The Amman Valley Chronicle and East Carmarthen News

Outline of MMUS::? MS b.M??e. MMS?' t?!tM!c!. THE CENTRAL AUTHORITIES. I I The following are the principal Depart- ments controlling local government 1. The Home Office was created in 1782. The Home Secretary' s duties relating to local government include: (I ) He is charged with the maintenance of the King's Peace; controls police and prisons; advises the King in the exercise of the prerogative of mercy; has absolute dis- cretion as to the naturalisation or aliens; advises as to the appointment of Recorders, Stipendiary Magistrates, police. (2) Generally he has under his control the whole machinery required for securing the internal well-being ot the country. (3) Inspection of institutions, including prisons, reformatory and industrial schools. (4) Miscellaneous duties under certain statutes, e.g., The Factories and Workshops Acts, Mines Regulation Acts, &c. 2. Local Government Board was created in 1&71, and is a Board in name only. it ;a composed of the Lord President of the Council, the Secretaries of State, the Lord ar.d a President, but, like the Board of Trade, Privy Seal, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, it never meets. Its duties are performed by its President, assisted by Parliamentary and Permanent Secretaries and a large staff. Its functions include Public Assistance, Public Health. Housing and Town Planning, Old Age Pensions, General Administration. Aliiec to it is the General Register Office, respon- sible for the registration of Birth, Deaths and Marriages, and preparation of vital statistics 3. The Board of Education was formed in 1899. Like the other phantom boards it does not et. Its admiistration is presided over by its President, who is responsible to Parliament; he is assisted by Parliamentary and Permanent Secretaries. Its principal duty consists in the control of elementary, secon- dary, technological, higher and university edu- cation and trusts, including medical inspec- tion of school children. 4. The Board of Trade was originally a committee of the Privy Council. Was first established in 1622. Present Department owes its origin to an Order in Council of 1786. It has been reconstructed from time to time, and in 1918 was divided into two main divisions, viz.:— (1) Department of Commerce and Indus- try, divided into sections dealing with Com- mercial relations and treaties; Overseas trade; Industries and manufactures; Industrial pro- perty Industrial power and transport; Statistics; (2) Department of Public Services Ad- ministration, engaged primarily in the work previously performed by the Marine, Rail- way, Harbour, Companies and Bankruptcy Departments. 5. Board of Agriculture and Fisheries wa- established in its present form in 1899, and its powers extended in 1903. It has .n ii)teill- gence Division for the collection of statistical and other mroTmatKMi relating to a?McuIture. for the bettor dissemination of which it edits a quarterly JoumaJ. The regulative side of its work is comprised in two other divisions, one of which is mainly concerned with the preventign and suppression of contagious diseases amongst animals, and the other with the working of the Tithe, Copyhold and Allotments Acts. The Board employs a chief agricultural analyst to investigate the quality of fertilisers and feeding stuffs, and the Enclosure Acts, and the Small Holdings and Ordnance Survey and the Geological Survey are now carried on under the Board's control. 6. The Privy Council is a body of nomi- nate d persons whose names are approved by the sovereign. Has played a most important part in the administrative development of local government. Grants Charters of Incor- poration for the creation of new Boroughs. Orders in Council make provision for bringing into operation many new statutes. In 1915 there was established a Committee for the Organisation and Development of Scientific and Industrial Research. (Clarke). 7. The Road Board was established by the Development and Road Improvement Funds Acts, 1909 and 1910. It is empowered: (I) to make advances to County Councils and other highway authorities either for improving existing roads or for making new ones; (2) to construct and maintain new roads on its own part which appear to be required for facilitating road traffic. 8. The Development Commission was established, by the above-mentioned Acts to advise the Treasury in the administration of a national fund for the development of agri- culture, fisheries, and other analogous economic resources of the United Kingdom. 9. The Board of Control was created by the Mental Deficiency Act, 1913, for the purpose of administering the Acts relating to lunatics and mental defectives. 10. National Health Commissioners were established ia 1911. I I. Ministry of Pensions was created by the Ministry of Pensions Act, 1916. 12. Minitsry of Labour was established in January, 1917, by the New Ministries and Secretaries Act, 1896. There has been trans- ferred to this Department the powers and duties of the Board of Trade under the Con- ciliation Act, 1396 Laoour Exchanges Act, 1909; Trade Boards Act, 1909; National Insurance (Unemoloyrnent) Acts, 1V1 1 to 1913. 13. Ministry of Reconstruction was estab- lished by the New Ministries Act, 1917, to consider and' advise upon the problems which may arise out of the war and may have to be dealt with upon its determination. Methods of Departmental Action. Clarke summarises the methods of Depart- mental Action as follows: (a) Inspections: Police and Establishments. (b) Enquiries: Borrowing, Alteration of Boundaries, Complaints. (c) Statistics Financial, Sanitary, Poor, Education, Judicial, Mental Deficiency, Births, Deaths and Marriages. (d) Audits by District Auditors of the Local Government Board. (e) Proscription of duties and their en- forcement. (f) Advice respecting new powers and duties. (g) Provisional Orders under enactments. (h) Local Taxation Grants. (i) Appointments: Approval of Appoint- ments, e.g.. Officers of Boards of Guardians. (i) Bye-laws subject to approval of the Secretary of State or Local Government Beard.

