Pioneer

Gorseinon Notes. I The Vicar of Gorseinon and Prohibition. I If all the parsons attached to the Anglican Church (let me say half of them) worked so ener- getically with the young folks as the Vicar does in the temperance movement, we should not want to hamper our brains about the prohibition of strong drink. The pubs would die as naturally as would the grass of the field when cut down. The Guild have won the shield and banner this year. The trophies are open for competition to the 450 parishes in the diocese of St. David's. Senior grade, Chrissie Thomas. Intermediate and other grades were Harold Willis (who was successful in obtaining the gold medal, also a prize from Lady Howard), Albert Sluman, Emilv Macmillan, Doreen Tobies, Bessie Davies are al- ways in the front. May the other members cheer up and obtain the shield and banner for maav a year. But, here I ponder, and say the vicar will not be with us many years. I can just ima- gine how many of the workers' children would become clergymen, doctors, or other professions by his ever-ready help and interest in the child of the worker. What a blessing if he were to remain for ten years. I have not seen one per- son of great wealth in church since the George Lansbury meeting. But listen, the vicar in nounced in the magazine a collection for lasi Easter of tSO, the highest ever received on a Sunday. Cheer up, vicar, the workers wh < do not attend your church will not fail von. A Welcome to John Thomas, B.A. The folks who were not present at the meet- ing when John Thomas, B.A., gave an address upon Bertrand Russell's book, "Social Recon- Social R e con.. struction," lost the time of thefr life. Jack was brilliant, the manner in which lie dealt with th's wonderful book excels anything I have heard. Oh! Listen to the Band. I Yes, what I stated six months ago has held good. What will the gods say now that our Temperance Prize Band has commenced the first of -t series of Sunday evening recitals on the Kingsbridge Common? What a multitude of people enjoyed themselves. When I got around them with trilby in hand, they were throwing their coppers and bright little nuisances with de- light. We shall soon clear the debt off the in- struments if we continue as last Sunday. It was good to meet the broadminded churchgoers who said that it was the most delightful Sunday evening spent for many a year. Shall we con- gratulate Mr. Sutcliffe and the committee upon their adventure. Then with one. accord, so say all of us. The Band was successful at Tumble by taking first prize (£10), also the quartette first prize. C.O.s from Llanon. The local I.L.P. and N.C.F. have on two oc- casions invited C.O.s from the Llanon camp to spend a week-end at our town. They were 20 in number. They attended the social on Saturday evening, and on the Sunday the outskirts of the village were rambled over. The meetings on Sunday evening were most enjoyable. Here were men from all parts of the country,, just airing their views in an open-hearted style. Each comrade could not express his thanks in words, for the manner in which the people treated them at the houses in which they stayed. One mem- ber of the camp, a native of Manchester, wrote saying that he had found The Ideal which he had long been looking for at Gorseinon; he had tasted that unity, that fellowship, which is sure- ly needed in many towns of England. The fel- lowship which exists oetween the I.L.P. and the N.C.F. is exceedingly fine. I agree with this comrade mention a word to an I.L.P.er against the N.C.F. and he is soon up against you, and vice versa. Long live the fellowship. Firemen on Strike. There are about 2U hremen on strike at the Mountain Colliery. They desire an advance in wages. The number of colliers and surfacemen are about 1,000. They were idle last week, and it seems as if a re-start will not be made for a while. CnuM.

Briton Ferry Notes. C.O. Arrested. Another C.O. was arrested here last week in the person of Mr. Samuel Williams. He is a married man. There are more to follow. Prof. Northcote's Visit. Professor Henry F. Northcote, F.L.S., visited us last week-end. He was a distinguished guest of the local I.L.P. The sudden rain of Satur-' day evening prevented the planned journey to the reservoir, where a lecture concerning the same was to have been delivered. Consequently an indoor meeting was held, when an instructive lecture on Bee Life was given. On Sunday afternoon better conditions pre- vailed, and a journey was made to an old Roman encampment where a lecture on geology was at- tentively followed. On Sunday evening he again addressed an indoor meeting on Astronomy. His return visit is awaited with pleasure. Church Pars. Rev. R. B. Jones (Ynyshir) addressed the League of Young Worshippers at Rehoboth on Thursday, May 10th. Special preaching services were held at Bethel on Sunday and Monday, May 13th and 14ti, when Dr. Cynddylan Jones (Whitchurch) preached. I Internments. Death has been rather busy here recently. The following were buried last week: Messrs. Jas. Morris, W. Harris (who died at Swansea Hospj- tal). Samuel Phippin, and Judson (the cobbler). A noticeable incident at Mir. Phippin's burial was the little group of Frenchmen who turned out to show their last respects. The deceased worked at the Docks, where he was well 1 nown and respected. As they stood round the open grave one had a vision of that day when not only Frenchmen, but all nations shall .gather round the open grave—"that gapes both deep and wide"—dug by Capitalism and sing with fer- vency the soul-melting strains of the" Inter- national.

