Pioneer

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

?<  ? .< Jfr NOTICE. ? $ > ON MAY 1st the system of ptaping periodicals on Sale or Return comes to an eiltf, 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.

Coun. Dollar], Glasgow, Arrested I NO EMPLOYMENT WITHIN 50 MILES. "J Councillor P. J. Dollan, chairman of the Glas- gow I.L.P..Federation was arrested as an ab- sentee under the Military Service Act on Tues- day. Ho was exempted by the Central Tribunal conditional on his taking up work of national im- portance, but the military refused to allow him to enter any employment within fifty miles of Glasgow. Councillor Dollan obtained five differ- ent situations which had been endorsed in the case of other objectors. His case is the first of the kind in Scotland.

Choose Your Representa- tives Now. I BIG GATHERING MUST MEET IN LEEDS I TO HELP RUSSIA, AND PREVENT A I SEPARATE PEACE. The United Socialist Council of the Independent I Labour Party and British Socialist Party. May 11th, 1917. Dear Sir,—The events which have recently taken place in Russia call for a reply on the part of the British Socialist and Labour move- ment. It is considered desirable and necessary by the undersigned that a conference shall be convened of representative organisations to con- gratulate and encourage our Russian comrades upon the success they have achieved in over- throwing the reactionary forces of that country and establishing real political freedom. The newly enfranchised Russian democracy are becoming increasingly despondent of the Great Britain which they once considered the home of liberty and progress. Dissatisfaction has moreover been manifested against the re- actionary forces in this country nominating and selecting individuals ostensibly to represent the Labour and Socialist movement of Great Bri- tain. In Russia, where the people have assumed control over their own political circumstances, they are repudiating the policy of imperial con- quest and annexation and declare repeatedly in favour of peace without annexations and in- demnities. They have, moreover, called upon the common people in all the belligerent coun- tries to throw over their reactionary Govern- ments which are at all times in favour of con- quest and imperial aggrandisement. Not only is it the duty of the German and Austro Hungarian working class to repudiate the dreams of conquest of their rulers, but it is clearly the duty of the working class of Great Britain to repudiate aims and aspirations—dy- nastic, territorial, and capitalist-tilat were supported by the Russian Czardom, and which have materially influenced the collective aims of the Allies. We therefore feel it our urgent duty to con- vene a representative conference of Trade Coun- cils, local Labour Parties, Socialist organisations and women's industrial and political organisa- tions, in order to ascertain and pronounce upon the opinions of the working class of this country regarding the. developments which have taken place in Russia. We are, moreover, especially anxious that Trade Union Br.'v'rhes and District Councils or Federations of Trade Unions shall be represented at this conference, and they will re- ceive credentials at their own request. It is becoming increasingly evident that the forces which brought about the war are unable to make peace. Just as the Russian democracy have taken the most significant steps in favour of an international peace, so must the demo- cratic forces in every country strive to emulate their magnificent example. If the Russian peo- ple receive no sympathetic response to their call for an international peace from the people of the Allied countries, they may be driven into a separate peace with the Kaiser's reactionary Government. It is our duty to work for a com- plete and real international peace based upon working class solidarity and therefore calculated to be honourable and enduring. The conference will take place at Leeds on Sunday, June 3rd, and the basis of representa- tion will be one delegate for every 5,000 mem- bers or part thereof The delegation fee will be 2/6 per delegate.. It is hoped that the great Trades Councils and local Labour Parties and all the branches of the Independent Labour Party and the British Socialist Party will pro- vide for strong representation in order to make the conference as representative and powerful as possible. Those Trade Union Branches and District Councils which feel that they are en- titled to separate representation may do so on the basis indicated above. Will all secretaries and sympathisers place this matter before their respective organisationsa-t the earliest possible moment? The conference will take place exactly a week before the Stockholm meeting of the in- ternational, at which the international situation will be considered by working-class representa- tives from all countries. The Leeds Conference will be destined to have a great and far-reaching effect upon the international situation. The plans of the imperialists, militarists, and aggres- sionists throughout Europe can only be thwarted by concerted action on the part of the working class, now rapidly returning to their adherence to the principles of the International Solidarity of Labour.—Yours fraternally, on behalf of the United Socialist Oouncil- H. Alexander, Chas. G. Ammon, W. C. An- derson, O. Despard, È. C. Fairchild, J. Fineberg, .F. W. Jowett, Geo. Lansburv, J. Ramsay Macdonald, Tom Quelch, Robert Smillie, Philip Snowden, Robert Williams. Albert Inkpin, Francis Johnson, Joint Sees.

AN IMPORTANT SUGGESTION. I .I TO THE EDITOR. I Sir,—The Trade Union and Socialist Organi- sations of the country are being circularised ask- ing that delegates should be appointed to attend a conference at Leeds on Sunday, June 3rd, in order to voice the opinions of the nxaisses of this country regarding the developments in Russia. I know there are many organisations who cannot afford to send delegates to such a conference. But it is the greatest, and perhaps the only opportunity that will ever present itself to the working-classes of this country to effectively voice their opinions upon Prussianism at home and abroad. It would therefore seem desirable that all branches and lodges unable to stand the ex- penses of a representative should at least iden- tify themselves with the inotement by returning a credential with a delegate fee of 2/6.—Yours iaitJirullv, t. taithtiUty, E. Stonelake. Herbert-'str&et, Aberdarg.

