Llais Llafur

i i March of Women with Babies. DEAR MILK PROTEST BY 1,000 I MOTHERS. About 1,000 women, carrying babies in their arms, marched through the streets of Bristol t-o the Council House and handed in a protest against the high price of milk fixed by the Food Min- istrv. They urged the Lord Mayor to forward a copy of their protest to the Govern- ment, and, failing reduction of price, pressed for the establishment of muni- cipal milk depots. The procession car- ried banners inscribed "e want cheap- er milk" and" God save the babies." Earlier in the day the Bristol Food Control Committee discussed the ques- tion of dear milk. The debate ar°R.e on a letter from the. Food Ministry fixing the maximum retail price of mirk at lid. per quart for November and December; January. Is. February and March, lid Hud April, 10d. The Chairmnn said the committee had previously advised the Ministry against such high prices. He moved that the committee should decline to publish such prices, and should repudiate all respon- sibility for them. A Labour member said retailers who sold at less than the maximum were being intimidated by trade organisations. Tlie r- solution w as carried unanim- ously.

BISHOP AND SUPERSTITION. Dr. Cyril Forster Garbett, Uie newly consecrated Bishop of Southwark, preaehir: in Southwark Cathedral, de- clared that the spread and growth of superstition had been one of the curious by-products of the war. There had sprung into existence a belief in charms, wilieli -until recently lingered only in out- o'-the-wav hamlets. There were men: who felt der in danger if they had with therruthrir snecinl mascot. "Much of' this," said the Bishop, "is thoughtless ¡;nc1 foundless nonsense. To the "majority a charm is an ornament and nothing more." But some deeper I explnlldinn'mu..t be found, he said, for what wr-s really a very widespread super- stition. rod he thought it was to he found in ignoranco and fear of the tm- IvRO'.VT!.

NATIONALISATION ¡. PROPAGANDA. • SOUTH WALES FEDERATION TO OPEN CAMPAIGN. I The Executive Council of the South Wales Miners' Federation met at Cardiff this week, Mr. W. Brace, M.P. presid- ing, supported by Mr. James Winstone, J.P. (vice-president), and Mr. Thomas Richards, M. P. (general secretary). It was decided to set up a small committee for the purpose of conducting propa- ganda work in connection with national- isation, the Council undertaking to pro- vide speakers, but arrangements for all meetings to be made by the different districts. The Council, however, disso- ciated themselves from any Sunday meetings, and will not undertake to sup- ply speakers for any meetings held oc Sunday.

Colliery Enginemen's Pay. I ULTIMATUM TO CONTROLLER I AND OWNERS. A supplied report states that Mr. D. Williams, Treorchy, presided over a mooting of the Executive Council of the Monmouthshire and South Wale.s Asso- ciation of Colliery Enginemen, Stokers, and Craftsmen, held at. the Park Hotel, Cardiff, supported by Mr. W. Hopkins (general secretary), and Messrs. D. B. Jones and J. W. Grant (agents). The Executive discussed the decision of the Coal Controller not to pay certain classes of enginemen for the quarter- hour worked in excess of the seven hours and three-quarters per day. The Executive jinanimbusly decided not to accept the Controller's decision, and further decided to notify both the Coal Controller and the coalowners that un- less payment be made to all enginemen for the quarter of an hour instructions would be sent out to all men to leave their engines at the end of 7f hours. I

Cost of Strike 910,000,060 I QUESTION TO BE DEBATED IN I THE COMMONS. The cost of the recent railway strike was mentioned in the House of Commons when Mr. Chamberlain, answering Com- mander Kenwprthy and others, said that the total cost to t-he Exchequer of the railway Btriko was believed to be roughly about ten millions, including delay in demobilisation, estimated at five millions. The cost to the State in the wider sense was incalculable. The cost of publicity and propaganda was £ 32,057. Mr. Bottomley asked whether a day would be given for the discussion of the circumstances which led to the, strike. Mr. Adamson asked if the Govern- ment was aware that the railway ser- vants would welcome a debate at any time after the negotiations which were at present in progress. Mr. Bonar Law said if there was a general desire for such a discussion he should be happy to arrange for it. Personally, he thought that a discussion might be desirable. Mr. Bvttomley gave notice that at an early date he would call attention to the recent strike and move that this Honse was of opinion that such strike was un- juBtified, and called on the Government at once to introduce legislation render- ing illegal any stoppage of public ser- vices at the instance of trade union ex- ecutives without due notice and a ballot of the members concerned.

