Pioneer

Tonyrefail Notes. I A Foolish Belief. Excitement and commotion is the ruling or- I' der of the day. Emotion and passionate feel- ings are dangerous at all times— much more in these days. If one is fortunate enough to resist and evade the blizzard of the prevailing ruthful feelings of the majority of the public, what a queer- perception and outlook we ex- perience, The whole populace of the disltfict ¡ was in a commotion over the arrest of T. H. Newman. And from what we learn a great many people entirely misunderstood the posi- tion andf the cause of the arrest. Many people refused to buy the Pioneer." being obsessed with the idea that ffiie "Pioneer" is an illegal paper, and that Newman was arrested for sell- ing the same. That/is false. The "Pioneer" lias nothing to do with the arrest at all. The sale of the "Pioneer" is pet-fect?- the same as any other paper. We hope that those people who were former readers of this true champion of the workers and the organ of the rank and file will again purchase the "Pioneer" and take an active interest in the welfare of the working class. It is rather surprising that the workers will permit and even assist in persecuting those who always endeavour to do all they can for the workers' cause. A truly hard and difficult time, a true champion of any good cause gets as his reward for his services. But he that will en- dure unto the end shall receive the crown of life. Another Conscientious Objector Taken, Another arrest of a Conscientious Objector took place on May 18, najnely, Aneurin Par- ker, of Cyinimer, Forth. He was taken to the Police Court, fined, and handed over to the military authorities. ^Parker remained at Porth Police Court awaiting an escort until Saturday (May 20), when he was removed to Cardiff, and fe now at the Maindv Barnacks. Aneurin Parker is well known in t?e Valley, and was a cat director at the Tonypandy Hippodrome. Coed Ely Coke Workers. I The coke workers hold a meeting on May 18 to consider the important question of wages. The question is asked: "What's the matter with them ? Are they having a Jiying wage for seven days' labour?" They have got three weeks to think the matter over—a matter of suoh importance as the sustenance of life. If it was not for the love of life, many would perish in the meantime. Mr D. Edwards has been appointed secretaup .of the lodge. Our True Function, I It might be informing to state that the "Pioneer" is NOT the organ of the Conscientious Objectors, bmt the organ of the rank and file of ti1 Democratic movement. The official organ of the Conscientious Objector is the "Tribunal." I

The Bardic Piece RECITED IN HONOUR OF D. R. GREN- FELL ON HIS INDUCTION AS AGENT. •JLhe following is the bardie piece recited by Gwilym Bedw at the induction of Mr. Gren- fell, reported in "'C)httrn's" roi-seinou Notes of last week:- Mae llwybrau a meuaydd Cymrn Yn gwynnu dan flodeu Mai, A thoriad y feisdon ar draethell aur, Awgryma am lanw a thrai: Mae natur yn dweyd am y "deffro, Deffrosad i fywyd gwell, Ond swn y megnyl awgrvma'n brudd Fod "deffro" y Werin vi-nholl. Ond heddyw er trymed yr atswn, Awgryma am gloion a lllt Syn mynn. eadwyno meibioa v wlad Yng ngrym y rhyferthwy gwyllt, Diolch am asnbell i orig I gofio y miliwr di-gledd, Sydd hedc^ vv yn brwydro am HAWL I FYW, A cheisio cael Iawnder i'w sedd. Wei, wel dyma y dyrfa lieno Yn taro rhvw nuwydd gainc, I foli arwyr yng Nghymru fad,— Nicl afwyr o rhiwle yn Ffraino; Mae ymladd dros lawndet- a Rhyddid A herio cadwynau heyrn Mot* bwysig 1 r werin a chamu'r don I ymladd dros wlad a theyrn. I Molir y milwr heddyw Dychwela 'n flin dan ei graith, I Ond wedi.'r rhyfel daw 'r gwawd yn ol Pan hawlia gyfiawnder a gwaith; Ond dioloh am ambell i weitfhiwr A'i XlSpryd. a'i sel yn fflam, Syn dal i ymladd dros iawnder dyn Er trymed y gadwyn a'r cam, Sefydlwa yn unol heno Swyddogion y glowyr lion. Corn olew'r fendith a roddwn i Grenfetl a David John; Gwyddom am sel ein cyfeiliion I