South Wales Weekly Post

LABOUR AND COM- PULSION. SWANSEA VALLEY ORGAN'S FRANKNESS. WORKING CLASSES WILL ACCEPT IT. "Llais Llafur," the Swansea Valley Labour organ, has a plain spoken article on the ques- tion of compulsory service, which will meet with general approval, and is of increased significance as appearing in a Labour organ. It says :— "We have to defeat Germany, and tha.t we shall do if many other liberties, far more vital to British institutions than the voluntary j system, have to go into the melting [Kit. In order to achieve victory over the Central Empires we have to keep up a steady supply of men, tor venrs ii necessary. Compulsion .)f single slackers—of whom there are sonis in I the wa.na Va.I!ey—wU] giv? us enough men for ten weeks, the Derby scheme will give us all the ifieti c need for a further six months or more. After tliat, what? We think the Government wouid have done better to have introd uced a thoroughgoing scheme of con. ecription as soon as it was realised that the Russian armies would be indefinitely nut, of action. "Piecemeal conscription is not of much use. But in any ease neither the Labour Party nor the trade unions will oppose' the compulsion of single laggards. There are A FEW NOISY INDIVIDUALS. mostly ot the muiGle-class. members of Mr. Clifford Allen's Won't Fight Gang, who may put np a feeble resistance, but the great bulk of the working classes realise that compul- fion is only one of the diaa.?-ft-abjp thmgs h*t we have to suffer as th? price of beat- ing Germany. Rather than fail in the task to which the nation has set its hand they wi.11 accept measures ten times more distasteful than the compulsion of a. small section of the nation which shows itself unworthy of the privileges of British citizenship."

W TREE FELL ON HIM. j INQUIRY INTO GOWER I FORESTER'S DEATH. An inquest was held at Swansea on Thurs- day by the deputy-Borough Coroner (Mr. E. Glyn Morris) on the body of Francis Grove, of Penrice, Gower, who died at the Hospital as a result of a tree falling on liim. Reward Johns, 97, Rhvddings-terrace, ►aid deceased s age "was 56, and he met with « similar accident some years a.go, a tree falling on his chest. He was a foreman, Joi ester employed by Mis Talbot. Benjamin Jenkins, of Oxwich, who worked with deoea.s.ed. said there was no opportunity to warn him as the affair happened sud- denly. By Mr- BellinRham (for Miss Talbot) The tree had been blown on top of another em Coxing Day. 0 D* Thomas Mid deceased was admitted to the hospital uttering from jnjuries to the kead and right shoulder. He believed the okull to have been fractured. Death took place from cerebral compression later on in the day. The jury returned a verdict of Acciden- tal death." and Mr. Bellingham expressed ttis,, Talbot's sympathy on the loss of a valued servant.

——————— ppOM WHOM HAS HE DESERTED ? An eAwnoiainary position affecting sol- dier as munition workers was shown at Dud- ley on ednesday, when an artilleryman charged wIth being a deserter. Orig- inally, while employed at a munition works, [ he enlisted in the Staffordshire Regiment, and the firm obtained an order from t.he Ad- miralty for him to resume work. He then enlisted in the artillery, and it was stated that an escort wa-s on its way to t-ike him, Jsack to his regiment, but that the firm J jam, t

THE COMPULSION I i SCHEME. i HENDERSON BETWEEN! TWO FIRES. I The various sections of the La bour party which met on Thursday to consider theÙ' attitude towards the Government's compul- sion proposals decided to call a general Trades L uian Congress for next Thursday in London. From reliable sources (says the "Daily Mail" Parliamentary correspondent) I learn that Mr. Arthur Henderson addressed tiila two Labour meetings on Thursday at soma length. His coun.l generally was in favour of acceptance of the Government scheme. On the whole the opposition to compulsion from Labour leaders was much less than was expected, and good hopes may be drawn from the gatherings, provided that compulsion is pphed only to single men and is accompan- ied by adequate safeguards against personal hardship and injustice. The position of Mr. Henderson de- pends upon the decision of the congress. If it decides against the Government scheme he will resign his post ao Educa- tion Minister. He intends to address the congress length on the issues involved. The Cabinet met on Friday to settle the form of the Bill by which compulsion is to be applied to single men. Pending that it is premature to say that any fixed decsion as to details has been made,, .but a dra.ft of the proposed Bill, drawn up by a Cemmitte; of the Cabinet specially appointed for the purpose, was circulated to all Ministers for their consideration. The latest draft Bill makes the fullest possible use of the machinery already created by Lord Derby's scheme. It is in- tended to apply only to single .nen and to be express l y FOR THE PERIOD OF THE WAR. these two concessions being important for the placation of the anti-eonipulsionists. It contemplates the calling up of men in groups according to their age and provides that, they may obtain exemptions and post- ponem&nta through the local tribunals in t-he sam? way as has been provided for under Lord Derby .? scheme.

