Pioneer

¡. South Wales Miners'll ? Conference.  MR. WINSTONE'S PRESIDENTIAL AD- DRESS. I J THE TASK OF DEMOCRACY. There were 267 delegates representing 144.961 members—present at the annual con- ference of the S.W.M.F., over which Sir. James WilJstoJile presided, at Cardiff on Monday. In hip interesting presidential address Mr. Winst.ont said: "I know of no year within my -long experience more strenuous, more exacting, Caught with greater difficulties or graver is- sues than the one that has just passed and .gone. Unfortunately the year will go down on the records of history as one in which the nwst highly civilised v nations of Europe were "engaged in the most cruel, barbaric, devastat- ing wars the world has ever known. Straining to almost breaking point the economic and fi- nancial resources of the nations involved; laying Waste their greatest, most valuable an d bright- est treasures by destroy.ng the most virile and noblest of their young manhood. Whether the responsibility for this, the greatest crime ever ;1)erpetra.ted against the human race, rests on .1 Dur capitalistic systems on our method of secret 'diplomacy, on the kings, or on the Kaiser or whethei- it rests on the fact that the workers of the world have produced so much wealth, and have not been wise enough to take their 'share is not for me to determine for the mo- tnent. it is the imperative dutT' of the Labour Jirid Democratic forces to see that the responsi- bility is brought home to its proper source and "those causes removed, so that the Democrac- ies of the earth shall not again be inveigled in- to another Armageddon. The whole war is a v "ver-r- sad reflection on the efficacv of Christian teaching throughout the world, ■ and of our much-vaunted civilising power. Especially so when we remember that during the last fifty years through the progress in education, ad- vancement in science, and engineering, we have been able to almost harness the universe. We have brought Continent within speaking dist- ance of Continent tapped sources of knowledge, reservoirs of wealth undreamt of bv our fore- fathers, and we might have used them to give life to the people, and to give it more abun- dantly. But we arc pouring our wealth like a. "river to destroy the most sacred thing in the 'Ivoi,, [(]-III] ilia n life—and to pile up a. colossal 'd0bt The 'Morning Post' says that if the war continues for another year it will cost this "^ounti'v ;C4,000,000,1006. That you will agree Js a stupendous figure. Rising this figure at 5 per cent. or it may be 6 per cent., that is £ 2(10,000.000 yearly. With the pension allow- ce; it must mean an additional expenditure of £ 300.IXX);000 per annum. If we add our former 'lire-war expenditure of £ 200.000,000, it means that we shall have to raise a revenue of £ 500 000,000 in future years. I would not have touched upon these figures at all, only I feel it my bounden duty to utter a word of "gai ning so as to put you on your guard. For ■signs are not wanting even now, in the midst *Of all our national responsibilities, that the capitalistic classes are straining every nerve to 180 re-arrange our fiscal system as to place the greater part of the burden of the war through ll'(lired taxation on to the shoulders of the forking classes. On*- d-utv will be in the inte- l't of the men we represent to see to it that th" payment for the war is made out of the profits accruing from the nations' in- tlustriee, and OUT industrial system must be re- arranged on an entirely new basis. Had the 'Government taken ever the shipping and the mines instead of allowing the owners to use the war as a means to fleece the British public, '!ld pay a part of the proceeds into the Na- tional Exchequer.^ the people of this country Would have been in a much sounder economic Position than they are to-day. There will be a J flgh.t. and I hope the workers will not be so i i 'Oolish as to be led astray by false economists. This matter must be discussed in the lodges t iir Without passion and in the light of reason. An- W "ofher matter which must be dealt with is that -of an MIEI ease to the Old-Age Pensioners. I feel this is a matter whih will receive your Wliole-hearted support, for the high cost of liv-  ?g has reduced the paltrv 5/- to about 3/ and tins as the support of the most helpless and! '^Pi'ving sectioN of the community. Mr. Lloyd v George boasted of the number of old people who i ?culd be brought out of of the workhouses by th(, Old Age Pensions Act, but they must in- ?vitabiy return unless their case is met. The National Credit has been pledged to produce ) ^'Iver bullets it m.nst be pledged to meet this Charge. ;? ? Coming to the work of our own industry, we *ave sMi to regret the enormously large pre- :\5, "ventable deaths and accident rates which occur J* and continue without abtement in and about t%,e mmes of Britain, and in no district more ?o than South W ale, though, fortunately, we '?ave not had an explosion of any magnitude ?u.ring the year. Still, the death and accident ?tes among our men are much higher than ?hey would be were we to place a true value on S ?Uman life. In 1914 there were 1,205 separate ..? fatal accidents in and about the mines of Great ti,it-ain causing the deaths of 1,243 persons. i 1 the same year, over the same area, there ? 