Llais Llafur

BRITAIN WILL NOT LET BELGIUM STARVE." KOTED DRAMATIST'S PAS- SIONATE APPEAL. To the Editor. I gir. We have pledged our honour to rest-ore Belgium. But -Belgium, is not a word—it is a people; and the Belgian people ia starving. If we let it perish during the process of restora- tion we shall have grasped only the .shadow of our task. Mr Hoover, Chairman of the neutral Commission for Relief in Belgium, and Mr Francqui, Chairman of the Com- mittee in Brussels, tell us that "at least a million and a half Belgians are now entirely destitute. With the rapid .exhaustion of the meat and vegetable supplies, there will probably be, before harvest time, 2,500,000 Belgians who must be fed and clothed solely by charity. The remaining 4,500,000 will get their pitiful daily allowance of bread through the Commission and will pay for it." And they add: "Will you help us to keep the destitute alive?" I THE NEED GETTING GREATER. I This neutral Commission, marvell- ously organised and administered, has hitherto succeeded in just keeping abreast of the situation, raising its funds from America, other neutral countries, and the British Colonies. But their funds are failing fast; and their needs are getting greater. It is in response to their desperate appeal that a National Committee for Belgian Relief has now been formed in our country, and every penny it collects will go "itihou*, Aeduoti-o.ii into the Obands of the neutral Commission, and through them to the starving Belgian people, in the form of food. So far Germany has kept her word not to filch what is sent for the Belgians; and the organisation of relief now makes it almost impossible for a German to touch one loaf of Belgian bread. The present need is for £ 500,000 a month; the future need will be even greater. Our own exigencies are ,of course, tremendous; but what would they not be if Belgium had consulted her own material needs, had just chosen to cave herself- instead of saving the Western world? With Belgium com- placent to the German, Paris gone, Calais gone—it would have meant an- other year on to the years we may have to fight, an extra five hundred million pounds of money, an extra [hundred thousand lives. If ever country owed debt, this country owes it to Belgirum, to keep the breath in the bodies ef her people. Owes it, and mnst pay it. In standing to her guns Belgium saved the whole world, for modern civilisation is built on nothing if not on good faith and honourable obliga- tion; but it is France and Britain be- fore all that she has saved. France, (however, has a terrific task in the irescue of her own ruined millions in the north. Thanks, perhaps, to ruined Belgium, Britain has not, may never have, to rescue and restore ruined towns and countryside. LET rs BE HONEST! j In return, what is Britain doing? Spending money and blood like water to drive the Germans oui of Belgium ? Yes! But let us be honest. We should have bad to do that in any case, for our own interest. We are not thereby discharging the debts of gratitude, justice, and humanity. Giving hos- #pitality to 200,000 Belgians? It is something, but not enough. Not nearly enough! So far we have not faced at all the desperate situation of Belgium itself; weha-ye not, indeed, been asked to. From Canada, and Australia, one-fifth of our population, help to the value of £ 150.000 a month has been coming in. From ourselves, practic- ally nothing. But in future, all eyes are turning to, use; it is we who are now to stay the march of death. IF BELGIUM STARVES! I A penny of income tax in our coun- try yields nearly three million pounds. If each one of us sets aside at once one penny from every pound of his in- come, this people is saved—this people more cruelly wronged than ever people were, this people to whom each of us owes a debt, that we have not realised, that we cannot realise in its full proportions. If Belgium starves, the civilised world incurs a stain more black than we dare to contemplate: a. little country gave itself for Civilisa- tion, and Civilisation, having the means to save it, let it perish! We are dealing here not with words, ideals, And what not, we are dealing with hunger—a very simple thing; if people are not fed, they die. No ultimate victories, vindications, and indemnities are of the least use to Belgians, starving now. If they are not kept ttlive on the shoulders of this country, the richest country, and that which ?s gamed most by Belgium's 8uffer- !lng th It> M? the rePyoach will lie heaviest. .IVenly. lt w?; TheTa ca,n t-. th There ",n be  ex?gger?tjoc in the of P-'g" tro,,ble--for no .rd,  ? ?1 It a? It should ? fold. Ther? can be no exaggeration the ?RT?on of oxalygomti<)n ,in the ,x, ?"l <)f gr-tit-d?-,  we owe her. If those wronged In d eel [ wrong a.n ruined people had done nothing for us, (Continued at bottom of next column)