LATE COLONEL R. E. BENSON. I MEMORIAL AT BEVERLEY MINSTER. Major-General Sir Coleridge Grove has consented to unveil a tablet in Beverley Minster, Yorkshire, to the memory of Lieut.- • Colonel R. E. Benson, who was mortally j wounded at the battle of the Aisne, and whose remains are interred in the church- ya.rd of Reynol dston. Colonel Benson was the hrother of Lieut I Colonel H. W. Benson, D.S.O., who raised t.he Swansea Battalion of the We'h Regi- ment (New Army). The deceased corn- manded the 1st Battalion of the East York- shire Regiment, of which Major-General Sir Coleridge Grove is It is curious that there should have been associated with the same regiment two offi- ('1('1' both with well-known Swansea and d'strict conmetions.

THE GIRL, THE MOTHER, AND THE MAN. MORALITY QUESTION BEFORE GUARDIANS. INTERESTING DISCUSSION AT LLANELLY. An application was received at the, meet- ing of the LianeLiy Guardians from a woman no? resident in M?rthyr for the custody of her daughter, who is an inmate of the Work house. The relieving officer of the Merthyr Union, .vho had been asked to report as to the suitability lIt the home, stated that the house was and woLi-kept, but the mother cohabited with a man siflice her husband left her. On that account he could not recommend the Guardians to send the girl there. Mr. Elias Da vies: The only objection is tha,t the mot-her cohabits with a man. In other respects the home is all right' The Chairman (Mr. Wm. Neviil) Is not that a fatal objection? Mr. E. Davids Not, Lil my )I)j D) ori- Mr. T. Jones: Certainly it is. Rev. D. Davies: We should consid,er the question of morality. VI r. E. Da vies Is this a more immoral art than the living with the first man, who was the legal husband. He abused her shamefully. The man who at present main- t a "g her looks after her properly and treats her as a man should treat a woman. She cannot, legally go through a | form of marriage with hjn. In my opinion th first was the more immoral union. Thp Chairman: It is against the law of the la-nd. fr. E. Davies: Tt, may he. Rev. D. navies: It is also immoral. "FLIPPANT AND IRRELIGIOUS." Rev. Trevor Jones Hear, hear. Rev*. D. Davids pro-Fading. characterised <]? statement of ??' Elias D?vies a? nipp?nt. a.nd irrfI,Ri(,tis Tl- ?oa-rd should not for a rn.?m?nt I.OleTat such MJiti- ments. For i man to coba-bit with a woman WHS against the laws of the country and against morality. Mr Elias Dal, e-, I am quite unmoved. If it is against the law of the land it is use less moving a resolution. The husband lived with the woman and used her shamefully and was allowed to go OJ], There, was no objec- tion to that. Now that the woman ha« met i roan who treats h,,r well she is considered immoral. In other words because the womsn ha s not the means tf) apply for a. divorce a.nd marry the man who cares for her they a,re both, dubbed dirty blackguards. Rev. D. Davies ■ We have nothing to do with wha.t occurred before. Their present state is immoral. Rev. Trevor Jones: Hear. hear. Rev. I). Davies You cannot condone. Mr. W. B. Jines I agree with the Rev. D. Davies The conduct of the woman is immoral. Rev. D. Davies Quite. Rev. Tro\or Jones moved that the girl be not allowe d to go to her mother, and the Rev. D. Davies seconded. Mr. E. Davies I am sorry that the few words of mine should have raised such a storm. The Vicar may have made a nasty gibe at me. I consider I have as much right to express my views in this room as the Vicar or anyone else. He accuses me of being flippant, hut I differ from him. This is a matter tha,t will oome before the country more in the future. This poor woman can- not take advantage of the law of the land because she is unable to get the money for a divorce. Rev. D. Davies It is no use dis-i ussing the matter. Mr. E. Davies When I get up and give my vibwg I expect to be treated properly. He did not jump up when anyone attempted to give an opinion which he disagreed with. He was as much an upholder of morality a,1I any prea-cher. or anyone else in the room. It was decided not to allow the girl to go and live with her mother.

LOCAL ENGAGEMENT. A marriage has been arranged between Captain H. C. H. Eden, Royal Field Artil- lery, only son of friaries H. Eden, of Glyn Ddfrwen. BIarkpiM. and Vioiet Alice. only daughter of Captain Pulleine, of Sandford House, Richmond, Yorkshire.

WELSH FOOTBALL-OFFICER. Lieut. A. L. P. (rrithth, iAs.O., hab beon promoted captain in the Royal Field Artil- lery after six years' service. He is the son of Archdeacon Griffith. tyid was wounded in France last year when serving as orderly officer. He was mentioned in despatches and ?npointed a companion of the distinguished -LiVica order for his good work. Captain ,Ifht,li is a, well-known Yorkshire County footballer, and he h,s a Welsh qualification and played in a Welsh intumatioinal trial match two or three years ago. But for injury to the knee wh,ch caused a little weakness, it if considered certain that the captain would have got international honours.

