Llais Llafur

TRADE UNIONISM AND COMPULSION. A Garw Valley delegate at the Miners' Conference in London said that his lodge had come to the con- c lusion that since the Federation -coerced, non-unionists they could not consistent 1 v oppose the compulsion of men, to serve in the army. It was argued that this view rests on a fallacv, as the miners do not oompel anv man to join their trade union, but simply refuse to work with a non- -unionist. This is ingenious logic-chopping, but it is at variance with known facts, such as public processions of strikers, with demonstrations before the houses of the recalcitrants, and personal in- terviews between Federation officials -and the non-unionists in which the latter are told forcibly and plainly that they must pay up. Another contention of those who op- posed the view of the Garw delegate was that while the Federation allows the non-unionist to clear out of the industrv if he likes, the State will not permit the objector to conscription to emigrate. In fact, this distinction is valid, but in principle it is not, for if trade unionism were as powerful as the State there would be no such area of choice for the non-unionist. Trade "unionism aims at organising every in- dustry, and if its aim could be realised no non-unionist could earn a living, as there would be no trade at which he could work without paying his union dues. The State, in the. Military Service No. 2 Bill, lays down the principle that it is the duty of every man to con- tribute towards the defence of the nation, and to pay for the liberty he enjoys. The trade union has long en- forced the principle that it. is the duty of every man to contribute towards the defence of the whole body of workers in his industry, and to pay for the rights and privileges which trade un- ionism obtains and maintains. Surely the parallel is as exact as anything human can be. The non-unionist and the opponent of conscription are in the same boat. Both are extreme in- dividualists, both t.ake a course that is anti-social. The non-unionist says, "I .am a law unto myself," the member of the Won't Fight Gang says, "My conscience is the supreme law." Nor do trade unionists restrict the use of compulsion to industry. Com- pulsion is a necessary postulate of social reform. Mr Ramsay Macdonald was one of the warmest supporters of the Insurance Act. which many people who had a conscientious objection to ticking stamps for the State, disliked. Mr Philip Snowden belongs to the Liquor Traffic Control Board which compels publicans in many parts of the country not to open their public houses for more than 5i hours a dav. The Labour Party would gladly sup- port Bills to compel all landlords to sell their lands to the nation at a fair price, to compel the coalowners to sell mines, raiiwav shareholders to sell the railways. We advocate the nationalisa- tion of the means of production, dis- tribution. and exchange. How are they to be nationalised without the compulsion of dissident minorities ? Shall we compel other people to do things they dislike, and reject com- pulsion when the dislike is on our side ? Let Labour men everywhere beware of the individualists and the pseudo- religious sectarians who would lure them on a false trail. If they listen to any foolish .down tools" talk now, or lend their aid to the individualists who refuse to bow to the collective will, they will stultify themselves in a mfLnne-r from which the movement will take long to recover. If we help people to flout the law now, what shall we have to say to Carson and the Ulster men if they refuse to ac- cept Home Rule after the war P What shall we have to say to any minority who in the future set themselves to smash dulv enacted laws? The "con- scientious" objector, the extreme in- dividualist, the myself-first-and-devil- everybody-eke man is the enemy of democracy. He tries to throw sand into tho bearings of the democratic machine. It is suicidal folly for Lab- our men to allow themselves to be even suspected of helping him.

