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Co-operative Congress at Swansea. MR. MACDONALD ON PEACE SOUGHT BY RUSSIA, CO-OPERATORS AND EXCESS PROFITS TAX. The Whitsun week-end saw the opening of the fortv-ninth Co-operative Congress at Swan- sea. On Saturday afternoon the reception com- mittee's luncheon at the Cameron Hotel was at- tended by about 200 guests out of the 1,200 ex- pected for the congress. In educational conference was held in the Al- bert-hall, Mr. W. R. Rae presiding, the sub- ject of An Educational Programme being introduced by Professor I • Hall, ALA. (adviser of studies), and producing an interesting discus- sion. In the evening there was a public meeting and concert in the Albert-hall, Councillor D. I Wil- liams (Swansea) presiding, and the chief speakers being Mr. W. Gregory, J.P. (Preston), and Mr. T. W. Allen (Newport). On Sundav a "Pleasant Sunday Afternoon was held in'the Elysium, Mr. J. Rhys Davies pesiding, and Mr. A. Mansbndge (Loadon) speaking. Mr. J. Ramsay Macdonald, M.P., addressed a crowded meeting at the Elysium on Sunday on the subject of peace, strongly insisting that it must be a democratic peace. The peace sought by Russia was one which could never be broken, for it would be established on the foundation of den-ioeracy. Referring to the coming Continental Labour Conference, lie said the British delegates were called, and they had accepted the call, and they had their passports. (Loud applause.) They were not going to take part in any pro-German plot. but they were going to get such an agree- ment as would redeem the democracy of Europe, to establish the Russian Revolution, to help their German comrades to emancipation, and to bring secret agreements into the light. Mr. Macdona-ld was present at the Indepen- dent Labour Party reunion, held to give a wel- come to members of the party who are attending the congress. The proceedings were orivate. Mr. Macdonald left Merthyr on foot on Saturday morning, and walked the greater part of the way to Swansea, which is about t' irty miles dis- tant. but he took train the last few miles of the journey. On Monday the delega tes were extended a civic welcome bv the Deputy Mayor (Aid. Ben. Jones). The president, Mr. E. R. Ward, in his inaugural address said that in charging excess profits on the savings of co-operators the British House of Commons perpetrated an act of gross injustice and redress must be obtained. They wanted neither State aid nor State favours. At a moment when 3 A millions of the cream of the working men willingly gave their sons to war this Government had unjustly taxed them at the instigation of profiteers. :\1. Barn off, one of the Russian delegates, re- ceived an ovation on rising to extend the greet- ings of co-operators of Free Russia. He ap- pealed to them to believe in Russian liberty in the future. M. Yarkoff, Serbian delegate, also extended greetings. Mr. R. Fleming (Belfast) proposed a resolution of congratulation 10 the Russian nation on achieving political liberty, and expressed the hope that in the new democracy the co-operative movement might take part. The downfall of Czardom, he added, was the death-knell of Kaiser ism. The resolution was carried. Both the Parliamentary committee and Cen- tral Board had resolutions recognising the pre- sent necessity for a special tax on excess profits, but, whilst the former suggested rearrangement of its incidence, the latter recommended that the intolerable burden be removed from co-operative societies. The first was put as a proposition and the second as an amendment. Supporters of the amendment urged that the tax enabled profiteers to put up prices and crip- pled co-operative societies. The amendment was carried by a large majority. A resolution against levying income-tax upon co-operative societies was also passed. Mrs. E. M. Penny and Mr. D. Lleufer Thomas (Pontypridd stipendiary magistrate) were the chief speakers at a meeting and concert held in the evening. The principal resolution of the Conference, submitted by the Parliamentary committee, was moved by Mr. W. T. Charter (Cambridge) at Tuesday's sitting That, in the opinion of the congress, the time has now arrived for the co- operative movement to take the necessary steps to secure direct representation in Parliament as the only way of effectively voicing its demands cand safeguarding its interests." Mi-. Charter assured the congress that therp was no alliance intended with any political party. What they solely desired was the voicing of co- operative opinion. Labour representation had admittedly done good work, but at present they had to go begging and praying for things to 00 done, and he thought they ought to be ready and willing to pay for their own representation in Parliament. He did not at all believe the asser- tion that such a thing was going to split up the co-operative movement. Mr. James Allan (Scottish Wholesale) second- ed, and said they had three-and-a-half million members, representing fifteen millions of the population of the British Isles, and having in- terest in trade at home and abroad representing about the repre- sentation of the Trade Unions? (Several Voices: Taff Vale decision.") Yes, and it is a ques- tion such as that that will face co-operators. Mr. E. Greening (London) moved, as an amend- ment, that the congress instruct the central board to invite the assistance impartially of all friends of co-operation in Parliament, members of all political parties, to resist the attempts to levy taxation on their societies. He argued that they could not dissociate themselves (if they had direct representation) from the votes of the four, political parties. Mr. Fred Maddison (ex-M.P.), seconding the amendment, referred to Protection versus Free Trade, and said that direct representation would bring into the co-operative movement that which could not be of anv real value. A card vote resulted in 199 roting ior the amendment and 1,883 against. c- The Parliamentary committee accepted a sug- gestion sent in by 104 societies calling upon the central board to take such steps as might be necessary to put the resolution into effect. Two amendments to refer thema her to the societies were negatived, and the original reso- lution was then put and carried on a card vote by 1.979 votes against 201. The joint committee of Trade Unionists and Co-operators submitted a resolution accepting a suggestion of the Trad e Union Congress at Bir- mingham last year that six members of the Co- operative Union meet six representatives of the! Trades Congress for the purpose of developing the productive distributive, and working .acti- vities of the co-operative movement, always pro- viding that the Trade Union rates of wages and conditions are recognised. Mr. J. Davison (Bedlington) moved the adop- tion of the resolution, which the congress accepted