AUSTRIAN NAVAL ROUT. I r ITALIANS ALSO PARTICI- PATE. I (Press Association War Service.) PARIS, Thursday. A naval communique states: Au Aus- trian naval division having come out of Cattaro, with the intention of bombarding Durazzo, Allied flotillas steamed out to meet it. The Austrian destroyer I/ika struck a mine and was blown up. The Triglav, a sister vessel, was destroyed by the Allies' flotilla. Other enemy vessels were chased, and fled towardb their base. (The above appeared in our 5.30 edition.) ITALIANS SHARE IN I HONOURS. I Hostile Aeroplane Also Shot Down. (Press Association War Service.) KUMt, Ihursda.y. j The following official communique is ] issued here ] Yesterday morning an enemy scout and five enemy destroyers appeared off Dur- azzo in order to bombard the piaca and did some insignificant damage. They were attacked by Italian and Allied ships that were cruising in the neighbourhood. The- Austrian destroyers T'rigiav and Likn., were sunk. Survivors of tne crew of the! Lika were taken prisoners. An enemy i aeroplane was also shot down by one of our destroyers. Our ships ail returned to port without injury. AUSTRIANS ADMIT REVERSE. ^i'ress Association service.) AMSTERDAM, Thursday. The following official communique re- garding the fight in the Adriatic was issued in Vienna to-day: In the harbour of IXirazzo one steamer and one sailing vessel were sunk, and the fire of several coast batt-cries were silenced. During the attack two of our destroyers struck mines, the Lika being sunk and jtlie Triglav badly damaged. The greater part of the crew were saved. The Tn?la,v was towed, but after some hours had to be sunk, as a superior number of hostile cruisers and destroyers menaced the re- trea.t. The whole of our flotilla returned to its base. Among the hostile ships only a. British ertilsei- of the Bristol or FaJmouth class and a French dest-royer of the Bouchier class were clearly identined. ?Note.—The Lika and TTigJav were two of the latest Austrina destroyers and be- longed to a group of six built between 1911 and 1913. They had a displacement of SCO tons and a speod of 32 knots. They carried two 4in. and six lighter guns and four torpedo tubes. Their complement was about 90 men. The class had the reputation of being good sea. boats, and all did their designed speed or more.

WARNING TO THE WORKERS. TROUBLOUS TIMES AFTER THE WAR. SWANSEA SAYINGS BANK MEETING ADYICE. lne oath annual meeting oi t,h" Swansea Savings Rank was held on Thursday evening. Sir John T. D. Llewelyn, Hart, (the prcsi dpnt), was in the chair, and there were also present Mr. Roger Beck, Rev. and Hon. W. Talbot Rice, Rev. Evan Jenkins, and Mr. Rennard Sampson ^trustees), and Mr. F. F. Mason, Mr. W.E. Harris, Mr. Ernest Davies, and rincipa-l Trevor 0wen (mana- gers), Mr. W. Hig^mson (representing the auditors), and Mr. E. H. ('orby (the ac- tuary). The Very Rev. Dean of St. David's. Prin- cipal David Salmon, and Mr. C. T. Rutihen sent apologies. Proposing the adoption of the report, the President said there had been a small de- j creae during the year of £ 2,486, and this was almost enli1'dv due to Die gre-a?r ue cf the money in the War Loan. In fad, it was only a part of a very considerable amount ( £ 14,000) withdrawn for that pur pose. He was very pleased to say tha,t the balance due to the depositors amounted to so that the small decrease was I but a drop in the ocean. Still at the same time there was a point which he wished to make. Now that a. great many people in j the town and district were receiving larger waces than perhaps they had ever had fore, he thought it would be very desirable if a larger amount were deposited in their savings uaukE. And if any words of his had I any weight, ho hoped that people who found themselves with more money to spend would remember iha<t the time had really come ?'??" they should in- vest and fave the?' money il the Savings Bank '? view of the probabHity that wages would decrease atter wie war. wis strong advice to everybody was to remember that in all probability they would have very troublous times in the future, and so people I should be prepared for that rainy day. (Hear, { hear.) He continued They had put. in their report these words—" The benefit to the in- dividual depositor shown in that the de- posits are absolutely safe, are subject to no fluctuations in value and are always at call." That was an important point. Mr. Roger Beck seconded, and said that the remarks Sir John had made upon the position at the present time to many of the working classes were exceedingly to the point and ought to be very deeply con- sidered. They who were in a larg e way of business had been directed by the Govern- ment to bestow or present to the Govern- ment a considerable portion of the extra profits that they might be making through the increased prices owing to t.he war, but the Government had asked nothing of the kind from the working-classes for the in- creased wages that they were receiving through the war. On the contrary the Gov- ernment had asked them to investsuch pro- fits at a certain rate of in- terest. And if the employer was called upon to contribute largely to the Government for a benefit which he would never individu- ally see again, surely it ought to be a tempta- tion to the wage-earner who was getting in- crea.sed wages through the war to put by a reserve to meet the inevitable reaction that must come after the wax waa over. It was the duty-the absolute duty—of the working classes to provide for it and not, as he feared wAs now being done in too many cases, spend money as if the good wa g es were always going to last. (Hear, hear.) He uttered the most distinct warning to the work ing c lasses that THERE WAS GOIiNG TO BE A RE- ACTION, and it was their duty to provide for it. (Hear, hear.) The report was adopted. Mr. Ernest Davies proposed the re- appointment of Mr. F. AN". Gilbertson, Mr. Charles Venables Llewelyn, and Major- the Hon. Odo Vivian as trust-ees, Mr. W. E. Harr is seconded, and 'the reso- lution was agreed to. R&v. and ytion. Talbot Rioe proposed the re-appointment of the auditors (Messrs. Deloitte, Plender, Griffiths and Co.). Mr. Simpsom seconded. This motion was also agreed to. On the motion of the Rev. Evan Jenkins, seconded bv Mr. Rt}6er the hon solicitor (Mr. T. W. Barnes) and the managers were thanked for their attend- ance drnIin the. vear. Mr. F. F. La.on proposed a ??p ?.? th<u?s to Sir John Llewelyn for pre?idinc. and said that a.s ^ood wine needtcl presiding, i no busli so no words of his could add to the tbmk", ??! the admiration they all felt for t.h? man- net in which Sir John always GOnducted the bus.iii.ess of the meetings of the Bank. 'Hear, hear). Principal Trevor owen seconded, and said he hoped they would have the privilege of seeing Sir John in the cha-ir for many more ve.:M toO come. He wished Sir John a Happy ^lew "Year. The resolution was carried by acclama- tion, and the president briefly acknow- ledge4.

