Papurau Newydd Cymru
Chwiliwch 15 miliwn o erthyglau papurau newydd Cymru
7 erthygl ar y dudalen hon
Pontypridd Notes.l
Pontypridd Notes. l A Good Start. The first propaganda meeting at the new I.L.P. hall, 36, High-street, Graig-square, started well with a capable lecture from Com- rade Williams, Sunday evening, April 22nd, on Democracy." Comrade Ben Davies made his debut as chairman and acted efficiently. Com- rades Ivor Morgan, Humphreys, Cox, Pryce Vaughan and Owen Hughes took part in the discussion, the latter emphasizing the necessity of educating the workers in the ideas of Indus- trial Unionism. "Pioneers" were sold out. Recollections. I Last Sunday evening with Comrade Cameron as chairman, our old Comrade David Lewis gave a lecture on Recollections his reminiscenses of industrial events in his career being particu- larly interesting. It is intended getting the best talent available as speakers, hence the ne- cessity of local Socialists giving their whole support to these meetings. The Ballot. I A ballot is; being taken this week re the ap- pointment of a sub-agent for Pontypridd (No. 2) District of Miners, and among the nine candi- dates in the running are two of our I.L.P. mem- bers, viz., Conn. D. L. Davies and E. J. Wil- liams, another comrade, W. H. May, having withdrawn.
Briton Ferry Notes.
Briton Ferry Notes. C.O.'s Nortie. I The following C.O.'s were home this week-end —Wm. John, Ivor John, Thos. Thomas, Bryn Griffiths. They looked exceedingly well—"rud- dier than the cherry." All these men have "done time" at H.M. Call of Rest." Now, apparently, time is doing them-a. wondrous favour. Preparing" Briefs." I I The local Tribunal is again in full swing. Some prominent pacifists are preparing their briefs." If the verdicts are adverse ones- and what can we expect in these good old days of patriotism—and the turn-downs mean to "toe the line," then one can imagine our pri- sons having long queus outside soon, waiting for admission. V
IMerthyr Notes.
Merthyr Notes. Abercanaid Officer Wounded. Mr. T. T. Jenkins, Abercanaid, ex-chairman) of the Merthyr Board of Guardians, was m- formed on Tuesday that his son, Lieut. W. D. Jenkins, R.F.A., on active service in the East, has been admitted to hospital, for what reason not being stated. The Ideal 11 School of Commerce. A branch of this school was opened on Ihurs- day evening, 26th April, at, 7.15, at the Recha- bites' Hall, Merthyr Vale. This is' a golden op- portunity for students who reside in Troedyrhiw, Merthyr Vale, Quaker's Yard and Treharris. We' understand that the teachers are practical com- mercial men of long experience and holders oft teachers' diplomas for commercial subjects. j r Tea-Cup Fatality. At an inquest held at Merthyr on Monday upon Ruby Davies, aged eight months, the, mother, Mrs. Mary Davies, 31, Heolgerrig, said that on Friday having poured out four cups of tea she turned to the kitchen ifre-place to put more water in the tea-pot when another little- daughter, aged five years, pulled one of the cups off the table, the hot contents being spilled" over the child, Ruby, who died from the scalds in two days. Verdict: Accidental death. Licensing Transfers. < Merthyr Licensing Justices on Monday graft- ed the following transfers Ship Vaults, George- town, to Mr. Dd. Jno. Evans; Belle Vue Hotel, Troedyrhiw, to Mr. Wm. Jno. Hopkins; Lord Nelson Inn, Merthyr, to Mr. Albert Thomas, Warwick. A Potato Rumour. ,0-. Councillor Ll. M. Francis has heard a rumour that certain public officials have received bags of potatoes from the market, notwithstanding that numbers of townspeople failed to get their fair share, and lie raised the matter at Tues- day's meeting of the Town Council. Alderman Wni. Lewis felt that Councillor .Francis ought to give his authority for so very serious a state- ment, to which Councillor Francis replied that he had heard the rumour, and he had raised it so that it might be "scotched" if wrong—Mr. .1. E. Biddle (Deputy Town Clerk) said he had heard nothing of the allegations; but he would communicate with the chief Constable. on the,, matter. A Pointless Remark. I ?? 1  I,- ine iviertnyr lown Council on Tuesday seaiea the General District Rate of 4s. 3d. in the £ for 1917-18. A remark that the rates would be lis. 2d. in the C, a Id. decrease on last year, and that the Corporation was going on splen- didly, Ald. Dd. Lewis said: "Anything satis- fies Merthyr people for an excuse to spend money." (Laughter.) I A Peculiar Case. Whilst Timothy Burns, a. collier at Messrs- Hills- Plymouth's No. 4 Drift, Merthyr, was stooping to get under some" rippings "a space of two feet—powder lie had in one hand was ignited by a light he had in the other and went off. On Tuesday he was consequently summoned at the Merthyr Police-court with taking a nakedi light within four feet of unprotected powder contrary to the Coal Mines Act, 1911. In evi- dence it was stated that he walked with arms. fully outstretched from