I Bargoed Notes. The Study Circle. The btudy Circle met as usual on Vv hit-bun- day evening to discuss the latest I.L.P. leaflet on who is to pay for the war, and how. Comrade Matthews led off as usual, pointing out that, un- der the present system those who could best afford to pay, escaped, or found means to sim- ply pass it on. Among other things, the super- tax was not raised any further, on more than £lü,OOO. Comrade Pope urged that, if the Capitalist was done away with, we should still have to pay for the war, through the withdrawal of pro- ducers. as well as the destruction that had been wrought. The Capitalist system passed the bur- den on to posterity; we were still paying the in- terest on George III. 's debts. He urged that death-duties should be so raised that, when a rich man died, nearly all his wealth should re- vert to the State, leaving his family only enough to live decently on. Also drastic graduation of income-tax, after allowing for the support of a family, so as to take practically the whole of that part of an income which exceeded £ 10,000. The Church Party, in opposing disestablishment and disendowment, alleged that Sir A. Mond had £ 60,000 a year. Then the land, especially in Scotland, is mainly the pleasure-ground of the rich, so that we have to import our food instead of growing it. And much of this imported food is interest on our rich people's investments abroad. So lie would also propose a drastic tax on undeveloped and under developed land. An Aberbargoed comrade, who looks like coming to the front (in the real war; Ephesians, 6-12), urged that Russia is less aeveloped econo- mically, has only got half through the first, warlike, stage of Capitalism (see Boudin for the three stages of Capitalism; and Stepniak for why Russia has till now been an aggressive mili- tary state). And Capitalism was necessary at a certain stage, to make greater production pos- sible between the introduction of machinery on the one hand, and the centralization and organi- sation of Capital and Labour on the other. I asked if it was necessary for every people to pass through every stage: might they not learn, from our experience, what to avoid, and so skip a stage (just as, though the different beds of the geoolgicai series are always in the same order, some of them are missing in some places) ? The French Revolution was the result of a long j series of wars. into which the old nobility of France had plunged recklessly, counting that, whatever happened, they would get any glory and profit, and the people would get the losses; also, though nearly all the wealth of France was locked up in their hands, they were altogether exempted from taxation, bv the privileges which they obstinately refused to give up; so a point came at last when no more could be squeezed out of the unprivileged and then, sheer bankruptcy and famine brought the revolution, an effect of which, so I have seen it stated, was to quadruple the resources of France within a few years, by unlocking the wealth of the nobility and making it available for use. As for the nobility, instead of the very moderate taxation they refused to submit to, they got confiscation. Our Aberbargoed comrade replied that the French Revolution was only a half-success, be- cause its economic basis was too unstable, as the development of Capitalism in France had yet to come. Other comrades asked if we could get M.P. honest enough to make those pay who could best afford it. To which it was replied that some of our Labour M.P.'s were, indeed. worse than the Capitalists, as being traitors to the people but some trust was needed to make democracy pos- sible. Also, prudence sometimes has the effect of honesty: it would be harder to buy over 370 M.P.'s than 40.