'W'Bve 160,486 persons injured by accidents, dis- bhg them for more than 7 days; and in 1915 there were 1,202 separate fatal accidents, cau- S|iig the deaths of 1,289 persons. I regret to say that no figures having reference to the injuries _n accidents have been kept owing to the ar, In the South Wales (or No. 5 Division) !n 1914 there were 368 separate fatal accidents, fusing the deaths of 377 persons, or nearly 8 weekly. During the same year, over the taulearea, there were 31,589 persons injured by accidents disabling them for more than 7 days. 11 1915 there were 317 separate fatal acoid- ents. causing the deaths of 328 persons. Arising ? ?it of this, I feel I ought to menlion some ??'y important experiments that have taken at the Government testing station at Esk- ?M?s. in Cumberland. Two important points IJere brought out: -(1) It is easily possible to mTe a very violent coal dust explosion without llw-e explosive gas; (2) that stone dust, if ? L??ed with coa4 dust in the proportion of one one I w!11 minimise, if not entirely prevent, ?? e spreading of a coal dust explosion. The ^tter seems very satisfwtory so far as it goes, ff^t there is a danger unless the stone dust us- is ?Rc??o?. The Home Office and the mem- j?? of your National Executive are carefully atching this point, and the latter are insist- '?g on the urgent need for the provision of "?st-proof trams. In th,- final report of the Committee on Re- ltenehment in PuMic Expenditure with Mr. IcKeraia as Chairman, it is suggested that ? e reduction should be made in the am- j nt of the Hom? OEce expenditure by refr&in ? during the war from filling vacant inspec- r., ates of Factories and Mines. We know that of the 15 Ino1"8 for the South WaJes ?sion are on military service; others Me ^ing on MiUtary Tribunals. I think we 'ouM protest against the absence of those ?' [ men or against the suggeston not to fill the va- cancies, for we must remember that every year sees just about half a million serious accid- ents m our factories and mines. And every day of the year over one thousand workers are killed, rnaimed or badly hurt. The inspectorate may not be all we desire, but.1 am certain we cannot afford to lose their services at a time when it is very necessary, and the employers are seeking to maximise the output from our mines, which renders it necessary that the in- spectors should carefully guard against the em- ployment of young persons under the age al- lowed bv the Mines Act. "Passing on to the economic aspect of the year's work, we are entitled to congratulate our- selves. The signing of the Conciliation Board Agreement of 1915 marks a new epoch in the history of South Wales and Monmouthshire, and a new regime so far as the rights and liberties of the workmen, are concerned. This, I believe, is the first instance in all the years that have passed that the Miners' Federation has been acknowledged in any agreement made between the colliery owners and their employ- ees. It is the first time for the agreement to em brace all future members of the '-N,liners' Federation, as well as members existing at the time of the signing of the agreement; and we have thus been able to safeguard the rights of the future generation, and enable them to par- ticipate in the privileges secured for them by the energies of the Federation. I feel sure the rights of the individual have not only been re- cognised as vested in the Federation, but for the purpose of contractual relationships the Federation itself is treated as an individual emoodying all his rights and having all the at- tributes of each individual workman. L3.Sitly- tardily, perhaps but nevertheless truly the colliery owners have recognised the full purport and purposes of the Federation by making it a condition precedent to obtaining any of the benefits contained in the agreement that the workmen to whom they are to apply are to be, and to only be; members of the S.W.M..F, "Wo have been able, through a decision of thelate Sir Lawrence