the shoulders. There being no evidence that the light was carried less than four feet from the powder, the case was dismissed. I Painters and the Advance. At a fully attended meeting of the Merthyr Branch of the Operative Painters' on Monday last, reports were received from delegates who attended the conciliation meeting with the em- ployers. They stated that the employers had; offered Id. per hour, which they, as delegates, refused to accept. This action was fully en- dorsed by the members present. They also reported that the employers had decided to refer the question to the South Wales centre board. Arising out of this the' branch gave instructions to the delegate at- tending this Board, to ask the employers (in' the event of a final settlement) that the advance- should not apply to non-unionists; also, that the advance be retained by the employer of such men, and given to funds catering for wounded soldiers. Some members said that this- would certainly be a most worthy cause. Dowlais Woman's Death. Death from meningitis was the verdict passed at an inquest upon Elizabeth Connell (62), of 22 Cross-street. Dowlais, on Wednesday. She was admitted to the Merthyr General Hos- pital on Wednesday week and died on Monday. A lodger, Michael Connors, was remanded in custody for seven days when brought up at the Merthyr Police-court on Friday on a charge of: unlawfully wounding the woman.
The Miners' PresidentialI…
The Miners' Presidential I Address. I FINE ORATION BY JAMES WINSTONE. I THE TASKS AND DUTIES OF INDUSTRIALI DEMOCRACY. We have much pleasure in reproducing ver- batim, the lofty, impressive and broad-hearted Presidential address, delivered at the annual meeting of the S.W.M.F., at Cory Hall, Cardiff, on Monday, by our Comrade, James Wins tone, J.P.C.C. James has made a fine leader of South Wales; and it is gratifying to know that the men expressed their practical appreciation of his firmness, straightness and manhood, by again electing him without opposition to the Presi- dency for a further period. Conirades,-We meet this morning at the 18th Annual Conference of the inauguration of the South Wales Miners' Federation-the most ad- vanced, the most active, and the most progres- sive in the world. It is the third annual con- ference since the outbreak of the world-war; the most destructive in human life and material wealth in the history of the world. But the material wealth can and will be replaced by the reproductive power of Labour; but the more precious human life never! But there are two features even amidst this ghastly business which stand out pre-eminently and appeal to me and must appeal to you: 1, The faith which brought forth nearly 100,000 of our own members and millions of others; 2, the courage, the forti- tude, the splendid heroism and devotion to duty as recorded of them in the records of this war; and I for one hope that we may never lose ad- miration for such chivalry. We want peace or we may want the war to continue. But there is not anything between us that will prevent our paying homage to the dead and honour to the living. Then as we pay to them the hom- age due for their great s-acrifice, let us unite the Labour forces and see to it that the peace, the free Democracies, the universal Liberty, the fraternity of the human race, shall be in- augurated, established and sealed by their blood and sacrifice. If this is not done, if this is not the last war, if these great principles are not established, then the great and noble sacri- fice is in vain. Then again we have enormous responsibility in caring for those who are with us maimed and lamed and the dependents of those who are with us no more and will never return. I am sure we are all grateful to the Right Hon. George Barnes, for "the Warrant providing pensions and payments which he has placed before Parlia- ment, and which, I understand, is now the law of the land. You will be pleased to know the members of your National Executive Committee had much to do with its preparation, and it would have been improved could they have car- ried the proposals they made. There are at least two outstanding objections to which I desire to call attention: — 1. We say no man should be fined by re- ducing his pay if he declines to undergo oper- ation necessitating the use of the knife. 