Llais Llafur

♦ "We have had good results + from advertising In Labour + Voice "-Swansea Trades* man. Name on application. Do you want good results ? ♦ ♦ If so, Advertise in LLAIS LLAFUR."

NOTES and COMMENTS One of those Tories who are angry with the Labour Party because it re- fuses to lend itself to Tory designs in the House of Commons wrote to a Liberal newspaper, "The Yorkshire 'Observer," to criticise Mr. Ramsay Macdonald. In an editorial footnote appeared a remark that there is only one man of our time from whom Mr. Ramsay Macdonald could have learned anything that he does not already know about Parliamentary tactics, and that man-Mr. Parnell-is unfortun- .ately dead. A compliment from an unexpected quarter! During the I.L.P. conference, when the suffragettes touched depths of silli- ness which even they have not reached before, a woman hung out over the balcony rail a crimson banner with the words, "Messieurs, vos amis anglais ont trahis la cause des femmes." The words, which may be roughly translated "Gentlemen, your English friends have betrayed the cause of women," was meant to impress the French- speaking delegates from the Continent who came bearing fraternal greetings. The episode was about the limit in childish spite. Mr. John Littlejohns, of Pontypridd, on the First Lord of-the Admiralty: Mr. Winston Churchill is the big- gest braggart of blatant braggadocio in the brutish triturations of bom- bastic Radicalism to-day. Mr. William Williams, Town Crier, of Llanrwst, on Waterloo Station-. On my arrival in London I was misled and misdirected and set on an erring path in the quest for Vic- toria.. By some means I transpired i at Waterloo, where I cast the orb of admiration at its constructural im- mensity. Can't someone arrange a public debate between Messrs. Littlejohns and Wil- liams ? "Socialism must mend its manners," says Mr. C. F. G. Masterman. Now we know that it is bad manners to vote against Mr. Masterman. John Blunt writes: "There are quite a few persons in the world whose place I would not care to be in on the Last Day when we have to render account of our misdeeds, and one of them is Pro- fessor Yohannan, of Columbia Univer- sity. Professor Yohannan, or, as they probably call him in Columbia, "Old Yo," stands sponsor to the world for eleven newly discovered quatrains, the work of Omar Khayyam. There is" a trifle too much Omar in the world already; there certainly is too much in the Socialist movement. I know Socialists whose one and only poet is the ineffable Omar, but what connec- tion there is between that doddering old pagan and Socialism beats me. His hedonism, his shameless addiction to booze, his asinine invocations to Thou- and Thou beside me singing in the wilderness—are as far removed from Socialism as anything well could be. This is one of the new questrams just unloaded on a long-suffering world: Not always shall this convent wall us in, So cease to preach that wine and love are sin. How long shall old creeds fetter us, or new? When I am gone then let us the mad world spin. If this was the kind of tosh for which the old Persian poetaster was held in reverence, the world which knew him must have been mad before he left it. Now I will At this point John's letter becomes Shavian in its latitude, and we had to "ibring the blue pencil into aotion. Per- haps it will please the fastidious John to know that this week "The Times" has given to the world a hitherto un- published poem by Keats. To ease his isoul we give him the first two stanzas: You say you love: but with a voice Chaster than a nun's, who singeth The soft Vespers to herself While the chime-bell ringeth- 0 love me truly! You say you love: but with a smile Cold as sunrise in September; As you were Saint Cupid's nui, And kept his weeks of Ember. 0 love me truly! I 'These stanzas, says "The Times," have "a beauty which will win the poem a welcome to all future editions of Keats. The I.L.P. conference at Bradford "ended with a fine tribute paid by Mr. Heir Hardie to his wife. During his first three years in Parliament Mrs. Hardie kept the house going, looked rafter the three children, made and mended their clothes without any help, kept the house clean, and did every- -thing else-all on 25s. a week! Never once did Mrs. Hardie complain. "There was," concluded Mr. Hardie, many a bitter tear and many a lonely hour, but one of the proud things of my life is to be able to say that although she .suffered much in health and spirits never once has she reproached me with whait-I was doing for the cause in which I was working." The movement does well to honour Mrs. Hardie for all she has done and borne for the sake of her class. Mr. Winston Churchill attended a hull fight at Madrid on Sunday. Here's a chance