Goome, to delete from Lord St. Aldwyn's Award all the disabling rules as they affected day wage workers. We have been able to establish a new 1915 Standard Rate by adding 50 per cent. to the minimum rates in Lord St. Aldwyn's Award, or by other adjustments. With a minimum standard of not ]es^ than t5 J per shift for all underground and sul fate workers. We have thus laid a sure foun- dation which this organisation had been striving for for many years, and which must be pro- tected with all the power at our disposal. We have obtained a bonus turn for a large percent- age of afternoon and night workers of from 61 to 10 1- weekly; an d the maximum has been removed. One calculation of the increase of wages rea- lised by the South Wales miners states a total at the rate of nearly 5 million steading per ai linn! This estimate, however has been challenged as excessive, but an estimate of 3 million sterling per annum is not questioned. If we accept the latter figure it is an achievement of which we may well feel proud. In saying this it must not be understood that I am satis- fied with the recent decisions of the Independ- ent Chairmen. "Another aspect of the year's work was the opposition to the Munitions Act, in which we won our point. But we are stil under the Defence of the Realm Act. which has destroyed the very foundation of British liberrty by pro- secuting, lining and imprisoning His Majesty's subjects, without open trial, ft is a disgrace to us as Britishers that, while, our noblest suns are sacrificing themselves in defence of liberty and justice, we are being deprived of these very principles at home. Conscfiption has be- come a. reality. It has been one of the most diabolical plots ever engineerd by the capitalist classes and landlord classes, and engineered for no other purpose than to enslave the workers. This will be more fully realised after the war has past and gone. The days through which we have passed during the year have been very trying and very exacting, but the days of the future will be more trying. There is, there- fore, greater necessity for consolidating our tor cos. After the war demobilisation of the army will commence; we hope it may take place gradually, for there is every indication that there will be lack of capital, with high rates of interest, depression of trade involving unem- ployment. The price of food will remain high; maimed soldiers will have returned, for whom ample provision must be made without the taint of pauperism or the brand of charity in any form. I feel sure you will agree that it is the bounden duty of this organisation, in con- junction with the parent body and the Triple Alliance, to protect the workers' rights in every way possible. The growing part which the Welsh miners are destined to take through their industrial and political organisation in freeing industry from monopoly and privilege is but in its in- fancy. It has already saved the soul of the T'rades Union movement in this country in a very exceptional crisis. The loyalty of the rank and fiie to the hnding of Conference decision was everything that could be desired. If the same loyalty is maintained in the industrial and polit- ical contests of the future. success is assured to tke Labour movement in Wales. But we must remember with gratitude that the present state of our organisation has been made possible only through much labour, sacrifice and loyalty to principles. Men laboured before our day to instil the principles of Freedom of Justice of Right-mmdedness into the lives of the people. The work of these men to whom we are so deeply indebted can only be continued by loyalty to the principles for which they fought and won and for which some of them died. We indeed owe a debt to the fighters of the past which we shall never be able to repay. We owe a duty to the present which necessitates the ap- plication of every fibre of our beings. We owe a duty to the future commensurate only with our indebtedness to the past. Let us, therefore, be Labour men in deed and in truth. Standing strong and firm and true. Let the last victory be but the birth place of a greater forward movement for the industrial and political emancipation of the wealth producers, and in the promotion of peace, good fetlowship and brotherhood among the peoples of the earth. Let us endeavour to see to it that these truths shall dominate our actions in future. 'In things essential, unity; in things doubtful, liberty; in all things, charity.' 71 Ambulance Levy Rejected. I The followign was the result of the miners' f ballot for a levy for ambulance cars at the I front: For 69,788 Against 67,68e Maiority against 7,894