IF AMERICA JOINED THE ALLIES. INDUSTRIAL AND FINAN- CIAL POSSIBILITES. What action the United States of America will take is the question that interests the civilised world. It cannot be hnswei-ed" because no injimtion has been given, and it is for the United States Government to decide without pressure from without. But the as- sumption so widely held that the United States could not be an effec- tive ally because she has not a large standing army, while her navy, though large, would be without func- tion, is to forget that part of the battle is against the inconveniences of eoonom ic stringencyf says the City Editor of "The Daily Citizen." If the enemy is to be subdued by "silver bullets" the acoession of a fresh ally brings ad- ditioIllal strength. America is not a mere collection of towns, but a vast area ranging from the sub-tropic to the Arctic circle, and the products of that territory include practically every necessity. The as- surance of help would unquestionably start with the arsenals of the United States of America being placed at the disposal of the European Allies. An accession to the reserve of munitions of war would enable a bolder strategy to be carried out, and, if it did not involve the addition of the United States of America to the fighting ranks would enable a large number of men to be released from the ranks of arma- ment workers here without detriment. But that is not. all. A more effective ring could be placed round Germany, and the danger of commodities slipping through indirectly from America would be considerably diminished. MATERIAL HELP. Again, the throwing open of the American money market might re- lieve the severity of the situation slightly. There is much powerful help which the United States could at this moment afford to Europe, not least that from financial quarters, by the re- moval ef the embmargo of neutrality, and if the decisive step were taken it would, of course, bring the war to its desired end much speedier. Thus we have the pros. in the case which appeal to City men faced with financing the war, and as the recuperation in American market-s has been checked by the forced liquidation in Wall Street it is manifest that it would suit the Unitedi States for a little time to close its markets against German liquidation. A firesh disturbance would make it more difficult than ever for Germany, and anything that makes it more difficult for the enemy helpis the,, Allies. Whether the gains for the active assistance of (the United States of America would balance certain definite losses which would be sustained by her withdrawal from the neutral nations is not clear. The gains and the losses are not measured solely by the mone- tary considerations or military help, so that no unnecessary irritation will be displayed if America chooses to re- main neutral. The only point which irt would be as well to bear in mind,- and the only point which has provoked the reminder, is that the United States of America has such vast and varied resources, in- dustrial and financial, that if these were mobilised on behalf of the Allies the assistance would be considerable.

"DEATH THE MOST BEAUTIFUlJ ADVENTURE IN LIFE." Rita Jolivet, a survivor of the Lusi- tania, at Kingstown on Monday said her broth er-i n-law, Mr Charles Frohman, and she were in the saloon when the explosion occurred. They decided not to go to the boats. Mr Frohman's last words were, "Why fear death? It is the most beaut-iful adventure in life." A wave then dashed them away.