ymladd dros lawnder a Hedd, A cbfvyfio baner Y DYJJBIAU GWBLL Uwch brwydrau di-waed a digledd, Wrth gwrs, bu brwydr i'w chofio Am lawryf sefyllfa a Swydd, A dyma glwyfedig heno yn rhoi Dvmuniad am fendith a llwydd: Fv nghariad rof er fy nghuro I'r ddaai wrth gychwyn eu gwaith,— Cariad vn unig a ylch i ffwrdd Olion y ddyfnaf graith. Gwyl Mai hoff lowyr y Dosbarth Wna heno y dyrfa yn lion. Rhoi bywyd gwell i Undebmeth y cylch Fo Grenfell a David^Johnj Er rhuad i,.iagnelau'r (iv a,nctir Rhaid cofio y gweithiwr o hyd, Blagured eu hymdrech a'u sel yn dlws Dros feusydd y Dosbarth i gyd. Unwn, unwn o galon I roddi rhwydd hvnt i'r ddau, A chofiwn yn vstod v blwyddi ddfeaw Na fyddo ein sei yn llai; Codwn eu breichiau i f.vriy.— Mewn Undeb o hyd iryae" A chofiwn fod ymladd dros Iawnder a BBDD Yn dal hyd byth yn ei werth, Daliwn eu breichie-u i hnv, Mae'r gelyn y nerth ol a hyf. Drwy nert k Lindebiaeth a sel yn fflan II Mae llorio'r gelynion cryf; Daliwn en breichiau i fyny I ymladd brwydrau di-gledd. I Pan dawo'r megnyl bydd lawnder o hyd ¡' Am gerdded yn gadarn i'w sedd. W. J. JONES (Gwilym Bedw). I Birchgrove, Mai 13, 1916.

The Tonyrefail Sedition Charge. I STIPENDIARY'S FAIR APPRECIATION OF I THE ISSUE, MAN WITH "PIONEERS" BOUND OVER. I It. is pleasing t& learn that even in these I days justice can and is bemg meted out by some of our judges. Those who have been sub- ject to the decisions and "impartial judgments" of the Tribunals, and the continued persecution of the public in various ways, have almost given up hope to expect the slightest admin- istration of justice from even those who really I' administer it, because of some of the incompet- ent and unscrupulous administrators of the Jaw. T8 receive justice makes better men of I us, even if perchance one has trangressed the law. To mete out injustice makes criminals of men. There is no reforming power in pun- ishment. Great satisfaction is felt at the justice meted out to T. H. Newman, 71 Prit- chard Street, Tonyrefail, by the Stipendiary Magistrate (Mr D. Lleufer Thomas) at Ystrad I on Monday last, May 22. Newman was arrest- ed at his home on Friday, May 19, at 4p.m. He was taken to the Police Station, and there kept in custody until Saturday (the following morning). Afterwards he was brought before the Magistrate at Pontypridd on a charge of I making certain statements likely to prejudice recruiting, and likely to cause disaffection to His Majesty's Forces. Newman was remanded until Monday in custody, bail being refused. On Monday he was brought to Ystrad before the Stipendiary on the above charge. The chief prosecuting witness was Sergt. D. Jones. Sergeant Jones (in khaki), in the witness box, f said that on Saturday, May 13, he stood on the Tonyrefail Square when Newman approach- ed, selling the "Pioneer." He asked Newman if the "Pioneer" was a local paper, and receiv- ed the reply, "No." He then stated that the conversation led from one thing to another, and got rather heated. He alleged that New- man made certain disloyal statements with respect to royalty, and that he would not fight for them. Sergeant Jones then said that they were not fighting for royalty, but for liberty and freedom, to which Newman replied: "How could he make out that we were fighting for freedom when men were shot down in Ireland for fighting for freedom P" Further, he alleged that Newman had said that the maintenance of soldiers' wives was inadequate, and that while they were fighting their wives depended upon ckarity. This the Sergeant denied, and stated that the dependents of soldiers were amply pro- vided :Bbr by the authorities, if only the sol- diers' wives would keep away from the Boar's Head Hotel and the Red Cow Inn. Also, he alleged that Newman had made references to some soldier who was punished into submission I in Kin me I Park whose name he could not re- member. After the discussion had ended, he went in search of Police-Sergeant Watkins to state the case to