Llais Llafur

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GE^.YUNY'd FOOD DAYS. I QUESTION OF FODDER AIsD MEAT SUPPLIES. The* following despatch has been re- ceived trom Mr. H. Warner Allen, the special correspondent of the British press with the French armies. :— If tho blockade of Germany is to be rationally reinforced, with a view to its I produeing its maximum effect, it is clear that the internal situation of the enemy countries must be taken into considera- tion, and that, as far as possible, they must be deprived of all chance of obtain- ing supplies of those articles which they more especially need. For this resaon the economic position of Germany has at the present moment a special interest and importance. The well-known decree of October 28, 1915, fixed the following "food days" for the German Empire :-Two days without meat, two days without fatty substances, one day with meat, but without pork, and tvvodays of liberty. The exact mean- ing of this decree can only be understood by an examination of the .skps taken by the German Government to keep up the supply of meat. The whole question turns on the matter of fodder. SCARCITY OF FODDER. In times of peace Germany imports 40 per cent. of its fodder, and it is the scarcity of fodder that has produced the present scarcity of meat. The only real relief to the situation could come from the outside, a.nd it is Lhis relief that British blockade must prevent. The German Government is eiio deavouririg to purchase at any price the caltie food that it needs so sorely, as well as those fatty substances, such as butter, lord, aiid margarine, the scarcity of which has produced so great all effect throughout the Empire. Maize, oilcake, and best sugar refuse will fetch almost ally price in Gerauny. and it is mainly through Holland that they reach the Central Empire?. The British Government has consented, in return for promises of a distinctly ague nature, to allow the regular impor- tation of such articles into Belgium, pro- vided that such, imports do not exceed the normal peace average. This supply of cattle i'ood will enable the enemy to breed and fatten the Belgian cattle, and will provide Germany with very consider- able resources in meat. She has already made use of the Belgian sugar manu- factories, and is using the molasses and the beet refuse for the food of her cattle and horses. A ;other considerable product of which the Germans are badly in noed is bread. In this matter the blockade appears to hold good, and the onlv way out of the difficulty that the Germans have so far discovered is to buy In Roumania at cx- orbitant prices. RIOTS. The German newspapers, as a rule, deny the riots which have taken place in Germany on account of the dearness of living, but letters sent to prisoners or captured on their persons give abundant proof that they have been violent riots and there are many bankruptcies, includ- ing that the famous Luitpold brasseries. A letter sent to a prisoner, concealed in a bottle, describes the Chemnitz riots. People there were particularly incensed at the scarcity of butter, and for nearly a. week; they spent their time in pillaoing le shops, throwing stones through the windows, and hurling b-Lift-r and eggs into tho TO ad. Fnally the firemen were called out, and turned their hose on the crowd, but the rioters cut the hose and assau lted the police. "In fact," says the writer of the letter, "we have war at home rs well as abroad."—Press Associa- tion War Special. j —————

While waving farewell from the cliff to her husband, Alfred. Ernest Hub- bard, who was second hand in a steamship leaving Ramsgate Harbour, Mrs. Hubbard saw him struck on the head and rendered unconscious through the breaking of a cast-iron bollard. Hubbart was taken ashore and con- veyed to hospital, where he now lies in a critical condition, suffering from severe injuries to the right temple.