SIR ALFRED YEA AND NAY. Sir Alfred Mond could have been less equivocal in his attempt at Swan- sea to reply to the arguments in favour of conscription of capital put forward by the "Labour Voice" and Mr J. H. Thomas, M.P. If, after saying that if the Government wanted his money they could have had it, he had left well alone, he would have been credited with manly recognition of a principle of fairness that every unbiassed person must recognise. But he tried to ridicule the idea by saying that the men in the trenches have no use for gold watches, and the con- scription of capital means the con- scription of trade union funds. With all respect to Sir Alfred we must say that this is only so much leather and prunella. Gold can be very useful to the men of the trenches—if it is in the Bank of England to help swell the reserves, instead of swelling the private fortunes of Sir Alfred Mond and other men of great possessions. The reference to trade union funds is only a variant of the familiar widows and orphans plea used by the Tories against Mr Lloyd George's budget. The member for Swansea heaped scorn on that sort of argument at. the time, but he is not alone in twisting it to his own uses when it suits him. "New Presbyter is only old Priest writ large," said Milton. The new Radical capitalist is only the old crusted Tory in borrowed fustian. On the whole the plutocrat has less sympathy wth the democracy than the landlord, whose old-fashioned creed has always taught him that his wealth is a trust for which he is -responsible to God. That is why Tories like Shaftesbury and Oastler championed factory legisla- tion against the envenomed op- position of men like Bright and Cob- den. Sir Alfred's reference to trade union ifunds was also an impudent attempt to throw dust in the eyes of the work- ing classes of "Swansea. It is obvious to men of less acute miad than the Member for Swansea that trade union funds are not capital in any sense of the term. The funds of the South Wales miners are as much part of their tools as mandrils or curling- boxes. A workman's tools are not even attachable for debt, because with- out them he is a serf. Sir Alfred prob- ably owns at this moment more capital than the whole of the 200,000 miners of South Wales as an organised body. The principle underlying conscription of wealth is equality of sacrifice. If you take the funds of the miners you take the means whereby they maintain their wage-rates. It would be anti- social to confiscate trade union funds, because thereby whole communities would be impoverished. But the social effects would be otherwise in the case of Sir Alfred Mond. If the whole of his capital were taken (and nobody proposes to be quite as drastic as that) it could be used to relieve the taxes (such as those on tea, coffee, and sugar) paid by widows and other poor people in Swansea. That would be a distinct social gain. Sir Alfred would st.ill have his L8 a week as Member of Parliament—enough to keep him from the workhouse door, and providjj him with Woodbines. We do not attach much value to his plaintive remark that the State is al- ready taking one-third of his income in the form of taxation. One-third patriotism is not good enough, espec- ially for a rich man so convinced of the necessity of conscribing the bodies of poor men. It is a very big sacriifce for a man with £100 a year to pay one-third of his income in taxation, but it is a relatively small sacrifice for a man, with C50,000 a year, for the remain- ing two-thirds is a more than decent nest-egg. It is quite possible, too, for a rich man who pays a big amount in taxes to be no poorer, if, while paying the Government in taxes with one hand, he scoops in big sums from the consuming public with the other. Say a man who deals in washing soda, the retail price of which had advanced from 71bs, for 3d. to a Id. a lb. We are quite ready to believe that at the end of the war Sir Alfred will not be a richer man than at the beginning, but he will certainly be a very rich man, unless we have some form of con- scription of capital. Even then he will have done less for the war than a young collier who has sacrificed JB3 a week for a soldier's pay, and probably sustained disabling wounds in the bar- gain. Unlike the "Post," we do not blame Sir Alfred for his father's bad taste in chosing a German birthplace, but we do think that his status is slightly different from that of an all-British capitalist. Therefore it would be a becoming and a graceful act on his part if he set himself right with his constituents, and with the wider pub- lic, by voluntarily handing over to the State the greater part of the two- thirds of his income which a kind Government has hitherto allowed him to retain. Then we shall all begin to believe that he has a genuine belief in the principle of equality of sacrifice.