him. Sergeant Jones, m reply to Mr Idris Price's (solicitor) question, said that he stated that he would line against the wall all Conscientious Objectors, and shoot them one by one at a penny a. time. At this. the Stipendiary commented that Parliament had recognised and made provision I for all bona-ifde Conscientious Objectors. And in giving judgment said that he ought to be ashamed to make such a statement. I The second witness for the prosecution was Mr Phil Jones, who claimed to be a profession- al singer. He corroborated most of the other witness's statements; and in addition stated that he had threatened Newman that "he would take hold of his throat, and shake out his liver." In answer to the solicitor's question "whether Newman had made a remark that he was more productive and useful than he was," he replied that he did not wish to bring that forward, at all. Polioe-Sergeant Watkins then related the arrest, with a second warrant to search New- man's house. He said that he found a circu- lar of the N.C.F. and a leaflet, "The Tramp and the Worker" (by Tolstoy), a "Tribunal," several pamphlets, and some copies of the "Pioneer," which was the organ of the Con- scientious Objector. He had taken consider- able trouble to read them, and had marked several passages in the various pamphlets which he handed over to the Stipendiary to read. The Stipendiary, after a joke, said he hoped that. Sergeant Watkins had not been influenced by "such stuff, and still remained a loyal sub- ject. The Stipendiary, after reading some passages from a few of them, satd he did not require, and would not consider any more now. That, they were not relevant to the charge, Seigeant Watkins then stated that Newman was a member of the Tonyrefail Branch of the N,O,]i', and a member of tIll) Labour Party. At thia. the Stipendiary said: "I think the Member for Parliament (Mr William Brace), who is also a member of the Government, is a member of that party, too. "-Furtbeii- Sergt. Watkins said that Newman sold the "Pioneer," which was the organ of the Conscientious Ob- jectors.—In giving Newman's character, he stated that Newman had resided in Tonyrefail for many years, and that he bore, a good char- acter in every respect, and was very good to his family. Mr Idris Price (solicitor) then addressed the Bench on behalf of the defendant. He stated that Newman had admitted that he had made certain statements that he should not have said at the present, and that he was sorry for it. That it was not. with ativ intention to prejudice recruiting, but that it was a private discussi-on which became heated and these things were said on e impulse of the mo- ment, And having regard to the fact that Newman was a married man and of good cha- racter he hoped that the Bench would consider him accordingly. In giving judgment, the Stipendiary spoke of the need of solidarity at the pjeseni time, and observed that it was very foolish and in- discreet on defendant's part to allow himself to be led into such trouble and he ought to be ashamed to make such statements. Also, that the soldier ought to be ashamed of making the remarks he did with, regards to Conscientious Objectors, when Parliament had recognised them in Act of Parliament. He stated that having regard to what defendant balready gone through in custody, anft that he was a married man and a bona-ifde Conscientious Objector of good character, he would bind him over for £ 20 to keep the pea'ce for 12 months, with the costs of the court to pay. Newman was then liberated. [We should like to point out here the total inaccuracy of the Constable's eVTdence that the "P ioneer" is the organ of the Conscientious ject to the dicision.s and "impartial judgments" Objectors. The "Pioneer" is owned and con- trolled by the workers of South Wales, and. ex- presses their views. In its attitude towards the Conscientious Objector the "Pioneer" haf merely reflected the xiews of oiga-nised Labour in the Valleys.— Bd.]