I WILLIAM JOKES, ARFON. PASSING OF A GREAT WELSHMAN. SERVICES TO WALES. SERVICES TO WALES. The Principality is in mourning over the passing away of Mr Wm. Jones, M.P. for North C"rn.%r-von, which took place on Sunday afternoon at Upper Bangor. He recently had a severe ill- ness in, London, and came to Wales to recuperate. The cause of death was heart failure. Wm. Jones was a Liberal,—perhaps we should say a Radical,—of a sturdy type, and whilst we were rarely in ac- cord with him in his political con- victions, we have always recognised his sincerity, and his devotion to the best interests of Wales as a Nation. He was the son of a farmer, born at Ceint Bach, near Penmynydd, Angle- sea, in 1859. Both on his mother's and father's side the family had been connected with the land in Anglesea for generations. After the death of his father his mother removed to Anglesea, where the future M.P., attended the Church school and then the British school (Nonconformist). His aptitude as a scholar was early apparent. He eventually became a pupil teacher, entered Bangor Normall College, and subsequently commenced teaching in Cardiganshire. His next sphere was in London, where he took service under the School Board at Barnsbury, and perhaps the greatest impressions of his life were made upon him during the nine years he spent as senior as- sistant at the Barnsbury School. He was brought into contact with some of the leading London Welshmen of the time, and threw himself heart and soul into every movement for educational advancement within his reach. He be- came a great reader at the British Museum, and read papers before the Philological Society on Welsh words. He also identified himself with the Welsh political movements of the Metropolis, helped to found a Cympy Fydd Society, and. was for a time president. It was during these days of "Celtic magical eagerness" that he began to make frequent journeys to the Prin- cipality to assist the candidature of Mr Tom Ellis and others of his friends. Moreover association with Toynbee Hall had brought him into touch with the kindling thought of Oxford. He threw himself eargerly into a movement to establish a summer school for element- ary teachera at the premier University and he was elected one of the first teachers to inaugurate the movement. At Oxford he met some of the most distinguished scholars of the day, not- ably Jowett, whose friendliness to the young Welshman was warm and pro- nounced. Whilst discharging the duties of coach at Oxford he never neglected his opportunities of learning. He attended the lectures of Max Muller, and also associated himself with Dr. Fairburn. r THE PENRHYN STRIKE. So prominently had the young Welsh man identified himself with the Nation- alist campaign in Wales that it was not surprising his name was mentioned at the natural successor to the late\ Mr William Rathbone in the representa- tion of the 'Ajvon division of Carnar- vonshire. He was elected for the consti- tuency in 1895 with a greater majority then any previously recorded in the division, his opponent being Professor Hughes, who held the Chair of Ana- tomy at Cardiff. It was in the days of the Penrhyn quarry strike that William Jones—the quarrymen's representative—rose and moved the adjournment of the House of Commons to discuss Lord Penrhyn's attitude. In the Gallery sat the central figure of the dispute, and the scene was a moving one in every re- spect. At the close of the debate Mr Balfour and others united in paying warm eulogy to the young Welsh mem- ber. His prowess as an orator in this and subsequent debates, indeed, won him the happy tribute of "Punch":— "Oh, William Jones; oh, William Jones; I much admire your silvery tones." His reputation grew as the years passed by, but it did not rest entirely on his power of moving speech. He also did excellent work in other ways. In 1903 he carried a resolution en- abling Wales to get a National Welsh Museum and Library. His services to the twin causes of Welsh Nationalism and education were of a varied and important character. He was a member of the Council of the Welsh National Museum, and spared no effort in placing the institution on a firm basis. He was a man dominated by moral impulse, and was consumed by a pass- ion for all that pertained to the best and highest in Welsh national life. During the fierce controversy on the Chancellor's Budget he was assiduous in his advocacy of his fellow county- mfin's great measurif of financial re- form, and took part in numerous by- elections. He was a Junior Lord of the Treasury and Welsh Whip.

A concert was held on board the Lusi- tania on Thursday night, when jE130 was collected towards the Sailors' Orphanage.