BLOWN UP IN PORT. BRITISH ARMOURED I CRUISER. I FOUR HUNDRED MEN j SAVED. The Press Bureau reports at 12.25 p.m. (¡i¡1 Friday that H.M.S. Natal (Capt. Eric tie Back, R.N.), armoured cruiser, was sunk on Thursday after- noon whilst in harbour, as a resuit of an internal explosion. ABOUT 100 SURVIVORS ARE RE- PORTED, AND THE NAMES ARE TO BE REPORTED TO THE PRESS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. I SOOX AS POSSIBJÆ. THE LOST CRUISER. (Note.—The Natu.1 was a twin screw ar- moured ciuiserof 13.550 tons. I.H.P. 23,500. Sli.e, N-es of the Duke of Edinburgh class, ana 1 was completed in 1907. Her speed WAS 22J, knots, and she carried sax 9.2 inch gun', and four 7.5 inch. Cant. Eric de Back served in the South African War. and was mentioned m despatches. The loss of life would be about 300 to 350. II It ikill be r-ec.i-]led that we h 8. Yè lost by explosion in harbour during the war, H.M.S. Bulwark, battleship and H.M.S. Princess Irene, mine layer. An Italian battleship, the Benedetto Brin, I was also lost in port. It i' curious to note that on New Year's Day we lost. n battleship, and on the la.st day of 1915 another important naval loss was announced.

OUR RECRUITING Ii SYSTEM." "UNFIT" CALLED UP BEFORE THE FIT! I I It has just been brought to light that all men who volunteered under the Derby scheme and have been rejected for medical reasons, are, it attested, liable to be called up immediately, before their gicups, for any service which the military authorities 6111" them fit. The War Office authorities say they have good grounds for such a course of action, but when the interpretation of the War Office's ruling becomes widely known it will cer- tainly create a lot of discussion if men who have volunteered for service and are rejected through no fanlt of their own should be ca-lled up before the men of their. groups, and before tj-nw fit single men who could but have not volunteered their services.

HIDE AND SEEK HIDE AND SEEK' I I IN SWANSEA SOLDIER'S HOUSE. At, fewansea, Police Court on Friday, Thomas Cariiigan, soldier, was charged with deserting frm th? 5rd Welsh hegiment siac? D??mi?r 1st. W iiliam Tho,mas was also charged with deserting from the 12th Welsh Regiment since August, 23-d. Detective Gubb paid he visited th-p house where defendant's wife lived on Thursday night., and asked- hrr where d-efenditnt was. Sire told him she did not know. He searched the house, and in the parlour found trousers and a pair of boots. He could not find de fondant anywhere, but on looking into a small cupboard in the parlour found defen- dant in It.Defenda-nt v,-as remanded to awaifc tin escort. The Chairman of the magistrates com- mended the detective on his smart capture, and awarded him the sum of 10s.

BODY FOUND ON THE SANDS. WELL-KNOWN TREBOETH MAN. INSURANCE OFFICIAL'S STRANGE END. The body of a respectably drer sed man aged about fifty years was picked up on the Swansea beach, nr-ar Vivian Stream, early on Friday morning, and it has sinoe been idieuitifted a,s that of Mr. J. R, Richards, married, 0f No. 1. Lisbon- terraro, Treboeth, assistant superinten- dent of the Britannia Assurance Co., and a prominent member of the Mynydd Newydd Baptist Chapel of that district. How he got int-o the water "is not known, and the ainwr i.s wrapped in mystery. A considerable sum of money was found in the pockets, besides papers and letters relating to his work as an agent. A silver watch had stopped at 11.40, and the body had not besn any great length of time in the water. The deceased was a married man, and there are four children, the eldest. being 21 and the youngest about seven. He was missed on Thursday evening, but his absence was not reported, although a friend of the family came to Swansea and made enquiries, without result. The affair has ca.t a g loom over the Treboeth and J/andore districts, where he wa.s well-known and respected. His father is a prominent deacon of the Mynydd Newydd Chapel.