WELSH REVIVAL PREDICTED. I Wales figures rather prominently in Old Moore's predictions for 1920. A great outbreak of fire is predicted for February at a Welsh watering pla-ce, which will cause "much loss of life," hut there is a grain of comfort in the statement that. "its visitors arc not many "—there is certainly not a great rush of visitors to Welsh watering places in Ft.oruary-" t.hê deaths and injuries will he minirni,!Fd." This unfortunate Welsh watering-place is not named, so perhaps ail the water- ing places and spas in Wales will take heed hy this warning, and keep their fire brigades in good training. But the most interesting prophecy re- garding Wales is that for April, in which month Old Moore predicts that a great Welsh religious festival and popular re- vival will arise, and thousands will find the light." "A new preacher," says the forecast, fascinates the multitude by his persuasive eloquence, and n Welsh Revival Arrnv will lie formed."

COAL EXPORTS. It is officially slated that the tonnage of coal exported during August, 1919, was 2,170.813 tons, value f,5,537,503, and in Septemlwr 2.677.189, value £ 7,7)2.919 f.o.b. Of coal for bunkers, foreign and coastwise, 1,256,227 tons were entered during August. 1919, and 1.233.550 tons during September, but the values are not stated. There is no available informa tion as to t.he profits on exuort or bunkoP coal during August and September.

I JUDGE AND WORKMEN S COMPENSATION. "GAMBLING WITH LOADED DICE" Judge Lock, of the Yorkshire County Court, made a vigorous criticism on the present, system of awarding workmen's compensation. Giving evidence before the Home Of- fice Committee, which is considering the desirability of establishing a State scheme of insurance against injuries, he said the present system of bargaining for and gambling in lump sums is very discreditable, and savours more of a horse fair than of judicial proceedings. Moreover, it is generally gambling with loaded dice. "A man with a family cut down to £1 a week or less, and worried by a dis- tracted wife to get something more at any cost, is not a match for a clever insurance agent. But both sidefl are ofwn to blame. "The present limit of £300 is some- times absurdly extravagant," declared witness, "but generally quite inadequate. Contrast these actual cases;- (a) A young widow with no child and quite able to support herself gets 1:300. fb) A widow with seven children un- der 10 years and expecting another also gets .MOO. "In the case of the former she is a prize in the marriage market; the latter is a pauper with eight children, unable to earn a penny in two and a half years at the outside. The suffering has been heartbreaking. He considered that tho basis of com- pensation should be widely extended be- yond mere pecuniary payment, and should include curative treatment for the curable and training for those incap- acitated for their old work.

Democratic Outlook." WHY MR. LOVAT FRASER JOINS I LABOUR PARTY. f Mr. J. A. Lovat Fraser his reasons for joining the Labour party ro an address at tho Cory Hall, Cardiff on Sunday evening. There was a large gathering at the meeting, which was under the auspices* of the Cardiff branch of the I.L.P., and Mr. L. Ridgmay presided. Mr. Lovat Fraser said that that was tho first occasion on which he had spoken from an official Labour plat- form. His reasons for having joined the ranks of the Labour party were that tho ideals and outlook of that party were more in keeping with his democratic outlook than were thc-se of the Unionist party. It was not prop- erty that required protection, but tho lives and well-being of the exploited ('h¡'Sl. T amount of poverty, destitu- tion. and misery he saw on every side h-ad convinced him of th? MMest?ty t'"?r joining a party %Iiiv..h w:ts more in keeping with his ideals. When he re- quired information with re ference to slums he had found it neoes.vvry to go to Socialists and advanced Labour men Their ideals were worth fighting for, and there would be no solution of the housing problem unless the workers we lie properly represented not only in the House of Commons, but in bodies like the Cardiff City Council. Mrs. Edna N. Penny, of Sheffield, also spoke.

PROTEST AGAINST NEW POLICE PAY. As the new scale of pay to police in- volves an increase in their estimates of E10,521, Carnarvonshire County Council have protested to the Government. They say that the new rates have been im- posed without any regard to local condi- tions.

