should not also be insured, especially in view of recent happen- ings. and the possibility of certain contingen- cies which they suggest. Already a thoughtful, and presumably play- ful. correspondent has suggested the gift of a couple of pairs of boxing gloves. Some time ago Mr. Frank Hodges refused to go on the allotments committee because he was elected by only one vote. Now, by the casing- vote of the Chairman, he has "been put on the Food Control Committee, will he have the ceur- age to face the slippery stairs, and the more or less belligerent members in meeting assembled? By the way, when will that economy commit- tee be fairly under way?—before or after the war (should the war ever finish matters not), since economy, like the poor, will be always I ii c4L with us. and with us more and more.

The Palace.—Enjoyment appropriate to the coming season, and chastened by the common sadness, is just what might have been expected of the enterprising management of the Palace, and it proves to be exactly what is contem- plated for what used to be the festive season, of which more anon. For next week a most at- tractive programme has been issued—for Mon- day, Tuesday, and Wednesday. Theda Bara in "The Vixen"; and on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, Dec. ifl, 21, and 2. Theda Bara in "Under Two Flags." The latter is a war speci- ality of the highest order, the like of which has never been surpassed.

WICK. t Killed in Action.—We regret to state that Rifleman D. T. Lougher (son of the late 141. Wm. Lougher, Twmpath. Wick), of the K.R.R.C. waog killed in action in France on Nov. 25th. The sad news was received by his bro- ther, Mr. Arthur Loucher, Taff-st., Pontypridd, with whom he was employed as a butcher pre- vious to enlisting. He joined the colours 18 months ago, and was home in June last after recovering from wounds. Much sympathy is felt with the family and relatives, the young soldier being very popular and well known throughout the Vale.

l PONTYCYMMER. Challenged by Garw Trades and Labour Council.-At a meetiikg of the council, held at the Ffaldau Workmen's Institute, the following resolution was passed That this meeting of the Garw Trades and Labour Council expresw-s its coi'lmpt at the action of Mr. George Bevan. acting chairman of the Bridgend Food Control Committee, in claiming that Mr. Frank Hodges is the representative of a class of ex- ploiters of the public, and we challenge ML Bevan to prove his assertion at a public meeting at Bridgend or Pontycymmer at an early (latf.- The secretary of the Garw Trades and Labour Council is Mr. A. E. l£Jn' fi Blandy Terrace, Pontycymmer.

Local Relief Gift.—A sewing class is held en the premises of Miss C. Griffiths, general dealer, near the Pontycymmer Station, and is attended by about 411 girls, who contributed one penny per week towards purchasing material, frcm which—Under the supervision of Misses Sarah Thomas, Bessie Griffith-, Williams, smd. Enid D-avie-.—garments are made by enthusias- tic children, whose ages average from 1fJ to 14 years. The sale of garments by the organiser, Miss Catherine Griffiths, realised t'fi 16s. The organiser made the Mim up to £ 7, which was handed over to the Local Relief Fund for distri- bution. Thanks are due to all concerned for this excellent wcrk.