Llais Llafur

From Labour's Stand- point. NOTES OF THE WEEK. SOUTH AFRICA Trade Unionists in every part ot the country continue to express the strong- est indignation at the tyrannical methods adopted by the South African Government in the breaking of the recent general strike in that colony. Much as the circumstances of this memorable struggle are to be regretted from one point of view, yet they con- tain lessons which if thoroughly grasped by the workers here and in every other part of the world, will (materially assist in hastening the day (of their emancipation. The issues of the historical events in South Africa appear to us to be an unmistakable case for the necessity of strong trade union- ism, ii-ith the paramount importance of political action, ultimately leading to the control of Government, and economic freedom as the supreme goal. Beyond doubt, the capitalists are seal- ing their own doom in the adoption of tactics similar to those witnessed in South Africa. The nine deported Labour leaders are expected to arrive in England on Monday, when a great welcome will be accorded them in the Metropolis. It is expected that they will take speaking engagements throughout all parts of the kingdom, in the event of which arrangements are being made for one of the number to visit the Swansea Valley. .——— ———. AN INCIDENT AT WESTMINSTER The Labour Party in Parliament was placed in a somewhat unusual position during 'the proceedings in the house on Friday afternoon, and but for the time- ly discovery of a particularly contemp- tible Tory trick, the consequence might have been extremely unfortunate. The leading members of the party took part in a notable debate on their offi- cial amendment to the Address, pro- -minent among the speakers being the member for Gower, Mr. John Wil- i I uns. The subject of the amendment was the prevalence of accidents in mines and on railways, and as a result of the effective manner in which these facts were presented, the party succeeded in gaining the assurances asked for from the Home Office and the Board of Trade, that some definite steps to re- duce this loss of life and limb should be taken. This achievement accom- plished, it was useless to force the amendment to a division, and the mem- bers did the only possible thing, having regard to the circumstances—they asked leave to withdraw the amend- ment. The Opposition, acting merely for party advantage at the expense of -these concessions, refused to allow the withdrawal, and the Labour party had therefore to take the only course pos- sible under the unique circumstances— to vote against their own amendment. This action was seized upon by the Tories as the subject for taunting jeers and the flinging of the allegation at the heads of the Labour members that they did not possess the courage of their own convictions. We are quite .satisfied. however, that the rank and file of the movement will view the whole matter in its true perspective. ■ MR KEIR HARDIE S SEAT I Keen interest is once more being .-evinced in the position of Mr. Keir Hardie's seat at Merthyr. It will be remembered that a few weeks ago we referred to the fact that in view of a second Liberal candidate having been -selected for the division, the local Labour party had decided to approach the Executive of the South Wales Miners' Federation, requesting that Mr. Keir Hardie should be recognised as a Federation candidate at the next -election, but it was decided to defer the matter in view of their Parliamen- tary scheme under consideration. Dur- ing the past few days. however, some one has been good enough to announce that there is a fatal obstacle to the pro- posal, a byelaw of the Federation pro- viding that no one should be financially supported Unless he had been nominated for and by the district of which he is a member. Mr. Hardie is, of course, a member of the Scottish Federation, but those in authority have now pointed out that the byelaw referred to was set aside at the Swansea Conference of 1912, and therefore does not stand in the way of Mr. Hardie contesting the seat in the manner proposed. Both Mr. Hardie and Mr. George Barker have totally denied rumours to the effect that the M.F.G.B. had refused to sanction Mr. Hardie's candidature, but on the other hand we learn that there is every probability that the request of the Merthyr Labour party will be acceded to. A PROMISED DEBATE 1 Everybody in the South Wales coal- field will be looking forward with the greatest interest to a debate which we are prom ised between two well-known political leaders, Mr. Vernon Hartshorn .and Mr..J. Hugh Edwards, M.P. The facts appear to be that recently, Mr. Edwards when speaking