PROPAGANDA, NOT PROFIT," t is the motto of the "Pioneer Press." If you. are aiive to the tremendous social improve- ments that the Party the Pioneer represents stands for, then it is your duty to ail that all your Trades Union, Co-operative, and General Printing comes to Wifliams, Square, Merthyr. the Home of the Pioneer."

PONTYPRIDD. I Mr. A. J. Cook severely chastised Mr. Ben Davies, J.P., miners' agent, in the morning press this week, for claiming that the conscien- tious objector was of the non-Union ilk a statement he wished Mr. Davies to repeat pub- licly before him or at the pit-hea.d.. Davies is on the local Tribunal. Mr. Oooke is an ex- Central Labour College student, and chairman of the Lewis-Merthyr Colliery Workmen, Tre- hafod.

THE GWALIA GLEE SOCIETY. I (To the Editor of the PIONEER.) I Sir,—Kindly allow me a space in your paper I to reply to an article which appeared in your last week's issue. The article was as amusing as it was of interest, and only served to detract attention from the other articles written in your paper. To summarise, your correspondent wrote saying how perturbed he was at having been debarred from the singing party, as he was as as anxious to entertain the unfortunate wound- ed as anyone. Now lie writes criticising the Society because it tunes, or. as he asserts, continues to tune our heroes contrary to their pacific nature. Being that he was so anxious to join the Glee Society, are we to infer that HE would be a party to tune them in that di- rection? Upon his own assertion he admits it is a party to entertain the soldiers. He also be- lieves that he could help amd entertain the wounded; furthermore, that it is 1* who has the real right of so doing. Monopoly of opin- ion is quite a new innovation." It is obvious that it is not the woundad soldiers that become the channel to express malice, but it is the sing- ing party upon which he has centred as a means of expounding his spasmodic outburst of philosophy, which at its best is best left to evaporate. That a few packets of cigarettes could have the military power of keeping back kith and kin from the army is amusing. We should be glad to learn which brand he has been sampling ? How peculiar it seems that those who do not wish their names to be attached to Prussianism should, comparatively, be the first to do so to others; meanwhile seeing that Prussianism is giving its last kick, that some so called Socialists should be the first to resur- rect what others are helping to bury.—Yours, etc.. GLADIATOR. I

A SUGGESTION. I (Tn the Editor of the PIONEER.) I Sir ;Afte,r making a study of the Press re- ports of the Tribunal proceedings, I have come to the conclusion that the most war-like of the people are still left behind, and for military purposes unrecognisied. I believe we should start a campaign to alter the military age. This should be a splendid opportunity for the women to make good and keep on agitating wntil every able-bodied man between the ages of 45 and 70 is a soldier. With generals like Blatchford and Bottomley in command, there would be somm war. I don't think.—Yours, etc., Pontypridd. J. HARRIS. I