MIDWIFERY. I To the Editor, Amman Valley Chronicle. I Sir,- The correspondent under the nom-de- plume Lover of Fairplay should not for- get the old proverb of Look before you leap." Whoever the writer may be, has cer- tainly misconstrued matters vety much in defence of the party in question. I may state that jn my letter not a word was mentioned disputing the qualifications of the trained mid- wife. The matter arose in connection with the remark in the advertisement-not letter as mentioned by your correspondent—that she was the only" trained midwife in Amman- ford and I consider that I was justified in announcing to the public that others who had been in the field of the profession for years, and are still active, are entitled to considera- tion. Perhaps Lover of Fairplay will explain what the word only" means, and yet states that nobody wants to deny the creditable services rendered by others in this line. Surely, I am condemned on the one hand and yet confirmed on the other hand in the same correspondence. Thanking you in aiticipati(Mb.- Yours, &c., PRO BONO PUBLICO. I

THE DEMONSTRATION AT AMMAN- FORD. To the Editor. Amman Valley Chronicle. Sir,—I hope you will allow me a little j space in your valuable paper in order that 1 1 may shed light on a deplorable incident of the demonstration held at Ammanford on Monday. January" 27th. Several sp&akprc on the platform at the Palace Theatre made j statements calculated to foster among the younger element employed in the mines in this district a revolutionary spirit adversely prejudicial to the cause of Labour, and not at all in keeping with the character of Trade j Unions, which are essentially constitutional. This Bolshevist spirit, if it ever got a real hold on Labour, would tend to the destruc- i tion not only of Trades Unionism, but ot society as a whole. These revolutionary ten- dencies must be combated if we are to sue- ceed in our efforts to obtain improved condi- tions of labour and a higher standard of living ■ m the future. By all means let us fight for improved conditions in so far as they can be secured constitutionally and within the borders of an ordered evolution, but it must be borne in mind that singing the Red Flag at the Palace is calculated to do more harm than good to the cause of Labour. Why, with the example of Russia continually before them, anyone can entertain revotionary ideals 1 do not understand. Our Bolsheviks profess a 1 profound admiration for the methods of the Russian revolutionaries and the results they have achieved, but they do not consider what 1 our case would be if we were reduced to the same financial position as that unfortunate j people. The crux of the whole matter lies in the fact that Russia is self-supporting, whereas we are not. That is suiffcient to condemn Bolshevism in the mind of any sane person, but no one ever accused a Bolshevist of being sane. If the value of our currency were reduced abroad as drastically as has i been that of Russia, we would starve in a short time. If the sovereign were worth only a quarter of its face value-which is quite feasible, as without credit money soon be- comes cheap—it would be rather a problem to live, I think. But perhaps we could live on Red Flags and seditious literature. It is easy to preach revolution immediately after a 4b.] good dinner, but distinctly hard to fight for revolutionary principles with an empty feeling under the belt. I have often been told by some of our own- Bolshevists