Pontypridd Notes. May Day. A May Day Labour demonstration was held at the New I.L.P. Hall, Pontypridd, Mr. Pryce Vaughan presiding. The speakers were Messrs. Owen Hughes, Gordon Jones, E. Williams, and Morley Wright (Scarborough), the last delivering a lecture on The Value of Character." Lecture. 1 1 Mr. A. P. Yates, Merthyr (editor of the Pioneer "), spoke to the Pontypridd I.L.P. on Sunday on "An Idealistic Socialism." Mr. 0. Hughes presided over a good audience, and a large number of questions were satisfactorily answered. i • t ?'

Js Rhymney Valley Notes. I At the fortnightly meeting of the Bedwellty Urban District Council the Food Control cam- paign was strongly advocated and supported by the labour members. Practically the whole of the Council were in favour of controlling, and if necessary purchasing, and distributing the necessities. Suggestions were made as to having central bakeries, etc; and it was decided to hold a special meeting on Tuesday, to consider the whole question. There is a movement on foot throughout the whole of the Councils of the Valley with the ob- ject of an uniformity in the increase of wages to Council employees. Trouble has arisen in the Blackwood Gas Works, owned by the Bedwellty Council. Some of the stokers have oeen taken to do out-door work at less wages than they formerly received. In reply to a question the manager stated they would be required at their own work is the winter, also that the men had approached him as a body and refused to work unless their wages were increased, consequently lie brought the matter before the Council. It was proposed by Councillor Evan Thomas and seconded by Coun- cillor Bufton that they be paid their old rate. By seven votes to two it was decided to defer tho matter until the proposed conference referred to above. The workers organisation should note the pro- posed conference so as to protect the employees' interest. Bargoed Colliery Dispute. The question of settling a price list on the "Polka" seam at the Bargoed Colliery, has been submitted to arbitraters, and the parties have failed to agree. Consequently, the Execu- tive at Cardiff has sanctioned the handing in of notices, which have been tendered. There is a strong feeling amongst the men for the whole colliery to tender notices, but it is hoped a solu- tion to the dispute will be found. Housing After the War. The Local Government Board applied to the Bedwellty U.D.C. for details as to sites, etc., of any proposed housing after the war. The Coun- cil previously decided upon 1.000 houses, and, in conformity with the Local Government Board request, requested the surveyor to prepare plans and decided to advertise for an assistant archi- tect to assist him at a salary of £ 150 per an- num. S.W.M.F. and Housing. At the Rhymney Valley Miners' District meet. ing on Saturday Councillor T. D. Williams gave his report as a representative on the Town Plan- ning Association, and in reply to a question stated that if the whole Councils of the Valley amalgamated on the Housing question, their bor- rowing powers would he greater. Mr. Albert Thomas (assistant miners) agent) remarked the only questions the Councils had so far agreed to unite upon was the sewerage scheme, and that the housing problem was wrapped up in the land, and until the land question was tackled there could not be much progress. The District meeting decided to have show- card throughout the Valley. E.S.