for Sabbatarians at Swansea and elsewhere to do a little sabre- rattling. But perhaps they consider -that this is -not,.a;ein on the part of -aa. Liberal. Mr. Shaw's use in Pygmalion of an i adjective that Itao shocked the critics recalls, the story of a lady who after attenting the first performance of Ruddigore, suggested to Sir W. S. Gilbert that he might as well have called it Bloodygore. "No," he re- plied—"I might say that I admire your ruddy cheek t but if I said that I admired your ), Madame Patti, along with her husband, Baron Cederstrom, has returned to Craig- y-Nos Castle, after a brief stay in Lon- don. It is said that she had become disgusted with the London weather, which gave her a very severe cold. Usually the Baroaioess gives smart dinner parties at the Carlton restaurant when in town, but on this occasion she did no en- tertaining at all. Those who were privileged to be pre- sent on Saturday at the opening of the Elysium, the "Labour Palace," erected by the Dockers' Union in High Street, Swansea, will surely long remember the occasion. Mr Ben Tillett, general secre- tary of the Union- performed the cere- mony, and when the large gathering had i assembled inside the magnificent build- ing, with Mr Tillett in the chair, sup- ported by local dignitaries including the Mayor (Aid. Corker), wearing his chain of office, the scene was a fine one. Mr Tillett received quite an ovation when he declared that hall was one of the finest Labour Halls in the Kingdom, and did credit to their class. He also emphasised the fact that all Trade Union- ists in the district would to welcomed at the Hall, and urged them to make use of it. A magnificent tubular pneumatic organ has been installed, and recitals were given during the afternoon by Mr James Carter, of London, his son, Mr Charles Carter, officiating at the piano. Mr Harry Reynolds, the famous baritone also sang, and Miss May Phillips gave self accom- panied songs. Sitting in this delightful building, listening to the music which was being so tastefully rendered, one could not but dream of that happy time coming when men and women will have full leisure to enjoy to the full, such at- tractions provided for their pleasure by a democratically controlled municipality. The other day (writes a correspondent), Mr Ben Tillett was heard to say that he feared that the people of Swansea and district did not fully appreciate the beauties of Mumbles and Langland Bay. Those who stayed at this resort during Eastertide will, however, differ materially from Mr Tillett's opinion. The huge crowds gathering at the spot on Sunday and Monday were sufficient indication that the residents of the Port, as well as those in the valleys and surrounding villages, recognised the glories of the re- sort. The glorious weather prevailing added to the delight of the holiday, and on Monday Mumbles was almost uncom- fortably crowded. A remarkably pleasing fact was revealed by Mr W E Morgan, the agent, at the Monthly Meeting of the Western Miners' Association, at Swansea, on Saturday. Although the organisation numbers several thousand members, only two have sent in forms of exemption from pay- ment of the political levy under the Trade Union Act, and as the time allowed for sending in forms is now past, the Is. per annum provided for by the Act will now be compulsory—for ,all but the two members mentioned. „ It is hoped that all members of the Western Miners Association, and also of the Anthracite District are bearing in mind May 2nd, the date on which the annual joint demonstration is to be held in Swan- sea, and all members should make an effort to be present. After the process- ion, a meeting is to be held in the Albert Hall, over which Mr John Williams, M.P., will preside, and the speakers an- nounced are, Mr J. T. Bain (one of the South African Deportees), Mr Philip Snowden, M.P., and Mr Wm. Brace, M.P. It will be remembered that at the meeting held recently to reform the Swan- sea Valley Socialist League, it was also decided to form a Cycling sooo ts Section with Mr B. D. Lewis, Yetradgynlais, as president. The next meeting of the League is to be held on Saturday week, April 25th at Ystalyfera, and Mr Lewis asks all Socialist cyclists willing to join the scouts' section to meet at the Ystaly- fera I.L.P. rooms on the same day. There is much work awaiting the cycling section and it is to be trusted that all who are willing to serve will attemd. The death of Mr Hubert Blaud ("Hubert" of the "Sunday Chronicle") removes a gallant worker in the Socialist cause. He was one of the original mem- bers of the Executive of the Fabian Society, and wrote one of the papers in- cluded in the popular "Fabian Essays," setting forth the Socialist reconstruction of Society.