2. A man who has passed the medical test, been passed into the Army, developed a dis- ease, or by his training accelerated a disease, should not be sold out for any sum, certainly not for JE150. If as a nation we deal justly by these men it will mean an annual cost to the nation of JB15,800,000, or a fraction over two days' cost of the war. In thirty years we shall exhaust the capital sum of zC400,000,000, and redeem our financial debt to those heroes. Moreover, as a third demands we wanted a majority of Labour men on the bodies which are to administer this fund. j Sir George Barnes told us, and I hope you will take it to heart: The workers have power to elect a majority on every Governing Body," see that it is done on the local Governing Bo- dies, who will have to administer this scheme. "The warrant has set up a new principle." "That the State is responsible for wounded soldiers." This is as it should be. And I want to remind you that it is not a long way from the wounded soldier of the batttlefield to the wounded soldier of industry. Especially when we are wise enough to take possession—own and control the mines and other industries used for the production of wealth. I have mentioned the pension matter because of the very large number of the men from the ranks of the workers involved, and I am extremely anxious that they shall be adequately provided for and properly cared for. This brings me to the finan- cial aspect of the war. We are spending £ 7,000,000 per day, £ 49,000,000 per week, £ 2,548,000,000 per year. I want you to bear in mind that it is a cardinal principle, and a historical policy of the British financiers, that if the people will have war, although they may never have been consulted about its origin, they must pay for it. This war unless we are very careful, will be no exception to that Rule. The National debt at the present time is over 4,000 millions. If the war continues for another year it will be over 6,000 millions. This will mean that in interest, and sinking fund and other in- cidentals, the amount to be raised by taxation for many years to come cannot be less than 400 millions a year; approximating £ 9 per head of the population per annum—or £ 45 per year for each family of five T, Wrsons. I want to remind you of the Capitalistic Gov- ernment now in power. The interest of the bondholders will be safeguarded-with money at eo high a rate as 51 per cent.—averitable gold- mine. It is the Capitalists hey-day. The foun- dations of a system for fleecing the workers are already laid in. As a country we are already virtually committed to a policy of protective tariffs. A policy which will enable the em- ployers to keep down real wages to the minimum point and will enable other interested parties to further tax commodities. Acting on prin- ciple laid down by Pitt on taxation, he said: If we put a tax on incomes it will cause a bloody revolution." I will show you a better way whereby you can tax the food from the mouths of the people and the clothes from thei backs—they will complain of low wages, of hard times, but they will not know the cause." There is some hope of averting this if we can keep the Labour forces united and true to first prin- ciples. The Labour Party has entered its pro- test, let us give them our strongest support. The Party must back it up by definite action. But there is only one way of preventing the workers falling back into abject poverty, and it is by owning and controlling the land and industrial capital by socialising the means of life with production of wealth for use and not for profit. It will be remembered that early in 1915 the Government's attention was directed through the Board of Trade and Board of Agriculture to their neglect of the civil population. The Gov- ernment did nothing but get Mr. Asquith to make that remarkable speech, Wait until June." Now I have no desire or intention of creating a scare among the people, but it is well known that we are nearing a very seriou shortage m the food supply of this country, and I fear, throughout the world. The problem of the conservation is grave indeed. The economic situation is constantly changing, but, I fear, not changing for the better. Mr. Lloyd George, the Prime Minister, is fully aware of the situa- tion, and he cannot escape his responsibilities. Writing to Sir Arthur Lee on March 30th last he pointed out: "In view of the grave perils which threaten our food supply at the present time there is no other kind of country work which could compare either in importance or urgency with the campaign for increased food production."—Through the stupidity of this and other Governments there is a shortage of 20,000,000 quarters in the world's wheat supply. The Government has carefully safeguarded the interest of the profiteers, as instanced by enormous increased profits made, and by the in- creased profit tax, but has little real regard to the food of the poor. This enemy of poverty within the gates of our towns and cities may become a greater and more potent enemy than the German Army without the gates. The greatest empires crumble to dust when the attention of their statesmen is given up to the worship of the golden calf, to the neglect of the civil population. Here is a newspaper cutting that warns us of what is ahead, Even if peace came soon," as the heading says: A member of the French Commission, in the course of an interview, said the world was heading towards famine. Germany was suf- fering most, but her armies were well fed, and her rich people were going to Holland for meals. Food, he said, is the greatest prob- lem of the age, and boats were not being built fast enough to replace those sunk by sub- marines. The transport trade of the world was dis- rupted, the boats available being used for troops and munitions. Peace would intensify the problem, because 120 million people in Germany and her allied countries would then be thrown on the food market from which they were now cut off.