I MINERS' WAR BONUS. Position in South Wales. I LORD ST. AJDWYN TO I DECIDE. I Average Prices and Output. Lord St. Aldwyn, in-'ependnxt chair- man of the Conciliatd-c". Board for the South Wales coal trade, is to decide the issue between the owners and workmen as to the amount of the war bonus. The Conciliation Board met at Car- diff on Tuesday, and the whole ques- tion was thoroughly discussed by re- presentative owners and workmen's leaders. Agreement was not reached, and Lord St. Aldwyn,. who was present at the meeting, promised to communi- cate his decision, fixing the bonus, in a day or two. I South AVales, therefore, is in the same position as the Federated dis- tricts of England and North Wales, where the issue was discussed on Mon- day, no agreement being reached, and the independent chairman, Lord Cole- ridge, will decide. In Northumberland the men have ac- cepted the owners' offer of a 15 per cent. war bonus. Agreement was reached in Scotland on Tuesday, the advance granted being at the rate of 18i per cent. on the 1888 standard. Agreement was reached in Durham, the war bonus to be at the rate of 15 per cent. on the standard. I ARGUMENTS OUTLINED. I I PRICES AND OUTPUT. I The South Wales ooalowners and the representatives of the workmen met at Cardiff on Tuosdav in a joint meet- ing for the purpose or discussing the amount of the war bonus to be paid to the workmen in order to meet the increased cost of living. The owners had already offered a bonus of 10 per cent. on the present standard rate of wages on condition that the present Conciliation Board agreement shall continue, but the men demamded 20 per cent. on actual earnings, which is in accordance with the resolution of the M.F.G.B. Mr F. L. Davis presided over the owners, and Mr W. Brace, M.P., over the workmen. Lord St. Aldwyn was also present as independent chairman of the Board. Mr Brace and Mr Tom Richards laid the case before the Board on behalf of the men, producing elaborate state- ments from Board of Trade returns and co-operative prices showing how the cost of living had increased since the beginning of the war. I OWNERS' REPLY. f For the owners, Mr F. L. Davis (the chairman of the Board), Mr Hugh Bramwell (the chairman of the Coal- owners' Association), and Mr Evan Williams urged that the profits of the coalowners were not sufficient to allow a bonus of 20 per cent. on actual earnings, and it was stated in the course of argument that if 20 per cent. on the earnings was granted the whole of the profits of the Ferndale Company, for one, would be swallowed up. It was further stated that the men had offered to settle in London for 12i per cent. increase on actual earnings, which was 20 per cent. on the standard, and that the owners had offered to settle with a war bonus of 10 per cent. on the standard, but both these offers had been rejected. After the adjournment the work- men's representatives submitted argu- ments showing that the average price of coal during the past twelve months had reached extraordinary figures, and stated that were it not for the maxi- mum clause in the Conciliation Board agreement the men, would be entitled during that period to far higher per- centages than they now earned. In March last, for instance, the average price of large anthracite was 29s.lid. per ton and small coal, for which the workmen were not paid, sold at over 24s. per ton. In one month this year Anthracite Coal was sold at 31s. per ton. It was pointed out on the owners' side that the average selling price of coal in the associated collieries was far below that quoted by the workmen's representatives, and, moreover, while the profits of some colliery companies might enable them to pay a high bonus there were other collieries which would have to be closed down if a high bonus was fixed. The coalowners further argued that there was a considerable reduction in output to the large num- her of men who had enlisted, and a corresponding increase in the cost of material since war broke out. and par- ticularly the price of pitwood. i- The two sides failed to agree and ex- pressed their willingness to allow Lord St. Aldwyn to decide on the under- (Continued e, bottom of uext column)