Tonyrefail Notes. I Prohibitionist's Meetings. ,I Temperance reformers are making a supreme effort to popularize prohibition for the duration of the war and six months after. Last Saturday several speakers congregated near the Co-opera- tive Stores in the good old-fashioned way, i.e., on a box. A large number soon gathered to hear the oration, and attentively gave audience un- til a downpour compelled a retreat to the near- est chaped. This proved to be unfortunate to some extent, and had a damaging effect on the meeting, which promised to be interesting in view of the mixed gathering, since the only ones, apparently, that entered the chapel were the few enthusiastic supporters. Even the chief speaker did not sound the same note as he com- menced on the box, presumably because he in- stinctively knew that he was preaching to the converted. In one of his remarks the speaker asked, Have not the temperence Christian people the right to demand the total prohibition of this evil ? When glancing around the building, only to see about fifty in all out of the churches the question forced itself spontaneously upon the mind, whether the issue of temperance has suc- ceeded yet within the churches? With the ob- vious indifference on the inside one can hardly expect any great results from outside. Worse Than the Cross. I The Tonyrefail Cross has been and is a source of discomfort and displeasure to many of the fair sex, owing to the large number of men who assemble for no particular end in view, though many appear to find amusement in special ob- servation of the ladies, and often make unpleas- ant remarks. Possibly the women may have adapted themselves more or less to this condi- tion of things, but it may be said that when re- marks are made from public house windows, and presumably under the influence of drink, to young ladies who pass, it exceeds the limit. To subject them to ridicule in this manner is suffi- cient to convert any reasonable man of the need of prohibition. Concert. A concert was held at the Council Schools, Thomastown, on Wednesday evening, the 9th inst., under the auspices of the Thomastown Male Voice Party. For the occasion the Ogmore Vale Pierrots and Concert Party were engaged- this being quite a novel feature in this locality. This concert party was introduced to the audi- ence by its manager, Mr. J. Swash, who said that they had distributed over a thousand pounds in charity already. A long programme affording plenty of variety was gone through. It con- sisted of several concerted items, recitations, solos, and a sketch, viz., The Tap Room," written by Tom Thomas, the Welsh comedian. Mr. Dan Cooper and Miss Gwen Price rendered their solos very effectively, as also did Master Jimmy Lewis—the youngest member of the troupe. Recitations were given by Miss Nan Thomas and Mr. J. Swash. The sketch was per- formed admirably, and a good moral could be drawn from it. Of the items the best were "Up in the Clouds," Last Dog," The Telephone and We want a Girl." As may be expected the above programme was very humorous—a. little relief from the anxieties and troubles of war-time. We congratulate the above troupe for its excellent performance throughout, and also on the fact that the only reward which they ex- pected came from the proceeds of the sale of programmes. The chairman for the occasion was Mr. David Richards, Garth Hf.ll, who made a few remarks. There was a large audience, 47ad we believe that all thoroughly enjoyed* this con- cert.

Maesteg Notes. I On Monday the Maesteg Branch of the I.L.P. opened their summer propaganda with an open- air meeting near the Co-operative Buildings. The speaker was the Rev. George Neighbour, of Mountain Ash. his subject being, Socialism and National Necessity." He pointed out that what the I.L.P. advocated for many years and called Socialism the Government had during the war carried into practice (admitting the principles advocated by the I.L.P., although not in an ideal state), calling it National Neces- sity." He used as an illustration the principle of State control of the railways, but warned the people of Socialism from above." He denied the statement that Socialism would destroy in- dividual incentive, but it aimed at taking away private enterprise for private gain at the ex- pense of the community. He stated that Ave were disgusted at people making huge profits out of the present crisis, and lightly so; but reminded them that in peace times they supported this very system, and that they could not grumble that the profiteers aceellerated the making of profits now that they had their opportunity. The crowd was large and attentive, and good humoured, but for one man. who at the com- mencement kept up 'an interruption for about ten minutes. The sale of literature was good, as all pamph- lets were cleared out, whilst the collection was above the average for such meetings. The branch membership was also increased somewhat. It is intended to run meetings every Monday during the summer if sufficient speaker's can lief ob- tained.

Swansea Valley Notes. Women Employment. At the Trade Union Centre on Monday even- ing an interesting debate was held under the auspices of the local Trades and Labour Council. The subject for debate was: Should women be employed in factories." Mr. Philip Thomas, Clydach, took the affirmative, and Mr. Tom Evans, Ywsmudw, the negative. After the above had put their cases, a long and lively discussion took place, nearly everyone present taking part. On the question being put to the vote, a majority was on the negative side. Next Monday night Mr. H. N. Hunt will read a paper on "Industrial Conscription." i Peaceful Picketing. Mr. H, N. Hunt and five of the workmen of the Mond Nickel Works will appear at the Pon- tardawe Police Court on Friday (to-day) on a charge of using violence towards one of the blacklegs during the recent strike, A procession of sympathisers from the Mond Works and elsewhere will march up to the Court from Clydach to give support to these fresh victims of British Prussianism.