The Theatre Royal. It has been a pity that the Theatre Royal has not been twice its size this week. I say this not because of the proprietors, but because I am aware that so many playgoers have been robbed of 11)1 opportunity of seeing the best that the stage has to offer, done by artistes who were born and not made." That last is a trite say- ing, but it is one that literally expresses my own personal feelings with regard to the units of the Armitage and Leigh Repertory Company, who this week brought their present visit to a close. I should like in just one line to again record my regret that The Barrier was onlv given on one evening—last Saturday—because I still regard it as one of the best things they do so well. Indeed I do not know that I have ever seen the characterisation of the Rex Beach mas- ter-piece so well done as it was last Saturday. I hope this will be borne in mind on their next visit. But to return to this week. "Find the Woman," the Monday and Tuesdav programme, is one of the most difficult dramas on the road, and to say that they did it well, is but to inade- quately speak of their performance. It was per- fect and the same is true of »• The Hypocrites —the great morality play which Arthur Jones penned—and which is being served up from Wed- nesday to Saturday. Greatly as I admire The Barrier I do not know which of these two plays I should have cut to bring it in. I have no intention of wasting my last few lines in an attempt to differentiate where all were so good in the caste, and I will content myself with once more expressing what I believe to be the sin- cere congratulations of the Merthyr Theatre- going public to Messrs. Armitage and Leigh on their fine discrimination in the selection of players, and plays. To put an Armitage and Leigh caste to play ordinary melo-drama would be to set Michael Angelos' to carve tonib-etones. May the company have long years of complete- ness and prosperity ahead of it. The news of the return of Mr. C. Watson Mill's Repertory Company to the popular house" for an indefinite period" will be welcomed oy all who saw them on their recent visits, and I think that pretty well the whole of the Merthyr play- goers got the Royal habit on tJle occasion of those visits. It is the same company with the same favourites that we have greeted so cor- dially on those visits. But, I must confess that their opening play is new to me. "The Apple of Eden" promises much from the title, but I draw a much greater promise from the name of the author, C. Carlfeon Wallace, who has done so much that is good in these latter days of the playwright's art. I am told on good authority that 'The Apple" is the sweetest thing that Wallace has done and that being so we should! have another week of pGcked houses from Mon- day on. At all events we have never had a bad show from this company, and I don't think we shall have. PLAYGOER.

Briton Ferry Notes. An Impression. Briton Ferry 1.1..P. was well represented at Swansea on Sunday last. The contingent num- bered about 65. The visit was well repaid, if only to feel the thrill when Mr. Macdonald an- nounced that the Government had granted pass- ports for Russia. Walking down in a body from Neath we created an impression. One good dame thought we were some choir; but the P. C. who eyed us from the Police Station steps, over which many C.O.'s Ifave passed had no doubts at all. He fully realised that we represented "the little Germany in Wales." A Ct eer Holiday. -? Y*. I I ?mi.sun Monday passed nit rather unusually. There were no tea-fights no processions. The ? children were disappointed, Lord Devonport pre- vailed. I Why Not? It lias not come to my knowledge that any of the local piti-lot,,s "-betiveeia 41 and 50 have yet joined up. I know not why, since the" if" crutch has been smashed to smithereens. Pro- bably now 0.0's will have a better chance of being understood, and "shirker" and "coward" may cease to have a meaning, unless applied to those who are ignoring the great opportunity.

