Pioneer

I Political Notes, F. W. Jowett, M.P. SEE PAGE 2

I I Miners Not Coolies. I MERTHYR STIPF-NDIARY-B REMINDER TO COLLIERY MANAGER. A colliery manager's alleged conduct to a workman was severely criticised by Mr. R. A. Griffith (Stipendiary) at Merthyr Police Court on Tuesday. David Andrews and a collier boy were sum- moned for sleeping in the Hills-Plymouth Co.'s South Pit. Mr. G. Llewellyn (of the office of Messrs. Gwilym James, Charles and Daviee, Merthyr) presecuting, said that Mr. A. North, the mana- ger, and Mr. J. S. Davies, under manager, found the boy at Andrew's stall lying with his feet across the rail. Andrews was discovered asleep on the roadway with his head on the rail. The boy admitted the offence. Andrews, how- ever, denied being asleep, and alleged that Mr. North used bad language to him and gave him no chance to explain. This statement drew a remark from His Wor- ship that mine managers should not treat work- men as coolies. Mr. Llewellyn pointed out that the use of the bad language was denied. Fining Andrews 10/- and the lad 5/- the Sti- pendiary said: We are satisfied these two de- fendants were found sleeping; but after all they are only human beings. Workmen are liable to be overcome with sleep. When they do they must suffer the penalty. That does not entitle a manager or under-nianager or any other official to treat them in the way Mr. North is alleged to have treated this man. I believe myself the evidence of the defendant Andrews is to a great extent true. Conduct of that kind in a manager is in my opinion a thing which calls for the severest condemnation, Mr. E, Roberts, solicitor, Dowlais, was for de- fendant, Andrews.

National Labour Conference to Congratulate Russia. UNITED SOCIALIST COUNCIL TO CONVENE I LEEDS GATHERING. IMPERATIVE NEED TO APPOINT YOUR I DELEGATES. PASSED FOR PUBLICATION. I A National Labour Conference will be held in Leeds on Sunday, June 3rd, to congratulate the Russian workers upon their Charter of Freedom, and to respond to the appeal of the Russian Workers that the British Working Çlass should oppose the Imperialist and annexationist war aims of the British Government. The Confer- ence is being convened by the United Socialist Council of the Independent Labour Party and the British Socialist Party, with whom are as- sociated other well-known and representative Socialists and Trade Unionists, Trades Councils Local Labour Parties, Trade Union branches and branches of the I.L.P., B.S.P., and Women's Labour League. The Women's Co-operative Guild and Women's International League are cordially invited to appoint delegates. The delegation fee is 2/6. A circular is being issued and full particulars will be published next week, but in the meantime those organisations which meet during the coming week are urged to appoint delegates at once, even if they have not actually yet received the circular of invitation.

NOTICE. /N MAY 1st the system of placing periodicals on Sa!e or Return comes to an end, and newsagents will regulate their wholesale orders to the actual requirements of their cus- tomers. Therefore, to ensure a copy of the Pioneer," it is necessary to place a definite order with their newsagent before, or send subscriptions direct to the "Pioneer" Office, Williams Square, Merthyr.

