Pioneer

Mid-Rhondda Notes. Co-op. and Direct Representation. On Saturday night the quarterly meeting of the Mid-Rhondda Co-operative Society was held at Hermond Chapel, Tonypandy. The meeting was well attended, and a great deal of work was gone through. The balance sheet was read by Mr. H. L. Warren, the C.W.S. auditor. It was moved by H. P. Davies that the report should be accepted with a vote of appreciation- and con- fidence in both the committee and staff, which was duly seconded and passed unanimously. The election of committee also proved quite interest- ing, quite a number of young men of the right stamp were elected. But the most interesting item on the agenda was a letter received from the Manchester and District Defence Association, which advocates, Co-operators should secure direct representation in Parliament and on all local administrative bodies." W. H. Mainwar- ing in a strong speech defined the committee's attitude, he explained that while the committee was in perfect agreement of having representa- tives on both legislative and administrative bo- dies, that they were totally opposed to anythiig in the form of direct representation. He pointed out the danger of dividing the working-class into sections by. such methods. The worker could not split himself up to be a Co-operator one day, and a trade unionist the next; his interest was one —and indivisible,—that of his own class, and if the Co-operative movement was out to serve the working class, it could only do so by affiliation with the trade-union and labour forces. Finally he moved the resolution: "That the Co-opera- tive Movement should affiliate with the Labour Party." The resolution was seconded by Com- rade Jack Hughes in a very able and lucid speech, others spoke to the same effect, and the resolution was carried with enthusiasm. Two de- legates were elected in the persons of W. H. Mainwaring and Tom Arthur, the secretary, to attend the Swansea conference. A Pleasant Ramble. The Rhondda boys had a ramble last Sunday to Tonyrefail, and spent a very pleasant after- noon with the Tonyrefail and Gilfaeh comrades. In the evening Comrade Mainwaring delivered one of the series of lectures on the Chartist Movement, which proved, as usual, both instruc- tive and interesting. After singing the Red Flag" we marched home through the rain.

Clydach and- District Notes. Intimidation Case. Great interest was shown on Friday, May 18, by members of the Workers' Union, employees of the Mond Nickel Works, Clydach, when six of their comrades were summoned to attend at Pontardawe Court for intimidation in respect to a Mr. John Sykes, a "loyalist," at the time of the recent strike. The chief witness for the pro- secution was unable to attend the court owing to illness, and the rosecuting solicitor asked for the case to be adjourned for a fortnight. The men's solicitor, Mr. D. Harris, stated the case arose out of a trade dispute, and urged the case to be proceeded with, as delay was serious at the present time. The case was adjourned for a fortnight. A Demonstration. A demonstration for. the Swansea Valley is being organised by various Trade and Labour Councils in the District against any further at- tempt of Industrial Conscription and calls upon all Trade Unions and Labour Organisations to co- operate in this movement. Further particulars can be obtained at the Trade Union Centre, Clydach.