SAFEGUARDS AND STRIKES I Good progress has been made this week with amendments to the Military Service No. 2 Bill, and it is plain that by the time the measure becomes law all risk of its being used for purposes of industrial conscription will be eliminated. This will make the measure more palatable to the Miners' Federation and other trade unions, but it will not entirely remove their objections. What it will do, however, is to kill the foolish talk of a strike indulged in by some of the younger and less experienced miners' delegates. Recent national strikes have been very successful, and it accounts for the be- lief of some people that it is an II offensive method that cannot suffer de- feat. However, a national strike to achieve an industrial end by calling in the State as arbitrator is one thing, a strike to break a political measure is another thing. The latter is as certain of a failure as the former has hitherto proved of success. The whole is greater than the part., and no trade union, however strong, would survive a conflict with the executive of the State in wartime. The over- whelming weight of public opinion would be with the Government. It is argued by some miners, in view of the last strike and the failure of the Munitions Act, that public opinion does not count. We think that is a profound mistake. Moreover, we are oonvinced that a majority of the rank- and-file of the trade unions are in favour of the present Bill, while many of those who are against it are not so strongly opposed that they would carry opposition to the length of im- perilling the ultimate victory of the Allies, and the safetv of their relatives in the trenches. Thus a trade union which called a strike would be sub- ject to extraordinary pressure from without and disintegrating influence from within, and no working-class or- ganisation could survive that. These are objections to a strike policy on the ground of expediency, but there is a far greater one of principle. Trade unionists are democrats, and demo- crats submit to laws whether they like them or not. This is the very essence of the democratic method, and we of the working classes whose en- tire hope hinges on the 'suooess of democracy, ought to be the very last to deal democracy a blow.

I Ynisraeudw Pastor Leaves. The Rev. Roland Evans, who has been pastor of Bethesda Chapel, Ynis- meudwy, for the past two years, and a half, left Pontardawe, on Thursday, to take over a Llanellv pastorate. On Monday night last the rev. gentleman and Mrs. Evans were made the recipients of various gifts at the chapel on behalf of congregation, and Sunday School. There was a large number present. The Rev. H. S. Wil- liams presided, and he was supported by the Revs. Ben Davies (Pantteg); I Ellis Parry (Godre'rgraig); Llewelyn Bowyer (Alltwen) David Jenkins (Rhos); Gower Richards (Trebanos), etc. Addresses were delivered euolo- gising the good work done by the rey. gentleman in the Ynismeudw district. All the speakers wished Mr and Mrs. Evans all possible success in Llanelly. A purse of gold was presented to the rev. gentleman on behalf of the con- gregation, and books were given to the rev. gentleman and Mrs. Evans on be- half of the Sunday School.

IYSTRADGYNLAIS COUNCIL AUDIT. To the Editor. Sir,—I was amazed to read the de- liberations of the Council in your last issue. In my letter in your issue of the 1st mat., I wondered if there would appear on the Council an independent and outspoken member to deal with this matter, as Mr. William Morgan, the ratepayer, had done. The opportunity came and passed, but alas, no such mem- ber appeared. To threaten to resign from the Council if the meeting was held in camera, as one member did, and yet remain, is not independence. And an- other member to promise to discuss the whole matter in public at Abercrave, can never make up for lack of publicity in the first instance. What will be said later, and more or less to order, will carry no conviction. For another mem- ber to say that he will give the Council's side some day, only shows that there is no Council's side, or it would have been given at the first opportunity; but in- stead of which, not a word was said to refute the charges. Judgment has gone by default, but blacker because of the great eagerness far a private meeting. All one knows from the Council is that everything was satisfactory, so satisfacr tory that the clerk did not know. what in the world the L.G.B. could have to do with it, and so satisfactory that any allusion to the contractor met with the instant "shut-up" from the chairman at the meeting of the 30th ult. Well, that ought to finish it. and it certainly would, coming so strongly from the chairman, were it not that the contractor had facts. The Council's failure to deal with this matter and show business ability marks it as omposed of backboneless individu- als, and one is reminded of Emerson when ho said Common men are apologies for men. Thy bow the head, excuse themselves with prolix reasons and accumulate appearances because the substance is not. We are now waiting the Abercrave meet- ing and more dodges. INTERESTED. On account of pressure on our space we have been obliged to hold over a number of letters on various matters

FOUR MONTI? BROKEN I BACK. Knocked down „ an engine while engaged in si. mi tin;/ at South Town Station, Yarfcoutli^ William Farman Ived for fr • months with a broken srf r" l t the inquest a doctor said tlio cord was severed as though :.<;issors.