I A Bumper "Plebs." The June "Plebs" opens with" A Letter to the I.L.P. from J. T. Walton Newbold, in which a strong appeal is made to I.L.P.ers to support the educational classes run in connection with the C.L.C. in South Wales, Northumber- land and Durham, and other parts of the coun- try. Noah Ablet-t, in reply to W. N. Ewer, Avrites on "The Guilclsmen's 'State' of Uncer- tainty"; H. Wynn-Cuthber t on Reforming Reformism"—another article of especial inter- est fb I.L.P.ers Frank Jackson on the dispute at Rochdale which preceded the national strike in the engineering industry and the concluding portion of W.H. Mainwaring's translation, "The -A l ovc?iitejit, Ludeli to Movement- is also published. Other features or a crowded number include a poem by Winifred Horrabin, News of the G.L.C. Move- N, c. w,?; of t b c C. L. C. o N, ment. and the "Plebs Bookshelf," in which ■las. Connolly's "Lftbonrin Ireland," Brails- ford's "League of Nations," and other nooks and pamphlets are reviewed. (2-J-d. post. paid, from Secretary, Plebs League, 127 Hamlet Gardens, R-avenscou-rt Park, London, W. 6; or from C.L.C. class-secretaries and srippbrfers.*ih South Wales).

Protected Occupations. AN EXPLANATION OF THE SCHEDULE. a This Schedule was compiled and issued by the War Cabinet on April 21st, 1917, its objeds being to release as many men as possible for the Army that are at present engaged on Admiralty, War Office or Munitions Work, or in Railway Workshops. What is aimed at, therefore, is to leave at their work only the minimum number of men essential to output." This Schedule has been drawn up quite independently of the list of Certified Occupations (which still remains in force for other occupations), and supersedes the previous system of Trade Cards, War Badges, and Certificates. In this new list men are scheduled in large measure according to age and specialisation, but in most of the occupations in the Schedule men can only claim protection if they were engaged in the same occupation on or before August loth. 1915. A Munitions Area Recruiting Office is to be set up in each recruiting district by the Army Council. In addition to the recruiting staff there will be at each office a Munitions Area Di- lution Officer to act for the Ministry of Muni- tions. No man is to be called upon to leave, his work for the Army by the ordinary recruiting officers, but only on the authority of the Muni- tions Area Dilution Officer in the district in which the form's works are situated. Any call- ing-up notice which does not bear the stamp of the Munitions Area Recruiting Office should be immediately returned to the recruiting officer who issued it, with a statement of the facts of the case. Men classed as Admiralty workers will be dealt with by the Admiralty representative of the dis- trict, and those who are War Office workers -by the Director of Army Contracts or an authorised substitute. Every man entitled by occupation, age, and date of entering industry to protection under this Schedule, will receive a "Scheduled Occu- pation Certificate, Army Form 3476 A." Men engaged in war work in occupations not covered by the Schedule, and men engaged in Protected Occupations but disqualified for protection by date of entering the industry or by age, will be granted Certificate W. 3476 B. This will serve as a protection unless and until a calling-up no- tice is sent from the Munitions Area Recruiting Officer. Those given this second type of certi- ficate, therefore, are only temporarily exempted, while those in possession of Certificate 3476 A are protected from recruitment so far as can. be ex- pected these days. No undertaking is given to provide substitutes in every case where a skilled or other type of man is withdrawn, although assistance is "pro- mised" to make good depleted staffs. Only general service men under 32 years of age will be called up, and then not if they are engaged on skilled munition work. But it is provided that this rule shall not apply if it is decided that the Army require the release from such work of ii:ienfn a lower medical c-ategorv." In any case nb protection is given to those "found to have a bad record for absence from work." Also it is important to note that: — If skilled artificers needed by the Army cannot be supplied from other .sources men engaged in any occupation protected under the Schedule may,. by arrangement with the Admiralty, War Office, Ministry of Munitions, or the Board of Trade, be called up for ser- vice in artificer units." Men engaged on work which they themselves consider entitles them to a protection card may apply on form L.E.C. 27 (obtainable at Employ- ment Exchanges), either personally or through their respective Trade Unions, to the Enlistments Complaints Sub-Committee, which has been set up for the purpose of dealing with such com- plaints.