"BRITAIN PREPARED" at Merthyr  Theatre Royal. I I ———————— I I GRAND NAVAL AND MILITARY PAGEANT. j Patrons of the Theatre Koyal have an unu- sually interesting programme offered them next week, when the official films of our Fighting Forces will b€ presented twice nightly — at 6.45 and 8.45—and every afternoon at 2.30, under the pat,ronge of the Mayor and Mayoress of Merthyr Tydfil and members of the Council, I who will attend the even ing presentation on Monday, In "Britain Prepared," we have perpetuated for future generations all the stirring scenes that are daily passing in the munition works, the training camps of the Army, the dockyards and the fleet, and the supreme efforts of the British Empire to break down the tyranny and oppression of Prussian militarism that now menaces the world. It is essential that every man, woman and child should realise how nobly their sons, hus- bands, fathers and brothers are fighting in de- fence of bur dear little sea-girt isles, and in the cause of liberty and humanity. Tiieso p i ctures were first introduced ta public by the First Lord of the Admiralty, the: I Right Hon A. J. Balfour. In his introdue-I tion he said: U I have done my best to further a presentation of life in the Grand Fleet, These wonderful pictures, marvellous examples of the photographic art, are big with lessons of the deepest import to us and to all the world. The film measures in. all over 15,000 feet. It is divided into two parts, entitled "The New Army in the Making," and "The Sure Shield of Britain and Empire," which is Mr. Balfour's i appreciative description of the Navy. Interwo- j. ven with the naval and military studies is a vivid series by Messrs. Vickers of their muni- tion works and shipyard, where over 100.000 men and women toil night and day building ships, making guns and ammunition, the vi- tal necessity of which has been more than f once demonstrated in this great war. It is quite impossible to present this enormous spectacle in one house, so different selections of the naval, military and munition workers will j| be presented in each house at night, and pat- rons will fi-rid a fresh programme of equal in- terest in the different houses.

fjBargoed Notes. Our Condolences. Our sympathy 'gses out to the widow of Pte. S. W. Vallis, Welsh Regiment, who was well- known in Bargoed. a-nd who diedon May 10 from wounds received on the 5th while on act- ive service. His widow resides at 4 Margaret Street, Gilfach. "That's the Dope to give them." There was great excitement at the rier Head, Bargoed, on Wednesday night, when the late "Echo" came. A mad rush was made by some of the patriots (?) who seemed to be very pleased with the result of Morgan Jones' trial at the Mansion House. One of them was heard to say, That's the sort of dope to give them." All these men are attested, and are falling over themselves lest they fail to be exempted; yet they sneer at men who have more courage in their little finger than they have in their whole bodies! Board of Guardians. We are pleased to hear that two Labour men were co-opted on the Board last Saturday for Bargoed and Tirphil Wards: Mr Walter Lewis, J P. miners' agent, for Bargoed; and Mr Jack Godfrev for Tirphil. They were unanimously elected by the Trades and Labour Council's special meeting out of four or five nomina- tions. The Trades and Labour Council will have additional interest in their reports. Good News. Despite the opposition of the reactionary forces at Aberbargoed, Comrade Evan Thomas was on Tuesday co-opted on the Bedwellty Urban District Council by 9 votes to 4. We wish him plenty of hard work. Councillor Evan Thomas, we are proud of your stand as an I.L.Peer. "Frethinker" Lecture. On Sunday Mr Chapman Cohen, the Editor of the "Freethinker," addressed two meetings of the Bargoed Rationalist Society at the Bar- goed Workmen's Institute. The meetings were well attended and attracted all shades of thought. As a lecturer Mr Cohen can be counted among the experts, distinctly humor- ous, driving home his point ever,- time by some exceedingly funny anecdote. We only wish the 26 years he has been lecturing against 1., h ;¡ <0 b "religion" had been given to some progres- siv-e, movement for the uplifting of the masses. He complains that the Christian points to a happier land "by and bye," and he asks why not here? So say we; but if we have to wait until the attributes of charitv, kindness, gen- tleness, mercy are the chief among men and women to get this happiness, then we are afraid we must put Mr Cohen's religion in the realm of the "by and bye. In all religion i there is something of good. Buddha, Mohamet, Confuscius and Ohrist-each has His own mes- sage; but to us there is a more serious side as Socialists and Industrialist* that we allow the discussion of religion and non-religion to inter- fere with our work the emancipation of the 1 workers. This is OTJR work; religion is for each individually, but in the