at Ammanford that the majority should rule yet they admire a state of affairs in Russia which allows a minority of 200,000 to impose their will on the huge Russian population. Again, they agitate, so we are told, for freedom of con- 1 science, of speech, and of the Press; yet they exult in the spectacle of an administration in Russia which forbids criticism under pain of the death penalty. They admire a state of affairs in Russia which, while it theoretically j raises the status of the peasant class, denies any status at all to the middle and upper i classes, and aims at their annihilation. Per- j haps their admiration is based on a mis- j ception of the true state of affairs in Russia which is a mighty Empire, and a people with immense possibilities, robbed for ever of the chance of achieving anything towards the i ultimate emancipation of democracy through. out the world on a firm basis of right and' truth. men Labour has been sufficiently educated to emancipate itself from the fetters and shackles of autocracy, then and not before can its emancipation be brought about with safety to all concerned, and the working classes untrammelled by the shackles of indus- < trial despotism and unhindered by exploitation and vested interests may t h en enjoy a fair j share of the fruits of their toil, and in that i day we shall build a social order in which ao room will be found for men who think that by waving a Rea Flag L., iy help to usher in the Millennium. It has been said that the South Walvfi miners are an intelligent body of men." Let us hope that they will always j I t ^lb"jent enough to resist the blandish- ments of the votaries of the Red Flag, and that they always display that common- sense with the posse-sicr,, of which they are creclated in choosing eHveen the road to and national prosperity and the road to red Nrin.-YolLI's, &c., I ONE WHO DEMONSTRATED. 11

ARE YOU AWARE that by far the Largest Selection of every description of HOUSEHOLD FURNITURE in the Principality, without a single exception, is held by the well-known Firm, BEVAN & COMPANY, Ltd., Swansea, Llanelly, Cardiff, &c. —— I I I 'AND CV OMP1 LTD j I I 0 1 4 '044" BEVAN & tfAuMPANY FOR RELIABLE GOODS! ROCK-BOTTOM PRICES! NEWEST DESIGNS!   FREE DELIVERY! 2SQ, Oxford Street, r & The Arcade, I SWANSEA. I I Cwmbach Buildings, Vaughan Street, LLANIELLY, &C.. j.: SCALE OF CHARGES. The only way to Reach the People in these Districts is to Advertise in the Chronicle. Special Quotations for Tradesmen's Advertisements. Auctioneers' Advertisements 3d. per line. Legal. Municipal, and Public Notice* 6d. Parliamentary Notices 9d. It Paragraph Advertisements amongst News 6d. It Births, Marriages, and Deaths, 20 Words, 1/6: and 3d. for each 8 additional words. Miscellaneous Wants, For Sales, To Lets, 2! Words for 3d. for every addi- tional 8 words. Three Insertions for 2/ Small Advertisements, unless prepaid. will be charged 6c. per line. All Orders and Money must be addressed: AMMAN VALLEY CHRONICLE," QUAY STREET, AMMANFORD. Prepaid Advertisements. T^TANTED, Housekeeper, middle age; one in family. Ore cow kept.-Apply Box iG, Chronicle Office, Ammanford. LI OUSE to Lzi from March 15th; 5 Bed- rooms, Bath Room, Electric Light, and ail conveniences.—Apply Box 18, Chronicle Office, Ammanford. VTEW-LAID Eus now cost one user ^d. each, but they used to cost him 1/7 each, before he used; Karsvvood Spice, con- taini.ng ground insects, w hich increased egg output amazingly. Packets 2jd., 7jd., 1/3. —Evan Evans, Chemist, The Square, Amman- ford. F OR Sale, Perambulator and Push- Chair, in good cordltiar; moderate pr>c?s.