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The Appeal Tribunal. I MOUNTAIN ASH CASES. I The Appeal Tribunal for Glamorganshire met at Pontypridd last Friday. Mr. O. H. Jones (Fon-Mon) presided. Many miners claimed ex- emptions on conscientious grounds, but every one of these cases was adjourned. It was understood that these applicants would be allowed to appeal on conscientious grounds should the need arise. The Tribunal met in private, but the Press were admitted. John J. Beckerlegge, school teacher, appeal- ed against the decision of the Mountain Ash Tribunal, which reported that the claim was unreal and unreasonable.—The appellant claim- ed exemption on religious and moral grounds. He stated that he was engaged on work which he thought of national importance.-N on-COill- batant service. No further appeal. Had Bought a Flag. Charles Henry Tucker, a member of the Sons cf God, was told that in the opinion of the local Tribunal he knew only the shadow of religion and not its substance. He admitted having bought a flp,Appea-I dismissed. The local Tribunal reported that Walter Rees (a dentist) had a. string prejudice against mili- tary control.—Appeal dismissed. I M, Wal;er Long Ignored. Mr. Edward Roberts appeared on behalf of a number of conscientious objectors. He stated that Mr. Walter Long was about to issue new regulations dealing with the position of the conscientious objector, and asked that certain cases sho'uid be adjourned ponding the arrival of these nfew regulations.—The Chairman re- fused the application on the ground that Mr. Walter Long could not alter an Act of Par- liament. Mr. Tom Griffiths' appelaJ was dismissed. Mr. Hugh Powell appealed against the deci- sion of the local Tribunal to place him in non- combatant service. He produced evidence to show that he had been a pacifist for seven years.—A Member of the Tribunal: What peace society do you belong to?—Mr. Powell: The Union of Democratic Control and the No-Con- scription Fellowship.—Appeal dismissed. Mr. Percy Kendall, an Abercynon platelayer, was told that the local Tribunal reported him as "inùifferent." His employers could dis- pense with him. He was a member of the Labour Party.—Chairman: What place of worship do you aUend ?-Applicant: I go round them all. —Appeal dismissed. Aneurin Roberts, school teacher, appealed against the decision of the local TribunaJ. On the form the Tribunal stated that it was an unreal and unreasonable claim. Besides. Mr. Roberts had stated he was a member of the Baptist Denomination.—Appeal dismissed. Mr. Bethuel Morgan, a student who had left college owing to his refusal to afctest v or en- list, referred to the fact that the local Tribunal had been decidedly biassed.— Non-combattant; no further appeal. Mr T. J. Rees, in the employ of Mr. D. Ernest Williams, appealed.—A Member of the Tribunal: Who is this D. Ernest Williams P --Alderman Jones: A Mountain Ash dentist.— Appeal dismissed. George Neighbour appealed against the deci- sion of the local Tribunal.—Rev. Geo. Neigh- bour stated that his son had been all his life in an anti-militarist and anti-war home.— Non-combatant service.—Mr. Neighbour: That won't do. He'll prove he's got a. conscience. No appeel. Emrys Hughes, school teacher, appealed. The Mountain Ash Tribunal stated that the appli'c- ar.¡ had not satisfied them tha he held a conscientious objection on mo or religious grounds. It was fully political and directed ag- ainst military authority and control.—Chair- man What religious denomination do you be- long to?—Applicant: None.—Chairman: What are your objections ?—Applicant: I am a So- cialist and a member of the Independent Lab- our Party. I believe the peoples of Europe are engaged in mutual slaughter in the interests of their rulers. I refuse to take part in it.—A Member of the Tribunal: What have you been doing here all day?—Applicant: Representing the PIONEER.—Dismissed, no appeal. Gwilym Smith, school teacher, was told that the local Tribunal had reported that his atti- tude was unreal and unreasonable. The fact that he had refmsed to join the Territorials while at Exeter College several years ago was insuf- ncient. evidence. Mr. Smith stated that he be- lieved in God, and that all military efforts were oontrarv to Divine law. He was fighting for future posterity.—Non-combatant; no ap- peal. An applicant with one eye appealed, but his case was dismissed. A hunchback was refused exemption.

YSTALYFERA. I N.C..F.—The weekly meeting of the Swansea Valley Branch of the N.C.F. was held at the I.L.P. Hall, Ystalyfera. The chief question discussed was the Convention which is to be held in London on April 8. It was decided to send two delegates, and those selected were Messrs. Lewis Wathan and Tom Evans (secre- tary). The members had a visitor in the per- son of Mr Isaac Shepherd, of the Pontypridd Branch, who gave a very interesting report re- garding the organisation of his branch, and al- so the proceedings at their local Tribunal. TARRENI COLLIERY.—The armature of the electric engine broke last Saturday morning, and work was stopped. It will be some days before it will be repaired, and so the colliery is thrown idle.—The management secured ex- emption for all the underground workers at the Colliery Tribunal held at Swansea last Satur- day. A few surface workers could be spared, and so were not exempted.

SMALL PREPAID ADVERTISEMENTS. One In- Three In- Six In- sertion. sertions. sertions. s. d. s. d. a. d. 20 words 0 6 10 19 30 words 0 9 1 6 2 9 40 words 1 0 2 0 3 6 50 words 1 3 2 6 4 6 60 words l e 3 '0 5 6 In all cases the t*ame and Address are counted as part of the Advertisement. These prices apply only to Advertisements ordered for consecutive insertions and which are prepaid. Medical. O A -PAGE BOOK ABOUT HERBS AND HOW TO USE THEM, post free. Send for one. TRIMNELL, THic HERBALIST, 144 RICHMOND ROAD, CARDIFF. Established 1879. Literary. I^NITARIAN PAMPHLETS on "The Bible," J "Heaven," and "Hell,? given poet free.—Miss BABMBY, Mount Pleasant, Sidmouth A N Educative Percentage Book for Minera .L and Colliry Clerks post free 5d.- E. EvANS, 38 Church Street, Penydarren, Merthyr. M if-ce I Ian eaa-q A STROLOGY.—Life events, changes, for- —TL tunate days, business success, matri- mony two years' future added; send birth date, 1/- P.O. Prof. GOULD, "The Nook." Heathfield Road, Cardiff.