Profiteering Patriots. I WELSH WORKERS, AND FOOD SUPPLY, I CALL TO GOVERNMENT TO STOP I TINKERING. Dissatisfaction with the Government food control policy was expressed during a eionfereiice of Trades Unions, Labour and Co-operative or- ganisations of East Glamorgan and Monmouth- shire, held at Cardiff on Saturday. Mr. Thomas Richards, M.P., who presided, said they required a complete centralisation upon the Government to give up tinkering with the question of food supply and to see that some remedy was found. (Applause.) Lord Devon- fO?l.,f had given them a very interesting descrip- tion of how a cargo of beans had been in the hands of gamblers on the way from Burmah to this country ten times before he stepped in, and instanced this as evidence of hps vigilance and that of his Department. (Laughter.) In his (the speaker's) opinion it was a striking example of the methods that these profit patriots had been allowed to use untrammelled up to the third year of the war. He was surprised on inquiry that the beans he. sometimes ate oost him P-100 a ton, but which the Government said cost only £ 37. It was getting more evident every day that the Government must at once take in their hands the whole question of the supply of food and see that the prices were within reach of the people. Mr. W. J" Whitney, manager of the Co-opera- tive Society, Tredegar, moved a resolution, which asked the Government to deal with the food problem on the following lines :— (a.) The purchase of al essential imported foodstuffs; (b) the commandeering or controlling of all home- grown food products, such as wheat, meat, oats, 'barley, potatoes, and milk; (c) the commandeer- ing of all ships and the control of transport facilities; (d) the placing on the retail markets of all supplies so obtained and controlled at, prices which will secure the full benefit of Gov- ernment action to the consumer; and (e) the selling of 'oread at a price not exceeding 6d; per quartern loaf. This was supported by Mr. Fred Bramley, of the Workers' War Emergency National Com- mittee, who, instancing cases of profiteering, explained how a farmer who produced potatoes on 48 acres of land made a profit of £ 2,713 thereon. The agricultural interest of this coun- try had made enormous fortunes during the war by exploiting the people. (Shame.) Yet the Government guaranteed the farmer a jrnnif price, but not a minimum wage for the skilled labourer. The- resolution was carried unani- mously. Miss M. Pallister, Brynmawr, moved the other resolution, as follows: — "That with a view of securing an equitable distribution of the available supply, that powers be given to municipal, urban and other local authorities to set up special Food Control Com- mittees, to which shall be co-opted representa- tives of Labour, Co-operative, and Industrial Women's Organisations, for the purpose of supervising the registration of consumers, the equitable local distribution of food-stuffs, and the institution of municipal food-services. That failing prompt and satisfactory measures being adopted by the Government to deal with the growing difficulties of the food supply and the continual exploitation of consumers by food pro- fiteers, a National Deputation, drawn from all parts of the Country, should be organised to ap- peal directly to Parliament in person." Mr. T. Lucas (Miners' Agent, Ogmore Vale) seconded. Mr. Jamas Griffiths, Cardiff, supporting, said It is coming to this: we must stop profiteer- ing or stop the war." The resolution was passed with unanimity.

Enveloped in Flames. I FIREMAN'S TRAGIC END AT ABERDARE I OUTBREAK. An inquest was held at Merthyr on Tuesday upon Alfred Davies (56), of Albert-street, Aber- dare, an auxiliary fireman, who, with nine other men, was injured at the blaze at Messrs. Holwell ,and Co.'s oil stores, Aberdare, on Saturday week. Walter Cox, manager, said Davies was playing with a hose on the fire when an oil tank, con- taining 2,700 gallons of petroleum, exploded, and the flames enveloped him. Police-inspector D. Griffiths said he saw Davies running with his clothes afire, and the flames were put out by wrapping him in rugs. Mr. David Edwards ten- dered the firm's sympathy with the relatives, and said an appeal respecting the dead man's family was being put before them. Mr. W. R. Morgan (Town Clerk) said the district council also had passed a vote of sympathy with Davies' family. The Coroner (Mr. R. J. Rhys): That is very nice, Mr. Morgan, but is there any chance of provision for the widow and children?—Mr. Mor- gan I hope so/sir. A verdict of "Death from shock due to burns" was returned.

Technical School Scheme. Mr. Rhys Elias, Director of Education, was asked by the Merthyr Evening Schools Commit- tee on Wednesday to prepare a draft scheme for n central technical school in the town, the Oy- farthfa. Castle Schools being suggested as suit- able for the purpose. Mr. H. M. Lloyd (chair- man), supporting the Director's recommendation for the adoption of such an undertaking, said that in addition to the Board of Education grant under the new regulations with regard to fur- ther education it was likely thatgrantB would also be received respecting any disabled soldiers who might be taught in such an institution. The Director of Education said that such a Tocal college would mean less teachers and apparatus than required as now when technical classes were scattered about the area.

