The Glamorgan Gazette

THE CUTTING OF A CONTI- NENT IN TWO. THE PANAMA CANAL. LECTURE BY MR. JOHN THOMAS. Mr. "J ohn Thomas, B.A., lecturer under the W.E.A., delivered an interesting lecture on the above subject to a well attended meeting at Caersalem Vestry.Caerau, on Wednesday last week. In the absence of the appointed chairman, Mr. Vernon Hartshorn, J.P., Mr. Edgar James occupied the chair. The Lecturer, with the aid of lantern slides, gave a vivid description of the biggest engineering performance ever achieved in the world's history. During the Spanish rule, the construction of a canal was almost impos- sible, as the Spanish priests declared that it was against Divine laws to put asunder what God hath joined. The great French en- gineer, De Lesseps, who constructed the Suez Canal, started operations in 1881 at Colon to cut the canal. But from beginning to end the construction of the canal was a complete failure, and the unfortunate company found itself in liquidation with £ 70,009.000 of debts. due to the peculations of several of the or- ganisers, ravages by fevers, etc. The United States signed a treaty with the Republic of Panama in 1904, providing facilities for the cutting of a canal, which was soon started. The Americans acquired De Lesseps, ill-fated machinery for a moderate sum, and acquired a tract of land five miles wide on each side of the canal, wherin all the judiciary, sanitary, and police supervision were exclusively done by them. The enterprise had only 600 men to start with, but the number of employees- was rapidly increased, as the Yankee was al- ways "in a hurry," and they wanted! to "make the dirt fly," as stated by the illus- trious Roosevelt. The lecturer, by means of slides described the ponderous machines em- ployed, such as the huge steam navvies which scooped away 8 to 10 tons of rock at a time, each weighing 80 to 90 tons, and were 100 in number. In the lakes and rivers there was a great fleet of dredgers. Slides also showed the interior of the huge locks at Gatun. Mountainous ground and treacherous rivers had to be dealt with; also huge land slides which terrorised the native workmen, who believed them to be the signs of volcanoes or of supernatural power. The lecturer also dealt with the labour pro- blem, most of the unskilled work being done by natives from Barbadoes and elsewhere. The native or coloured workmen were known as the "silver men," and the whites as "gold men," as the native's pay amounted to only a few dollars, whereas the whites were paid at rates amounting to a few golden pieoes weekly. All workmen were allowed 6 weeks holidays during the year with wages paid; also three weeks were allowed in case of sick- ness. The American Senate had in 1906 to organise a complete sanitary scheme, as the place was a veritable white man's grave, and workmen died like flies. Under the French regime 50,000 workmen were swept away by malaria, typhoid, dysentry, etc. The Ameri- cans acquired the services of Col. Dr. Gorgas, who had succeeded in banishing yellow fever from Cuba. The canal zone was soon swept of the deadly mosquito, and the pestilential quarters were all obliterated, and to-day we found the death rate even lower than many towns in the British Isles. The eminent doctor was now in the employment of the British Government, fighting with the deadly malaria and sleeping sickness of South and Central Africa. The canal would enable the Americans to get their huge warships through in a short time, as it was only 46 miles long, thus avoiding the long voyage round Cape Horn. The lecturer was thanked for his instruc- tive discourse, which lasted two hours, Mr. John Dodd proposing and Rev. Morgans (Caersalem) seconding the resolution. The lecturer also tendered a vote of thanks to Mr. Edgar James for acting as chairman. Mr. Frank Pearoe seconded.

"CATCHING MAESTEG SHOP- KEEPERS," -0- I To the Editor. I Sir,-I have read your leading article in last Friday's issue cf the "Glamorgan Gazette," on the subject of "subterfuges to catch shopkeepers napping." In the first place, the information which was given to Councillor Lewis was not correct, and it is to be regretted that persons should go to members of the Council without first ascer- taining the accuracy of their complaint. The question of testing shops is, in my opinion, a matter which should be governed by the conditions existing in the district, and it is quite evident, from your article, that you are not aware of the conditions in the Maesteg urban district. Out of about 500 shops, there aire close upon 150 "mixed" shops (i.e., shops where more than one trade or business is carried on) which are being kept open after the hours set out in the Closing Order, for the sale of goods not included in the Order. About 90 per cent. of these mixed shops stock goods which are included in the Order. Complaints have been from time to time received that goods are being retailed from these mixed shops, whilst the large business people who retail only one class of goods are compelled to close up their shops entirely for the evening. These goods are not being retailed openly by the mixed shops after the closing hours set out in the Closing Order, so that it is al- most an impossibility to put a stop to the practice without testing the shops complained of, and even then it could not be stopped en- tirely. These tests are not made indiscrimi- nately, as your article suggests, but are only made where complaints have been received against shops where sales are carried on after closing hours. The substance of your article therefore is, that while the occupiers of these mixed shops use subterfuge methods to evade the Closing Order, tests, which are perfectly fair, are, in your opinion, open to question, and that while the shopkeepers in a large way of busi- ness are compelled to close their shops at the times set out in the Closing Order, these oc- cupiers of mixed shops are practically allowed to carry on "business as usual" on an off- chance of being caught. The shopkeepers who carry out the pro- visions of the Closing Order have nothing whatever to fear by a test. Those who break the Order and are caught, complain of unfair tactics. I think you must employ another argu- ment.—Yours, etc. G. FERRIER WILLIAMS. rWe still contend that if shopkeepers were tested in the way suggested, the Inspector, instead of preventing breaches of the Shop Act would be assisting- the commission of an offence. If one act is illegal, siirely the other would be.-ED.]