in his division claimed in the course of his remarks that the Government was entirely re- sponsible for the introduction and pass- ing of the Minimum Wage Act. Mr. Hartshorn hotly challenged this state- ment, and described it as the limit in political audacity. Furthermore the Maestcg agent declared his willing- ness to debate the point with Mr. In- wards, -and the latter has. accepted the invitation, providing that the event can be arranged for a Saturday even- ing The subject is one of burning interest to South Wales miners, and we imagine that if the debate does take place there will be no lack of workers ready and eager to form an audience. It would be unwise to express any •opinion on the matter at present, but Mr. Hartshorn knows what he ie about, -and it may be taken for granted that he "is not entering into the affray without "preparation <5f his oase. ITHE BYE ELECTIONS The resignation of Lord Gladstone as Governor General of South Africa and the consequent reshuffling of Cabi- net seats has created two Parliamen- tary vacancies. The representation of Poplar was rendered vacant by the appointment of Sir Sidney Buxton to succeed Lord Gladstone, and here there are three candidates, the Socialist champion being Mr. Jack Jones, of the Gasworkers' Union, and a prominent member of the British Socialist Party. He is an able man who has rendere d considerable service to progressive movements, particulary in the City, and we wish him every success. Polling takes place this Friday, and the re- sult will be made known on Saturday. At Poplar Mr. Masterman has to defend his seat on having been admit- ted to the Cabinet, and he is opposed both by a Tory and an Independent Socialist in the person of Mr. John Scurr, of the Dockers' Union, another valiant fighter for the people. Polling here took place yesterday, and the re- result will probably be made known ere these lines appear. Having regard to the speedy nature of the contests it is quite impossible to express any decided opinion as to the probable results, but both consti- tuences are essentially working class in their composition, and the Socialist candidates being highly popular, there should be grounds for the anticipation of substantial polls, if not total success. PROGRESS AT LEITH Of quite another order is the bve- election at Leith, rendered necessary by the appointment of Mr. Munro Fer- gusson as Governor-General of Aus- tralia in succession to Lord Denman, who has resigned. Here the proceed- ings are more leisurely in character, al- though nominations are to be handed in to-day (Friday) and polling will take place on Thursday next. There are Liberal and Conservative candi- dates in the field, Labour's cause be- ing represented by a prominent North- ern leader in the person of Mr. J. N. Bell, of Newcastle, an official of the National Amalgamated Union of Labour. Mr. Bell is an ideal candi- date, and according to the reports of workers in the division, is winning golden opinions from the electors. He effectively exposes the alleged progres- siveness of the Liberal party, and ap- peals for support because of his strong conviction that the Labour party in Parliament should be materially strengthened in the interests of the workers. The last occasion when a Labour candidate fought the division was in 1910, when Mr. Wm. Walker polled 2,742 votes, but it is believed that Mr. Bell will considerably increase this figure. -G. A. 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STATE MEDICAL SERVICE. I REPORTED IMPORTANT NEW I SCHEME. It was stated on excellent authority in London during the week that a State medical service would be established in the country within five years. "I am in a position to state," said a well-known doctor, "that a Govern- ment Committee is at present consider- ing this question in private, and is actually preparing plans for the new departure. It is an open secret in medi- cal circles that Mr. Lloyd George 'knuckled down' to the doctors with a view to getting the Insurance Act into good working order, knowing that afterwards it would be an easy matter to introduce a State medical service costing considerably less than the pre- sent system. It is possible that the State will also establish central dispensaries in the large industrial communities, but will leave the dispensing of drugs in rural centres to private enterprise." According to the same informant Mr. Lloyd George had engaged doctors to work Liverpool Insurance Act area, and it was this fact which induced the doc- tors to accept finally the terms which had enabled most of them to buy motor cars at the expense of the State. II 0 # «