CHRISTIANITY AND WAR- I IZEV R. J. CAMPBELL ON THE STATE'S DUTY. The 83rd assembly of the Congregation- al Union of England and Wales opewed d. the Memorial Hall, London, this week. The Rev. R. J. Campbell in an address asked, Ought a Christian ever, under any circumstances, to fight or to opprove of fighting? We might juggle as we pleased he said, with the facts, but we could not honestly claim the sanction of the Foun- der of Christianity for the infliction of suffering and the destruction of human life. "Say what you like," he continued, "war is anti-Christian." Personally he had the greatest sympathy with the paci- fists and the deepest respect for the moral and Christian ideal which they held aloft. Were it realisable immediately no I Christian could do otherwise than a-ct in strict accordance with it; but from the first the right of the State to make use of force was admitted by the Church, and from that admission she never swerved. It included the right— even the duty—to make war. "I utterly and entirely dissent from the view that there is something intrinsically uplifting in war as war," added Mr. Campbell. "Every Christian must hate, loathe, and detest war, for if it reveals some things that savour of Heaven it reveals more that reeks of hell." Germany had the wickedest Government of modern times. As sure as a nation was mastered by the monster of militarism its Govern- ment became one without scruples, with- out sentiment, without humanity, with- out respect for the ordinary obligations of truth and honour. Lying became a fine art, fraud and chicanery were almost elevated into virtues. Whatever the State chose to do it could do if it thought it to be for its advantage. God forbid that victory of the Allies should ever mean the establishment of militarism in this countiry. (Loud and prolonged cheers.) We were fighting the battle of .the GeT- man people as well as our own; we were fighting the battle ot America as well as of Europe, and America knew it. Inter- national law had broken down, and we had to rebuild it. One of the greatest disappointments of the last nine months, to the speaker at least, had been the moral breakdown of the Vatican. (Cheers.) Belgium, a Catho- lic country, had been crucified, and the Pope had been silent. The Rev. E. Griffith Jones (Bradford) said that during this war methods had been introduced which had never before entered international conflicts. "Are we going to descend to the same level? (Loud cheers, of "No.") "Then," continued the speaker, "we are going to suffer. We are suffering for the higher principles of mankind.

Councillor Egerton P. Wake, of Barrow, a well-known speaker on the Independent Labour Party platform, has been appointed to act as special commissioner for the Union of Demo- cratic Control.

15 PER CENT. IN DURHAM The Durham coalowners have con- ceded the miners of the county a war bonus of 15 per cent. on the basis rates. SCOTTISH TERMS I At a meeting of the Scottish Coal Trade Conciliation Board at Glasgow on Tuesday, it was agreed to give an advance of 182 4 per cent, on the 1888 basis, equal to 9d. per day, raising the nominal day's wage t-o 7s. 9d. The in- creasy claimed by the miners was 20 per cent. o4 the current rates, equal to U. 5d. per day.

BAN ON EXPORTS- OBJECTIONS TO CONDITIONS AUTHORITIES SAY "NO CAUSE FOR ALARM. The Board of Trade issued an im- portant notice during the week-end contemplating the prohibition of the export of coal, subject to the obtaining of licences, for destinations other than British possessions and Protectorates and Allied countries. The notice caused considerable ap- prehension in South Wales, afld there has been very little relief up to the present from the uncertainty surround- ing the meaning of the original in- structions • On Tuesday, however, fears were largely removed as a result of a depu- tation from the Cardiff Chamber of Commerce which waited upon the Coal Exports Committee in London. The assurances received by the deputation were considered highly satisfactory. Mr Russell Rea, M.P., chairman of the Committee, gave the assurance that it was not at all in tjje mind of the Com- mittee to recommend any stoppage of shipments if this would result in the cessation of work at the collieries. Further, the chairman of the Com- mittee said that, it had been agreed to recommend the granting of licences for shipments without the naming of the ship. This, however, is on the under- standing that as soon as the nan "f the vessel is ascertained this shall be declared, the licence being held back until this is forthcoming By the for- warding of a prepaid telegram with an application for the licence, an almost immediate reply will be sent. Mr Russell Rea further informed the deputation that his Committee were mindful of the vast importance of the coal trade in such a crisis as that exist- ing now, but his Committee did not intend in any way to act in an ob- structive manner. In regard to vessels entered outwards up to May 6th he stated a licence need not be taken out. It: was added that descriptions of coal to be shipped need not be strictly confined to the collieries named, and no obstacles would be thrown in the wa.y of carrying on the process of mix- ing which now forms so important a part in the export of steam coal. RETURN OF THE DEPUTATION, j INTERVIEW WITH MR F. FIFOOT I Seen on his return to Cardiff Mr. Frank FLfoot, vice-president of the Chamber of Commerce, in conversation with a press ,reptative.< said the whole interview ww, be thought, to every member of the deputation emi- nently satisfactory, and as far as they understood the position, and it was made pretty clear to them, the order would interfere very little indeed with the export trade of this district. He could not say so much of the other dis- tricts. One expression the chairman, Mr Russell Rea, made use of was, "The last thing we want to do is to restrict the trade." With regard to the names of steamers being given in the form of application for licences, Mr Fifoot said the Com- mittee would not demand them if they could not get them before the boat was actually chartered. If the boat was not chartered they would be quite satis- fied to have the form filled up without actually naming the' boat, and they would give a privisional permit—the name of the steamer to be supplied later—but they would not actually give the licence until they received names of the ships, although the matter could be considered in order. NO DELAY. t Mr Fifoot went on to say that one of the main things that they were afraid of, and on which they laid great stress, was that there might be delay in granting thes^ licences. Mr Rea hold told them how, and this was con- firmed by the other members of the committee, that there was absolutely no delay in granting the applications that had already been made. They had special arrangements to deal with ap- plications immediately they were to hand. As to the question of naming the coal, the committee told them that as long as they could give them optional qualit.ies-severaj qualities one of which would be shipped—they would be perfectly satisfied.