 AS USUAL f We are at the FRONT the Flag Flying. BUSINESS AS USUAL I F Wfoe r arse !^a,ue IpiSiW A CALL TO DUTY. THE RIGHT HON. JOHN BURNS, M.P., writing on Sept. nth, 1914, says:—"I hope that the great army of Housekeepers will not only have their renovating done now, but jf will also RESUME THE BUYING OF FURNITURE. By so doing you will help to ??I???L relieve the distress and prevent unemployment, on which the GERMANS ARE COUNT- \TTZJOTSi L m W?ij S\ ?? ?? WEAKEN GREAT BRITAIN. Be Patriotic and carry out Mr. John Eurn's n. 1 '? advice 1 Every purchase needlessly with-held is equal to a v?te for German ?/?? T? ??T i Tf aggression Our FURNITURE, like our Navy, is Absolutely Reliable. ULJ^rf n | L^Ur 0% is ?b?o!6a?s?Re!!ab!e ? jaf?/ We make your Homes well HCniujW A *ew o! our 'I u 9 Furnished and comfortable pnces _M_in__im__u_m _of Cost -s— « JgS&lslij fflj {{fill JGk|^m Pr*ces: our il wM ? ?? HH??H: Parlour Suite from £ 3/18/6 i^edr°°m ■■—• 26/10/0 Mmmiuiimmu?m ili uof i C?ousot L "s?? ? ????a??????W Bdsteads „ £0/18/0 Solid Walnut Suite. £ 6 lExt. 20/18/0 A. e. LOOKYER, CMfMi House Furnisher, 138 i 139, CiMircial "hlio Maustoo f'Jr:JJ.a.- ,b, -.rr _iIZ;.d$rT"!G.. _=J"r

MINERS WAR BONUS. I -———- NO DECISION AT MEETING OF S.W.M.F. Conflicting views were expressed at the meeting of the Executive Council of the South Wales Miners' Federation held at Car- diff with respect to the policy to be pursued in regard to the proposed miners' war bonus. There were suggested, roughly speaking, three ways in which the difficulty might be got over. These were (1) by local negotia- tions-as suggested by the owners; (2) by Government intervention, and (3) by a stop- page of work. Notwithstanding a long discussion and varying suggestions, the Council were appa- rently unable to arrive at a decision. Under these circumstances, further consideration of the subject was deferred until Saturday. The proceedings on Friday were presided over by Mr. W. Brace, M.P., and the attend- ance included Mr. James Winstone (Vice- President), Mr. T. Richards, M.P. (General Secretary), and Mr. A. Onions (Treasurer). The discussion was initiated by Mr T. Rich- ards, M.P. (the General Secretary), who read the communications received from Mr. Thom- as Ashton (the General Secretary of the Miners' Federation of Great Britain) on the subject. These communications were to the effect that the first attempt made to secure a joint meeting between the whole of the coalowners of the Kingdom and the Miners' Federation for the Durnose of considering the workmen's application for the 20 per cent. war bonus, had proved abortive. It was, however, inti- mated by Mr Ashton that the national Com- mittee were still urging their views as to the desirability of dealing with the question on national lines, and were impressing this view But so far the efforts made in this direction had failed, and a conference of the Miners' Federation of Great Britain would be held in London to receive the reports from the various districts. In the event of it then being found that it was impossible to secure the suggested joint national conference of coalowners and workmen's representatives, the Federation conference would be called upon to decide what further policy should be adopted in order to secure the advance which is now sought. In the discussion which ensued the point discussed was as to what recommendation the Council should submit to the South Wales Miners' Conference to be held next Monday. But all the differing views expounded may be put into three categories. The first-at any rate, from the point of view of expediting the concession of a war bonus to the men—was that the idea of conducting the negotiations on national lines should be abandoned in favour of local action. In support of this view it was pointed out that in every instance the owners have ex- pressed to Mr. Ashton, the National Federa- tion secretary, a readiness to enter into nego- tiations with the local representatives of the men. In South Wales the owners had even forestalled the men's representatives by their offer of ten per cent. advance on the existing standard rates, and they had thus conceded the principle. While the employers in other districts had not gone to this extent they were all prepared to discuss the question. Under these circumstances it was proposed that South Wales should ask for the recissioft of the resolution adopted at the last national conference that negotiations should be con- ducted nationally, so that each district might be able to commence negotiations locally with the respective owners without further delay. There was, however, strong objection forth- coming on the part of another section of the leaders against the adoption of such a pacific policy. It was maintained that this was a, question which had no parity with the usual wage issues. The incidence of the war was not local; it was national. The cost of living had risen in all parts of the country equally, and one district was affected equally with the other. For these reasons it was contended that there shouldl be an insistence on the is- sue being dealt with nationally. As to surmounting the difficulty created by the refusal of the owners to deal with the question nationally, there were really two 'alternatives. One was that such a situation should be created as to force the Government to intervene. It was pointed out that in the present national crisis the Government would not for one moment allow a stoppage of work, if this could be prevented, at such a critical juncture. It was, therefore, suggested that the best way out of the difficulty was to get Government intervention, which might result in either sectional or natural settlements. Then there were one or two advocates of the more drastic proposal yet suggested. This was that the Council should recommend the conference to adopt a resolution that in the ovent of the bonus not being granted—appa- rently forthwith—the men should tender fourteen days' notice to terminate contracts. Ultimately it was decided to defer the final decision, as far as the Council is concerned, until Saturday. Messrs. C. B. Stanton, W. L. Cooke, A. Harris, and J. D. Morgan were appointed to attend the Miners' Federation of Great Britain conference on behalf of the Council in London next week.