FEDERATION MATTERS. I MINIMUM WAGE RIGIITS I At a meeting of the Executive Coun- cil of the South Wales Miners' Execu- tive, held at Cardiff, Mr. W. Brace, M.P., presiding, it was resolved that Mr. W. P. Nicholas be asked to prepare for Mr. McKenna, the Home Secretary (in response to his questions to the de- putation that interviewed him on be- half of the M.F.G.B.), a statement of the cases in which deductions from wages were made for fines imposed in the police court. I SAFETY LAMP QUESTION. A deputation attended from the Blaina workmen respecting a dispute consequent upon a change having taken place in the type of safety lamp given them to use. It was resolved to raise this matter at the Conciliation Board. I PROPOSED MINERS DISTRICT. I Certain lodges in the Neath district having decided to secede from the Wes- tern, Anthracite, and Aberdare dis- tricts for the purpose of forming a new district of their own, it was re- solved that Messrs. Tom -Smith, W. Vyce, and the general secretary should investigate the matter. SENGHENYDD RELIEF FUND. I The proposed trust deed for the ad- ministration of the Senghenydd Relief Fund was considered by the Council, and it was resolved—"That this Coun- cil is of opinion that in this declaration of trust it shall be definitely stated that the who!e of the funds shall be administered for the benefit of the de- pendents of the workmen killed in the Songhenydd and Glynea Collieries ex- plosion. MINIMUM WAGE RIGHTS. I It was resolved to raise at the Con- ciliation Board meeting the question of workmen having, it was allegá, re- ceived notice to terminate controots consequent upon their insisting upon their rights under the Minimum Wage Act. This, it was stated, had occurred at Cwmaman, the East Glamorgan Dis- I triet, and the Merthyr District.

NEWS FROM ALL QUARTERS The Week at Home and Abroad BUILDING TRADE STRIKE The fight between the London mas- ter builders and the Unions in regard to the agreements between the Masters' Association and the men continues without any prospect of settlement. Thousands of pounds are being lost in ages, and some important building schemes are suspended in consequence of the lock-out. The men are firm in refusing to sign individual agreements containing a penalty clause of twenty shillings for every breach. The Unions represented in the London Building In- dusti-ie,g' Fetlei-ation are to go into con- ference on the question of a general agreement for the whole of the build- ing trade. This proposal has been re- jected by the Masters' Association. The Unions are now seeking the assistance of the Parliamentary committee of the Trade Union Congress. I MISSING DEFAULTER ARRESTED I Mr. Fenner, the missing English stockbroker, has been arrested in Paris and Is now at the by Inspector Bertin, and is now at the depot. Some days ago Scotland Yard communicated to the Paris Surete De- partment a description and photo- graphs of Mr. Fenner, who, they had reason to suspect, might be in Paris. Acting on this information the Surete detailed two inspectors, who soon dis- covered a gentleman whose appearance tallied with that of the photographs in possession of the Surete. This gentle- man, however, made so little effort at concealment, appearing freely in res- taurants, theatres, and other public places, that the inspectors, though they shadowed him for several days hesitat- ed to arrest him, fearing to commit a serious error. It is stated that over £ 100,000 is involved in Mr. Fenner's difficulties. r ROYALTY AT PLAY I The King on Saturday afternoon wit- nessed the Rugby football match be- tween England and Ireland at Twicken- ham. Accompanied by Earl Granville, Lord-in-waiting, Sir Colin Keppel, Groom-in-waiting, and Colonel Sir Frederick Ponsonby, Equerry-in-wait- ing, he motored from Buckingham Palace, and was cheered by crowds en route, especially at Richmond. He ar- rived on the ground at three o'clock, • and occupied a reserved seat. He re- ceived a tremendous ovation from a huge crowd, which was larger than usual. In the evening the King and Queen visited Drurv Lane Theatre and witnessed the performance of "The Sleeping Beauty Re-awakcned." There was no special preparation ov formali- ty. WEALTH FROM WASTE I The revenue last year from the Brad- ford Corporation's grease factory amounted to over £ 48.000. This sum represents what other people have thrown away, for the grease is extract- ed from waste products of the wool in- dustry. When the crude wool is washed at Bradford some of its natural fat is washed into the sewers. By collecting the "sludge" and extracting the fattv su bstances the city is able to dispose of about 120 tons of valuable grease per week. WELSH COMPULSORY AT SWANSEA I