—Exchange. I make no apology for returning to the ques- tion of want. of safety in and about the mines. We have on the agenda some important sug- gested amendments to the Mines Act, which will carry us I hope in the direction of greater safety, and I am very glad to learn that colliery exanllners are exercising great vigilance and helping us by their experience. I fear the value placed on human life has di- minished considerably during the war. I should not exaggerate were I to say human life is the most precious thing in the Universe, and yet-- paradoxical as it may appear-it is the cheapest commodity on the market to-day. The death- rate, among our men, is much higher than it would be it we put a true value on human life. In 1915 there were 1209 separate fatal accidents in and about the mines of Great Britain and Ireland, causing 1297 deaths. In 1916 we had, over the same area, 1259 separate fatal acci- dents, causing 1305 deaths. An increase of 50 accidents in 1916 when compared with 1915. An increase of eight deaths when the same years are compared. I am unable to deal with non- fatal accidents since no record is kept by the Home Office. In South Wales, or No. 5 Divi- sion, the figures were: 1915, 320 separate fatal accidents, causing the deaths of 331 persons; in 1916, 315 separate fatal accidents, causing the deaths of 321 persons, a decrease of five in the number of accidents and a decrease of 10 in the number of deaths. Unfortunately, the records of accidents and deaths are higher for Wales than in any other Inspector's Division in Bri- tain. We have during the past year endeavoured to get the Labour Party to press for an in- crease in the compensation payable to the wounded soldiers of industry-increased so as to meet increased cost of living. I hope this mattter will be again pressed at the National Miners' Conference, which takes place in July of this year. In fact, I will undertake to see that the matter receives serious attention. Two events of vital interest and importance to the future of Labour have transpired within a very recent period and to which serious atten- tion must be given by the representative of La- bour in this country. I refer to the speech of the Minister for Education—I know there are some who think, Education outside our purview —I cannot agree with that view. The func- tion of Education," says Moore, "is to take the raw material of human infancy and fashion it into intelligent, useful, healthy and right living men and women." I don't know of anything more important than that man should know himself and how to successfully promote, de- velop and preserve his mental faculties and phy- sical powers. How can this be done without Education? We are always at the mercv of our own intelligence. The child of to-day is the citizen of to-morrow. It is therefore our bounden duty to see to it that those who have to mould and shape the ideas of our future citi- zens are in every way worthy, fully equipped and adequately paid. Many of the governing class have quite recently found out that The fitting equipment of the child for the battle of life is a. national concern." Mr. Fisher, our new Minister for Education, has told us: "We must take the profession as a whole, and, taking it as a whole, I am struck by the great number of industrious and devoted teachers, men and women, who work in our schools. But the average pay of the teacher is far too low. For a certificated head teacher the average salary is £ 176, and for a certificated assistant teacher £ 129, and for an uncertifi- cated assistant teacher L68. Those are the salaries for men. The salaries for women are lm,er, £126 for a certificated woman teacher £ 95 for a certificated woman assistant teacher' £ 56 for an uncertificated assistant teacher, and L40 for a supplementary teacher. The certifi- cated teachers is a man or a woman who enters the profession after some years of preparation for it. His skill and attainments are severely tested before he is admitted. He does not be- gin work until he is twenty-one or twenty-two years of age, and yet there were before the out- break of war 42,200 certificated teachers, male and female, drawing salaries of less than Lloo, and 26,700 drawing salaries of less than £90 per annum. The case of the uncertificated teachers who are persons with qualifications is even worse." A very large percentage of teachers are the sons and daughters of miners and other manual w-orkers. We have always laid down as a prin- ciple that it is the duty of the strong to protect the weak, and not to please themselves, and al- though one