— Apply Box A, Chronicle Office, Ammanford pULLETS lay well in bad weather if Karswood Poultry Spice is added to soft mash. Prove it to your profit. Packets 2d., 712 d., 1/3.—D. Owens, Gfocer, Cawdor Stores, Llandebie. OR Sale, 50 Reat Army Blankets, large — size, at 16/6 each, 32/- a pair; also 150 pairs of full size Lace Curtains, at 4/11 per pair, worth 6/1 I.-Cohen, Quay Street, Ammanford. S TRA YED.-One Grey and one Bay Mountain Ponies.—Information to Morgan, Gelly, Palle- Ystradgynlais. XT ONEY to Lend on Mortgage; any x amount, House or Farm, for a term of 15, 20, or 25 years.—Apply Box 12, Chronicle Office, Ammanford. A CTUAL test proves that Karswood (Harmless) Spice added to hen food produces double the eggs as same food with- out Karswood. Packets 2^ 7^ 1/3.- Thomas Evans, Royal Stores, Llandilo. SUPERINTENDENTS and Agents Wanted at Brynamman, Garnant, Ammanford, Pontardulais, Llanelly, Tumble, and Cross Hands.—Apply House Pur- chase," Chronicle Office, Ammanford. CTUAL test proves that Karswood *? (Harmless) Spice added to hen food produces double the eggs as same food with- out Karswood. Packets 212-d., nd., 1/.3.- W. J. Wilkins, Chemist, Gwaun-cae-gurwen. IVTOLESKINS, Rabbits, Feathers, Horse- hair, &c.. Wanted. Send for prices.— H. Stuart & Co., Albion Buildings, Alders- gate Street, London, E.C.I. pIANO BARGAINS .-Milsom Upright £45; Bechstein Grand, £ 100; Collard Baby Grand, £ 90; Cornish Organ, £ 25; ChaUen Upright, £ 35; Cabinet Gramophone, £16; Trumpet Gramophone, £ 6; Pianola, £20; Kaps Grand, £ 80; Farrand Upright, £60; Collard and Collard, S-25; Broadwood Grand, £ 20. All Instruments guaranteed. Delivered carriage paid.—C. Milsom & Son, Ltd., The Great West of England Piano House, 15, Milsom Street, Bath. DONT RUN RISKS! NOSTROLINE Nasal Specific will protect you against Influenza, Nasal Catarrh, Head Colds, and other infectious disorders. It destroys the germs and soothes nose and throat. Delays are dang-rous. Get it now. Of leading Chemists everywhere 1/3 (by post 1/5). Cold by W. L. Y. Bye, Quay Street; E. Evans, 1. College Street; D. J. M. Jones, Quay Street, Ammanford; J. W. Evans, Garnant. Public Notices. GWAUN-CAE-GURWEN LOOK OUT For Grand POULTRY and I-LOWER SHOW On Thursday, August 21st, 1919. Particulars to follow. Secretary- T. Davies, Clifton, Gwaun-cae- gurwen. Public Notices. CARMARTHENSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL ELECTION, 1919. LLANDILO (URBAN) DIVISION. TO THE ELECTORS. Ladies and Gentlemen, The above Election is approaching, and a large number of my feliow-townsmen ha^e expressed to me their feeling that Llan. ci. should be represented on the County Council by a resident of the Town and one in close touch with its needs. I have been pressed to become a Candidate, and after careful consideration have come to the con- clusion that I could usefully serve my native town as its Representative. I have therefore decided to comply with the request, and in making my decision known to you, beg to appeal for the united support of all classes, as it will be the interest of the Town generally that I shall (if elected) endeavour to represent. I am, YOUT obedient Servant, JOHN STEPHENS. London House, Landiio. LOOK OUT For the Repeat Performance at the PALACE, Ammanford,| February 12tb, 1919, Of the Magic Key By the Famous BETTWS