W. A. WILLIAMS, Phrenologist, can he consulted daily at the Victoria I Area-do (near the Market), Swansea

CONSCRIPTION OF WEALTH. I It is now being recognised that the subject of conscription of wealth is within the sphere of practical politics. The "Times" devoted a jeering lead- ing article to it this week, in which the whole project was dismissed as im- possible, but it was plain that Lord Northcliffe, or whoever was responsible for the leading article, feels uneasy about the response from the people, should the phrase become crystallised into a measure. For some weeks there has been a correspondence on the question in the "Westminster Gazette," the organ of middle-class Liberalism. The letters have been re- markable for the strong cases made out by attested married men of the income tax paying class, showing how heavy their sacrifice will be compared with that of wealthy men over mili- tary age. So the project is not merely a Socialist one. It is fairly obvious I that if a practical proposal for the conscription of wealth could be formu- lated, the country would be over- whelmingly in favour of it. Hence the gibes of the "Tirftes," and the uneasy shuffling of millionaires. MR ANDERSON'S BILL I Mr W. C. Anderson, M.P., proposes to introduce into Parliament at the earliest possible moment a Bill "to make available for the successful con- duct of the war all the material re- sources of the nation." The Bill pro- poses that the Public Trustee should be made the recipient of all payments in the nature of rent, interest, divid- ends, royalties, etc. There are exemp- tions in the case of rents from lodgers or part rent of houses, interest from deposits in savings banks and co- operative societies, pensions and super- ,annuation allowances, benefits receiv- able from friendly societies, and trade unions or under the Insurance Act, and in respect of shares or profits or other income payable as remuneration for services rendered during the period i in which the. profits were made or in respect of which they were declared. NEW LABOUR M.P. I One of the newcomers to the House of Commons this week is Mr Samuel Finney, the miners' leader who suc- ceeds to the vacancy for the North- West Division of Staffordshire, caused by the death of Mr Albert. Stanley. It will be remembered that, on the death of Mr Enoch Edwards, Mr Finney stood for Hanley, but he was heavily defeated by Mr Outhwaite, as the culmination of a campaign in which that gentleman covered the Labour party with ooarse abuse. One of his lieu tenants during the election was Mr G H. Bibbings, Free Trade Union or- ganiser in Sheffield and at one time, I believe, a Socialist propagandist in your neighbourhood. But Mr Outh- waite's days in Hanley are numbered. The next Liberal candidate is to be Mr Arnold Bennett, I am informed, As he is the Five Towns author, and a literary star of whom the people of the Potteries are rightly very proud, Mr Outhwaite's chances of being re- turned are several degrees below zero. Mr Finney, the new Labour M.P., was a close personal friend of the late Mr Enoch Edwards, and like so many of the minors' leaders of the Midlands he is a Primitive Methodist local preacher. M.P.'S ARMLET I Sir Ernest Lamb appeared in the House of Commons this week wearing a khaki armlet. Owing to his remark- able resemblance to Mr Ellis Davies many Parliamentary journalists mis- took him for that gentleman, and Mr Davies was given the credit of having attested, although over military age. I understand that one of your local members, Rev. Hugh Edwards, M.P., has attested. Mr Edgar Jones, M.P. for Merthyr, is within military age, and a bachelor, and although he is at present in the Near East, it is under- stood that under the Military Service No. 2 Act he will be called up as a conscript. FREE SPEECH. I It is high time something were done by the authorities to maintain free speech. Certain persons who have banded themselves together in various societies with the title "anti-German" go about London breaking up meet- ings in the most shameless way. A friend of mine was in a certain restau- rant soon after the disturbance at the Union of Democratic Control meeting when a silk-hatted man engaged him in conversation. This person said that he was an anti-German lecturer, and produced from his pocket a printers' receipt for forged tickets of admission to the U.D.C. meeting. The existence of these) forged tickets was denied in the House of Commons. There were disgraceful scenes this week at a Quaker Meeting House in the City where Mr C. Roden Buxton was to speak on "International Agreements." It was obvious that the disturbance was carefully organised. Rev. Hudson Shaw, a City vicar, who is chaplain to t';o H.A.C., and who certainly does not favour the Germans or premature peace, was present at Mr Buxton's meeting, and protested against the shameless hooliganism of some of those I present.