wishes that the teachers profession would enter whole heartedlv into the Labour movement, we must not allow this wish to stul- tify our efforts to secure them strength without which they are powerless, for we owe a duty to the child and teacher. Elementary or primary education is the foundation of all education. Let us see to it that the foundation is well and truly laid. Then, if you desire, hand the young man over to my energetic friend Ablett to be taught Sociology, Industrial History and Econ- omic Science. Then we have the Electoral Reform proposals. We shall be wanting in our duty if we do not exercise every effort to see the proposals in the Speaker's Report embodied in an immediate Act of Parliament. The whole of our political machinery wants overhauling, we must make it possible to increase the number of Labour Mem- bers in the House of Commons, and on local ad- ministrative bodies, and to this end we must im- prove our methods of organisation. There is still much work to be done now, there will be much more to do after the war. This war—I do not mean for the moment the entrance into it-bas revealed the greatest in- dictment against and condemnation of, our Capitalistic system possible to be put forth. Private ownership of the means of life has broken down at every turn. Our obsolete feudal land system has nearly destroyed this nation. It is still being bolstered up by this present Government, even while Britain is threatened with starvation. Therefore let us turn to the future. It is much more important than the past. We live for the future, let us hope the day may not be far away when we may get down to our ordinary avocation when in an Empire founded not on force, but on loyal and free governing communities— The War drums throbs no longer, The Banners they are furled, In the parliament of man The Federation of the World. Life is extremely short at best-some of us will not be here long, let us therefore work, let us redouble our efforts, for the uplifting of the human race while it is yet day with us. One step in this direction, to my mind, is to build up a more closely united organisation on the prin- ciple of organising by industry. Let us work for the unity of the Labour forces in this coun- try and throughout the World on the basis of a free self-governing Democracy. All hail to the Russian Revolution—the Gov- ernment might well release our own political prisoners. Let us hope it is the beginning of a much desired consummation—Workers of the world unite-not kings, not thrones, but men. Give us no more giants, but elevate the race, inspired and sustained by no otTier motive than the complete emancipation of the workers from the system of wage slavery throughout the world and the building up of a Co-operative Common- wealth wherein each person shall live a free, full and natural life, and having for our watch- words — What is noble 'tis the finer, Portions of our minds and hearts, Linked to something still Diviner than mere language can impart. I' Ever prompting, ever seeing, Some improvement yet to plan To uplift our fellow being r And like man to feel for Man.
Maesteg Notes.
Maesteg Notes. Trades Council Annual Meeting. Councillor E. Burnett presided over a good attendance of delegates at the annual meeting of the Trades and Labour Council on Tuesday last. Councillor T. -VV.-tns' resolution demand- ing the democratisation of the Advisory Com- mittees for the recommendation of J.P.'s, was passed, and it was decided to ask Mr. Meth Davies (Political Organiser) to get the same placed on the Agenda of the Conference of Lan bour Representatives to be held in Cardiff in Whit-week; and to circularise all L.R.C.'s and Trades Councils in Glamorganshire soliciting their co-operation. A Garth Lodge resolution for payment of delegates was lost, as was Ton Hir Lodge motion that out of pocket expenses should be defrayed. Mr. E. Barnett was re- elected President; Mr. E. G. Marsh, vice-presi- dent; Mr. E. Davies, treasurer; and Mr. T. W. Rees, secretary. An I.L.P resolution calling for a conference of Mid-Glamorgan Trades Councils and L.R.C.'s for the purpose of forming a fed- eration was carried unanimously. Meetings of the Council will in future be held on alternate Wednesdays, commencing at 6.30, as from May 2nd. Co-op. Quarteryl Meeting. The Maesteg Co-op is forging ahead in fine style. At the quarterly meeting on Saturday it, was reported that the sales had averaged 2943 per week, as against P,710 per week last quarter; and £ 514 per week for the correspond- ing period of 19961. A dividend of Is. 6d. was decided upon. The shortage of milk and sugar was discussed and a resolution passed instruct- ing the Committee to get a register of members and their families as a prelude to a fairer dis- tribution and that in the case of condensed milk families including infanta under two years have first call. A notice was tabled for an al- teration in the method of selecting committee. men.