ZEPPELINS. I On Monday evening it was generally known in London that the Zeppelins were on thcr way to this country, and people were expecting a "straf- ing" somewhere within the range of the Metropolis. But it did not come off; other districts were favoured in- stead. The police here have issued a new and stringent warning to people to keep under roof during a I Zeppelin raid. This is taken to imply a greater risk from falling projectiles from our own guns. But London take.; the Zeppelin menaco calmly. The Germans were never more mistaken in their lives than when they thought that the dropping bombs on babies' cradles would oreate panic, and a de- sire to sue for peace, on the part of the British public. The air outrages only intensify a grim determination to exact the uttermost reckoning. BROKEN ENGAGEMENT. The engagement between Major Richard Lloyd George, son of the Minister of Munitions, and Miss Dilys Roberts, has been broken off. Miss Roberts is the daughter of Sir John Roberts, of Carnarvon, and a close friendship between the two families re- mains unimpaired by the ending of the young couple's engagement. Miss Roberts has frequently stayed at No. 12, Downing street, and has attended many functions in town with Mrs. Lloyd George and her daughter. When the war broke out, Mr Richard Lloyd George and his brother enlisted, and both now hold commissions. WIDEAWAKE SEXTON. An amusing passage-at-arms occurred at the Labour Party Conference be- j tween Mr James Sexton, secretary of the National Union of Dock Labourers, and Mr Egerton Wake, 'commissioner' of the Fnion of Democratic Control. "It is sad to see friend Sexton digging his own grave," remarked Mr Wake, Quick as lightning came the reply from Mr Sexton, "I've already dug your grave, old man. This isn't my first Wake." The conference roared with laughter. Mr Sexton, besides) j attending to his duties as a Labour leader, finds time to do a good deal of literary work. A new edition of his remarkable play, "The Riot Act," has just been published. MR SMILLIE'S ADMISSION. In a speech delivered at Glasgow, Mr Robert Smillie, President of the Miners' Federation of Great Britain, said that he ca.me away from the Lab- our Party oonforence W at Bristol feel- ing t hat the pro-war section—-Vre- actionaries" he caned themhad won hands down on most of the subjects that had been I MR SHAW'S PREFACE. Mr Shaw has written the usual lengthy preface to a new volume of his plays. The preface is longer than any of the plays the book contains. It deals with Christianity, and, so rum- our goes, Mr Shaw reread carefully the whole of the New Testament be- fore writing it. In the case of "Pyg- ,malion." which is to be included in the new puhlication, the author has written a sequel, changing the dramas- tic form to that of ordinary prose narrative, and continuing the history of the persons in the drama. THE REOPENED GROUPS. Since the reopening of the Derby groups attestations and enlistments have been going on steadily through- out the country. With the prospect of the provisions of the Military Ser- vice Act becoming operative at the beginning of March, single men have naturally formed the great majority of the recruits, but marri.ed men have also come forward in good numbers. The classess already called up have yielded, after all deductions have been made, a satisfactory proportion of soldiers. The enlistments have varied greatly in different areas, some of the mining, shipping, and munitions dis- tricts producing comparatively few re- cruits, but taking the country as a w hole the Derby scheme is bringing as many men to the Colours as there was any reason to expect. A STARRING SCANDAL. I Surely one of the most scandalous of the many anomalies in starring is contained in the announcement that "more official encouragement has been forthcoming for hunting this week, even to the length of permitting men absolutely necessary for the mainten- ance of hunting to be starred and specially reserved." The excuse for this favouritism shown to one of the most useless and expensive of the pas- times of the rich is that hunting helps to improve the breed of horses which we need for the army! But we do not need horses for the army now so much as men and munitions. And if there is a need for horses it can be amplv met by supplies from the Domin. ions and South America. When the House reopens one of the Labour Mem- bers should put a question about this latest manifestation of the selfishness, under a cloak of patriotism, of the rich. SALUTING OFFICERS I Tt is noticable in the London streets I that very few private soldiers salute the officers they pass. The War Office issued this week an order reminding soldiers of the army regulation on this matter, and stating that the militarv police have power to take the name of a soldier who fails to salute an officer. If a soldier who fails