Tonyrefail Notes. I Benefit Concert. I The benefit concert for Mr. Albert Prothero organised by the Gwalia Glee Society was a great success. The rendering of the programme pro- duced great satisfaction locally, and everyone praised it. The Aion Chapel was kindly lent for the occasion. It is often said by the inhabitants that it is unfortunate that there is not a con- venient public hall for the purpose of providing facilities to hold such concerts and meetings of general and common interest, without having to fall back on the religious bodies for the loan of their buildings. Co It is said that about £ 800 has been collected for wounded soldiers and soldiers home on fur- lough from the front. If this is true, it is a re- markable contribution to the temporary w-elfart- of the boys. Now the concerts on Sunday have been stopped by the Patriotic (?) District Coun- cil, and the fountain of this contribution has been closed. It is also said that there is a large amount collected for the war memorial. Mr. It. Lloyd, late manager of the Cilely Colliery, spoke, at a recent gathering and expressed a similar opinion that it was unfortunate that the public did not have such a hall. He also suggested that no better memorial could be, dedicated to the fallen heroes than a Public Hall, where they could be commemorated constantly by such public gathering and would be always in the public eye and memory, rather than a monu- ment at the cemetery where we only visit with bowed head s and heavy hearts when we are com- pelled by circumstances. Such an expression and suggestion deserves publicity and should have the serious consideration of the War Mem- orial Committee. Undoubtedly if such an under- 6te d lv if suc h an un d er- fating was entertained it would have the general support of the public. If £ 800 can be contri- buted for temporary benefit, surely twice as much can be obtained for a permanent memorial in the services of the public.

Mr. J. R. Macdonaid, M. P., at Blaenavori. THE OPPORTUNITY OF SOCIAL DEMOCRACY. IMPORTANCE OF LEEDS. ( Mr. J. R. Macdonald addressed a large public meeting on Friday, May 25th, supported by Mr. W. L. Cook (miners' agent), Councillor Wm Jones and Miss M. Pallister, over which pre- sided Councillor Wm. Mortimer. Mr. Macdorlald dealt very exhaustively ivith, and gave a lucid exposition "of the Russian Re- volution arid its possible effects upon Democracy if the position as now presented is taken ad- vantage of to the fullest extent. The speaker also dealt with the forthcoming conference at Leeds and impressed the magnificent audience; with the opportunities arising out of this con- ference, which is so vital if Democracy is going to have something to say in regard to the peace which will come sooner or later. Mr. Macdonald in conclusion made an earnest appeal for sanity and reason to govern the outlook of the masses.. At question-time we waited in vain for the' anti-Socialists, headed by Mr. T. Bubb, who for the last three weeks had been in the neighbour- hood organizing opposition to this meeting. The meeting closed with the usual votes of thanks moved by Councillor W. L. Cook, J.P., iiicTi seconded by F. Marc-bant, which was carried;, amid enthusiasm.

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 the paper only.

Mountain Ash Notes. Study Group. The Study Group connected with the C.L.C League which meets in one of the rooms of the Brotherhood Church continues to thrive, the at- tendance and interest being well maintained. Since the end of the official Miners' District Classes, Mary Marcy's Shop Talks on Econo- mics and Marx's Wage Labour and Capital" have been read and discussed together by the students with profit. Repeatedly it has' been found that a knowledge of economics is of great use in formulating trade union "oljcy and in understanding the everyday problems of the worker's life. A new booklet, Pannekock's Marxism and Darwinism," is the next item on the menu at the mental feast. Old class members should en- deavour to be in at the start of this interest- ing topic, and a hearty invitation to attend on Thursday nights at 7 p.m. is extended to all in- terested. The Secretary is Mr. Foley Tromans, 40 Cerodwen-s-treet, Mountain Ash.