CONGRATULATIONS TO RUSSIAN PROLETARIAT. < I Splendid Gathering in Merthyr. ( l Rev. H. Dunnico and the Dangers of Counter-Revolution. r The Task of En-glish Democracy in the Future. Th ? can be no question of the sincerity of the T .can be no question of the, Slllcen y 0 lVIerthyrworkers' sympathy with the Rus- Sla 1) ?nt")?'ohitionaries, and hearty congratulations ?,, Qfl h that nation on its escape from the tyranny C'4i?dOlu Last Sunday the Rink was packed at t]6 Russia Free demonstration, and that have meant an audience of between 2,500 ??Q000, to which the Rev. Herbert Dunnico, Dl,osPectiv,o Labour Candidate for West Derby, ?poko on the meaning of the recently success f?l rISIng of the Russian pro l etariat. 1\(1', John Williams, from the chair, reminded i us ?t we knew very little that was definite a|, tol Ut th Hussiau revolution. We- had been Mf") ??es, tales and fables galore, but we did t know the real situation, but we felt sure ?a,+????r the real situation, it was a step Ww ,V to destroy Prussianism as we under- *• (Cheers.) We held that war by the s* ?a f t ?? ?"? going to destroy Prussianism; Peat I P'ussianisl1l must 'oe destroyed by tile 1,s ,in the lands in which it existed. Ger- ?atrlc i?Sht be utterly destroyed by the sword, btl t that ?P? not mean that Prussianism had d to exist. (Cheers.) ?n?' ?Brobyn moved "That this meeting Sen ds ■ 1 icongratulations to the Democrats ? ?t)t, ??' ? calls upon the Governments of a,nt Bptain, and of every country, neutral h«n lgeie!nt a'ike, to follow the Russian ex- ?Ple -? ??Mislung industrial freedom, free- ? «t ???h and of the Press, the abolition of '?ciai ?°eia] ,? l;i*10Us and national distinctions; an ??S?? a"lneHty for religious and political or  ad ""??al su%age "—the Albert ??eIiIrSoh?. ? ?Danimously o?rried by over ?000 tte^onlo i- r Mr. Brobyn spoke of ? ?t??Eyp?? cv ?? Britis h Government oon- uPou the RIs,?ian Revolutionary Party  ,tabl!8hrnent of freedom when here ? had bp'? ? ??? and robbed of these very freld 'Dlns and hberties for which the Ruasi?na ? fon? ?" magmiicently. He was glad that ? tools that ? British Government had sent follni ?;)'ry these congratulations had been ??nd ???' ?"'? had received a cool reception. (Ch,J 's-) Messrs. O'Grady and T horne had j Wen asked by Mr. Karenefki how it was that a ?ked f)?, Mr. Ka?ren64KI how it was that l: Were not elected by the British working kll SS--(Cheers)-and the Russians wanted to ?'ll 'whv 6 I.L.P. was not represented there. ??ee?Y?? ?? the Russians had a perfect right to a.? ?? ?? the I.L.P. was the only party ?ith  ??t to send a deputation to ??sia ? under present conditions. (Cheers.) sonding^ said that though we ? ?ot ? ?.? definite details with regard to the ^^olutinn there were still some straws to show t w-Wi, way the wind was blowing, and he, ?? o?luhti? /?? ?? ??? was blowing, and he, '°}>q ,tact that the military salute was ?? Pe f/ ? ? ?'?? ??? o? consolation and to ? t r "? ??? that the military sa l ute was ¡¡!Joke alhhed; and that my ,Lord Curzon Poke for '??? ? Russia not being so satisfac- tril'- Y f(?t' I.f tllin,s were not satisfactory to Lord the;O) It seemed to him highly probable that ?ey woul'"l ? very satisfactory to the working t ?ia,s '3ritain. (Cheers.) He trusted that ^ho spu- "?t?n. (Cheers.) He trusted that ?1.0 tllat had sw.ept over Russia would ??tt?eitgthen, until it might take pos- ?'8sio? of all the peoples of all nations. (Cheers.) Th ,c?  N-, ] Flk-i- b ert, Dunnico, speaking to the J'f).ReY. ?rbert Dunnico, speaking to the ?"?lutif ?' ??'? that there was no place outside ? ?Uss ? where the great Revolution had ?Use? te .1. joy' than it had in Merthyr Yd?l- If t. here was one little shadow across ?t great "?'?t? it was due to the absence of 0,, ? tna n"^10 more than any ot h er, in his Ci Pliai t?an any other, in his ??hitloin ? embodied the spirit of the Russian Re- (Cheers). How grand and majestic s*ght + i ave?een ??' Hardie, with Hashing ^e> 8on« i-, c:aIl for s .to foll,ow ? ? th? ?t"? ?? "?''? call for us to follow ni steps of those in Russia. (Loud llewIl o??' ?'' D???co confessed that the Soitte )f tho great upheaval came to him with roe 1i. t? tl(? surprise. True we knew that all was iiolt III li lis8ia when Lord Kitchener took I'hat last iv' i1 voyage to deputise Llovd George Petrooj. ct..J ()J:'dlVrtl'a; '?? when that great democrat ?? t'l r  over, and none of his speeches Public] in this country, but not even the ?>t onf jiitjfi• C realised that during a great war /Ussia ,mustie realised that during a grea.t war. for ?'?S" daTe to strike such a great blow Wdrm! r0r lIle Russian Revolution was i10 ^^ate«a+' i ii?w struck for Freedom and De- l°CXaev sinr. f e French Revolution. (Oheei?s.) that afternoon was Thank or Rit "81'a I and Long live the Russian v°hitiori.'