I Swansea Valley Notes. I Noah Ablett's Great Meetings. At Gwauncaegurwen on Sunday last two splendid meetings were held, one in the after- noon and in the evening. The speaker was Mr. Noah Ablett, who needs no introduction to readers of the Pioneer." The meeting in theaÏterlloOil was held in the open air, and Mr. Ablett spoke on the present position of the miners; their duty in the Federa- tion; combing-Qut; and various other matters of importance to South Wales colliers. The chair- man was Mr. Joe. Dicks. The public Hall was packed in the evening, when Mr. Ablett gave a very strong and educative lecture on the subject: "Nationalities and Internationalism." He traced the history of the nations, showed how different races developed into the nations which we have to-day. He then dealt very elaborately with the economic interpretation of history; demon- strated the class distinctions in every country, and in a very able manner compared those with the racial or national distinctions. He traced the growth of capitalism and its effect on the minds and conditions of the people; the growth of Trade Unionism and the trend of the Labour Movement to-day. He showed how wars were brought about by the capitalist system: how that system obstructed the production of art and liter- ature and how it was maintained and strength- ened by the people being divided against them- selves in nationalities. He appealed to the workers to study present day questions from the International point of view, and to organise strongly on industrial lines to overthrow Capi- talism and to establish a system of society which would abolish wars and poverty and secure the true emancipation of the working-class. The lecture was one of the ablest ever de- livered on the subject at the 'Waun, and the lecturer was very loudly applauded when he sat down. A few questions were then asked, all of which Mr. Ablett answered at length with satisfac- tion. Mr. J. L. Rees, Trebanos, then moved the fol- lowing resolution: That this mass meeting of the people of Gwauncaegurwen and district con- gratulates most heartily the Russian workers on their achievement in accomplishing the Revolu- tion, and further, calls upon the miners of South Wales to respond to their invitation of taking International action to end the war." Mr. Joe Dicks seconded and the resolution was unanimously carried. The chair was very ably filled by Mr. D. R. Owen, Garnant. After the above meeting a large number of young miners remained behind to discuss important matters concerning the present situation. Still Handing Over. At the Pontardawe Police Court on Friday, Tom Edmunds, David and John Roberts, all of Gwauncaegurwen were charged with being ab- sentees under the Military Service Act. Tom Edmunds, a member of the N.C.F., when asked if he had anything to say, said he de- sired to protest against his treatment previous to being brought into Court. He stated that he had been confined to his cell, and given no op- portunity to prepare a defence, and then rushed up to the Court to have the charge suddenly launched against him, and his case he considered was most unfair. "As a class-conscious conscientious objector," he said, I do not intend having anything to do with the murdering of nly fellow men. As a Socialist I believe in establishing Peace by solidarity of the International working-class, and not by means of the sword, The Military Ser- vice Act provides men who hold a conscientious objection to military service, with absolute ex- emption. The members of the Tribunal recog- nised that I am a genuine conscientious objector by granting me non-combatant service, I refuse to accept non-combatant service for these reasons. I oppose Conscription Clerk: "I am very sorry, but you are not al- lowed to plead your conscientious objection at this Court. We are here to decide whether or not you are an absentee under the Military Ser- vice Act, and-" Alright," said Edmunds, all I have to say is, that be the consequences what they may, I shall never be a soldier.' The chairman immediately imposed a fine of 40s. and handed him over. The brothers Roberts put up a short defence but to no avail. They were each fined 40s. and handed over. Tom Edmunds and David Roberts, who is also a C.O., went off very cheerfully by the 4,20 train to Swatoeea. I Food Conference. A large conference was held at Swansea on Saturday night to discuss the question of Food. The conference was called by the War Emergency National Committee, and was held at the Docker's Hall. In the absence of Councillor Dd. Williams. Mr. James Wignall, J.P., occupied the chair, and in opening the conference, he made a strong and lengthy speech, in which he ex- plained the object of the gathering, etc., and wound up by Vehemently denouncing the pro- fiteering that was being carried on in the coun- try by the food merchants. Mr. J. L. Rees (Trebanos) moved as an ad- dendum to the main resolution: That failing prompt action on the part of the Government, the Trade Unions should, through the Triple Al- liance, take drastic action at the end of four weeks." Mr. Tom Jeremiah (Pontardawe) se- conded in a very forceful and eloquent speech. He said that the Government had become so used to receiving pious resolutions, tha,t they would not take notice of the present one unless it was backed up by the threat of drastic action on the part of the workers. A short discussion followed, the amendment being supported by Dr. Williams, Port Talbot; Phil Austin, Fforrestfacli; Tom Jones, Grovesend, and others. The resolu- tion was then passed with the above amend- ment. Mr. Dan Evans, Fforrestfacli, then moved a, resolution protesting against the arrest of the seven strike leaders, and demanding their imme- diate release. This was carried unanimously. Mr. Stanley Aubrey moved a resolution pro- testing against the Swansea Education Author- ity in thier action in investigating the conscien- tious convictions of school teachers. M-r. Dan Evans seconded in a. fearless speech. This resolution was carried with acclamation, there being one dissentient. Mr. Meth Jones, the convener of the confer- ence, announced that the number of delegates present was 216, representing over 245,000 mem- 216 1, bers. Ramsay at Swansea. I Mr. Ramsay Macdonald is the speaker at the Elysium next Sunday at 7 o'clock. Miners wjio intend being present should assemble at 5.30 as a conference will be held to discuss very impor- tant matters. Industrial Conscription. I At the Trade Union C entre on Monday even- I ing an address was delivered by Mr. H. N. Hunt, secretary, Trades and Labour Council Clydach, on Inati,trial Conscription. many Tlierew-ere many present and a good discussion followed the ad- dress. Mr. Hunt is one of the six men who are being prosecuted for an alleged assault upon one of the Loyalists during the strike at the Mond Nickel Works. His strenuous labours in the movement has won for hkn a very high esteem in the district.