MINISTRY OF FOOD'S BIG PUR- CHASES IN AMERICA. Large supplies of bacon, of a quality superior to that which has been on the market of late, have l>een purchased by t-lie Ministry of Food in the United States, and the fir8t. consignments are expected to arrive in this country in about a month's time. --The early dispatch of the first con- signment is dependent upon the labour situation in Anwricn." said nn official of the Food Ministry. The bacon will bo found to be of very much better quality than t public is getting at present, which is the remains of the stock—much of it found to he of very poor quality-which the Food Ministry | originally took over." Asked whether was any likeli- hood of the price being reduced, the official sairl "I am afraid not, but this will certainly be done as soon as pos- sible.

"TAKE ME BACK TO DEAR OLD BLIGHTY." The millions who have at one time ,i,, sang "Fall in ami follow me" and Take me back to de-ar old Blight}- will learn with regret that ) author, .W. J. Mills, has dIed, at tk* :1f:C of 48.

I MINERS' CASE FOR NATIONALISATION. I I Put Before Business Men. f BY MR. FRANK HODGES. Mr. Frank Hodges, secretary of the Miners' Federation, on Tuesday after- noon addressed the Liverpool Incorpor- ated Chamber of Commerce on the nationalisation of mines. But for h:8 illness, Mr, Smillie was to have atten- ded and replied to the Duke (-if North- umberland, who recently make a. speech to the same body in opposition to nationaliation. Tho meeting room was packed with Liverpool's leading busi- ness men. Mr. Hodges, who was listened to with respectful attention, dwelt on the subject mainly as it affected commerce. He pointed out how the output of coal had diminished in recent years, and contended that this brought about higher prices for steel and other com- modities The heart of the problem to business men was whether, under na- tionalisation, coal would be more or less plentiful, and form a. bigger or lesser element in the geueral cost of production. He urged that national- isation would eliminate waste and in- crease output. He admitted bureau- cratic control would be worse than private ownership, but the volume of Mr. Justice San key showed a desire to remove the whole of the administra- tive side of the industry from Govern- ment bureaucratic control. It was proposed to set up a Coal National Council, on which would be represented the technical and manual workers engaged in the industry, from the colliery agent down to the ooal heaver. That council would be respon- sible to the community for the well- being and good government of the business. There would also be district committees, composed of manual work- ers and consumers, with representatives of the nation appointed by Parliament and not by fkv particular group of m^ers. Then there would be col- liery committees, having for their pur- pose tho good governance of the parti- cular mine. If there were a complete understanding that both the technical and manual staffs were responsible to the nation for the good governance and administration of the industry, there would be established a new form and character in the social outlook, which seemed so indispensablo in modern times. TO INDUCE GOOD WORK, Having expressed his opposition to syndication, Mr. Hodges said he want- ed to create the psychology amongst the- workmen, that it should be a mat- tet of personal honour to work well and avoid waste. That point of view had never been developed in the mmds of '.he workers since- the era of modem industrialism- The guilds of the fif- teenth and sixteenth centuries held thet as a point of honour, and he de- stred to «oe that psychology restored. The nnners felt that their own scjw-me was better than that of Mr. J«stice Sankey, but to ahow their keen interest in the national well-being they would ?0 through the three years' ex-I perimental experience, which the Sankey Report recommended, and leave the nation to judge- whether it resulted in economical production, increased status and more security for the men engaged in a hazardous employment. "It is admitted," said Mr. Hodges, "that the private system must give way to unification. We contend that that is not adequate, and that what we propose would result in increased production, decreased counts, increased .scientific application, and to the gon- er-il economic advantage of the com- munity." Questions were invited. One gentle- man asked when tins bloody war start- ed what did Mr. Sniillie do to help his country? The Chairman (Lieutenant—Colonel liehrend) ruled the question out of Order. Other questions were asked and ans- wered. The meeting generally was fair, but critical, and one speaker said Mr. Hedges had given an honest st-atc- j meet of the miners' case. GIVEN THE?? FOOD FOR RE- FLECTION. In the evening Mr. Hodges addressed a Co-operative and Labour demonstra- tion in the Sun Hall, Liverpool. Ho said he spoke to what were described as Liverpool business men aftev- noon. He dared say they were a criti- cal audience, but lie thought- he had stated, the case. for tll-,N miners and the country in such a way as to at I{'a" give th-em considerable food for reflec- I tion. (Cheers.) The miners hv their scheme irere prepared to revitalise 1n- dustry, bnfc bec:vu-e it would produce a great change in the conditions of in- (I s t, r-v their offer was not accepted, and the country, vn coi\«o<{U™cr>J } gradually decline into- bankruptcy wich f all the horrors attending rt. I We ask the Government to give. us a.n opportunity of expressing ourselves. If we cannot get that opportunity we shall ask the Trade Union movement ■in such circumstances to decide whether it will not provide an opportunity of its own. Unless tome radical change ta kes place in our country we are in for a. bad time. You may be called upon to exercise in the near future your will to secure these thing, I do not think in that event you will he wanting." (Cheers.)