> /r deoenČ8011l'Sel (Loud cheers.) But we must not Receive ouiSPi, that freedom Avon was free- '*? secured ? that freedom won was free- ?a-rch   Ile ?ost trying hour in, the Jt'^larch of Pro^a*. ? fs was just when the firsi/ flush of Victol,3, ?s just when the nrsV ush ? ??s eter?? ? ?'??- The P? of free- Vb!1 5as eternal v\]-gdauce. It was one thing to drift freedom .l? v, r to keep it. We might fr'Ire could never drift into ahj °m- &re(tJ0m once won must be preserved, the only a way to ,Ipresei-ve it was ceaseless, It)¡sSia,'halI ane'h (Oheers.) Our comrades in S? weakne? ?,???? before them. The tb.a,t ss :of Democracy everywhere was t{i So manv me b ? ??, to ?? ? ? preferred ?ndage tk to sti,niious ??ty- That was why ",J {'ill jj rrht 'tIll Cor! gl'eat light still ? our R?sian "es who h d 1 to irid( vvl)o I 1, ad ?I?ady f?,ght so well. t. l(ngISI t, fernoo wuld bet,hinking  Would be thinking {<Jand"f' ¡.. no traIl ° 8lbeTi"- °f thmS <* frave tuen JL!, of 1) "avo inen and Women shot, hanged, libi b 101'1'1 e conditions in darkest .I,,St>OIte because thev L^ fn the cause ^o«r 0 hey had paid a terrible price, but t the blood of martyrs was the seed of Liberty. (Cheers.) The great thing now was to see that that liberty, the fruit of these sacrifices, was treasured and preserved. It would still mean great sacrifices. The British Government— Lloyd George, Lord Northcliffe, Lord Curzon, Lord Devonport, and the rest, had for nearly three years bolstered up the old despotism against which the Russian people had struggled, and had overthrown, and the greatest enemy of the Russian Revolution to-day might well be the British Government; and if the Russian Bureaucratic Parliament did get into power, it would be solely due to the efforts of men like Lord Milner and Lord Curzon. At the present moment there were dangers" of a counter-revo- lution. Unfortunately for Russia she was bank- rupt. Unfortunately the money- was held in the hands of men who had no sympathy with the Revolutionary Party, and if they could by withholding their money, bring back the Bureaucrats into power, they would do so. The one hope of success lay in that America, with all her faults, would send her money direct to Rus- sia to help the Revolutionary Party. (Cheers.) Russia stood for a reasonable peace in this war. (Cheers.) She refused to prosecute the war for base and sordid purposes, and the time had come for the people of all the belligerent nations to take example from Russia and say We will allow no one to make peate for us. We will make it ourselves, because the only j lasting peace is a peoples' peace, based on the sure foundations of Liberty and Freedom." (Cheers.) He was glad that day to be able to pay a tri- bute to the part which the Jews had played in the Russian Revolution. It was largely due to their sacrifices, their toil and their intelligence that we had seen so mighty a revolution take place. (Cheers.) He did not think that in the whole of Europe there was a Social-Democracy which had at its head so fine an intelligence as the Russian Social-Democracy, and the Jewish race had contributed largelv to that intelligence. (Cheers. ) Still, whilst congratulating Russia we must not lose sight of the evils which we had here at home, and with which we had to contend. The problem of povery t was ever with us, and one would think from the way in which it was talked about and tackled that it was a most difficult one. As a matter of fact the problem of poverty was an easy one to solve. Poverty was very largely the result of the changed in- dustrial conditions under which we lived. By sheer force of circumstances by all the dictates of common sense and reason we had seen that it was imperative, almost inevitable, that our productive capacity should be socialised. We had become interdependent, our system of pro- duction was co-operative, we worked together; and the reason we had a social problem was be- cause while we had been wise enough to socialise the productive side of our lives, we had been fools enough to leave the destributive side of our lives to the old, obsolete methods of compe- tition. (Cheers.) Wo should never solve the social problem until we did to the distribution of the thing produced what we had done to en- able it to be produced—socialised it. (Cheers.) He was more than ever coming to believe that we should be in slavery all our days until we got an intelligent grip on our social situation. In every profession and calling save that of the statesman we demanded knowledge and experi- ence, but in that of the statesman, carrying with it the safety, the health, the well being and the very lives of millions, we were content to accept a man because of a label, independent of experience or knowledge. (Cheers.) We had to stop that. (Cheers.) We had to say that the great work of statesmanship was not something for a