-L!- riIIIIit- AFRICA AND THE PEACE of EUROPE A New Book by E. D. MOREL ''A uthor of "Truth and the War," "Ten Years of Secret Diplomacy," etc. MR. MOREL'S reputation as an authority on African affairs was internationally estab- lished long before the War. In this volume he brings his special knowledge to bear upon the African problem as it affects the PEACE OF EUROPE HThe distribution of European sovereign rights in Africa, and the manner of their inter- pretation, are admittedly among the most difficult questions which the Peace Conference will be called upon to settle. They raise in an acute form the future of the German Colonies and of the ECONOMIC WAR BY WHICH THE WORKERS OF EUROPE ARE THREATENED when the slaughter has ceased. It is, therefore, essential that Democracy should un- derstand the vast issues at stake and how intimately Democracy is concerned in the new settlement of Africa. "r Mr. Morel is emphatic in regard to the treatment of the natives which, he shows, can- not be separated from the political problem. His appeal is an appeal both to HUMANITY AND STATESMANSHIP But the most important feature of the book is the Author's proposals for the NEUTRALISATION AND INTERNATIONALISATION of the greater part of Africa. In this, his latest work, Mr. Morel makes a further constructive and valuable contribution to THE CAUSE OF INTERNATIONAL PEACE Africa and the Peace of Europe will be eagerly read by all who are conscious of the immense educational influence of the Author's previous writings. Demy 8vo, 2/- TWO MAPS Post fee, 2/4 —————————————————— To be obtained from the NATIONAL LABOUR PRESS, Ltd., Manchester: 30 Blackfriars St. Telephone': City 5206 INDEPENDENT LABOUR PARTY, London: St. Bride's House, Salisbury Sq. City 13Q2 BRITISH SOCIALIST PARTY, London: 21a Maiden, Lane. Telephone: Gerrard 877 REFORMERS' BOOKSTALL, GLASGOW, 126 Bothwell Street; and all local agents, and I.L.P. and U.D.C. Literature Secretaries.

Tonyrefail Notes. Young Lady's Sudden Death. ] The sudden and sad death of Miss Elsie Mathews (23), of Pritchard-street, Tonyrefail, occurred last Sunday morning, May' 20th. She was quite well and out shopping on Saturday evening without any apparent sign of illness. Early Sunday morning she was taken seriously ill and died shortly after. Pit Accident. An unfortunate accident occurred at No. 1 Steam Pit, Coed Ely, under somewhat excep- tional circumstances, last Sunday. It seems that a sister and a young brother of one of the officials paid a visit with the latter to the mine, and while proceeding from the pit bottom they met a runaway journey of empty trams, which caused serious injuries to both the boy and girl. The official escaped without injury. It seems that the rope was broken by a fall which caused the trams to run away. Slack-Time Meeting. I Last week a meeting was held by this Cilely Colliery workmen to consider the slack time at the Colliery. It was generally complained that the workmen cannot live on the earnings at the present rate the colliery worked; and in view of the high cost of living. It was unanimously decided to send a deputation to the management with recommendations for the purpose of alle- viating the conditions. Also, it was reported that the committee had made arrangements with the management for a stricter observance of the Non-Unionist agreement, which was endorsed by the meeting. Those -,Oo allow themselves to go into heavy arrears will do well to ceiase the prac- tice. The Allotments. I Allotments are almost now in full order for the production of foodstuffs. It is to be hoped that the perseverance of the workers will be blessed with good crops, and that the continual threats of the Sunday observers and clergy that God will blast the crops for working on Sun- days, will prove futile. Needless to say there cannot be any harm in doing good service on Sunday more than any other day. In exceptional cases it is expedient to toil on the land on Sundays. But as a general rule it is not so, and Sunday should be a day of rest to the toiling masses. It is rumoured that a few extremists who are so enthusiastic in the Sunday service on the land, desires that every worker should be com- pelled to work on Sundays on the land. Exces- sive toil is evidently having serious effects on their mentality. They deserve compassion. An Anniversary. I The Man on the Cross celebrated his first anniversary last Monday, May 21st. It may be remembered that a year ago he was bound over to keep the peace (and in war time, too). Mum's the word. Propaganda. I -1 I Last Sunday the Rhondda and .District Social- ist Society rambled to Tonyrefail, where W. H. Mainwaring was to deliver his fourth lecture on the Chartist's movement in the open air. Un- fortunately he did not turn up at the specified time, and "by chance Comrade Owen Hughes, of Pontypridd," substituted him. Hughes delivered an interesting address on the life and auto-bio- graphy of G. J. Holyoake on the hill-side. Later in the evening Mainwaring put in an appearance and delivered his lecture at Bryn Davies' shop, Pretoria-road, where we had to seek shelter from the storm.