Merthyr Motor Squadron. APPEAL FOR VOLUNTEERS BY SIR JOHN CURTIS. Speaking in favour of the formation of a local squadron of the Glamorgan Motor Volunteer Corps at Merthyr Town Hall on Tuesday night, Sir John Curtis, Commandant of the Corps, de- tailed the duties of the squadron, dwelling in particular on its essential importance as a co- operating unit with the Volunteers. There was always a possibility of a mobilisation taking place. He was one who took the view that the Germans would not let her fleet remain whero it was now without making some effort to have a last kick at England, which was blamed so con- siderably for the war and the way in which it had gone. If mobilisation took place it was quite certain that the battalions would have to be transported, and there was always a possibility of the train service being interfered with, and in that event there was only one way of reach- ing the point of iiiobilisatlon-motor-cax. Touch- ing upon the question of the petrol supply, Sir John said that this was a very difficult question. Cardiff was absolutely starved. They could not get a gallon unless they were on duty. Repre- sentations were, however, being made which he trusted would have the effect of bringing about a supply. The military authorities would have to be told that, although the squadrons were willing to move out at call, they dijii hot intend to push the cars, for that was the position they would be in.' Captain J. P. Higman (adjutant and or- ganiser) declared that Merthyr and Aberdare had been a source of worry and trouble for the last eighteen months, because while the motor volunteer movement had spread rapidly else- where, they had not been able to get a footing there. Major Jr. T. James (commander of the loÇal V.T.C.) spoke strongly in favour of the foijlia- tion of the corps, which would be a great utjjity in connection with the hospital at Aberdare, And particularly in connection with the V.T.C., which in his district was very scattered, being spread over the Aberdare and Merthyr Valleys and along the Rhymney Valley as far as Caer- philly. He explained that a motor volunteer squadron consisted of 132 men, 56 cars, andi20 motor-cycles. Merthyr was unlike Cardi#, si^De, as a big industrial district, there were net the number of private cars in use, and 56 might be a tall order; hut judging from convictions there would be no difficulty in getting the cycles and moil willing to ride at some speed. Capvaitt Isaac Edwards uffclaUM it .to fcT'tii* duty of every man unfit to take his place in the fighting line to join the volunteers. It was unanimously decided to form a squadron and an executive committee was appointed.

Fleecing the Public." I, MERTHYR COSTERS FINED 95 FOR IN- FRINGEMENTS OF POTATO ORDER. These people are simply taking advantage of a shortage of food to fleece the public in a most shameful way," said Mr. R. A. Griffith, the Mer- thyr- stipendiary, on Tuesday in fining two cos- termongers, Walter Winstone and John .Foley, of Quarry-row, Merthyr,£5 each (with an al- ternative of 31 days' imprisonment) for selling potatoes by retail at prices exceeding lacl. per lb. Evidence was called to the effect that Win- stone had sold two pounds of potatoes to a woman at Dowlais Top for eightpence. Foley was said to have sold two pounds for sevenpence. Mr. F. S. Simons, solicitor for defendants, said the potatoes were seed potatoes, the maximum retail prices for which was 3d. a pound. Mr. J. A. Wilson (chief-constable) said that there had been great difficulty in obtaining seed potatoes in the town, and seed potatoes being used for consumption made it even more difficult for allotment-holders to get supplies. Mr. Simons pointed out that the potatoes were not meant by defendants to be sold for eating, and were only supplied to these women at Dow- lais as a favour. The Stipendiary said that both were very bad cases, and described the potatoes Winstone sold (which were very small) as miserable marbles."

Merthyr Recorder. APPOINTMENT AS COUNTY COURT JUDGE. Mr. Albert Parsons, K.C., recorder of Mer- thyr, has been appointed county-court judge of Circuit No. 7, in place of Judge Barnard Lailey, K.O., who has been transferred to the county- court of Circuit No. 5, in place of Judge Mar. telli, K.C., deceased. His Honour Judge Parsons, who has practised for some years on the South Wales Circuit, is the fourth son of Mr. Robert Parsons, of Brad- ford, and was born in/1865. Settling at Cardiff in 1894, he became one of the best-known coun- sel in South Wales, and he had a wide range of practice in both civil and criminal cases. He was a contemporary of Mr. Justice Sankey when the latter was attached to this circuit. His forte is in cases under the Workmen's Compensation Acts, on which he is an authority. His book, "Workmen's Compensation Acts," in which he collaborated with Sir Anton Bertram, now 1 At- torney-General for Ceylon, is largely quoted. It was published in 1899, and a fifth edition is in the press. In addition to his wide county-court practice his honour has appeared in many of the more important compensation cases both in the Court of Appeal and the House of Lords. For the last few years he has been one of the revising barristers for South Wales. He has written several notable works in addition to that on compensation. Among them is one published in 1893 on the liability of railway companies for negligence towards passengers. He married in 1890 Ada, the daughter of the late Mr. Lewis Harrison, of Pewsey, Wilts. His chief recrea- tions are golf and cycling.