man who had an axe to grind or for a man who wanted to uphold some party, but for the man who knew his business. (Cheers.) Poverty was as much a disease of the social organism, as was cancer or any other complaint a disease of the physical organism, and what we did to the physical organism when diseased we must do to the social organism—remove the ob- structions, take away the poisonous elements and leave Nature to work out her own salva- tion. (Cheers.) The obsolete non-scientific methods of yesterday were still Liie methods of the statesman. Mr. Lloyd George was nothing more nor less than a political herbalist. These men never recognised that a country could not be governed on party calls. A country must be governed on scientific lines. Social problems would never be solved by haphazard methods. Once we could get down to causes the effects would disappear. (Cheers.) The great curse of this country was that we tried to govern it along narrow, obsolete, sordid party politics; but the day had come when the party politician must go. He wanted men in Parliament who would not merely bring forward measures that were the decoy ducks of politicians, but real, honest attempts to make this country of ours a fit and better place for the sons and daughters of men to live in. (Cheers). The old methods had been absolutely discredited to-day, and he wanted to appeal to the workers in this consti- tuency to be true to its grand traditions and to see to it that never again should it be mis- represented in Parliament as it was to-day. (Loud cheers.) The working class in this coun- try had looked after other people's interests too long, it was time it began to look after its own. (Cheers.) The resolution was passed unanimously, and a hearty vote of thanks moved to Mr. Dunnico by Councillor John Williams (Miners' Agent) and carried.

The Princetown "Riot" (?). A GUTTER-PRESS CANARD THAT IS I UNTRUE ALL ABOUT THE TROUBLE. I BY OUR OWX I There is just now a queer press cam- paign being directed agai\t the Conscientious Objector who has accepted AI lernative Service, and especially against tbosi C.O.s who are em- ployed at Princetown: ft.-oitt which centres we have been amused while an ized to read queer stories of C.O. revolts, stone throwing and hust- lings, which are gross exaggerations of the real facts. For what purpose mmlicity is given to these facts it is difficult to conjecture, though the C.O.s themselves have argued out a "work- ing hypothesis that sound- reasonable, and is included in the subjoined section which we have received from Dartmoor. Our correspondent says As you have no doubt alreadv noticed there is now a huge press campaign" in operation against the C.O.s who are out. on alternative ser- vice, lies and calumny of the vilest kind is being used against us by the capitalistic press, for what reason we are not yet cognizant of, but we are of the opinion (some of us), and it is freely rumoured that it will eventually mean an argu- ment to National Service (a further degree of serfdom) or internment, thi;; would from their point of view settle the absolutist question, and also kill the Socialist revolution, which seems to be the talk of many to-day who never thought of such things in the earlier days of this bloody war. But will it? You may also have noticed in the Sunday papers and rage of that descrip- tion of a so-called revolt at Dartmoor. Here again we have false statements and lying preju- dice, the story in a few words is as follows: A comrade named Joseph Henry Grindall, married, with young children, was caught by one of the warders taking a small bottle of milk, less than half a pint, valued at id., from the dairy, in which party he was working, for this he was re- ported to the agent, and towihonJ- he apologised for his action. He was a Christian, given a good character, and out of goodness of heart in en- deavouring to carry out the ethics of love was going to take the milk to a comrade of his who ura.s unvy ell. As a result of his interview with the agent he was removed to another working party. In the meantime he had been reported to the Home Office, who ordered his re-arrest on Monday, April 30th. The police sergeant arrived just at the time when the iiieii. had finished din- ner and were pl"8paringL" ready for the afternoon work and would have to leave by the same way as the arrested man. Naturally feeling ran very high, their sympathy going out, in a full flood towäJxlsthe comrade, who we knew would have to serve the rest of his sentence, which amounted to six months, for so small an offence, which technically amounted to theft, and for which he would have to serve six months, most probably without trial, and then sent once more to the araiv, which would mean another term of imprisonment. Such is the justice meted out, in "England the land 3f the Free?.