Maesteg Trades Council. PARLIAMENTARY REDISTRIBUTION? PROBABLE EFFECT ON MID-GLAMORGAN. The Maesteg District Trades and Labour Coun- cil held their general meeting on Wednesday.. Mr. Ed. Barnett, presiding, explained the re- commendations of the Executive Committee.. The chief aims were as follows: — I.-That the Executive Committee unani- mously recommend that in the rent case of, Smith and Rock v. Jenkins, that this council acquiesce to the request of the Cerau Lodge of the S.W.M.F. and pay the Solicitor's fee, and that the Secretary be instructed to writ& to the secretaries of all bodies affiliated to this council; that in future this council will not become responsible for any financial obligations entered into by any lodge, branch, or society affiliated to the council unless- the sanction of the council be first obtained and. that this present, case is not to be taken as 3.- precedent. 2. That we ask Air. Meth Jones (political or- ganiser) to give a week's work in this district to organise the Labour movement. 3.-That we ask Mr. Meth Jones to give a night to this council and to address the same on electoral reform and redistribution of seats. .• That this council instruct Mi-. Meth Jones to immediately convene a conference of all. J- L.C.s and L.R.C.s in the division (Mid-Glamorgan) with a view of forming a fed- eration of same, failing Mi-. Jones carrying this work out at an early date that this council give powers to its Executive Committee to do th& work. 5.—That this council demand an explanation, from Mr. Meth Jones why the two extra mem- bers appointed by this Council to the local Mili- tary and Naval Pensions Committee have not yet been able to take their seats on that body, and, to instruct him to make the necessary arrange- ments for them to take their places as early as possible. 6.-Seeing that all official positions of this. Council are held by miners, the Executive Com- mittee recommends that the services of our late secretary, Mr. J. B. Phillips (Shop Assistants5, Union) be retained, and that we make him the- local organiser. 7.-That the secretary be instructed to write- to the secretaries of all societies, etc., affiliated to this council, giving them the names and ad- dresses of the rents investigators in all the wards as appointed by this council. All the recommendations were accepted by the. council. Mr. Meth Jones, addressing the meeting, ex- plained with regard to the Military and Naval, Pensions Committee representatives the delay was due to a mistake by the County Council at, Cardiff, but he was strongly of the opinion that, after the next meeting of the County Council these men would be able to take their places. Mr. Jones also fell in with the request of the council in all the other matters, and arranged, to attend the meeting of the council on June 13, on the matter of electoral reform. He stated that on the redistribution of seats Mid-Glamor- gan would be entitled to two seats. His opinion was that Maesteg, Ogmore, Garw, and Peny- bont Rural area would form a division, and the- remainder of the district the other. It was also decided to affiliate to the National; Council for Civil Liberties.

DOWLAIS RAILWAYMEN & HOUSING. The Dowlais railwaymen forwarded a resolu- tion to the Town Council requesting them to. • petition the Government on the lines suggested w'; h the Housing Conference at Cardiff. It was decided to refer the letter to the Housing Com- mittee. Printed and published by the National Labour Press, Ltd., at the Labour Pioneer Press,, Williams Square, Merthyr Tydfil, SATUDAY, MAY 26th, 1917.