to salute is on leave he is liable to have his leave cut short, and there are other punishments. Saluting does not come easily to democratic soldi era who have never made obeisances to people in private life. The Colonials, par- ticula-rly, appear to honour the saluting regulation more in the breach than the observance, and ev.en in camp they do not kow-tow to officers. There is a story of a Colonial officer who paraded his men, and told them that I a British General was due shortly to inspect them. "Clean up your buttons," &aid he. "Make youselves look spick and span-and for God's sa.ke don't call .me Alf." MR ANDREW FISHER. The Right Hon. Andrew Fisher, the ex-Labour Premier of Australia, the new High Commissioner for the Com- monwealth. in this country, arrived in London on Sunday. Among those meeting him on the platform were Mr Arthur Henderson and Mr Will Crooks, both of whom are his person- al friends. The late Mr Keir Hardie onoo gave Mr Fisher's biography suc- cinctly in a few sentences. "When I knew him first," said he, "Andrew was the secretary of a miners' lodge in Ayrshire. After a time the employers victimized him. He went to Austral- ia. Now he is Prime Minister." AN AUSTRALIAN STORY. The Australians, like the Amerioans, are fond of "tall'' stories, and here is one which concerns Rockhampton, in Queensland, the hottest district in the colony. A Rockhampton man, having long cherished a wish to see the Eng- lish village where his parents came from, took a trip to London, but caught a chill and died. Aust-raliin friends in London cremated him. in accordance with his last wish. Curiosity made them open the furnace trap and look in, whereupon the Rockhampton man sat up, and in peremptory tones bade them 'Shut that door. This is the first time I've felt warm since I left Rockie.' SOLDIERS ON FARMS. It may not be generally known among farmers that by application to the military authorities they can get the help of soldiers to do urgent and necessary work on the farms. Fur- lough will be granted to the soldiers for a period not exceeding one month. The farmer must pay 4s. a day if the man provides his own board and lodgings are provided by the farmer. The working hours are to be those cus- tomary in the district, and no charge will be made for travelling expenses. If a farmer wants his son or one of his former labourers, who is serving at home, efforts will be made to satisfy the request. 1 RATS. How to destroy rats and other farm j pests is the subject of a new leaflet from the Board of Agriculture. The difficulty of keeping down the number of rats is the absence of concerted action, for if one farmer tries to ex- terminate them unaided by his neigh- bours, he will' find his premises in- vaded by fresh arrivals from adjacent farms. The Board point out, there- fore, that the destruction of vermin is essentially a matter for local effort, but that it should not be isolated or unsystematic, and they advise occu- piers of farms or buildings to join to- gether with a view to making a sys- tematic attempt to reduce the pests over as large an area as can be con- j veniently dealt with.

PONTARDAWE GUARDIANS I The fortnightly meeting of the Pont- ardawe Board of Guardians was held on Thursday, Mr H. J. Powell, J.P., presiding. The House Committee reported that with reference to the complaints made as to Miss Tydfil Evans, the assistant children's attendant, they had to state that Miss Evans did not put in an appearance before the Committee as requested. The third item in the report was as follows:— "The Committee desire a full attend- ance at the next meeting of the House: Committee to consider certain com- plaints as to the manner in which the duties are performed by the present oiffcers in the Children's Home."

MORE RESERVED TRADES. The representations of Mr. John Hodge, M.P., general secretary of the Steel Smel- ters' Association, in regard to getting certain classes of employees in the South Wales tinplate trade placed in reserved occupations have proved successful. The Reserve Occupations' Committee of the Board of Trade has informed Mr. Clements (secretary of the Tin and Sheet Mills Manufacturers' Association, Swan-, sea) that the board has decided that the dischargers, shippers, barwheelers, roller- men, behinders, picklers, anniealers, and tinmen are to be placed in the list of reserved occupations.

 _?-.?"?'< ????f ?a<??????)S EYESTRAIN I brings about the most distressing prematurely aged appearance. ????' ni-ris a rhsagreoabfe and effects and headaches. It causes Ono to 'rcrsw up the eye*, pro- ductM •' ws' foot and wrinkles. Our methods are strictly scien- tific and up-to-date. We never recommend glasses unless abso- lutely necessary. C. F. WALTERS, F.S.M.C., F.I.O., QUALIFED OPTICIAN, Oxford St., Swansea J.T.OWEN I + + SPECIAL THIS WEEK. GREAT SALE NOW ON. The Cash Draper, YSTALYFERA.