j W- N.C. F. Emergency Convention to be Held. TO CONSIDER MAL-ADMINISTRATION OF ACT. An Emergence National Convention has been Isummoned by the No-Conscription Fellowship to meet in London on April 8. The Convention will be attended by about 1.000 delegates and members representing Con- scientious Objectors subject to the Military Ser- vice Act in every district in the country. The business of the Convention will be ro consider the grave situation arising from the admitted mal-adminisration of the Act, and to cpnsider what steps should be taken by and on behalf of Conscientious Objectors who have ap- plied, without success, for absolute exemption from the provisions of the Act.

The Electric Theatre. Press opinions, together with patrons' opinr- ions, of the superlative programmes shown by Mr. Bowen, are unanmous that his judgment for catering to vast audiences daily is beyond reproach. To-day and to-morrow he has again brought to our notice a special brand new film which can only be seen at the Electric, entitled "The House of a Thousand Candles." The distinguishing feature of this production is the delightful photography, which is really exquisite. The gardens with winding paths, beau tiful floriculture, lakes and delightful perspec- tives are indeed dreams of beauty. Thorough- ness is the keynote of this filmed version from the play and novel by Meredith Nicholson. At the Park Hall, Cardiff, last week, this picture was proclaimed by everyone as the best thjf have ever'witnessed; and judging bv the crowds who attended the Electric last night the picture will meet with a big reception to-day and to- morrow. There is also a neatly arranged prog- ramme of exclusive subjects—dramas, comics and interest —which alone are well worth a visit. On Monday next and the following two days, ".J ohn Glayde's Honour" will be the chief at- traction. If it cannot be said that Mr Alfred Sutro. in writiiig." John Glayde's Honour," hit across a very original theme for ldhe stage, it cannot be denied that he provided the plot and atmosphere of a storv which is extremely well suited to the film. For it is a storv of vivid contrasts, strong lights being thrown throughout on two widely varied characters. It is purely a domestic drama but in confining itself to the home circle and martial relations, it manages to present a picture which has yet to be surpassed for strength and subtlety. The caste is precisely the same as appeared in "Builder of Bridges," and is produced by the Frohman Amusement Co. On Thursday next, Margarita Fischer again occupies the screen at the Electric, where she is a pronounced favourite, in a oicture given the title of Infatuation," which is a strong story enacted in a bold way, and is adapted from the novel by Lloyd Osbourne, co-author with Robert Louis Stevenson. Next week pro- mises to be a red-letter week with such extraor- dinary programmes.

YSTRADGYNLAIS THE LOCAL TRIHTTNAL.—Ystradgynlais District Council met together last Thursday to discuss protests from the miners' lodges and the I.L.P. respecting the Council's action in replacing a Labour representative on the Tribunal by an employer of labour. The Yniscedwyn and Ys- tradfawr Lodrie sent in the name of an I.L.P'er —Mr. Lewis Thomas, Brecon Road-as also did the local branch of the I.L.P.. for the conside- ration of the Council. The Diamond Lodge sub- mitted that two Labour representatives be appointed. As the result of these protestations the Council decided to appoint two Labour men is the persons of Mr. Lewis Thomas. Brecon Road, and County Councillor Tom Prosser Jones (checkweigber)-both members of the I.L.P.

PIONEER SHILLING FUND [ (Week ending March 31.) I 8hilling Fund. s. d. Manseli Greenfell, Gorseinon 20 0 D Lloyd, Aoordare 10 0 D. J. Lewis, Troedyrhiw 1 0 George Williams. 1 0 Nemo 2 6 Prince Llewelyn Lodge, S.W.M.F., Dowlais 20 0 Anon 2 0 Total L2 16 6 Share Capital. £ s. d. Bargoed l.L.P. Brandl. 2 0 0 Bargoed Pioneer League 0 10 0 ,ue 0 10 0 W. J. Francis 0 10 0 Sam Morgan 0 10 0 t3 10 0