I Not Having Any. I BLAENAVON MASS MEETING AND THE I COMB-OUT. At a mass meeting of six hundred of the Blaenavon miners held on Saturday, May 5th, in the open air, it was decided to reject the re- commendations of the Executive Council re combing-out, and, also to back it up with or- ganised resistance in the event of any men being taken by the military authorities. The following resolution was moved by Mr. E. Plaisted and seconded by Mr. F. Marchant: That we demand His Majesty's Government to enter upon peace negotiations immediately with a view of bringing about an, honourable and lasting peace. Mr. W. L. Cook, deputy agent, gave a good report on the scheme as outlined by the Con- trol Board.

Baptist Peace Fellowship. The Council Chamber was crowded to overflow on the oceasion of the second annual conference of the Baptist Peace Fellowship. The Rev. Ex-Principal Bowser, B.A., presided, and the Rev. Herbert Dunnico gave the address. In the course of his address he said we were living in a time of great perplexity, facing changes, the significance of which they hardly realized, and the Church was at sea drifting aimlessly in the shallows of a narrow National- ism, and amidst circumstances so tragic, and un- speakably sad, that many found their faith fail- ing them. Their leaders were speaking of the great revival that was likely to come as the re- sult of the war, and their pulpits were proclaim- ing the unifying and the purifying effects of it. A great disillusionment awaited them, and unless the Churches awoke from their lethargy the great progressive forces would sweep them aside. On the one hand thousands of the best young men in the churches were suffering in prison for conscience sake, and that suffering had resulted in the strange and wonderful spiritual quicken- ing. Those men would not find in the churches the fellowship they needed. On the other hand there were a larger number still, who in the early days of the war responded to the call of their country, moved by motives as lofty and ideals as pure as the former, but war had proved a great disillusioner, and with all their high hopes disappointed, they would turn away from the Church that had deceived them in disgust and despair. Both must, however, be saved for the Church, and their Peace Fellowships—the Church within the Churches—they would be creating a Church comprised of those who re- fused under any pretext to participate in war, and thus unite all those in different ways that had been confined in their faith, that war and Christianity had nothing in common. He re- ferred to the widespread response that had been made to the appeal, and said, that these Fellow- ships were likely to be instrumental in estab- lishing a Church that would be truly Catholic; The Rev. Humphrey Chelmers, M.A., Dr. C. H. Watkins, M.A., Prof. Aldis, M.A., and many otherl took part in the discussion.