JUVENILE CHOIR If you intend coming, BOOK YOUR SEAT EARLY. PUBLIC HALL, Gwaun-cae-gurwen. Watch this Column. Note the Dates- Feb. 13,14, 15, 1919, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Maesymeillion' Will be there. Will you, if you intend coming, Book your Seat at once (the sooner the better), with Mr. IvoR JAMES, 8, Carmel St., Gwaun-cae-gurwen. RHIWFAWR. A Grand Competitive CONCERT Will be held at the above place on SATURDAY, FEB. 22nd, 1919. Adjudicators- Music-Edgar H. Hughson, Esq., A.R.C.O., Ystradgynlais. Recitations— W. J. Davies, Esq. (Tawelog), Rhiwfawr. Accompanist-Myrddin Harris, Esq., A.L.C.M., Rhiwfawr. Items. £ s. d. Champion Solo (Female), own selection 1 10 And Silver Cup, value £ 4 4s., given by W. Williams, Esq., Jeweller, Swansea. Champion Solo (Male), own selection 110 And Silver Cup, value f.2 2s., given by D. Thomas, Esq., Jeweller, Swansea. Other Solos, 10/6. Children's Recitations and Solos, 5/ Violin Solo, 5/ Proceeds towards S. & S. Fund. Programmes can be obtained from the Secretary, Mr. Geo. S. Davies, Coedffalde, Rhiwfawr, Lower Cwmtwrch. PONTARDAWE PUBLIC HALL. Annual Eisteddfod Will be held on Saturday, June 21st, 1919. List of Subjects will be ready shortly, and obtainable from the Secretaries on receipt of a I id. stamp. General Secretary-Mr. Morgan Jones, Maesybedw, Uplands, Pontardawe. Assistant Secretary-Mr. CharJes Williams, Rhydyfro, Pontardawe, uu_nu Public Notices. Mr. ANEURIN REES, F.R.C.O., A.R.C.M., Who has just been Demobilised, is now pre- pared to give Lessons in PIANOFORTE & ORGAN PLAYING, SINGING, HARMONY, COUNTER- POINT, AND ALL THEORETICAL SUBJECTS. Pupils prepared for R.C.O., R.A.M., and R.C.M. Diplomas, and all other recognised Examinations. Engagements accepted as Adjudicator, Con- ductor, and Organ Recitalisi. For Terms, apply to Gren Villas, Gamant, Carm. The Gorslas & District Reception Fund. A GrRjUNTD BAZAAR AND SALE of WORK (Under the auspices of the above Fund) will be held at the Church Hall, Gorslas, On Saturday, March 15th, 1919, To raise Funds to welcome back our Brave Victorious Warriors from the various fields of operations. President: IV! rs. D. F. DAVIES, Gwernllwyn, Cross Hands, And numerous other Vice-Presidents and Patrons. Tradesmen's Announcements. SHAG TOBACCOS. Gwaiia Brand. Welsh Tei'^iei's Brand. Geiert Brand. Sole Soutli Wales Agents: The R. P. SYMONS' SALES Co., Ltd. 25, Wyndham Arcade, CARDIFF. Scholastic. Old College School, Carmarthen. (Facing Beautiful Vale of Towy) Ideal Institution for Direct Preparation ard Great Production. BOARDERS KEPT. GIRLS ADMITTED. TERMS MODERATE. Head Master: REV. J. B. THOMAS, Late Headmaster of Park-y- V elvet Academy; Undergraduate of London University; Open Exhibitioner of Cardiff University; First in English, and Distinction in Chemistry; First Prizeman in Classics and Mathematics at Trevecca College. [SUCCESSES IN SESSION 1917-18:-27. 25 College of Preceptors (2 with Honours). 2 Shorthand. For particulars, apply to Mr. THOMAS. Local & District News. TO CORRESPONDENTS. Reports, News Paragraphs, and all Communications for the "AMMAN VALLEY CHRONICLE" should be sent not later than WED- NESDAY earlier when- ever possible-addressed- EDITOR, Amman Valley Chronicle," AMMANFORD. Will all Correspondents, whether writing in Welsh or in English, please remember, when sending in their contributions, that proper names and address must be given, not necessarily for insertion, but as a guarantee of good faith.