I TREBANOS. I MOTOR CYCLE ACCIDENT. The friends of Mr. Alfred Thoma" Griffiths will be pleased to hear that he is rapidly recovering. Mr. Griffiths, who by the way is the son of Mr. Herbert Griffiths, Swansea-road, and manager of the Darren Colliery, was recently riding a piotor-cyele between Nant Caredig and White Mill, when he collided with a Arap. His injuries were very severe, in- cluding four iractured ribs, one of which punctured a lung. His sister, Miss Bron- wen Griffiths, who was in the sidecar at the time, was not so unfortunate, but nevertheless sustained many minor in- juries to the right leg and a black eye. Since the accident Mr. Griffiths has been lying at the Crown Hotel, Carmarthen, but is expected home this week. I WELCOME TO SOLDIERS. Gosen Chapel was filled to overflowing on Sunday evening, the occasion being a sacred concert and the presentation o fthe chapel grant to two returned sol- diers—Messrs. W. R. Davies, Disgwylfa, and W. Hopkins, Gellkmen. The musical programme was as good as one could wish for, comprising solos by Messrs. S. A. Hodge, Trebanos; Mr. E. Telorydd Nicholas. Ystalyfera; Messrs. Dd. Evans and E. Evans, Morriston (National win- ners), and violin solos by Mr. M. Wil- liams, Trebanos. Mr. Rees Williams, Clydach, ably officiated as accompanist. The programme was an exceedingly en- joyable one, while the spirit of welcome to the returned men was everywhere pre- dominant. FARES AGAIN. Our paragraph concerning the bus fares in last week's issue, has given rise too much comment and discussion. Fuel- ing runs- very high- concerning the "Bifttier and a move might be made sooner than is expected. The lady members of St. Michael's and All Angels have inaugurated a sewing class for the winter evenings, and the first was held on Wednesday evening. WELFARE ASSOCIATION. A meeting of the Ponfca.dawe and District Sailors' and Soldiers' Welfare Association was held at the Public In. i stitute on Friday evening, Mr. John Edwards presiding, in the absence of Mr. Chas. G. Gilbertson, J.P., the chair man. Mr. W. H. Howell, secretary, present- ed an interesting report of the work done by the various sub-committees dur- ing the peace celebrations. The Associa- tion entertained about 700 ex-Service men to lunch at the Public Hall on July 24th, 2.250 children were entertained to tea at their various schools, and the same number of souvenirs had been distribut- ed among the children. On October 2nd 60 of the widows and dependents of the fallen were entertained at the schoolroom and each widow had been presented with a Li as a peace gift. The celebratiolli, on peace day, including the ex-Service men's lunch, concert and reunion, the procession and thanksgiving service had cost the Association P,101, while the. entertainment of the widows and depen- dents cost V-31. A sum of gl6 was realised by sale of surplus cake, etc. The most interesting part of the re- port, said the secretary, was the sum of money raised within a week for enter- tainment. of the children. The envelope collection realised approximately £, and donations were:—Messrs. W. Gil- bertson and Co., C-10; Mr. C. G. Gil- bertson, JB5; Lieut.-Com. G. N. Gilbert- son. £ 5; Messrs. Lloyd and Co., £ 3 3s. Mr. D. J. Dowen C 2 2s. making a total of £ 107. The cost of providing the tea in the nine different schools, together with sweets and souvenirs amounted to £10:L thus making a balance of {;3 to tt),e good. t Summarising the items the total cost was £236. with £ 123 as receipts, thus making an actual cost of E113 from the common fund. The report was adopted and i: who decided to publish ths* figures with the general Ktatement of account of the Association in December. vote Councillor Ben Lloyd prop??sed a vote of thanks to the secretary for his ex- cellent report, and also to the varices committee members who had assisted. Ex-Pte. I). Williams (representing the W.N.F.D.D.S.S.) said that it gave him great pleasure in seconding the proposi- tion. Mr. John Edwards in supporting, said the whole thing was highly credit- able and satisfactory. The vote of thanks was carried unanimously.