After a long discussion the Swansea Education Committee has decided to confirm the Education Superintendent's report, which recommended compulsory teaching of the Welsh language in ele- mentary schools situated in Welsh dis- tricts. Advocates of the proposal urged that the Welsh language was of great intellectual and commercial value but opponents of the scheme contended that the curriculum of the schools was already overcrowded. LORD TREDEGAR'S ESTATES I Lord Iredegar has decided to part with the greater portion of his Brecon- shire Estate, comprising, it is under- stood, 7,000 acres. This important step on the part of his lordship was announced at the rent audit dinner at Brecon by Mr. H. F. W. Harris, the agent, wh o stated that Lord Tredegar had told him that he would be compelled to sell the proper- ty to provide the very large sum of money he had to pay in death duties. Tenants on the estate would have the first opportunity of purchasing their holdings, and Lord Tredegar would do everytliing he possibly could to help them in doing so. CABINET PROMOTION I The following appointment is official- ly announced:—The Hon. E. S. Mon- tagu, M.P., to be Financial Secretary to the Treasury in succession to the Right Hon. C. F. G. Masterman. Mr. Montague, who is a brother of Lord Swavthing, and a cousin of Mr. Her- bert Samuel, the new President of the Local Government Board, is at present Under-Secretary for India. His appoint- ment will not necessitate a bye-elec- tion. RAILWAYMEN AND RECOGNITION I in connection with an announcement made that the railway companies of this country had collectively decided to accord recognition to the National Union of Railwaymen, Lord Claud Hamilton, chairman of the Great East- ern Railway Company, writes that the ftatement is absolutely untrue. The question of recognition (said Lord Claud) has never been discussed by the companies. The general i .anagers have met and discussed the matter, but the general managers are not the com- panies, and the chairmen have never talked the subject over together. The statement, therefore, that reeognitio-i of the Union has been decided upon by the companies is perfectly untrue. W I BOYCOTT OF JEWS IN POLAND I The boycott of Jews in the Vistula I provinces of Poland not only shows no signs of abatement, but is becoming daily more rigorous and harassing. The "Utro Rossi" states that in the Govern- ment of Petrigau the boycott has lately resulted in the expulsion of 200 Jewish families from the village commune of Dombrovo, 200 from Strzemierzyce, 40 from Grabczin, 30 from Niemetz, 70 from Zombkowice, 15 from Uiasd, 15 from Wyssoka, 40 from Klimontoff, 40 from Lazy, and 100 from Noi. These 750 expelled families aggregate 3,730 souls. CARDIFF BOAT LOST I During the strong southerly gale ex- perienced last week-end. the Cardiff- owned three-masted roaster Miown. from London to Bristol, foundered off Shoreham Harbour, for which she was iraking on account of the stress of sea and storin. Captain Walter Jones, of Roat.h, was rescued from the rigging, but the rest of the crew, eight in number, were all drowned. It is feared that the Sunderland steamer Arnside has been wrecked off Land's End, and hope has been aban- doned for the Ramsgate fishing vessel Glance, with three hands. SCENE IN A BRITON FERRY CHURCH I Whilst divine service was proceeding at St. Mary's Church, Briton Ferry, on Sunday morning, a man sudden I v stood up, and throwing his arms about began to shout, disturbing the wor- shippers. He was heard to say he would kill the whole congregation. Several persons tried to persuade him to desist. The police were summoned, and he was eventually taken to the poJico station He said he had spent many years in India. He is unknown in the town. STORM ON THE WELSH COAST I Considerable damage has been done at the Marine Promenade, Barmouth. ever 200 feet of tea A-all being washed away, carrying with it a.bout threo yards of roadway, causing some hun- dreds of pounds damage. The tide was the highest seen for 20 years. On the Cambrian Railways line at Llanaber, Barmouth, the BOO. washed away the em bankment and ballast under the rails for a considerable length neces- sitating the moving of the rails three feet inland so that trains may pass o,% er. At Penmaenpool the line was damaged considerably, the foundation I being on marshy ground, giving way. Breakdown gangs were soon on the- spot to enable mail trains to pass. Tlio sea invaded the main road also at Barmouth, flooding houses close by and causing great inconvenience to house- holders, who had to remove furniture to the upper storeys. The waves, whici ran some 80ft. high, were watched by a large crowd.