Everywhere in the Amman Valley ) we hear of the pressing need for the erection of workmen' s houses, but as j yet these cries are as of those heard in i the wilderness. Such a state of affairs I cannot be for long, and action will have to be taken by the Local Government Board, to whom resolutions are con- tinually being sent up. Provision will have to be made for the accommodation of the increasing population, many of whom are sailors and soldiers deserved of first consideration. Although there is a pressing need for the adoption of a housing scheme by the Local Autho- rity, the interest of the rateayers is lacking, judging by the poor attendance at the public meeting held on Thurs- day evening last. The majority of those present dreaded the intervention of private speculators, and although the Government scheme would cost some £ 26,000, there appeared a feeling for its adoption. Sooner the better action is taken, for recently, according to a ratepayer, there were 36 appli- cants tor a vacant house. Mr. T. M. Evans, M.A., the Clerk to the Urban District Council, in reply to a question as to why a private enterprise cou!d make the scheme pay, said that under present circumstances he (Mr. Evans) would not like to chance it. What can be done to remedy matters? The Government Scheme, to pay its way, uovernment ctfeme, to pay Its ,vay, would demand for each dwelling a? rental of £ 38 per annum. To this may be added the fact that the houses will be without parlours, and further, the occupier will have no voice in the choice of design. The suspension of the Small Dwellings Act cculd be done away with, and maybe the realisa- tlcm of the Scheme would improve matters. Under the Act, it is under- stood, the workers would be enabled to become their own landlords and have a choice of design. The extension of the Act to cover builders' mortgages would also help to do away with the existing emergency. At Llandebie also strong objections have been raised against the Government Housing Schemb. Resolutions have been un- animously passed against its introduction in the area. One of the objections is that the Government made itself re- sponsible for only 75 per cent. of the deficiency in the working of the scheme. The strongest objection of all was the fact that there was no provision by which the occupiers could become owners. According to Mr. Wm. Williams, Penygroes, at the last meet- ing of the Llandilo Rural District Council, the ideal and natural system was that every man should be lord of his own castle.

Forthcoming Events. [All forthcoming events which are adver- tised in the Chronicle, or for which printing is done at our Works in Quay Street, Amman- ford, will be included in the following list.] Feb. 6-8.-Public Hall, Gwaun-cae-gurwen: Three performances of the Operetta, "May- Day in Welladay," by the Tabernacle (Cwmgorse) Children's Choir. Feb. 12.-Palace Theatre, Ammanford: Repeat Performance of The Magic Key" by Bettws Juvenile Choir. Feb. 13-15.-Public Hall, Gwaun cae gurwen: Grand performance of the Welsh drama, Maesymeillion." Feb. 18-20.-F-nglish Congregational Church, Brynamman: Three performances of the Operetta, Playmates," by the Band of Hope Choir. Feb. 19. Alpha Cinema, Brynamman: Per- formance of the Welsh drama, Y Cyhawnder Uwch, by the Brython Dramatic Society (Brynamman). Feb. 20.-Cannel Chapel, Gwaun-cae- gurwen: Grand Organ Recital. Feb. 25 & 26.-Alpha Cinema, Brynamman: Grand Victory Concerts by the Brynamman Latie. Cnoir. FeB. 26.-Palace TheatTe, Ammanford: Grar.d Concert by Ammanford and District Choral Society. Feb. 27.—Ebenezer, Lower Brynamman: Grand Dramatic Recital by Llaeth- ferch. Feb. 27.-Council School, Bettws: Grand Dramatic Evening. Mar. J .-Gwynfryn Chapel, Ammanford: Grand Competitive Concert. Mar. J .-Congrega.tional Vestry, Penygroes: Grand Eisteddfod. Mar. I.-Gibea Chapel, Brynamman: Grand Competitive Concert. Mar. 15.-Church Hall, Gorslas: Grand Victory Bazaar, Fancy Fair, Drawing, and Sale of Work. Var. 29.—Penygroes: Grand Eisteddfod. April 22.-Carmel Chapel, Gwaun-cae- gurwen: Grand Eisteddfod.

j"*LLOVOS BANK Limited I CQmrnmctiig on the 19th February. i Ii Commei1cing 011 the 19th February. I j I Hampstead Villa, TYCROES, II On WEDNESDAY MORNINGS, From 10 till 12. —— —11 t Y

DEMOCRACY v. ANARCHY. To the Editor, Amman Valley Chronicle. Sir, My friend, Socialist, in your last issue did not attempt to answer my six ques- tions, which is a sign that the party he beloags to is guilty on the six counts. In conclusion, I will give him one more. Possibly he can answer one little question: Why does every anti-Brutish, Bolshevik, and every foreign Revolutionary get such a welcome from all the Socialists, I.L.P, -ites, Syndicalists, and Communists in this country and' why do such men as Mr. LIDyd George, Mr. W. Brace, and all other men who have done their best for Britain get no welcome and no hearing when they speak? Is this patriotism or anarchy, as on the Clyde and elsewhere, and this strike in the Amman Valley in defiance of every agreement and the law of the land? Please answer.—Yours, &c., A WORKMAN. I