The Wekh department of the Board of Education has issued a pamphlet which contains suggestions to local education authorities and teachers in Wales re- garding the teaching of patriotism. Pri- marily concerned with Wales and be- ginning with St. David's Day, the pam- phlet, however, is not limited in interest to tlie Principality. On the contrary, its appeal is wide, and in it love for Wales co-exists with patriotic devotion to the w hole of Britain and intense pride in the British Empire. In a note teachers aire reminded that in 1916 occurs the three- hundredth anniversary of the death of Shakespeare, "the greatest name in Bri- tish literature and the greatest teacher of patriotism the world has ever known."

W. A. WILLIAMS, Phrenologist, can be consulted daily at the Victoria Arcade (near tha Market), Swansea J.T.OWEN > SPECIAL THIS WEEK. GREAT SALE NOW ON. I The Cash Draper, YSTALYFERA.

YSTALYFERA NOTES. Considerable excitement has been occa- sioned in Church-road, and the vicini- ty during the past week by the appear- ance of a ghost! Solitary pedestrians complain that they have been followed by the mysterious vision in white. Can it be that the bright moonlight of the past few nights is responsible for the nervous fancies of a few hysterical sub- jects, or is there .really a practical joker abroad? In the latter case we would remind the "ghost" that he would find nobler sport in Flanders if he were to don the khaki instead of the white gar- ment. At the Pontardawe Council Offices on Monday next, January 24th, at 10.15 a.m., the members of the local tribunal will meet to hear appeals from men in the first four groups which have been called up under Lord Derby's scheme. Although the tribunal has no power to exempt men from imilitary service the appellants may be transferred to later groups, and will be allowed to appeal again. On Tuesday morning as a local insur- ance agent was going his rounds accom- panied by his "super," he was surprised to notice a coin roll in front of him, and upon investigation discovered a large hole in his pocket, through which he had dropped a purse containing JS7 10s.. as well as some coins which were loose in his pocket. Although the gentlemen im- mediately retraoed their steps to their last house of call not faT away, nothing was seen or heard of the missing purse. Some one must have picked it up, and it is equally certain that that person must have realised that what he had found, someone else had lost. We hope that before these lines appear in print the purse will have been restored to its own- er, or handed over to the sergeant of- police. Some interesting correspondence has passed between the local gaR company and the Ystalyfera Chamber of Trade. A few weeks ago the latter body sent a letter to the gas company oomplaining of the quality of gas provided by them for lighting purposes, and stating that if a marked improvement were not visible within fourteen days, immediate steps would be taken to provide another and better method of lighting the shops and public buildings of Ystal yfera. At a meeting of the Chamber of Trade held on Tuesday evening a reply was read from the gas company, in which it was stated that damage done to the gas works by recent storms was responsible for the gas supply. It was further explained that the company intend spending several hundred pounds on the improvement of their plant and hope to supply the neigh- bourhood with gas of a superior quality at an early date. The secretary was asked to acknowledge the receipt of the above letter, and at the same time to apply for a reduction in the price of gas, aa the charge made is exhorbitant for a district of this size.—We are glad to see that at last local bodies are making a stand in this matter, and shall look for- ward with interest to the improvement in light and reduction in price For some months we have been lament- ing in these columns that Ystalyfera was so far behind the towns of its size in methods of showing welcome to soldiers. Many have been home on furlough and returned to the front without having Te- oeived any recognition of the services they have so nobly TeThdered to their country. Now, we are glad to state that the Chamber of Trade have determined to remedy this lack of civic patriotism. To raise a fund for the purpose it has been decided to hold two concerts on Wednesday and Thursday next, January 26 and 27, at the Premier Cinema and Playhouse, respectively. Excellent pro- grammes have been provided and it is to be hoped that the public will not lose