RHEUMATISM- KIDNEY TROUBLE,
RHEUMATISM- KIDNEY TROUBLE, Rheumatism is due to uric acid crystals im the joints and muscles, the result of excessive, uric acid in the system that the kidneys failed? to remove as nature intended, and this acid iv to a great extent the cause of backache, lum- bago, sciatica, gout, urinary trouble, stone,, gravel, and dropsy. The success of Estora Tablets for the treat- mont of rheumatism and other forms of kidney trouble is due to the fact that they restore then- kidneys to healthy action, and thereby remove the cause of the trouble, and hve cured num- berless cases after the failure of other remedies, which accounts for them superseding out-of-date- medicines that are sold at a price beyond am but the wealthy. Women frequently suffer from ills, aches, and- pains under the impression that they are victims* of ailments common to their sex, but more often- than not it is due to the kidneys, and in suck- cases Estora Tablets will set them right! The,, test is at least worth making, as woman's happi- ness and success in life depends on her health. Estora Tablets fully warrant their description —an honest remedy at an honest price, 1/3 per hot: of 40 tablets, or six for 6/9. All Chemist* or, postage free, from Estora Co., 132, Charing Cross Road, London, W.C. Bargoed and Aberbargoed Ageat—W. PARRY WILLIAMS. M.P.S.
I TO HOUSE THE WORKERS.
I (Continu&d from Page 1). I ter. There would be 780,000 building trades workers set at liberty at the close of the war and he trusted that their labour would be used in the best interest of the state in general, and not left to driFt as it was after the South African war. After the South African war the building trade was the slowest to recover. The Car- penters and Joiners paid in unemployed benefit three high-water marks. In 1904 it was £ 70,000; in 1906 it reached £ 82,000, and in 1908 it reached the high figure of £ 112,000. There was a direct labour under local authorities 'addendum to this resolution pro- posed by Cardiff N. U .R. (No. 6) and it was around this that the sole contention of the Conference resolved. Mr. H. Morris, of the Rhondda (S.W.M.F.) in particular made a fighting stand for direct la- bour. We were satisfied in our own minds, he said, that under the present Capitalist system of control in the building trade the best work was not being done. He also condemned the practice of local Councillors and J.P.'s apply- ing for ejectment orders, and asked the confer- ence to say, quite apart from the question of direct labour that the time was not opportune for the issue of ejectment orders. This, unfor- tunately, was either lost sight of later, or was regarded as outside the business. Mr. Lloyd (Bargoed) said that the body of the hall was prepared to argue that direct labour was not only possible but beneficial. The Chairman: Our Council has not pro- nounced any opinion on this matter. Mr. Lloyd, continuing, said that the Build- ing Trades .Federation had been trying to avoid a dispute at the conclusion of the war and had asked the master builders to meet them. but so far they had met with refusal each and every time. The masters were afraid to meet them. The majority of the master builders had risen from the ranks of the operative workmen, and, therefore, he contended that they had within their ranks men capable of undertaking the re- sponsibilities of direct labour, and to suit the work and see that it was properly executed. They could put their souls into the work when under local authorities. At present they could not put their best into the trork for the good of the community, because of the public spirit of the men who would only build for a return on expenditure. A Caerphilly Miners' Lodge, supporting direct I' labour, reminded the conference that the build- ing trades could themselves supply eyery grade of labour, as had been so happily demonstrated in the construction of the new Theosophical Building in London; where experts reported that the work was superior to that usually given and the economy of employing direct labour, as against contract labour represented thousands of pounds. Mr. Noah Tromans (Mountain Ash) thought it was a fallacy to go to the Government for a specific trade such as the building trade, and then to allow the administration and applica- tion of the results to remain in the hands of pri- vate individuals. The Local Authority should at least have the direct labour to carry the re- quirements into effect; otherwise we should not escape from the toils of the jerry builder, and our last condition