Cardiff Star Chamber. INQUISITORIAL TORIES" EXAMINE" JIMMY EDWARDS. N.U.T. COLLECTING EVIDENCE. On March 26th last our Comrade, Mr. J. E. Edmunds, one of the teachers under the ban of the Cardiff City Council, appeared before the Special Committee which conducted an inquisi- tion into the opinions of the employees sum- moned to appear before them. In order that our readers may judge of the character of the proceedings of this new Star Chamber we give the following details of our comrade's experi- ence. The Committee was composed of the chairmen of the various standing committees of the Cor- poration, presided over by the Lord Mayor. Mr. Edmunds sat between the Lord Mayor and Ald. Illtyd Thomas, the Tory alderman who has re- peatedly attacked him. Some of the questions are interesting as a sample of the narrow and bigoted outlook of the members of the Cardiff authority. No Objection from Military. Ald. 1. T-: On what grounds did you base your conscientious objection? Mr. Edmunds: I have appeared before the local tribunal the Competent Authority set up to deal with this matter. It was composed of gentlemen all hostile of my point of view; but after hearing my case, they granted my applica- ion and gave me exemption from combatant military service. The military authority did not appeal, and I received my certificate. I must ask this committee to accept that certificate as evidence of the validity of my objection. The Inquisitive Alderman. The Alderman: We have nothing to do with the Tribunal. We want to know, was it on re- ligious grounds ? Mr. Edmunds I decline to answer. The Alderman: Was it based on religion? Mr. Edmunds: I decline to answer. The Alderman: Was it a question of reli- gion ? Mr. Edmunds: I decline to answer. The members of the committee started talk- ing and what the press calls a sensation occurred during which the Alderman turned to Mr. Edmunds and said: We have helped religious people before, you know." MT. Edmunds turned to the Lord Mayor and said, "Did you hear that, my Lord Mayor?" He then addressed the Committee and said, when a man pleads conscientious objection he reveals matters which is nearest his inmost being. I am not prepared to reveal these mat- ters here to be treated in an atmosphere of levity and carping criticism." The Alderman: We have had quakeresses and others here and they have told us. Mr. Edmunds: Every case you have had here has been that of a person who has not been be- fore a Tribunal. I have and I ask you to take my certificate as evidence. Are You a Socialist? Sir J. 0- Are you a Socialist? Mr. Edmunds: Really, Sir J I don't see what that's got to do with it. Sir J. C Didn't they ask vou at the Tri- bunal? Mr. Edmunds: No. Sir J. C You didn't come before the Appeal Tribunal or else we would have asked you? You are a Socialist, though, aren't you P Mr. Edmunds: Of course I am. Sir J-, and I put it in my case. No! Thank God. Ald. R-: Are you a member of the Union of Democratic Control? Mir. Edmunds: Yes, Mr. Alderman. Mr. Edmunds My Lord Mayor, in answering "Yes," may I feel assured that tne members of this committee know precisely what are the ob- jects of the U.D.C.? Ald. R No! Thank God, I don't, and I don't want to. Mr. Edmunds: My Lord Mayor, I personally never condemn any organisation before I at least know its objects and am acquainted with some of its literature. Councilor T-: Have you ever endeavoured to influence your scholars towards your own point of view? Mr. Edmunds (in challenging tone): No, Mr. Councillor, never, at any time, or in the slight- est degree have I endeavoured to influence the scholars entrusted to my charge towards my own point of view. I have always regarded my position as a teacher as one of honourable trust, acting on behalf of the Education Committee who themselves are the trustees of the general public. I have always given what may be re- garded as the general common measure of pub- lic opinion. Persecution Endorsed by Education Committee. These are a few of the episodes in the mediaeval revival which the crusted Tories in Cardiff have launched upon the long-suffering people of that aspiring city. The Education Committee on Friday last con- firmed the recommendations of the City Coun- cil and the four teachers concerned have to send in their resignations. Concillor W. R. Wil- liams made a sterling defence of our comrade and accused the Tory alderman of making at- tacks by means of perverted truths. It is interesting to observe that the President and the Ex-President of the N.U.T. have been in Cardiff during the last week-end investi- gating the circumstances surrounding this case. It is to be hoped that our comrade will re- ceive the support of his professional organisa- tion in his defence against an attack which is based upon political spite and malicious per- sonal renown. The civic rights of the teacher are at stake and we feel sure that the ofifcers of the N.U.T. appreciate the seriousness of the position. [We have received two or three letters deal- ing with the action of the Cardiff authorities, but pressure on space precludes their publica- tion this week. All are emphatically condemna- tory of the malicious persecution which has been so characteristic of the cases.—Ed.]