sight Qf this means of contributing to- warda a deserving fund. A few weeks ago Mr. Willie Davies, son of Mr. Joseph Davies, grocer, left home to take up a position in a bank at Bridgend, but we regret to state that he has been compelled to return, suffer- ing from a serious breakdown in health, caused by the long hours of work result- ing from the depletion of the bank staff owing to recruiting. We trust he will soon be restored to health. On Saturday and Sunday next, as pre- viously announced, Brigadier and Mrs. Rogers (the newly-appointed divisional commanders for Swansea, division) of the Salvation Army will pay their first visit to the Ystalyfera Corps, and conduct a SaJvation meeting on Saturday evening at 8.30, and holiness meeting on Sunday morning at 11 o'clock in the Salvation Army Hall, Darren-road. A great wel- come meeting will be held on Sunday afternoon at 3 o'clock, the chair to be taken by Mr. H. J. Powell, J.P., sup- ported by Mr. Hy. Gape, together with Brigadier and Mrs. Rogers and Captain Pearoe. local officers and soldiers. In the ,evening a geat Salvation meeting will be held, conducted by the brigadier, and the Playhouse has been engaged for these two evenings.- The commanding officers are grateful to the general public of Ys- talyfera and district who have rallied round and given everv support in the past, and hope they will do the sa/me again on this occasion, and give the newly appointed brigadier and Mrs. Rogers a good and hearty welcome to Ystalyfera. We reg-ret to announce the death of Evan Davies, youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Davies, Moulders' -row (mechanic at the Gilwen Colliery). De- ceased, who was 15 years of age, died on Monday morning after a long illness. He was of an unusually bright and happy disposition, and muoh sympathv is felt with the bereaved parents. The burial (Continued at bottom of next column) i

YSTRADGYNLAIS NOTES. I ACCIDENT AT THE DIAMOND I COLLIERY. I An accident occurred at the New Diamond Colliery on Friday morning, when Mr Edwin James, Brynawel, re- ceived injuries to his back and left leg. He was conveyed home, and attended by Dr. Walsh, and is now making favourable progress. NEW DEACONS AT BETHANY. I There was a good attendance at Bethany English Baptist Church, on Sunday evening, when the Rev. D. J. Davies, Ainon, preached the charge to three new deacons, namely Messrs. J. Bluett, G, Gardiner, alld Sergt. W. Williams with Mr F. Smith as elder. Four new members were also received into the church. NEWTS OF THE BOYS. I Colour-Sergeant Wm. Jones, of the S.W.B., and son of Mr F. Jones, Castle Inn, Abercrave, is home from the front on short leave. He looks well, and was accorded a hearty wel- come by his many friends. We join in wishing him a safe return to our midst once more. FATALITY AT BRYNGROES. I It is with deep regret that we note the death of Robert Taylor, of Glan- rhyd. which took place on Saturday, at the Bryngroes Colliery. (For cir- cumstances of death see inquest). Deceased was a native of the place, but had lived at Durham for 30 years. His wife predeceased him many years ago, but he leaves five children, two of whom are grown up. the &on being on active service in France. The inter- ment took place on Wednesday at Ys- tradgynlais Churchyard, the Rev. J. Jones officiating. Pte. J. Paddock, also of the S.W.B. I and who has been at Brighton hospital for some time, suffering from wounds received at the Dardanelles, returned home on Tuesday evening. He was accorded a rousing welcome, although he journeyed to Ystalyfera, and the local Scout band went to escort him home. Pte. Paddock is an old mem ber of the local troop. All wish him a speedy recovery. Pte. J. Whilock, of the Wiltshires, is also home from the Dardanelles, suffering from dysentry. He has also been in a home hospital for fourteen weeks. He returned to London on Friday. Pte. E. Wilkinson, of the A.O.C., whose illness we recorded in our last issue, has now sufficiently recovered to be removed to a convalescent home at Llandrindod Wells. His many friends wish him further progress. Pte. Geo. Flook, of Snow terrace, returns this week to his regiment after recovering from wounds received at the Dardanelles in the attack on Achi Baba. Flook was severely wounded in the back, and had to be sent home to England, where he was treated at the American Hospital at Paignton, for several weeks. He is now fit, and be- fore returning to active service his been the recipient of several presents from his Ystradgynlais friends. Pte. J. Corcoran, of