might be worse than our first, by the creation of new houses, which although new, were not new in comparison with the old houses of the nation. The closure was moved, but it was agreed to allow Mr. Aldridge to speak before voting, and his speech was so provocative that the closure was lifted and the discussion continued after- wards. The English position was that they ab- solutely refused to limit the energy available to one type of effort, he said. There were some locr.al authorities that he would not trust with; the building of a pig-stye so far as their organi-1 nation was concerned. He advocated the local authorities being left in the position of doing what they thought wise. If they decided to utilise direct labour they could use it. Councillor Jones (Neath) argued that to im- pose the condition of direct labour was to neces- sitate the creation of machinery which they had not, and which would be an expense. The Barry Trades and Labour Council dele- gate opposed direct labour because it would stop Co-operative Societies undertaking build- ing. Blackwood Trades Council supported direct labour, and Abertillery wanted the word urge changed into demand. When the vote was taken it was— For the direct labour amendment 63 For the resolution as moved 103 Aid T. Richards, M.P., moved:- In view of the increasing seriousness ot the Housing Problem in Wales and Monmouthshire and of the possible continuance of the present stoppage of building operations, accompanied by much unemployment after the War, this Conference strongly supports the demand of the Welsh Housing and Development Association for the allocation by the Government of a sum of not less tliaia zC5,000,000, to be advanced im- mediately after the War on reasonable terms to Local Authorities in Wales and Monmouthshire for the erection of working-class dwellings." The South Wales Housing and Development Association, he said, had been submitted to what had been called the microscopic scru- tiny of the Miners' Federation, with the re- sult that it had been unanimously decided to ask every lodge in South Wales to affiliate with it. Looking after wages had been found to be only half of trade-union activity, and not the better half. Improvements in wages were large- ly vitiated by the poor homes and surroundings in which the people were compelled to live. We had sent men to Parliament to pass laws, and to local authorities to deal as best they could with the laws made; and would continue to do this; but apart from this a great need was felt for a responsible association which would de- vote itself exclusively to this work. And the needs of South Wales in housing reform were greater than in any other district he knew; and were continually growing. We had entering into the mining industry alone 6,000,000 per year, and from this they would see that the necessity of the application of this money to certain geographical areas. This was one of the things he hoped the Association would pay great attention to; that the congested areas should have first cilance. There must be no more peddling with this question; we must de- mand. (Cheers.') Mr. J. T. Cletworthy seconded, and the reso- lution was carried unanimously; an amendment that the sum be altered to £ 7,500,000 being withdrawn, owing to the fact that the demand had already been made for £ 5,000,000. Mr. W. Jenkins (Cymmer) moving-r- That this Conference, recognising that housing action by Local Authorities is serious- ly affected by the high prices demanded for land, demands the Government to enact at the earliest possible moment legislation secur- ing to Local Authorities powers to acquire land for housing and town planning purposes on more reasonable terms than are now pos- sible. (Ynvsybwl Trades and Labour Coun- cil). (Continued at foot of next column). instanced the unfairness of landlords refusing" to part with land unless at extortionate prices;, and expressed the opinion that their whole land" ought to be rated on the price they asked for a plot when it was needed for building. If housing reform was to advance land must be se- cured at a reasonable price; which was not the case to-day in the county of Glamorgan, where £100 to £1,500 per acre was asked for land. Mr. R. A. Thomas (Ynysybwl) seconded, an the conference unanimously endorsed it. It was decided to ask the Government to re- ceive a deputation for the conference to lay be- fore them its decisions. Printed and published by the National Labour? Press, Ltd., at the Labour Pioneer Press;. Williams Square, Merthyr Tydfil. SATURDAY, MAY 5th, 1917.