AMMANFORD BIGAMY CASE. I The Ammanford magistrates have com- mitted for trial to the assizes on a charge of bigamy, Margaret Ann Hopkins, of Pantyffynon-road, Ammanford, and also the man with whom she went through the form of marriage, John Henry Williams, of Rose Cottage, on a charge of aiding and abetting. The accused woman was married in 1903 to John Hopkins, then of the College Ivn, at Llandebie Church, and lived with her husband for a little over fepr years, when, owing to disagree- ments, they parted. In 1910, her husband being still aive, she married Williams at the Registry Office, Swansea, describing herself as a spinster, living at Coed bach, Pontardulais. At the time of the second marriage she was living with Williams, by whom she was expecting the birth of a second child. In court Williams ad- mitted he knew the husband was alive at the time.

SIX SONS WITH THE COLOURS. To Mrs. Matilda Davies, who resides with her daughter and son-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Dd. J. Jones, Ynisydarren-road, Ystalyfera, belongs the proud honour of having all her six sons with the colours, a record, we believe, not only for Ystaly- fera, but for the w h .de of the valley. Mrs. Davies, who is the widow of Mr. Evan Davies, of Ystalyfera, is to be congratu- lated on her great sacrifice for her coun- try at this crisis in its fortunes. Not only have all her sons joined the army, but one of her sons-in-law, Mr. Arthur Mor- gan, has also gone to the army. The names are as follows :— James Davies, Canal-terrace; Evan John Davies, Cyfyng-i-cad; Edward Davies, Back of Vine; David Davies, Back of Vine; Tom Davies, Beynon's-row Albert Davies, Ynisydarren-road Arthur Morgan, Eeynon's-row. Four of Mrs. Davies' sons are married. This magnificent record should be an in- centive to those who have not yet in- listed seriously to ask themselves whether they too should not don (the uniform. YSTRADGYNLAIS PARENTS' FIVE PATRIOTIC SONS. We also extend congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Griffith Williams, Penrhiwvar- teg, Ystradgynlais, on their possession of rive patriotic sons, all of whom VLII known and esteemed in tiia locality. Messrs. WiiL Griffith and Daniel Williams were out in British East Africa when war oommienced, and they immedi- ately joined the army-what regiment their parents do not yet know. Sergt. David Williams (who has contributed several articles and letters to the 'Llais'). and Pte. Griffith Williams, are with the Brecknocks at Aden. Pte. Llewelyn Os- wald Williams is with the 2nd Brecknock Territorials, and another, Mr. Moses Flood Williams (pf Johnstown flood fame} is preparing to return home from Scran- ton, U.S.A., in order to join the colows. Truly this is another striking family sac- rifice