I G. W. R. STATION SCHEME AT SWANSEA. It was stated at Swansea Town Coun- cil meeting that the Great Western Rail- way Company intend spending several thousand pounds on improvements at High Street Station. These include lengthening platforms, li. nes, and providing a new facade. The extensions will absorb portions of several adjacent streets. ———-—— t——————

PANTYFFYNON PARENTS WARNED "It was the most squalid home I have ever visited," was the statement made at Ammanford on Wednesday by an in- spector for the prevention of cruelty to children when Edward and Sarah Pines, Pantyffynon, were charged with cruelty to four children, ranging from three to nine years of age. The Bench bound over defendants to properly look after their children in future, and advised them to live together instead of. ha.ving to maintain two homes.

COMING OF AGE OF THE I.L.P. » Great Conference at Bradford Parliamentary Levy and I The Election Fund The twenty-first anniversary of the founding of the Independent Labour ,Party, now the foremost Socialist organisation in Great Britain, was celebrated at the annual conference of the party, held in Bradford last week- end, when the proceedings were of an impressive and memorable character. It was particularly appropriate that the coming of age gathering should be held at Bradford, for it was in that city that the party was established, and it was also a happy thought that Mr. J. Keir Hardie, M.P., founder and leader of the party, should have been elected chairman of the organisation at the previous conference in order that he might preside over the 21st anniver- versary gathering. The proceedings commenced on Satur- day evening, and in the course of the proceedings questions of grave impor- tance vitally affecting the well-being of the party were under discussion, but it is gratifying to note that through- out the proceedings the debates were orderly and good tempered, and it can be said without the slightest hesitation that the battle cry which was sounded by many of the delegates will be taken up throughout the country and that members in all the 672 branches will apply themselves to the work of pro- paganda with renewed hope and vigour. i WORK OF 21 YEARS. < At the opening on Saturday after- noon, Mr. Keir Hardie, who was sup- ported by all the ex-chairmen of the party, in the course of his address ob- served that strenuous work had been done during the past 21 years by the I.L.P. Science had made great dis- coveries in all directions, and had re- vealed hidden forces. In the same way the Socialist propaganda was revealing hitherto hidden powers and forces. The I.L.P. had pioneered progress in this country; it had broken down barriers of sex and class and was giving the lead in other matters. But after 21 years they were only at the beginning. The emancipation of the workers had still to be achieved, and just as the I.L.P. had in the past given a straight sane, human lead to the people, so it would in the future pursue the even tenor of its way until the sunshine of Socialism broke forth on the land. (Cheers.) Mr. Camille Huysmans, a member of the Belgian Legislative Assembly, had a hearty welcome when he rose to speak on behalf of the Belgian Labour Party and the Executive Com- mittee of the International Bureau. In Belgium, he announced, a quarter of a million men and women were sup- porters of the Labour Party. That party was a great force in the interest of peace. (Cheers.) Mr. Arthur Henderson, M.P., re- marked that the great question they had to ask themselves was whether their party could really report pro- gress. As a sympathetic onlooker, and as a trade unionist of over thirty years' standing, he must reply with an em- phatic "Yes." But even after 21 years' work they were reminded that land and capital were not yet used for the wellbeing of the community, ahd that there was still poverty and wage-slav- ery. The delegate from Germany observed that there were in that country over a million paying members to the funds of the Labour Party. I A BIG DEMONSTRATION. Remarkable scenes were witnessed in the City on Sunday when a great de- monstration took place. One of the largest processions ever seen in the city made its way to St. George's Hall, Mr. Keir Hardie, M.P., and other Labour leaders, all of them guarded by detectives, taking part in it. At an afternoon demonstration Mr. Robert Smillie, President of the Miners' Federation, referring to the proposed union of the transport work- ers, railway servants, and miners, said it was a significant movement, but it must not be understood that after the conference in London there was going to be a general strike the following morning-or a social revolution. They were going to discuss the union as the beginning of the linking up of the whole movement, and he believed the time would come when the whole trade union movement would be as closely united as the miners were now. I LADIES IN CHAINS. WTiile Mr. Snowden, M.P., was speaking at the evening demonstration, he was often interrupted by suffra- gettes. One lady was chained to her seat, and the meeting was stopped