J Bargoed Notes. I Shop Assistant's Fatal Accident. I A verdict of Accidental death was returned at an inquest held by Mr. J. B. Walford at Aberbargoed on Rachel Jane Williams, a shop assistant (24), who was knocked down by a Bre- con and Merthyr Railway train on Friday. De- ceased and her sister, while on their way to busi- ness at Bargoed on the other side of the Valley, took a short cut; one crossed the line just before a mineral train passed up; the deceased, on at- tempting to cross afterwards, was knocked down by a passenger train coming down the line. The Coroner suggested that deceased fixed all her attention on the up train, and did not think of the down train. The jury expressed sympathy with the relatives.

Children on the Land. GARDENING TO BE TAKEN UP BY I SECONDARY SCHOLARS. Merthyr Secondary Schools Committee on Wednesday decided to allow pupils at the Cy- farthfa, Castle and Intermediate Schools to work on the land plots of the grounds attached to the schools to -be ploughed up for them to do so. Mr. Rhys Elias (Director of Education) spoke in favour of the inovation, and saJd that garden- ing might be substituted temporarily in place of woodwork and physical training in the school curriculum without any deliterious effect upon the children's progress, although he did not ad- vise the interference with the training of pupils preparing for examinations. Mi-. L. M. Francis objected that boys and girls were not sent to the secondary schools for land cultivation, and Alderman C. Griffiths said that parent# already strongly disappovred of the ele- mentary school-children in the town being put to till plots. It was decided to leave all arrangements for- putting the gardening scheme into practice in the hands of the headmasters.

TI-MORROW MAY BE TOO LATE. Get a Box TO-DAY FRobert Edes, of Weybridge, writesAfter I had taken the second two I felt better than I had done for over four years. The pain in my back had entirely gone. Mrs. King, Runwell Road, Wickford, statesYour pills cured me aftei years of pain." Sufferers from Gravel, Lumbago, Pains in the Back, Dropsy, Bright's Disease of the Kidneys, etc., Sciatica, Rheumatism, and Gout, will find a positive cure in Holdroyd's GraNel Pills, Is. 3d., all chemists; post free. 14"stamns.- Gravel Pills. Medical Hall. Cleckheaton HOLDROYD'S Medical Han. Cleckheaton RHEUMATISM. KIDNEY TROUBLE. Rheumatism is due to uric acid crystals in 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 is 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- ment of rheumatism and other forms of kidney trouble is due to the fact that they restore the kidneys to healthy action, and thereby remove the cause of the trouble, and b-ve 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 all 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 such 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 box of 40 tablets, or six for 6/9. All Chemists or, postage free, from Estora Co., 132, Charing Cross Road, London, W.O. Bargoed and Aberbargoed Agent-W. PARay WILLIAMS, M.P.S.

CORRESPONDENCE. Correspondents are requested to condense their letters as much as possible. Letters of, a personal character will not be inserted. The Editor wishes it to be distinctly under- stood that he will not hold himself responsIble- for the opinions or statements of correspondents nor undertake to return rejected manuscripts- Correspondents MUST write on one side of tllo- paper" only. _—-—