BOXING CONTESTS AT YSTALYFERA. FREE CHURCH COUNCIL PROTEST A special meeting of the Ystalyfera. and District Free Church Council took place on Tuesday evening at Ystaly- fera, when the Rev. J. Thomas, Gur- nos, presided over a large and repre- sentative gathering. One of the prin- cipal matters discussed was the recent boxing match, held at Ystalyfera. Several 'delegates gave voice to em- phatic criticism at the holding of such an even in this district, and a resolu- tion was passed asking the secretary to write to the present lessees of the Coliseum expressing strong condemna- tion of the exhibition, and further asking them to use every endeavour to prevent any such event in the future. A long discussion also ensued on the relation of the churches to the present crisis, and it was agreed to ask the churches to unite in a week of prayer, commencing next week, on behalf of our nation and its part in the war. Also, that a united meeting should be held on Thursday evening at Zoar Chapel. the Rev. Ben Davies to pro- side, and the Rev. W. Jones (Zoar), to give a very short address Considerable attention was also given to other matters concerning church work and welfare in the locality.

VOTES FOR SOLDIERS. Lord C. Beresford asked the Prime Minister in the House of Commons if he could now state whether he would con- sider the desirability of arranging that every man who had volunteered for the war, and so risked his life in the service of and defence of his country, should be entitled at the age of 21 to a Parliamen- tary vote during his lifetime, irrespective of other qualifications. .Mr. Asquith The whole question of franchise and registration is receiving careful and detailed consideration, and I hope shortly to be in a position to make a statement regarding it. Mr. Snowden Does the right hon. gentleman accept the implication that only those persons recognise their duty to the country who are engaged in naval and military work. Mr. Asquith No, s ir. If there were any such imputation I should repudiate it.

(Continual from preceding column). should we grudge them enough money to spare ourselves the sight of their starvation just across the sea under our very eyes? But seeing what they are, what they have done for us—how —how can we bear to let them lack the mere sufficiency of life? No! Britain will not let Belgium starve. We have not known hitherto what was needed from us in this race with death. Now we DO know. We are too proud by far not to pay our debts. For this is a debt of honour, preceding even the charity that be- gins at home. The appeal of the National Com- mittee has been issued. The Hon. Treasurer is Mr A. Shirley Benn, M.P., Trafalgar Buildings, Trafalgar Square, London. Every penny contributed goes to the Belgians in the form of food. r The cry of a brave people oomes across the sea. Pity, ungilded, feeds no starving bodies. Yours truly, (Signed) JOHN GALSWORTHY. I I

(Continued from preceding oohimnV standing that he would commumnicate it to the joint secretaries in the course of a day or two. THE OFFICIAL REPORT 1 The following joint official report of the proceedings was supplied by Mr W. Gascoyne Dalziel, the owners' secre- tary, and Mr Thos. Richards, M.P., the workmen's secretary:— A meeting of the Board of Concilia- tion for the coal trade of South Wales and Monmouthshire was held at Car- diff on Tuesday for the purpose of considering umder the terms of the Prime Minister's award, dated 5th May, 1915, the application of the work- men for a war bonus to meet the in- creased cost of living. The Right Hon. the Earl of St. Aldwyn presided over the meeting, Mr F. L. Davis acted as chairman of the owners' representa- tives, and Mr W. Brace, M.P., occu- pied a. like position on the workmen's side. Mr Brace having stated the argu- ments of the workmen's representa- tives in favour of the application, and Mr F. L. Davis having placed before the Joint Board the views of the em- ployers on the subject, the two sides, finding that they were unable to arrive at an agreement, expressed their willingness to leave the subject of the decision to Lord St. Aldwyn, and the proceedings terminated on the under- st.andingthar his lordship would com- municate his award to Mr W. Gas- coyne Dalziel and Mr Thos. Richards, M.P., the joint secretaries, in the course of the next two days.