YSTALYFERA NOTES. At the request of a large number of Ystalyfera people three grand per- formances of the great Welsh Drama "Gruffydd o'o, Glvn" will be given at the Coliseum, Ystalyfera, on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday next by the Llaethferch Dramatic Company, of Ynismeudwy. The Company, which is a strong one, is under the personal direction of Miss M J Francis (Llaeth- ferch), the celebrated elocutionist, whose name is a household word in South Wales. The drama' has already created a deep impression upon all who witnessed the performances at Pontardawe and Cwmllynfell, and there should be large crowds at the Coliseum on the dates mentioned. Alarch Ogwy, the author of the drama witnessed the performance at Pontar- dawe recently, and he declared that of the six companies he had seen. perform- ing the drama in various parts of South Wales, he had no hesita- tion in saying that the Llaethferch Company was by far the best. So de- lighted was he with the production that he has sent his manuscript for the new drama to the Llaethferch Company with a request that they should produce it before it is placed in the hands of the pmss. Seats for the Ystalyfera performances should be booked at once at the establishment of Mr Sam Baker, Ystalyfera. Ystalyfera residents will learn with regret of the death of Mrs. Hannah Rees, which occurred on Monday at the home of her daughter, and son-in- law. Mr William Phillips, of Penywern road, Ystalyfera. Mrs. Rees resided for many years in Brick row. She was early left a widow with a large family to provide for, and to assist her in doing this she obtained the position of cleaner of the AVern Schools, a post which she held for upwards of 20 years, and on account of which she was so well known and highly respected in the neighbourhood. She also kept a shop in those days, which was freely patronised by the school children, and in looking back now, it seems as though nobody else ever made such good toffee (or "twmpin" as Mrs. Rees used to make. When the new Wern Schools were opened, it was necessary to appoint a man as care- taker, and Mrs Rees went to Peny- wern road to resided with her daugh- ter. During the last few years she has had very indifferent health, and her last illness was a long and tedious one. She was 82 years of age. The funeral took place on Thursday at Holy Trinity Churchyard, and was largely attended. Nothing pleases the boys at the Front so much as news of home. Send them the Llais" every week. DISTRESSING EXPERIENCE OF A YOUNG GIRL. On Tuesday evening, about nine o'clock, as some men were walking down the canal bank from Gurnos, .they saw something moving in the water. The night was very dark, .but by the light of some matches, they dis- covered a young girl clinging to the side of the bank. Help was obtained, and the girl(who is 15 years of age, and a daughter of Mr John Lewis, of Canal terrace), was removed from the water in an unconscious condition. She was carried to the Aubrey Arms, where she received every kindness at the han ds of Miss Clee. Dr. Lewis was quickly in attendance, and con- veyed her to her home in his motor car. We learn that though still feel- ing the effects of the shock, the girl is now not much the worse of her pain- ful experience. How she got into the water remains a mystery. News has come to hand that Lieut. 0. G. Jones, formerly one of the masters at the Ystalyfera County School, has now landed in Egypt with his regiment. A meeting of the local Tribunal will be held at the Council Offices, Pontardawe, on Friday next, Feb. 4, to hear appeals from the second batch of recruits called up under Lord Der- by's scheme. It is satisfactory to learn that re- cruits are still coming in quietly, both Ystalyfera and Ystradgynlais recruit- ing officers have a little to do each day. The anniversary services at Gurnos Chapel last Sunday were very success- ful. The pulpit was occupied bv the Rev. Samuel Williams of Siloh, Lan- dore, one of the most noted Welsh Congregational ministers of the pre- sent day. Eloquent sermons were preached, and the attendance was good at each service. The collections were highly satis- factory, a pleasing feature of the oc- casion being a gift of C5 from an anonymous "Friend." This is by no means the first occasion on which the same friend has come forward in this way, but the curiosity of the church members has not been satisfied to the identity of the generous donor. MEETING OF ZENANNA MISSION A meeting of the Ystalyfera Auxil- iary of the Zen-anna Mission was held at Bethesda Baptist Chapel, Glan- I amman, recently. Thare was a large .attendance, and a very enjoyable time was spent. An interesting address was delivered by Miss Ewing, a mis- sionary from Calcutta, and ethers who addressed the meetmg were Mies Trevor Jones, the organising secretary for Wales, Mrs. Moses, the