the 1st S.W.B. has now been discharged from the Army? He resides at Dumfries place, Wind road, and can be considered one of the heroes of Anzac. He took part in the fighting at Anzac and Suvla Bay, where he was wounded. An enemy shot pierod both ankles, break- ing them; he was sent first to Gibraltar, and thence to a hospit.al in London, from which he was dis- charged. Corcoran is a single man, and has lived in the district for many years. Many of the local boys who joined the Pembrokeshire Yeomanry recently, and who are stationed at Brecon, are home on leave for the last time before going to Ireland for training at the riding centres. They all look well, and have The best wishes of the people of Ystradgynlais. Mr Solomon Jones, an ex-student at Spurgeon's College, who is stationed with the Y.M.C.A. in Pembrokeshire, is also home on a short holiday. He looks well, despite the fact that his duties are of "arduous nature. He gave some interesting experiences at a meeting at Ainon on Tuesday even- ing. BOY SCOUT TEA. I The 1st Swansea Valley Troop of Boy Scouts were given an excellent tea on Saturday last at the Drill Hall, the tea being provided by Capt. Wood- liffe, of the 1st Brecknocks, who is now in India. The tea was served by Mrs. Coleman and Mrs. Williams, and ex- hibitions of scout work and drills were given by the boys, and Mrs. Gough and Mrs. Strick provided further re- freshments, and expressed their pleasure at the performance. The challenge shield was won by the 'Bull' patrol, of which Teddy Morgan is the leader, and M Phillips corporal. Will Bell and Hy. Coleman then proposed and seconded votes of thanks to Capt. Woodliffe, Mrs. Gough, Mrs. Strick and the other ladies who had rendered assistance. All the boys thoroughly enjoyed themselves. A Soccer match fixture has been ar- ranged between the Scouts and the Maesydderwen boys. LANTERN LECTURE. I A lantern lecture was given to the children at Ainon Vestry on Sunday evening last, the subject of the lecture being, "The Life of Moses." The children thoroughly enjoyed the pictures, which were explained by Mr Elwyn Davies, Messrs. L. Wathan and Longville Bowen were the operators. THE CINEMA I.- I There was a good attendance at the I Cinema at the beginning of the week, I

Prepaid Rates for the following Classes of Advertisements. WANTED. YOUNG LADY for DRAPERY DE- PARTMENT, and to assist with the books. Apply, stating age, qualifica- tions, and salary required by January 24th, to Co-operative Society, Seven Sisters. IJ22" WANTED.-Caretaker Manager and Wife, for the Pontardawe Public Hall and Institute; total abstainers and bi- linguists. Applications to be in the Sec- retary's hands before January 28th, stat- ing age and wages required.—-For full particulars apply to secretary. J. Morgan Jones, Maes-y-Bedw, Pontardawe. 2j 15-22- gHOPKEEPERS, Hawkers, and others- who wish to gain independence. Best Selling Line on Market. Send P.O. 6d. for sample and agency terms.—Supply Co., 167, Chapman-street, Gorton, Man- chester. 3jl5-29pd POULTRY.-Messrs Price and Son, have- shown their Celebrated Whites at Eighteen Shows this season, including London Dairy Show, Manchester. Hay- wards Heath, Alderly. Wombell, Port- madoc. Neath, Swansea, etc., and have won 28 prizes, 8 specials, 1 cup, probably a record for any Welsh exhibitors with: Whites alone. We have mated some grand birds in White Runners and White Wvan- dottes, and are bookiner eggs at 10/6*" per* sitting. Utility Wyandottes 3/ Barron and American imported 250 egg strains.— The Stud Farm, Ystradgynlais. 6j 15£19. UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE YSTALYFERA AND DISTRICT CHAMBER OF TRADE. TWO GRAND PATRIOTIC CONCERTS WEDNESDAY JAN. 26, at the PREMIER CINEMA. THURSDAY, JAN. 27, at PLAYHOUSE, YSTALYFERA. The following Artistes will take part:. Miss MARY DAVIES (Soprano), Bryn- amman). Miss ANNIE Walters (Contralto)., Cwmllynfell Mr GWILYM JONES (Baritone), Ys- gynlais. Mr TOM GRIFFITHS (Comedian), (Llanelly). Mr T. GUNSTONE JONES, Pontar- dawe. J Miss M. J. FRANCIS (LIaethfereh)r London, E locutionists. Mr JOHN LEWIS (Harpist), Clydach. Together with GWEN AND LUTHER PENILLION SINGERS. Accompanist: Mr T. G. SAMUFI L.L.C.M., G. and L.T.S.C, R.A.M, CHAIRMEN—Wednesday: D. W. DAVIES, Esq., C.C. Thursday: H. J. POWELL, Esq., J.P. Doors open at 6,45, commence at 7.30 Admission: Reserved Seats, 3s; Front Seats, 2s. Second Seats, Is. Proceeds for the purpose of forming a fund, so as to make a presentation to each Soldier or Sailor returning from active service.