A Great Tailoring offer by the Leading Tailoring House THE CONQUEROR TWEED SUIT Made to Measure at the Phenomenal Price of 35/6 OBTAINABLE ONLY AT MASTERS & CO. (CLOTHIERS), Ltd., 18 & 19 Castle Street 282 Oxford Street Swansea 3 Green Street, NCcltll 17 Stepney Street, Llanelly, etC. DO YOU REQUIRE A MEMORIAL STONE —— Mr W. J. Williams has a large assortment in most artistic designs, kept in stock at Ystalyfera and Ystradgynlais and Brynamman ANY DFSIG* VX Fir'y"TF-D TO CUSTOMER'S CHOICE. O-RDEAS PROMPT L Y ATTENDED TO Note the Ad(iress:- —————————— W J Will ¡am s fstalyfera, Vstradgynlais W. J. Williams, and Brynamman Short-Sighted Persons want to bring the book close to their eyes. It means that the object looked at does not focus on the retina, the focus comes in front—too soon-the eyeball is therefore too long. We cannot change the eyeball, so we change the focus. We put a lens in front of the eye which throws the focus back to the proper position. Call upon as and learn more about this important subject of defective vision. C. F. WALTERS F.S.M.C., F.I.O. QUALIFIED OPTICIAN, Oxford St., Swansea (N. rty opposite Nati.)nal chool) t. 1' t. j JOHNSTON f FOR Garden Seeds Finest Quality at Moderate Prices. if I Catalogues Gratis and Post Fre¥. 27, Oxford Street, Swansea | Telephone: 567 Central. 71 REVOLUTION ?t IN SERGES That will not Fade in SUN, SKA, OR RAI. INSPECT OUI WINDOWS Wheie you will see Models of these splendid Fabrics. Dreadnought So. 3 < £ 3/12/6 No. 2 X3,1716; MS. £ MORRIS Bank Buildings, Ystradgynlais AND AT Gurnos, Lower Cwmtwrcb

Mr D. A. Thomas as Rail- way "Backer" 1,500-MILE SCHEME IN CANA9A COALFIELD Th Railway Committee cl the Houas rf Commons at Ottawa. h<i* favourably re- ported on » Bill granting a. charter to tha Pacific Peaca River and Altabasca Com- pany. The project is to construct a railway from the mouth of the Naas River, whiea is 40 milee north cl Prince Rupert, easter- ly through the Pdock Mountain region and- the Peace River plains, tapping valuable coal depo&t& The promoter of the Bill stated that the principal backer of the enterprise was Mr D. A. Thomas, of Cardiff, Wales, who from personal observation, is impressed with the vaatneas of the coal deposits in, the region. The total lemgtti of the railway will be6 about 1,500 miles.