president of the Auxiliary, and the Rev. J. Thomas, minister of Bethesda. Mrs. T. A. Evans, the secretary, read the minutes of the last meeting, which was held at Pontardawe, and announced I' that the collection from the various churches amounted to P-32. She re- gretted that some of the Churches had not yet sent in their contributions, but as the missionary year does not close for another month, there would still be time for them to make good, and she hoped they would not further neglect this good cause. The officers elected for the year were: President, Mrs. Wadley, Beulah; vice- president, Mrs. Davies. Bryn Seion; secretary, Mrs. T. A. Evans, Zoar, Ystalyfera, re-elected. At a meeting of the Zoar Young People's Society held on Monday even- ing, Mr Frederick Rees in the chair, a. paper was read by Miss Gwen Mad- docks, of Godre'rgraig School, on the of Robert Browning." The paper was exceedingly interesting, and the selections from the works of the author named were much enjoyed. At the close a vote of thanks to Miss Mad- docks, proposed by Miss Mary Wil- liams was seconded by Mr D. J. Evans and supported by the Rev. Wm. Jones. LETTER FROM LOCAL SOLDIER An interesting letter has been re,- cei ved by Councillor H. J. Powell from his late assistant. Private T. Laing, who is now in France with his regi- ment. The regiment has just gone back to billets for a three weeks rest after a considerable time in the trenches. Private Laing says:— "After receiving orders to go to the trenches we haj a. march of 18 miles from the base, with a full pack, and with the mud almost waist high, so we were pretty welldone uj). by the time we reached our billets. After a rest we had a further march of five miles into the trenches, and the condition of some of the ipen was pitiable in the extreme We were provided with trench boots up to our thighs, but the mud was even going over the top of these. Many of the men lost their boots, in the mud (it being almost im- possible to pull them up when they got embedded), and were in a fearful condition when they reached the trenches with bare feet. The trenches themselves, were not at all bad, being comparatively dry and as safe as houses as long as you keep your head down,— it is the getting in through the awful mud that kills. Next to the mud the most unpleasant thing is the rats. They walk about like cats, and seldom run from us. The good thing about them is they keep us in practice with the bayonet! Ours is surely a lucky bat- talion. During the time we were in the trenches we heard very little firing, and never saw a single German, but it happened that the billets we had occupied previously were fired up- on and destroyed immediately after we left them. Aubrey (late of the Metropolitan Bank), had a narrow escape one day. He was standing in front of a loop- hole, and had turned aside to get a light for his fag, when a bullet came through the hole. The follow who was giving him a light was wounded, but Aubrey escaped. We are now billeted for three weeks.' rest in barns belonging to the farmers. They are large buildings, and the bods are arranged around the wall one above the other like fixtures in the shop. The food is good, but bread is very scarce and dear if we try to buy it. We have plenty of biscuits, but, of course prefer bread when we can get it. Jack Almrott (late of East- man's) has been transferred now to the transports. A meeting of the Wern Young People's Society took place on Wed- uesdav evening, January 26th. the vice-president, Mr T. G. Williams occupying the chair. A very interesting paper was read by Mr William Jones, Bryneeion, on "A visit to Niagara." Mr Jones first described his journey to Liverpool, then the interesting voyage across the herring pond. The lecturer dealt with his subject in a masterly manner. He produced quite a collection of curios, and fully explained the history of each. Mr David Samuel, Gurnos, who ac- companied Mr Jones on his visit to Nagara, was present. A vote of thanks to Mr Jones for his interesting paper was proposed by Miss R. Davies, and seconded by Mr T. R. Samuel. Mr David Price also spoke to the merits of the paper. A solo was given by Mr David Samuel. The singing of "Hen Wlad fy Nhadau" brought the enjoyable meeting to a close. On Sunday last the Rev. Ben Davies completed 25 years of service as minister of Pantteg Chapel. The services throughout the day were of an impressive character, and at the close of the evening service, the pastor spoke in feeling, terms of his long con- nection with the church. He had hea,rd that some of the members were anxious to give him a testimonial but he begged that this might not be done, under the circumstances existing to- day. In view of the fact that so many men in our country are rendering such noble service at this time, he preferred that the money should be for other and more necessary