(Continuing from preceding column). took place on Thursday at Holy Trinity Churchyard, and the large concourse of people present paid tribute to the re- spect in which the family is held. Amongst the mourners were Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Davies (father and mother), Mr. and Mirs. W. J. Davies, junr. (son and daughter- in-law), Mr. and Mrs. D. W. Watkin (son-in-law and daughter), Miss Esther Ann Davies (daughter), Mr. 4nd Mrs. James Davies. when "The Lion's Cubs" was screened. This picture depicts the great value of the Boy Scout movement to the country, and when the Scouts captured the German spies, a climax was reached. Fatty's Wine Party, and The Buckskin Coat were also shewn. EISTEDDFOD AT CWMGIEDD An interesting eisteddfod took place at Penpisgah on Wednesday evening, when the Rev. W. Leyshon Griffiths presided. There was a good attend- ance, and Messrs. H. Jones and T. Jones were the adjudicators of the musical and literary items respectively. Mr D. Leyshon Griffiths, Tyhwnt, pre- sided at the piano, whilst Mr Jezerefel Jones, Caemawr, was the violinist. SARDIS CONCERT. Preparations are now well in hand for the forthcoming concert at Sardis, which will take place on February 5th. The concert will be of a miscellaneous character, and Mr T. Williams, G. and L., London House, will be the con- ductor, whilst Miss Jennie Ellis, R.A.M., and Mr Gwilym Jones are two of the artistes who will appear. FROM "SOMEWHERE." r"1 ± to. Kees Jiivans, uwmgiecitl, who has been out in France for many months, returned home on Tuesday on seven days' leave. He was presented at Penpisgah on Wednesday evening with a beautiful Bible by the members of Cwmgiedd Chapel. SCHOOL TEACHER ENLISTS. Mr JJ1. L. Kees, rfrynamman, as- sistant master at the Cynlais Schools, has joined one of the Cavalry regi- ments, and left for Southampton on Monday. Best wishes, Dan! THE LIGHTING REGULATIONS. Ystradgynlais is evidently not to be caught napping by the ever-changing lighting regulations. On Sunday evening a correspondent saw a peram- bulator with a head-light! We are evidently getting on. Congratulations to Mr and Mrs. W. Morgan, of Glanrhyd, on the birth of a little daughter on Thursday mornings We understand that both mother and baby are doing well. The result of the ballot for secretary to the New Diajmond "Colliery Lodge has been the appointment of Mr. Tom Wa,tha,n to the post. Owing to a shortage of trucks the Ys- tradgynlais Colliery was idle on Wed- nesday. Pte. Tom Rees, 3rd Welsh was home on leave duimg the week and returned on Friday to Barry Dock. The battalion will shortly be leaving for active service. The family of the late Robert Young Taylor wish to express their thanks to their many friends for their kindness and sympathy during their sad bereavement.