emancipation of thA masses we work together, and. there is room for all shades of religious opinions in our rank's. The only thing we ask for is that all shall be clean in thought and action. We work for the best and highest. M iners Meeting at Institute. An important meeting of miners was held at the Institute on Monday evening last, when addresses were delivered by Mr Alfred Onions and Mr Mardy Jones. The chair was taken by Mr Walter Lewis, miners' agent, who, in. his opening remarks, dealt with questions of mo- ment in the coalfield. Mr Mardy Jones, who was well received, went on to deal with the Labour outlook alter the war, and how it was necessary to prepare for the struggle which would open a. new chapter when Peace returned. Speaking of industrial and political power, he pointed out that the Triple Alliance was to secure concerted action in the strug- gle for better wages and conditions. At the present time increases were eaten up by costs, as Board of Trade figures show, there is an in- J crease of 51 per cent ill the cost of living, Unorganised and less organised workers will suffer, hence oo-operation was necessary, so that the strong Unions may come to the aid of the weak. Political powers must be streng- thened, to gain control of the legislative ma- ol-iiiie.Air Onions, in his introductory re- marks, indicated that he did not intend deal- ing with the political situation, but rather with ) the present conditions in the coalfield. Dealing with the present dispute, he averred that the 1 owners asked for a 7? per cent reduction in j order to prevent the employees getting the ad- j vanee they claimed, which was 15 per cent. 1 Death of Rev. D. E. Evans. Ii We regret to record the death of the Rey D. E. Evans, the Cafe, Bargoed. He had been ailing for some time, but hopes were enter- tained that he would regain his health. He was, highly respected ira the town, and was identi- fied with many organisations that tended to- wards the general uplifting of the masses. Some- years ago he was a minister at a Baptist Chapel at Bryumaw r, an d in recent years has been closely connected with the "cause" at the Cardiff Road Baptist Chapel. He was bu- I ried at Bedwellty on Monday last. We extend" m with our readers our deepest sympathy to Mrs Evans and the familv ill, their sore affilf-tioli. I I -L P. Gratitude. I W(I are asked by members of tho Bargoed Brauch of the Independent Labour Party to express their sincerest thanks for the lrmmifoId otters made to them of donations towards tions t-owal i A, any fund that may be raised in connection with { the prosecution ef Councillor Morgan J ones, who was a member of the Executive of th& No-Conscription Fellowship. Members of the, general public of all shades of opinion have expressed themselves as ready to subscribe to"- wards this laudable object, as they are thor- oughly convinced of his honesty of purpose- and his unalloyed loyalty and devotion to the- great task he has set out to promote. How to be Poor on f,10 per week." I At the Workmen's Institute, on Friday eve- ning last, an interesting lecture on the above- subject was delivered by Miss M. Pallister, of Brynmawr. The local branch of the I.L.P. were eager to hear Miss Pallister, as she is an en- ergetic and capable worker in the Labour organisations of Monmouthshire, and also a lee- ture whose terse and epigrammatic sayings arrest attention. Speaking of the economy campaign, she gave some interesting side liohtly, of the ideas of economy promulgated by read- ers of the "Daily Mai," and by leaders of fashion, etc. The lecturer dealt with the various- j sides of life which have to be neglected on account of want of means—-properly appointed houses, gardens, cultivation of the highest faculties in art, music, travel, etc. Travel she said tends to dispel ignorance, which is the root of the suspicion prevailing respecting; foreign peoples. Education should be exten- ded along more rational lines, and the period of education should be lengthened. A highly interesting and instructive lecture. A hearty vote of thanks was passed thanking the lectu- rer for her address. Local branches might in- vite Miss Pallister for an evening: she will no disappoint them. The Second Instalment of "The Case for the Light Employment Men" will appear next week.

I War to a Finish.. | I MR ARTHUR HENDERSON AND PEACE 1 -1 1 PROPOSALS, I speaking at the conference of the I-edcraiKT: I i'") I,'eal1ll g. a' t. t',h0 (,onf /l'ellc,e .O.f t,h0 J,"e'dGorat'io,r, ed a' Aberdeen 011 Thursday last, Mr Arthur 4 Henderson. M.P.. said that suggestions of Peace at present v?ere mLsleading. futile and dangerous. The people 'of this country w?e in. an over- whelming majority determined to continue the war to a conclusive finish. In football parI. i ance we could not afford to have a replay. Printed and Published by the Labour Pioneer Press, Limited, Williams' Square, GlebeJand Street, Merthyr Tydfil, May 27, 1914. j