NEW LOCAL PRU," CONTROLLER. Mr. J. Williams, i the new superintendent of the Prudential Assurance Co. for Swansea, district, iti succession to Mr. J. AV. Jones, J.P. retired.

i SALIGHT BETWEEN BUFFERS, An ,nqi:-ot. was neia i>etor» the I-Ianelly Coroner cn Wednesday respect the death of John Rees (27'. Victoria-road, a married man. who died at the hospital on Xmas Day. Dr. Edgar Daviea, who saw the deceased aiter the accident, sai(I was suffering from a fractured hiy anti crushed chest, with in- juries to the stomach. Death wM due to pneumonia. D. J. Thomae, ermine-driver, said the deceased wnri caught between tUi-ô buffers of au engine and a truck on December 13th.- A verdict of "Accidental death" was re- turned.

I" RULED BY DOCKERS." ALLEGATION AT SWANSEA GUARDIANS' MEETING. RETURN OF OFFICIALS' FEES ASKED FOE. Swansea Guardians met on Thursday, Mr. G. S. Miclieil presiding. j Mr. W. Owen said he had been iu- i-tictex-i by people of the outside," wim were ratepayers, jo ask for a return of the income o] a)] the onicers of the Swansea Guardians who were in recoil of salary Jor fees for the last four years, and he lor fees for tlic- ia,sz faui- ard il (?, ;ii-,oved ;?at a. list bE) prepared lilt Mr. A be Freedman seconded. :\h. Owen wished to make it clear that thw request was not at his own instance, but the matter had been placed in his hands by a certain section of the rate- payers. Mr. J. H. Rosser sal(I he did not know what Mr. Owen was driving at. The offi- jcials were in receipt of fees that had i nothing to do with the Guardians, and lie i thought it would be Nothing but impudenos to ask for certain fees. j Mr. Owen aid he could quite see the logic of Mr. Rosser's argument, but all the work was done at the Guardians' offices, and they, therefore, had to pay the clerks. Although it was an un- common request, it was not, in his' opinion, an unreasonable one. The GJerk My salary and fees are always in the records. h. AN. Owen I have never seen them. The Clerk intimated that he was prepared to nialce out a report on the question for itlit- further consideration of the Guardians | at their next meeting. i Mr Rosser said there wene several officers under the Guardians, besides Mr. Jenkins (the clerk). Mr. Owen I am not singling out Mr. Jenkins. Only Mr. Rosser has mentioned 'Jen k,n, On'iv ?N t r. R,saer has nientione d Mr. A. R. Bail thought there was un- necessary personality being brought into the matter. He supported the resolution of Mr. j Owen. Ruled by Dockets": A Breeze. I -Mr..1. rj. Kosser It- seems that we are; hemg ruled by the dockers. j Mr. A. R. Bail I prcti st strongly, and must ask Mr. Rosier to withdraw. Tho Chairman Mr. Rcsser is on his feet, pl ease, Mr. Ball. Mr. Bail: I must ask that Mr. Rosser withdraw that sbtePlent. Mr. Rosser: I am going to say what I in- tended. We are not going to be supervised by the dockers or anyone else. Tne Guar- dians have their work to do. Mr. W. Owen pointed out that there had been !10 mention of dockers. The request i was from th3 ratepayers, no matter what they were. Rev. K 0. Evans thought it was a reason- able request. Eventually it was agreed to defer the martter for a fortnight in order that the report of the cicik be consi dered. Mr. Jenkins at the C0nc]m;c,n of the dis- cussion said he would have to make certain whether it permissible to give all the iii- formation, but what could be given he would put in his report. f ■ 1

GIRL CLERKS. SWANSEA CONFERENCE AND THEIR TRAINING. A joint meeting of the Swansea Educa- tion Sub-Committee and representatives of the Swansea Chamber of Commerce ap- pointed to consider th;5 provision of facilities for the training of women in commercial subjects, was held on Thursday afternoon. Mr. David Matthews in the chair, j Mr. T. P. Cook and Mr. E. P. Jones re- presented the Chamber of Commerce. The Director of Education (Mr. T. J. Rees) reported that the Board of Education were not willing to pay grants for any such teaching until it could be 'h(}wTl that it is impossible to conduct such classes on a self- supporting basis. Miss Williams (representing the Swansea Labour Exchange) reported that t.he present demand for women clerks did not appear den-larri for women clerl?s d-Id not appear On the information now placed before the Joint Committee the representatives of the Chamber did not think it was right that they should at present press upon the Education Committee the necessity of establishing such clases, but that information might go forth that if there were any young women who were prepared to give some por- tion of their time (say a month) for under- going a preliminary preparation at any of the offices that the Cham- I her of Commerce and the Labour Ex- change would co-operate in the matter and bring such candidates to the notice of the employers.