FOOD PRICES: TIME FOR ACTION. TRADES COUNCIL VIGILANCE COMMITTEE A LL WORKERS in the district are urged to .11 take their complaints about over charging or any contravention of the Food Orders to the nearest of the following:- Enoch Jones, S.W.M.F. 73 Gwladys-st., Caeracca E. J. Davies, A.S.E., 21 White-st., Dowiais. J. Davies, N.U.R., 11 Francis-st., Dowlais. T. Hopkins, S.W.M.F., 34 Council-st., Peny- darren. Hy. Evans, Guardian, 1 Brynglas, Penydarren. LI. M. Francis, Councillor, Higlf-st., Penydarren J. Ad kin. Plasterers', 64 Ynysgau, Merthyr. G. Llewellyn, S.W.M.F., 55 Darren View, Mer.. H. Davies, S.W.M.F., 78 Ynysgau, Merthyr. W. T, Williams, N.S.A., 10 Rees-st., Merthyr. J. E. Jones, N. U.R., 9 William-st., Merthyr. A. J. Brobyn, A.S.L.E. & F., 13 Queen's-road, Merthyr. F., 13 Que,en's- oa d T. Price, I.L.P., 6 Newton-terrace, Merth vr. J. R. Jones, S.W.M.F., 84 Heolgerrig. D. Parry, Councillor, 26 George-st., Georgetown. Jno. Williams, S.W.M.F., 9 Pantygelvnen, Heolgerrig. W. J. Francis, S.W.M.F., 28 Brown-st., Pentre- baeh. S. Leonard, S.W.M.F., 52 Chapel-st., Aberc.-anaid T. Lewis, S.W.M.F., 6 Mount Pleasant-street, Troedvrlmv. J. Devona'ld, S.W.M.F., 5 Cottrell-st., Aberfan- T. W. Thomas, S.W.M.F., 37 Aberfan-road, Aberfan. W. Williams, S.W.M.F., Wingfield-st., Aberfan. S. Garlick, S.W.M.F., 3 Fell-st., Treharris. S. Morgan, Guardian, Treharris. Hugh Williams, S.W.M.F., 13 Windsor Place,, Treharris. J. H. Charles, Councillor, Primrose Cottages,. Bedlinog. Evan Jones, S.W.M.F., High-st., Cefn Coed OR ANY OF THE OFFICIALS OF THE TRADES COUNCIL.

AN OPEN LETTER TO THE DEMOCRATS OF ALL NATIONS. TO THE KDITOI:. Veal" Sir,-As all the nations of the world are- seeking for the best way to prevent Avars in the rutur.e, the following may contain a few useful suggestions: Let us have a Republican Government in each nation, and an International Government to settle all international disputes. Do away with secret diplomacy all disputes to be settled in. open court. Then we should not require to keep any standing army or navy throughout the world, only an International. Water Police Force to keep peace on the high seas, to prevent rob- bery, murder, plunder, and piracy, the same ae the policemen on the high road. Universal suffrage—every man and Avoman at the age of 21 to have a vote, and one vote only (patients in lunatic asylums to be disqualified). After deciding to have an International Gov- ernment, the first proclamation should be, all nations must disarm, disband their soldiers, dis- mantle their fortifications, hand over to the International Government all their Dread- noughts, together with all other ships of war. and their ammunition, at a valuation or on such terms as shall be decided upon by the Interna- tional Government. If any of the present crowned heads are thought to be the right person, after taking the vote of the people, to be at the head of repub- lics, let them be so j if not, let them stand aside for the peoples' choice. I should think any honourable King, Queen, Tzar, Kaiser, or Sul- tan, would gladly do so for the welfare of the people which they say they have at heart.- And to prevent a relapse into the state in which we are now, again, let it be taught in the schools of all nations that the rulers of the world are not it's presidents whom we have elected, but it's millions of men and women everywhere. Teach them also to look at the whole world as their country; England (if re- siding in England, if not, France, Russia, Ger- many, as the case may be) is the parish in which we reside to do good is my religion. I believe in freedom of thought; freedom of speech; freedom of action in every shape and form as far as it does not interfere with another person's freedom. Let us all be citizens of the world, or in other words, brothers of one family- Settle everything by the bra in and tongue, not by the sword and gun. If any editor wishes to copy this, please do so- —Yours, etc., W. TRIMMER. Cardiff. Printed and published by the National Labou*' Press, Ltd., at the Labour Pioneer Press5- Williams Square, Merthyr Tydfil. SATURDAY, JUNE 2nd, 1917.