a long time while a crowbar was got and a portion of the seat wrenched off. The interrupter went away with the broken piece hanging to her by chains. Mr. Snowden then said he would bring his remarks to a close, and did not speak again. During Mr. Ramsay Macdonald's speech there was much comnjotion and bags of flour which were thrown at him struck the pressmen, who were covered from head to foot. Mr. Mac- donald observed that it was the first time any opponent had ever tried to whiten him. (Laughter.) I THE PARLIAMENTARY FUND. An address of congratulation from the Fabian Society opened Monday's proceedings, the spokesman of the society being Mr. Sidney Webb, who observed that an enormous advance had been made by the I.L.P. during the last 21 years. The National Administrative Council reported that the least satisfactorf part of the financial statement was the Par- liamentary Fund. The Keighley by-elec- tion depleted thv fund, so that at the present time it ,.as actually in debt to the general fund to the extent of L- 133. With a General Election at hand, the condition of the fund re- quired immediate attention. The com- mitments of the party for the next election were greater than ever before which, whilst showing the increased vitality of the party, also largely in- creased its ifnancial responsibility. Some more systematic means of re- plenishing the political fighting fund of the party should be devised, and after long and serious consideration the N.A.C. recommended that a shil- ling levy be made on every member of the party. EMPTY ELECTION CHEST. I Mr. T. D. Benson, the treasurer, said that the levies in the past had been distinctly unsatisfactory. The last levy produced only £ 31', and the result of the special effort fund was only £ 481. He hoped the Is. levy would be taken as a compulsory levy by all the mem- bers and officers and by the divisional councils themselves. They had not a penny in hand for the General Elec- tion if it came off in July, which, as they all knew, was a possibility. The party had not done its duty towards those constituencies that were bearing the burden of the forward movement. I The shilling levy would produce £1,500 —enough to cover the election officers' fees. QUESTION OF POLICY. I The policy of the party in relation I to the trade unions and the Liberals was discussed in private. Later Mr. Keir Hardie announced that there had been a very frank and friendly discussion of the Parliamen- tary report of the seven members of the Independent Labour party, namely: Mr. J. R. Clvnes, Mr. J. Keir Hardie, Mr. F. W.>v, u, Mr. J. Ramsay Macdonald, Mr. James Parker, Mr. Thomas Richardson, and Mr. Philip Snowden, M.P. The report statfd that the relations of the I.L.P. members with their trade union colleagues continued cordial. The composite characat,er of the Labour Party and the differences of political training and economic views to be found among the members of the party should be kept in mind. The activity of the I.L.P. members of Parliament during the last year had been to some extent hampered by the peculiar Par- liamentary situation created by the Parliament Act and the desire to see the Home Rule question settled. "We recognise," the report conclud- ed, "the advantages to labour general- ly by such a combination of trade unionists and Socialists as we have in the Labour party, but we have never been blind to the fact that if we as Socialists are to get the benefit of the support of our trade union allies it must involve some sacrifice of our own independent action as an Independent Labour Party." A long and earnest discussion ensued on the report, most of the leaders of the party participating. It was even- tually adopted. I SOCIALIST UNITY. I The concluding session was held on Tuesday, when Socialist unity was the first subject discussed. The National Administrative Council reported on this question that correspondence with the international bureau resulted in a meeting of representatives of the I.L.P. the British Socialist Party, and the Fabian Society, who agreed to the fol- lowing resolution: That in view of the desirability of securing Socialist unity on the basis of common tion with the Labour Party, this conference requests the representatives of the three bodies to lay before their members the question of putting forward a pro- posal at the Labour Party Conference of 1915 permitting any candidate who may wish to describe himself as a "Labour tud Socialist" candidate. Mr. W. C. inderson, ex-cliairman of the I.L.P., observed that complete Socialist unity might not be possible in this country at the present time, but it was possible to mitigate some of the sharp divisions among them- selves if they formed something in the nature of a Socialist Council on which representatives of the various Socialist organisations could meet and discuss subjects of interest to them. Mr. Egerton NVake (Barrow) con- sidered that the proposal would open the door to dissensions which would threaten to paralyse the I.L.P. It would be against the best interests of Socialism to illow the old dogmas and dissensions to