BREAD UP A PENNY. FOUR-POUND LOAF 9d. AT SWANSEA. *In consequence of the gradual increase in thl pri of flour, and the considerable increase in the ccst of production, we learn from Mr. W. H. Burridge, secretary of the Swansea and District Master Bakers' and Mil'ers' Association, that, t.}, price of bread will he advanced from 3d. to 9d. per 4-ib. loaf retail, and 8s. 3d. per dozen wholesale. These new prices will be put in force on and after Monday next. January 3rd, 1916. It is considered by the trade an un- written law that bread goes up a half- penny per Ion f for ew 4?. rise in the price of flour, apart from prod uction cost. HALFPENNY CHEAPER AT CARDIFF. A telegram on Friday states that the Car- diff master bakers haw: decided to raise the price of the 41b. loaf by jd. to 8^d., owing to the in the price of flour. WHY BREAD IS DEARER AT SWANSEA.. Swansea bakers say that at Cardiff. where the prica is BtO. per 41b. loaf, they do not mak e the top grades, as is done at Swansea. The decision of the Associati on was ;-rrived at on Thursday evening at a special mocg. I

WHEN DOES A MEAL END ? MORE LIQUOR CONTROL" FOOLISHNESS. When does a "meal" finish.'—when the food is eaten, or when the drink ordered with it is consumed? The point wa3 raised by Mr. Charke Hall at Oict-,st-, Police, Court on Wednesday during a oase under the Liquor Control Regulations. John Robert Bailey, the licensee of the Trafalgar Beer House, Remington-street, fihoreditch, was summoned for supplying intoxicating drink and allowing it to be con- sumed on his premises during prohibited hours, and Thomas Varney, a carman, was charged with consuming liquor during pro- hibited hours. Varney, it was stated, entered the Trafal- gar Beer House cn December 14 at 2.45. and was seen to pick up a glass of beer from the counter and drink the contents. Bailey wa-e in the bar at the time. Fo;' the defence it was stated that Varney and another man ordered bread, cheese, and a glass of beer at about 2.15. but were called a'-v ay by a telephone message. Varney left his beer but returned later a!,rI finished it. The Magistrates' Finding, Mr. Clarke Hall --aid he did not propose to determine whether bread and cheese was a "meal" within the meaning of the Act. The point to be decided was whsn a meal finished. Was it when the food ordered was consumed or when the druiK oiaered with it had been drunk? It was admitted that the plates on which the bread and cheese had been served Imd been removed, and that con- stituted the end of the "meal." If this were not so a man might order a racnl a i:, (I a bottle of whiskey and claim that ho had a risht to time to firish it after he had eater, hi.3 food. Defendants were ordered to pay the costs.

II CUSTOMERS ALSO I SUMMONED. !ABERAVON SUNDAY TRADniG CASE. A NEW LEGAL 44 TERROR." At A'heravon Borough Police Court on Thursday, in addition zo the usual Sunday traders, eighteen persons -r>j summoned for aiding and abetting in the offenctis under the Lord's Day Offences Act, 1677. These were the first summonses issued at Aberavon against customers trading OIl Sunday. Mr. W. F. Lewis. Abeidare, appeared on behalf o¡:'F. Berni. refreshment-house keeper, whose case was t?ken first, and two other Sunday tinders. P.O. V?inon and P.S. Jones deposed to v?itirg the prmie of Mr. Berni on Sunday and seeing several persons coming out of the shop with ''coolers" (ice-cream wafers), sweets, a:id cigarettes. There were 0 la.rge number of vou!i? persons present in the shop who were under 16 years of age. They took two persons who were eating wafers outsid-e back into die shop. The defendant had pleaded guilty at that court to numerous previous summonses. Mr. Lewis submitted that by the power of his refreshment license defendant was en- titled to sell goods to be consumed on the premises, and with regard to the present offences he contended that ice-cream wafers, which consisted mainly of biscuits, were food or meat within the meaning of the Act. Mr. Moses Thomas, J.P. And what about the Player's Navy Cut Cigarettes? Mr. Lewis They may be a stimulant. F. Berni, one of the defendants, said tlrtll he ?old goods lat Sunday "jugt the same as ?ual," and he was 3urpr]sed to pe? the pohce in the shop taking the names and ad -res?es of the customers. He did not supply din- ners, teas, or sandwiches, but he did supply Oxo and coffee. fhiffith Davies, a lad. said he went into Bemii's shop because he saw the poiice going in there. He •vent to &ee what was the mat- ter, and when he got in the police took his name ana address. He denied purchasing any sweets at the shop. F. Slater and S. Ransey denied taking the wafers outside the shop to eat tl.em. The Bench imposed a f.ne of 5s. Mr. j Lewis gave notice of appeal. Three other persons charged with the same offence were also fined 5s. each. Five cases against the aiders and abetters were taken first of all. and the Bench, ai cr a, long retiiement. said thrt they were un-! able to agree (there being four magistraies j presentl, amd they adjeurntd the whole of; the 18 summonses against these offenders for a w ez k. j