HEREFORD TEACHERS WIN WHOLESALE RESIGNATIONE EX- PECTED. The strike of the Herefordshire teachers has come to an end. The edu- cation authority has granted certain annual increases of L5, thus conceding a scale, the total result of which is that with maximum salaries paid the increased cost to the county will be L4,000, in addition to the £1,300 re- cently granted, and which took effect immediately. These concessions have been brought about by strong pressure from the Board of Education, whose note stated that it was the duty of the authority "to pay salaries sufficient to attract a good class of teacher." The reason given for secrecy as to this decision on Monday was on the ground that the question of reinstatement has yet to be decided. Alderman Corner, vice-chairman of the County Council, has sent in his resignation as a member of the com- mittee as a protest against this "extra- ordinary and unexpected change of front" on the part of the committee. He severely comments on tho unani- mous and oft-expressed determination of the committee not to grant a scale of annual increments, and recalls that they have stated over and over again that they would on no account tolerate such a scale. Consequently, he says, the only honourable course open to him is to dissociate himself from their decision by resigning. by rerigm.ng.

PIPE OF PEACE AT NEY- LAND. HOW LIKE YSTRADGYNLAIS. Mr. J. Hier presided at a special meeting of the Neyland Council, held to consider the tenders for scavenging for the year, and as usual the proceed- ings were quite unconventional. There were only two tenders, and for some time the Council discussed the methods of advertising until reminded by the chairman that this should have been done at the previous meeting. Then a question arose as to whether a tip was available, and the surveyor was sent to interview the owner. Mean- while the chairman remarked, "The duty is off tobacco," and Councillors brought out their pipes, although the spittoons requisitioned recently by the medical officer have not been provided. The surveyor returned, and Council- lors laid their pipes on the table before them, and an air of gravity now settled upon them. Soon, however, another question arose with regard to another of the gentlemen tendering. It was de- cided to send the surveyor on another pilgrimage, and this time Councillor William Harris was asked to go with him. The Chairman prepared to light up again, but as he reached the door Mr. Evans remarked, "Whisky is 4d. a glass, and port wine is 3d. This will cost Is. 2d." When the reporters left the meeting had lasted nearly two hours. No pro- gress had been made, but almost hid- den in a cloud of smoke the Council calmly awaited the return of the sur- veyor.

MR. SAMUEL'S FAREWELL I In his farewell notice to the Post Office, Mr Herbert Samuel, the new President of the Local Government Board, states that the past four years have been years of development and change. "In addition to the normal conduct of the vast business which is in its care, and in addition to the handling of the fresh growth of work which comes to it year by year, the department," says Mr Samuel, "is being called upon in these days to adapt itself in many directions to new conditions. It has responded fully to the call. Through its continued effic- iency it renders inestimable service to the nation.

The funeral took place on Thursday of Mr. D. R. Thomas (C.M. deacon at Salem Church), of Grove House, Peny- wern-road Clydach, at Ebenezer Churchyard, Llwynbrwydrau. A presentation by the Brynooed Col- liery workmen was made to Mr. W. T. Williams, who has left the colliery t.) take up similar duties at the Great Mountain Colliery, Gorseinon.

(Continued from preceding oolumn). Mr. Sercombe said the officials could not be in every part of the line at once, but the rules were that when first a man was caught, his name was taken, and he was cautioned. Upon a repetition he was prosecuted, and several cases had been dealt with both at Ystradgynlais and Neath. The Coroner: Is there not a whole- sale trespass going on ?—I daresay there is, but I cannot really answer for it. Summing up the Coroner commented on the practice of trespassing on the permanent way, and said the rules of the companies should certainly be ob- served for the sake of the men them- selves. It was most dangerous to walk along the line even in the daytime. A person becoming absentminded a train might come upon him unawares, particularly if it were stormy and the wind was blowing. The danger was even greater on a dark night. They could attach no blame to the railway company in the present circumstances, for whilst they must sympathise with deceased and those whom he had left behind, they could not get away from the fact that he had no business on the line. He (the Coroner) felt quite sure that Rivers was only doing what hun- dreds of others did in trespassing on the line, and he trusted that the cir- cumstances of that fatality would serve as a warning. They were very distress- ing and would be particularly so to the intended bride. The jury returned a verdict in ac- cordance with the evidence tendered "Accidental death."