return. The resolution was carried by -25 against 113. I "CABINET RULE. I Mr. W. Leach, on behalf of the Bradford branch, moved: That Galinet rule, which involves the suppression of the rights of the private member to any adequate voice in thfi policy of his party, and which impKes the resignation of the Ministry and the dissolution of Par- liament when proposals of the Cabinet are negatived, besides making almost impossible free consideration of pro- posals which have not received the Cabinet hall-mark, is inimical to the good government of the country; that, with a view to the ultimate break-up of this system, the Parlia- mentary Labour Party be asked to take no account of any such con- siderations and to vote on all issues only in accordance with the principles for which the party stands. In moving the resolution Mr. Leach remarked that they had confidence in the policy cf the I.L.P. members of Parliament. They were glad that Mr. Ramsay Macdonald was chairman of the Labour Party and they were con- vinced that there were no traitors be- ing harboured inside the Labour group. He believed a bold policy could be achieved if the Labour Party refused to subordinate conscience even for the safety of a Government. (Cheers.) NO ALTERNATIVE. Mr. W. C. Anderson said there were many anomalies in the Cabinet system. The Bradford resolution did not, how- ever, point to any alternative. Mr. Jowett, M.P., urged that the party system must be relaxed and that the I.L.P. should vote on the merits of a question. They should tackle the question in such a way as to give their members a distinct right to vote irres- pective of the conveniences of Govern- ments. (Cheers.) He for one refused to be a boncl slar. (Cheers.) The motion was carried with much enthusiasm by 233 against 78. ARMY AND PEOPLE. The Conference also adopted the fol- lowing resolution: That this conference condemns strongly all attempts to subvert the Army for political purposes, making it a means of influencing legislation and a grave menace to civil liberty; it protests against the gross legal inequality which sends trade union- ists to prison for counselling soldiers not to shoot strikers, whilst permit- ting certain prominent heads of the Army and members of Parliament to advise officeiis againsit maintaining law in Ulster. On the motion of Miss Margaret Bondfield, a resolution was adopted de- claring that all maternity benefits and assistance now scattered under Poor Law, Insurance Act, and philanthropic agencies should he co-ordinated and ex- tended in connection with the Notifi- cation of Births Act under the public health authorities, and calling upon the Chancellor of the Exchequer to make such grants in aid to these authorities as would ensure to all mothers who need it maternity benefit and skilled advice and treatment. Mr. F. W. Jowett, M.P., was, on a third ballot, elected chairman of the party, and the retiring treasurer, Mr. T. D. Benson and the N.A.C. members were all re-elected. xo.. j

YORKSHIRE MINERS' BALLOT i LARGE MAJORITY FOR RESUMING WORK. Yorkshire miners have voted as follows on the question "Are you in favour of accepting the proposals submitted"1 by the Conciliation Board, and _res->;miiig work at once" For return to work 27,259 Against 11,393 Majority for resumption) 15,866 The votes were counted on Wednes- day afternoon at a meeting of delegates of the Yorkshire Miners' Association held at Barnsley. At some of the branches the proposals did not meet with favourable accept- ance, but at the majority of the branch meetings feeling was unanimously in favour of a resumption of work. At one pit in the Barnsley area the ballot re- sulted in a. majority of about 7 to 1 for the acceptance of the proposals, and at Hickleton Main, midway between Bame- lav ajid Donocaeter, whore between 3,000 and 4,000 hands are employed, the men voted for returning to work by a majority of eight to one. There was less confi- dence, however, concerning the voting in the Rotherham district and in West Yorks. The voting was small. This was due to the shortness of the time given and also to the circumstance that many of the miners were away on holiday., The delegates sat in .private about a couple of hours, and when they issued from the room Mr John Wadsworth, M.P. informed the reporters that no report would be made. Mr Wads worth and his colleagues left Barnsley for London at four o'clock on Wednesday afternoon to attend the meet- ing of the Miners' Federation. ——————

A MOTHER'S ORDEAL DISTRESSING INCIDENT IN THE STREET AT NEATH. I A distressing incident occurred at Neath on Wednesday, Mrs. Booth, owner of one of the shooting galleries at the local fair field, was walking along the street with her seven-months-old child in her arms, w hen the little one was seized with a fit and expired. The distressed mother rushed into the shop of a chemist, who advised her to go to a doctor. Beside herself with grief, Mrs, Booth ran from one doctor's house to another, only to find the doctors out. At last, in an exhausted state, she found Dr. Flynn, who could, however, only pronounce life extinct.