——————————— THE GIPSY AND THE; "CURSE." | QUAINT iiiLE OF CRfcOULIT I*. j j Stories of how a gipsy traded upon the fears of soldiers' wives were told at the Newton Abbot police-court in the course of a charge of stealing made against Florence Penrold, a member o: a gipsy. tribe, it I- e Matilda Davis, whose husband is at the front, s«uw the gipsy pressed her to buy a jug for 7s. 6d.. and said the witness had a neighbour who was wishing all the harm she could to her and her soldier hus- band, hut that if she bought the jug it would be all right. She ps.id the 7s. 6d.. but the jug was afterwaids valued at about 8d. Defend- ant told her to keep a cork and two pins iu the jug to avoid death. Another witness, who bought for 3s. 6d. a dish the shop price of which was ôtd., said the defendant a.sked for a die. valued at 10s. 6d., to put over her planet. She let. her have the dress, being afraid that accused might otherwise do her harm through her planet. Another witness, a soldier's wife, said she paid 1.5s. for three dishes and two vases. She was quite satisfied, and be- lieved what the gipsy sa-id would come true. The defence, was that the dress was given, and not stolen.. The Bench imposed a fine of Cl and' costs. j

MONTHLY INSTEAD OF FORTNIGHTLY. j SWANSEA GUARDIANS MEET- ING PROPOSAL. j MR. ROSSER NOT AFRAID OF "THREATS." Swartse-i- Board of GUäTdial: met Oil Thursday, Mr. G. S. Michell presiding. oii 1.08 Ckrk (Mr. LI. Jenkins) read a cir- 1 ciiia.r from the Local Government Board asking the Guardians to further consider the number of members of the staff as to whether th«. same could not be reduced. They also suggested that during the period of the war the meetings of the Board be held monthly insiesid of foi^n.iightlv. They thought it would be quite jMstifiabls during the period of the war. •lr J. H. Rosser was to move in the coursa of the meeting a to the Above enect. iiici he now jet t.he same stand. Mr. V-. 6well: I hope Mr. F„osser will move his resolution as if tlie circular had not been received. I intend to oppose it., and I want something definite. Mr. J. H. Rosser intimated 11<" was quite prepared to do AS Mr- Owen wished. He WHS n-vt afraid of any threat. Eventually th° matter was referred to the Workhouse Committee for consideration, and it w,%s decidoo that ^ach g-tipriiaii he supplied with a copy of the circular. The following is the noi.ice of motion of Mx. Rosser's which was to have been con- si detred That. d,uring the period of the war the meeting s of the Beard be held monthly instead of fortnightiy, and that the Gc-tta^e Homes meetings be held monthly, j and the Institution a.nd Graig House fort- i nightly or monthly the chairman and vice- chairman of the said committees to visit weekly and to instruct the master and superintendent on any urgent matters which may arise."

LITTLE GENTLEMEN AND LADIES Heap Coals of Fire on Swansea Guardians. At Swansea Guardians meeting o.n Thurs- day it was reoortea that the children of Sot: Joseph's [-femes. Olydaeh, bad written a Jetter to the Board, expressing the hope that all the. Guardians would have a, peace- ful and happy Now Year. The Guardians wished th" children likewise and thanked them for their thoughtful letter. It will be recalled that recently the Guardians r-efused to grant the extra monev aophied for towards the higher oost of the children's food.

RESPECTED CWMBWRLA MAN. I The funeral of the late Mr. J. Davie* Cave street. Cwmowrla, who pwsed at the age of 30 years, after an illness of "two years, took place at Cockett Cemeterv. De- ceased was very popular in the neighbour- hood. The otuciating clergymen were the Revs. J. W. Jones, vicar of Cockett. and D. Thomas, vicar of St. Luke's, Cwmbwrla. The ehi.d mourners were Mrs. Dav'ibs f wife), Mr. and Mrs. Gregory (sister), Mr. and Mr*. James (sister), Mrs. Thomas (sis- ter), Mr. Willie Thomas (nephew). Mr. and Mrs. Jen kin 3 < mother-in-law], Mr.and lrs. Flook. Mr. and Mrs. Lott., Mr. and Mrs. Saunders (brr-thers and sisters-in-law), Misses Oiwen and Rachel Jenkins (sisters-in- lawl. Messrs. Thomas and Wm. Jenkins (brother-in-law). Beautiful floral tributes were sent from "Wi'e and Children," "Mother and Father," "Sister, Br-ihur-in- law. and Children." Mr. Pdid Mrs. James, members of the Court Rose of Glantawe Lodge of the A.O. Fore^ers. and four mem illrf- of the Royal Naval Division acted as bearers.

STOP PRESS. F

BLEW PART OF HAND OFF. GERMAN SHELL EXPLODES AT PORT TALBOT. V. hnst Mr. Rhys Nicholas, carpenter, of Ponycae, Pur-t Talbot, was "xainining a por- ti-w of Simian shell at his home on Wed- ia.- -j -■ it exploded, blowing part of his right hand away and doing- considerable damage to the room in wnich the occurrence took place. Mr. Nicholas. w1-u is tne father of Master John Morgan Nicholas, the well-known boy pianist, had received the shell ♦on: a friend at the front. He took it home and was ex- am,ing It. v.-hen, as stated, it suddenly exploded. His wife and daughur were also in the roum at the time aaid hdd very nar- j. v, escapes from injury. Dr. Phillips was called In. and Mr. Nicho- las was conveyed to the Port Talbot C-ottaga Hospital and d- tained.