PLUTOCRAT OF TO-DAY. 1 The identity of a youthful witness at Wille-sden turned on the question of whether he was smoking a cigarette, j asked hy the magistrate if he was doing s ). ho replied, scoiyifully, Me smoking a f,\g! I was smoking a cigar. 1

jDerwen Road Bridge. I Facts Concerning an Ystrad. I gynlais Controversy. Considerable controversy as to the t&k- ing over of the Derwen-road bridge, has been in progress for som^ years and has now come to a head. It is not our pur- pose to argue in these columns the prcta and cons of the business, whether the Council should take the bridge over, or whether the committee has acted wisely 5h the past, but without prejudice to tho points at issue we give below a few facts as supplied by tita Rev. D. J. Davies. Ystradgvnlais, chairman of the committee. The facts are as follows r— 1- The Council, through the meditup of the road and bridge, has received hundreds of pounds in rates, and receives a large sum annually. No road of He length in the district pays so well. 2-It connects t.h <? most populous arp-ae in the district, the old and the new Y stradgynlais. 3-Th,t, bridge saves a walk of fit least a quarter of an hour each way tc the workmen employed at the Ynisc-ed- wyn and the Ystradgvnlais Collieries. The joint committee of the collieries h&e passed a resolution asking the Council to build a new bridge and road. 5—The committee w ho erected the first bridge also built the second, and constructed a road at a cost of hun- dreds of pounds, money they now owe to the banks. 6-At an L.G.B. inquiry the Commis- sioner expressed the opinion that the committee should be compensated. 7—If the bridge di dnot exist it wopld mean a great inconvenience to the child- ren residing at Bryn-road and Brecon- road. The consequent erratic attendances at school would reflect upon the grante. 8-All the building materials, machin- ery and stores, connected with tbe power station are conveye d by the road and bridge. The Council will probab- ly take over the power station within a year. 9—Th« Council has had the questiur, of dedication before it for over nine years. 10—The money contributed by the public has gone to assist in paying the interest. The accounts can be examined by an authorised auditor at any time. 11—If the road and bridge is proved to be of such service to the public it is only fair that the Council should take: the bridge over, levy a voluntary rate, and relieve the committee after nine years of anxiety. The prize drawing arranged for Sep- tember of last year was postponed owing to war conditions. It wiU be held this year, and the committee who are but a few in number invite volunteers for the sale of tickete.

Burial of Madame Patti. The remains of the late Baronef-s Cedcrstroui (Madam Patti), Craig-y- Nos Cattle, whose death occurred em September 29th. were conveyed by hearse to Craig-y-Noe Station on Friday morning last. The body had been lying in the Castle Oratory since the day of her demise, and a mass and burial ser- vice was held at the custle, conducted by Canon W. Tunicane, of Brecon. The cortege left the castL H a.m., and the procession consisted of the house- hold staff, the castle employes, tenants, local farmers, and several local inhabi- tants. At the station the body was placed iu a special saloon attached to the mid-dev train for Colbren, where it was trans- ferred to the Neath railway. The chief mourners who accompanied the body were Baron Cederstrom and his brother. Baron Gustav Cederstrom. The saloon left Neath at 2 p.m.. fnd arrived at Paddmgton during the evening Tlw body was then convoyed to Kensal Grern ,vlier it rest,, Afnr-s Church (R.C.), Lklon-street. The yerv Rov Canon Fleming co^ou-d a sorvieG at the churc.'i on. Saiurda, morning, after which the coffin was 1,M in a vault., pending the completion of the vault at. Pere la Chaise Cemetery, Paris, w-hcre she will he ultimately buried. The ar- rangements were in the hands of Me"}., Ben Evans and Co.. Swansea. Amongst the floral tributes were the ioJmving:—Baron (Wh-m rorn, Baron and Baroness Gustaf Cederstrom, Baron de Tier, Mary, Mabd. Ann. Dick Wood- ford, Mr". Rufford. Madnm Ada Cross- •ley, London; George Adelina, Albert and Harry. Mrs. Allcovk, Mr. and Mr- iulley, Kitty. Mrs. Burgess, London; Lr.f,y White Todd, Mrs. Tedrotte and )1is C.r.rohr^. Baiunlerster,. Gilbertson. Aberc-rave Mr. nnd Mrs. Moore Gwynne. Mr. Charlie Heck. 1H- I duo!" and Outdoor Staff, Dr. Watson, Ab.rcraw:. Rev. J. Hughes, CaJIwen. --¡ ¿-