purposes. He had thought of asking his members to grant him a three months' holiday, to mark the occasion that he might visit friends in America, but owing to the unsettled state of the country he would postpone that holiday to a future date. Several of the members then spoke, notably Messrs. D. D. HIpkins, David Williams, John Griffith Jones, and D. George Williams, whose speech was exceptionally eloquent and forceful. Wo regret to announce the death of the young son of Mr David Williams, tinhouse superintendent at Ynismeu- dwy works. The deceased who was only 13 years of age had been ill for upwards of 12 months, and passed away on Twesday. The funeral takes place on Friday. On Monday evening the Pantteg Young People's Society met in the vestry as usual. The Rev. Ben Davies presided over a large gather- ing, and two excellent papers were read. The first on "D. Emlyn Evans, the Welsh musician," was given by Mr George Evans, the preoontor of Pantteg Chapel, whose ability in all things musical, enabled him to treat this subject with marked success. The other paper was read by Mr W. Tudor Rees, and the subject—"The Churches and the Drama," appealed very strongly to the audience, in view of the interest which is awakening in the district at the present time towards the Welsh drama. The speaker con- tended that the. Church should utilise the drama, and make it not only a medium for legitimate amusement and pleasure, but also give it a more ser- ious character, and make it a means for intellectual and spiritual eleva- tion. On these lines Mr Rees' paper argued very forcibly and eloquently in favour of the drama, and made a deep impression upon those who were present. He finished by suggesting that they at Pantteg should, as soon as practicable, rebuild their vestry, ao that it might be also used as a hall, where the young people could he ac- commodated for things of this nature, and where in addition a library and reading room might be provided. This he thought would be a fitting com- memoration for the Church to make on the conclusion of 25 years ministry at Pantteg of their pastor. The Rev. Ben Davies spoke in eulo- gistic terms of the papers, as did also Tarrenydd, and Messrs. Griff. Jones, David D. Hopkin, and Llewelyn Evans. The Home League in connection with the Salvation Army was launched on Tuesday afternoon by Mrs. Brigadier Rogers, of the Swansea Division, and a very good time was spent. A good number turned up, and Mrs. Rogers explained fully the objects of th& League. We wish the League every success. The usual weekly meetings will be held on Sunday, and will be conducted by the Commanding Officers Ensign Piggott and Captain Pearce. All seats are free, and hymn books are provided. A hearty invitation is ex- tended to all. On Wednesday evening at Jerusalem Vestry, under the auspices of the Ddraig.Goch, an excellent lecture was delivered by the Rev. Simon Jones, B.A., vicar of Llanidloes, on the sub- ject, "The art of translating." The chair was taken by Mr Ben Jones. M.A., and there was a large and ap- preciative audience. In proposing a vote of thangs to the lecturer, Mr J. Walter Jones, B.A., characterised the lecture as one of the best ever de- livered at the meetings of the Guild. The vote of thanks was seconded by Miss Roberts, B.A., in a neat and ap- propriate speech. We regret to learn that Mr Tom Thomas, Alltygrug, who, as our readers will remember, met with a serious ac- cident last week still lies in a critical condition. Though he has regained consciousness he is still unable to speak. On Wednesday evening at the Wes- leyan Chapel a meeting of the Ystaly- fera Auxiliary of the British and Foreign Bible Society was held. The Rev. Ben Davies, Pantteg, presided, but the only other ministers present were the Rev. John Thomas, Gurnos; and D. W. Stephens, Jerusalem-, Mr. Wm. Evan^ opened the meeting with prayer, and a very interesting lecture on the history and work of the Society was delivered by the Rev. J. Crwys Williams, the Society's representative in South Wales. The lecturer made a great point of the work done by the society on behalf of the troops, and the lecture was thoroughly enjoyed by the few who were present to hear it. The Rev. Seiriol Williams, of Pont- ardawe, occupied the pulpit at Wern Chapel, on Sunday last, and preached eloquent sermons both morning and evening. The examination in connection with the Ambulance Classes that has been held at the County School during the. last session, will be held at the same place on Saturday, Feb. 5th, at 3.30, for both male and female students. All are requested to be present punc- tually at the time noted.

NEW CINEMA Ystradgynlais- COMING SHORTLY Look Out for the Great Exclus.V: -001lIo.. dWIBiHW II II Will II HI HMII Ml HI ■PMIM1I1 TIIWIII WPIj—■WIlWriWlOTII' THE STONING "Let him that is without Sin cast the first stone."