MAXIMA ON METALS i vh TriE MAKING OF ?' i 0- l' 41 1  i/iuiUTIOHS. \l:l ti.. IKxi i. iiiK.iit .in Order m eNpc-, tc:d fixing maxima prices on mrUi.t. mis matter has oeen discussed for :i.ai!\ weeks thiou!ohout ihc trace, and opinion locally is divided on the probable eitect. A ^rc.t pivbiem is the varying conditions .1 "1.. ma"uf..ct-irin g C(;¡ltrt. and it t 1 v;t i>c i i-fMii'K-'ii's and ncces- 'r 1:; u~. ;i.a.ia.ij- the maxima in different places. The fixed pric.es are expectc-d to cover every kind of metal and other material used in connection with the making of mun i t i ons, from co ?p to the ;1 t':f¡2'! S,t,J\ I: At "'i t the South \Va?6 .;t?\ market is i. rtgnhr. with 110 actual pi-ices, as the d?mund cannot be sailed, and n? ds- hverr-s be gi.ara-utced. Prices are a question of arrangement purely, and while to-day c<:? buy?r may !? givir.g £ 11 a ton another n<™y be .-ml being supplied under contract at £ 8. In many loeai quarters it is felt tV.t ? hA?d price would at all events &?p'.?. h i r,'iL!? a:-d ?:t. producers and icivore Know e\actiy where they stand. Ti'.npiate Prioes. Will LUR'JHTE ;.>ricas be rixea': This is pnieJy a s-^oculativc proposition. Frcm the mills being under Government control to the establishment of maxima rates is not a V-ng It n.a;. 1* taken for -iante d that srr h an a-Tar anient vi1} be ^nded if deem-, d necessary by the Government.

ABSENT SCR EWER F; N Ë D. SWANSEA MUNITIONS TRIBUNAL •bvv^.nsea Man;Lions luult sat on Thursday under the chairmanship of Mr. J. Vaughan Edward.- (the assessors being Messrs. J. Rees, Neath, and C. K Gibbs, Court Sart), when a complaint was made b-, d controlled, establishment that a screwer-up, named J. B. Hosburgh. ?h&e;;ted hiHM?il n'om wojk ;ro;n December 4th w:thouL perm:BSMH. L. ? R. PLirr?.. resident engineer, said the man worked at lOd. per hour, and the -in-- he worked averaged 46 per week, his average wages being 38s. 4d. He could have worked 54 hours, while there was time and a half overtime and double time for Sunday work. All broken time through the weather was made good by the firm if the men had not dost time themselves. A written statement from the defendant complained that he was not given peace- work, as he alleged Mr. Parcel: sadd there was no understanding to that effect at all.     NO riECE-WORK RATES HAD BEEN PAID on ihe work :n question. !■«? rian Had been warned about his irregular time. McCart. lev sa-:d the job was not • sr.fncip.ntly ■■vdvaaioed for piece rates. 1 I>iendant in hk statement also stated he was suffering from i s-oie throat. The Court fined him. £ 2. j Mr. Purceil asked if the man would be i made to ret.irn. The Court sai 1 they had no power to that. but they would take care the rroney recovered. q.s it was payable to the Treasury and not the emplover.

HIS ONLY SON. HIS ONLY SON. Western Miner's' Agent's Bereave- ment. The Executive Committee of the Western District met on December 29, under the chairmanship of Mr. John Williams, M P., when the cWth of the son of their agent., Mr. Y> E. Morgan, was referred to. a. i i,-i it was unanimously decided: That, we, the members of the Executive Committee, representing the miners of the Western Distrid, after hearing of the sorrow and troubl our agent is faced with by the loss of his only son, extend to h:m and family our deepest sympathy, and that we very much hope they will receive strength to face the storm of their affliction." The interment will take place on Satur- day at Alltwen Chapel graveyard, at 3.30 p.m. Mr. Morga,n himself has been of very unstable health lately, but we HE glad to report that he is improving. All his friends wifh him a speedy recovery.

FROGS CHOKE ELEPHANT. The Cairo correspondent cf the "Allalia, bad Pioneer" publishes the following stoiy, quot.ed from a Government GUIrV"; -Tn.e inspector of Runibe: in the Bahr- el-Ghazel Province of the Soudan, report.s the tragic fe,w of a large elephant carrying tusks weighing 2001b. This elephant, according s t  t?, p ha-,i t ?. ar?:o ra 11 to the natives, inadvertently drank at a pool infested with frogs, which, being sucked up in great numbers into his trunk, choked it., and the elephant died on the spot of suffoca- tion.

"I'LL MERRY XMAS YOU." At Newcastle on Wednesday John Xixcn, farmer, of Wylam. was remanded on .bail charged with wounding James Clark by shooting him. It was alleged that about cne o'clock on Christmas morning a number of young men went to defendant's farm, sing- ing. Nixon, appai ently annoyed, calie cut of doers and one of the young men wished him the compliments of the sen son. Defen- oaui., retorted, "1 will merry Christmas you," and immediately afterwards there was a. report from a gun. and Clark wis struck by a bullet. The wounded tnaii was too ill to appear at the court on Wednesday.