I PONTARDAWE and ALLTWEN GLEANINGS I [BY BIRKS.] "I would rather be a dead dog than an ignorant working-man knowing nothing of and doing nothing for his class." —Ben Tillett. The olfactory organ suggests to anyone in the vicinity of the top of AHtwen-hill that there is sometliing worse than a dead dog lying in the vicinity. Three months ago fire destroyed the greater portion of the building and damaged most of the stock of the AUt- wen Co-operative Stores, since which time the tons of bacon, flour, meals, fruit, grains, etc., have been slowly decaying. The fine weather during the holidays caused millions of flies to be hatched, and these have become a nuisance to ( the residents in the neighbourhood. Big wheels, indeed, do move very, very slowly. The marriage market has been very brisk during the holidays, more than 20 couples having crossed the matri- monial border. Space and time and other matters forbid the publication of so many names. May they all be blessed with happiness. The first plucky man to don a straw hat in this district this year is Mr. John Jones, the attendance officer. I hope he is a reliable meteorologist. I very much regretted to hear of Councillor Francis' accident at Swan- sea a week ago, and am glad to be able to state that he is making good pro- gr. A half ton girder, indiscriminately carried on the shoulders of two burly labourers is not an ideal toothpick. Met the sanitary inspector between Rhydyfro and Cwmgorse on Wednesday afternoon wheeling a bicycle, the back wheel of which was punotured. If the members of our alleged pro- gressive Council were skilled in the value of logarithms, they would speedi- ly discover that what they gain on the swings by not purchasing for this oon- k 8cientious and hard working official a motor bicycle, they lose on the round- abouts. Surely, surely, in these days of rush and push, a district covering nearly 30,000 acres cannot be efficiently covered by any one man on a pedal cycle. Owing to the bursting of a boiler at the New Works on Tuesday morning, three mills stopped, and about 150 men were temporarily thrown out of em- ployment. Owing to a shortage of orders, Nos. 3, 8 and 9 mills have been stopped, and six hours shifts have been started at the other mills. The annual eisteddfod will be held on June 30th, and the Rev. J. Volander Jones, of Llandovery, will act as con- ductor. Because of their previous successes at the Public Hall, the Pontardawe Male Voice Party has decided not to compete on this occasion. As the party are determined to wrest the "National" trophy this year, they require to strengthen their ranks by the inclusion of a few good bass and tenor voices, and a test for this purpose will be held at the Works Institute on Sunday week. Mr. Gwilym Lewis won the bass solo competition at the Mauntain Ash Eis- teddfod on Monday. There were 29 com- petitors, and Mr. Lewis was highly complimented by Mr. Granville Ban- took, who, by the way, is the composer of the music for "The Song of Liberty" -the new anthem of the Socialists. Quite en influx of Alltwen-Soufch- Africanders is expected during the next month, as at least seven are' on their way home. The night shJfc at the New Wernddu Colliery has been stopped and 25 men have btKM thrown out of employment in consequence. When, oh when is that list of addi- tions to the Tonks of the Glamorgan "Great Unpaid" going to be issued Y When is the Conciliation Board go- ing to arrange to deal with the ques- tion of the galvanisers' grievances ? I should not be surprised is.) hear of an- other shindy soon. The Higher Elementary School team beat Cwmgorse Schools team on Satur- day by 6 points to 5 points. ii. H. Lewis and 1. Davies v, eve the scorers for the Higher, and Osborne Morgan scored and converted a try for the visi- tors. The game between Pout a; da we v. Trebanos ended in a draw, nothing bo- ing scored. The Co-operative Society has decided to sell old "Jim." Pooi- old Jim! The death occurred at Banwen. Allt- wen on Sunday, of David Rees, 30, (::1.rpp.Her, son of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Keco. Deceased was a brother of Mr. j Morgan Rees, organiser for the Steel- sme.te.