An Appeal from the Russians- TO THE KBIT OH. p L1, Sir,—I beg to appeal to you on behait or 1JjJ.tI most vital interests of the .Foreign population Of this country. The problem of Friendly Aliens is becoming more critical than ever. The campaign against us has become more intensified, more embittered, and it therefore demands the efforts of all those interested in it. The Government, with their new Military Service Bill, extending the provisions of the Military Service Acts of 1916 and 1917 to subjects of Allied States, have' re-opened the whole question of the conscription of friendly aliens. There are, however, some points which they seem to have overlooked;, and, many difficulties which apparently they have neither seen nor, provided for. In Russia the thing that seemed incxedible, has come to pass. The most downtrodden peo- ples of Europe have turned on their oppressors and have become the new power in the land. It is therefore, a dangerous moment for the Ellig-- lish Government to tamper with the liberties of Russian subjects in this country. It has till- justly been said of the Russian Jews that they were shirkers, trying to evade their obligations- They have refuted this charge with honour to themselves. Faced with the new Russia they have hastened to greet her. All ships leaving England for Russia, since the great Revolution have had their consignments of Russians- crowded in among the ammunition or the goods- The Russians are only too anxious to return tlo, their, country, but there are not many oppor- tunities at the present time, nor can their wives and children be taken across. Granted that this is due to the acute shortage of shipping, is this a moment to bring in a measure of Conscription Is it "playing the game" to enforce compulsory service on people who cannot leave the 'country ? If Russians owe any A- ilitary service, it is only in their own country where they are citizens., and nowhere else. Taking again a further consideration that they have apparently overlooked. Russia has granted independence to Poland. Britain and France Ita n confirmed this. Consequently Poland is- now a neutral state. The English Government have no right to conscript the subjects of a neu- tral state. Russian Poles cannot come under this Act; merely because the Tzar's eagle i5- stamped upon their passports. Taking again the question of the Roumaiiiark, Jews. All the objections applying to the Rus- sians enlisting under Tzardom apply to-day to- the compulsion of the Roumanian Jews. They are "Aliens" in their own country. The position of the -few in Roumania is as bad or even worse a5 the former position of the Jew in Russia. We have to offer these facts for serious con- sideration of the Government and English, public opinion, hoping that they will think it over again, before they take a. step which is- bound to be fraught with the, gravest conse- quences. •v To succeed in our efforts, persistence is needed, and for persistence, funds are wanted to cover the expenses of legal advice, printing, postage, meetings, journeys, etc., etc. In this we have- to count on the sympathy of our friends, and we therefore appeal to you for help. Unless we get from you immediate financial support, we shaH be compelled to cut down our activity and re- fuse to undertake the new tasks which become every day more and more urgent. This would mean that the alien defence would—at a time of the gravest danger—be neglected. Hoping you will stand with us to defend our freedom, our honour and the principles of pro- gressive civilisation.—I remain, on behalf of ray Committee, ABRAHAM BEZALEL, Foreign Jews Protection Committee against Deportation and Compulsion. PATRIOTS AND THE AGE LIMIT. TO THE EDITOR. I oir,—jjie raising of the age limit for military service will be welcome by many, and for various- reasons. National leaders like Mr. Stanton wilt he free to give us a real lead; as men of Mr. Stanton's physical fitness—he was even fit for a prize fight without any training—will be ready for some trench work in a few days. I shall also" watch with some interest the actions of some interest the actions of some of the local leaders in Mid-Rhondda, as they have already declared their readiness to shoulder a rifle against the enemy. And I take it that now that the age obstacle has been removed they will act on their declarations. Some of them are checkiVeigliei-s-, who can't be regarded as doing a work of na- tional importance as two men entering the weight of a tram of coal on two different books is nothing more than a duplication of work which is totally unnecessary. It is unnecessary because the old conditions under which the checkweighing system was founded has become obsolete and out of date. The war has changed the old relation between Capital and Labour, the antagonism that once existed has been replaced by mutual friendship, and oetter understanding. Men who were open" enemies of Lord Rhondda six years ago, have publicly declared their affections for D.A." Now that such happy relations exist between the parties, it can hardly be considered consist- ent in those to retain their old jobs of suspicious- ly watching the faithful servants of the employer weighing a tram of coal. If such useless dupli- cation has to go on for some time vet. there plenty of disabled soldiers or girls that can do it. 4Some of you have been very keen in sending poor tradespeople to the army under the preten- tion that you would go yourselves had it not been for the age limit, now is your chance to have a dig at the Kaiser. You need not worry about things at home, everything will be alright, the miners will watch their own interests; and we, the old shopkeepers over fifty, will help- them. SHOPKEEPER."

EDUCATION. A QUERY TO MARK STARR. TO THE EDITOR. Nir,-ID. your issue of last- week Mr. Mark Starr in his concluding article on the. "Outlines of Industrial History," stated that the aims of the C.L.C. were to spread indepeindeiit working- class education. As it appears to me to be some- what vague I should like to know what is the- difference, if any, between the Education r- ferred to and Education.—Yours, etc., PLEBEIAN. 4 Oakland-Place, Blackwood. 15th May, 1917. Printed and published by the National Labour Press, Ltd., at the Labour Pioneer Pressv Williams Square, Merthyr Tydfil. SATURDAY, MAY 19th, 1917:.