-s' Union. He had visited the I U.S.A., and had worked in Liverpool The funeral took place at Alltwen on Thursday. Mr. Morgan Rees is very ill at present. By the death of Mr. Eli Davies at Pantydwr Farm. Ynismeudwv on Sun- day, an old resident was removed. He was 66 years of age and was born at Llacuguicke. He leaves a widow, five sons and one daughter, aU married. The burial, which was largely attend- ed, took place at St. Peter's on Wed- nesday afternoon. Mr. J. T. Rees, Mus. Bac., Aberyst- wyth, was the conductor at the annual gymanfa ganu at Zoar (C.M.) Chapel on Monday, when the building was- crowded at every service. On Saturday evening at a meeting of the Swansea District Grand United Order of Oddfellows, Mr. W.J.Howelt presiding, Mr. Edwin Suff was pre- sented by the chairman with an em- blem in recognition of 21 years' ser- vice as secretary of the local lodge. Mr. W. Morgan, Gellinudd, then pre- sented Mr. Howell with an emblem for his 23 years' service as secretary, treasurer, auditor, and district master HOME FROM AUSTRALIA. Welcome to Mrs. Daniels atd her three children (sister-in-law of Mr. Dd. Daniels, conductor of the Pontardawe Male Voice Party) who returned to Alltwen on Saturday morning, after having spent about 14 years in Rock- hampton, Queensland, Australia. She intends to stay in the homeland about 12 months. MY". Owen Daniels is en- gaged at Rockhampton as a hairdres- ser, and is one of the prosperous trades- people of that rapidly developing dis- trict. Mr. and Mrs. David Morgan, of Ynismeudwy, and Miss M. Daniel, sis- ter of Mr. Dd. Daniel, are also resi- dents of Rockhampton. The engagement of Mr. J. H. P. Lloyd, J.P., has been announced and he will shortly be married to an Irish lady. Since the announcement was made public Mr. Lloyd has been inun- dated with letters and telegrams con- veying congratulations. Quite a large number of houses in Herbert and Holly-streets and their environs will shortly be pulled down, and up-to-date houses erected in their place. Four old-fashioned, low-roomed houses in Holly-street have been al- tered by their owners to bring them into conformity with the bye-laws re- lating to headroom. » The heavy motor lorry traffic during the past week lias caused most inhabit tants to use language almost, if not quite so strong as the example of san- guinary adjective used by Mr. G. B. Shaw in his latest play "Pygmalion." In fact, quite educated people liave been heard to use expressions they certainly would not use under very try- ing conditions—but to be enveloped in the backwash of dust raised by a five. ton motor lurry travelling at the rate of 10 miles per hour would provoke the average minister to express him- self in stronger language than he would use in the pulpit. METHODIST CHORALISTS AT PONTARDA WE. The annual singing festival of the Methodist Churches of Gwauncaegurweul Cwmliynfeil, Cwmtwrch, Ystalyfera, a.nd Pontardawe was held at Soar, Pontar- dawe, the presidents being the Rev. W. P. Jones, Cwmtwrch, the Rev. J. Jeffreys, Ystalyfera, and the Rev. D. G. Jones, Pontardawe. A feature of this year's programme was the chanting of Psalms. Mr J. T. Rees, Mus. Bac., Aber- ystwyth, was the conductor. ACCIDENT TO A COUNCILLOR. Whilst driving a motor car through High-street, Swansea, on Wednesday afternoon of last week, Councillor L. W. Francis sustained an accident fortunately, is not so serious as was at first thought. The car was being driven very slowly past the new Elysium Cinema, when two men sud- denly lifted a girder on to their shoul- ders. Apparently they only glanced in one direction as no sooner had they lift- ed the girder than the motor car con- taining Councillor Francis, Mr. and Mrs. R. Silcox and their child, ran into the girder, with the result that the glass shield on the front of the car was smashed and the girder caught Councillor Francis on the forehead, and hit Mrs. Silcox on the lower portion of her face. The fact that Mr. Francis fnstinc- tlvelv caused the car to be stopped as soon as he saw the girder, doubtless, saved his life. He was rendered un- conscious, however, and several police- men carried the injured lady and gentleman into the Mackworth Hotel and rendered first aid, until the arrival of Dr. Porter. Councillor Francis sus- tained a severe wound on the forehead, and several of his teeth were loosened, one of which penetrated his cheek, and the inside of his mouth wu" bkid. v lacerated. Mrs. Silcox received in- juries which also rendered her uncon- scious. but after about four hours' de- tention at the hotel the party were able to pnoceed to Pontardawe, whem Dr. Dahne took charge of the cases. Mr. Silcox and the child were practi- cally uninjured. On inquiry on Wedresday afternoon we learnt that both Mr. Francis and M rs. Silcox were progressing, but that I they were both suffering from shock.

I TENNIS players should visit H. ATKINSON, Union Street, 8-ansea, be- fore buying thoir new Rackte, etc. SPORTSMEN will ensure success by | purchasing their requirements from H. ATKINSON, Union r Street, Swansea.

CWMLLYNFELL VESTRY MEETING At the Cwmllynfell Vestry meeting the vicar (the Rev. E. Jenkins-Davies) presided. Mr. Thomas Jones Mas re- appointed vicar's warden, c..nd Mr Evan Lewis people's warden. The accounts showed record collections, with a substan- I tial balance in hand. The Vicar said the debt of R20 owing to the assistant curate- fund had been wipe-d out. The Sunday school had brokeai all records, the cam, I municants had increased, and the Cliiircip- 1 was most successful in every direction. He thanked his colleague, the Rev. E. T. Evans, for his untiring efforts.