Our Separate Edition for Aberavon- Port Talbot District, published every Friday, containing all the news of that district, can be obtained by readers hailing from that locality on ordsring same at their local Newsagents.

ULTIMATUM TO COAL OWNERS SOUTH WALES MINERS AND THE WAR, BONUS. BONUS-OR STRIKE. OWNERS' PROFITS AND MINERS' PATRIOTISM. On Monday the annual delegate conference of the S.W.M.F. agreed to advocate a strike policy to enforce the demand made by the miners for a. twenty per cent. war bonus, and further decided to ask the M.F.G.B. to op- pose the signing of any new agreement in any district until the agreements for all the coal- fields have been completed. MR. BRACE'S APPEAL. I Mr. W. Brace, M.P., presided over the con- ference, and he was supported by Mr. James Winstone (Vice-President), Mr. Alfred Onions (Treasurer), Mr. Thomas Richards, M.P. (Secretary), and a full attendance of the members of the Executive Committee. Mr. Brace delivered a lengthy presidential address, in the course of which he stated what courses had been adopted, and what the re- commendations of the Executive Committee were, both in regard to the war bonus and the new agreements. He outlined the steps already taken to secure the bonus, and stated that the Miners' Federation of Great Britain felt the matter was a national one, and should be dealt with nationally, inasmuch as all the districts were equally affected by the in- creased cost of living. The coalowners had refused to accede to the request to meet at a national conference, maintaining that such a conference was impracticable, and that mac- hinery already existed to deal with the ques- tion locally. He stated that the miners did not want to embarrass the State in the pres- ent serious crisis, but the situation had been brought about by the action of the coalowners who refused to meet the men. The Executive Council of the South Wales Miners' Federa- tion have recommended that at next Wednes- day's conference in London the South Wales section should vote in favour of 14 days' notice being given to terminate contracts in order to bring about a termination of the present deadlock. Mr. Brace also referred to the attempts made to secure a revision of South Wales Conciliation Board agreement, and the intimation of the owners that they were not prepared to discuss this during the period of war. He made a strong appeal to the delegates to act cautiously, so. as not to participate anything in the nature of a con- flict at such a critical time in the history of the country. I WOULD GIVE HIS RIGHT ARM. I Mr. James Wmitone followed in the same strain, and in the course of an impassioned appeal he said: "I would give my left hand if I could have prevented the war, but I would give my right arm rather than the miners of the country should do anything which would be injurious to the interests of our comrades now bravely fighting in the trenches." Several delegates took part in the discus- sion which followed, and there was unanimity in favour of the Executive's recommendation, though a few delegates advocated a "down- tools" policy. Eventually it was decided that the South Wales delegates, at the M.F.G.B. conference in London on Wednesday, should support the tendering of 14 days' notice, as the owners had refused to meet them nationally to dis- cuss the twenty per cent. advance. I OWNERS' PROFITS AND MINERS' PATRIOTISM. During the afternoon the conference dis- cussed the proposed new wages agreement. The Executive notified the delegates that they would not, under any considerjation, open up negotiations for a new agreement while the war lasted, and as a result notice had been served on April 1st last terminating the present agreement. That was the position as it stood at pres- ent, and it was for the conference to decide what further course should be adopted. The South Wales Miners' Federation held that the question of a new agreement should be treated quite separately from the demand for a war bonus. The demand for the latter, it was said, was caused by an abnormal state of affairs, whilst the need for the new agree- ment arose out of the normal conditions. The workmen declined any (further to be bound by the old agreement and the obsolete standards of 1877 and 1879. They knew that the owners were making enormous profits, and that these profits were likely to increase, whilst the workmen were expected to show their patriotism by being content with the old regime. "This cannot be" said one delegate at the conference. "If we are to show our patriot- ism, let the owners also show their patriotism by sacrificing a little of the huge profits now being made." It was explained that the miners demanded in the new agreement:- (1) A new standard of 50 per cent. above the old, and a new minimum of 10 per cent. to be paid when the average selling price of coal is at or below 15s. 6d. per ton. (2) The payment of six turns for five worked in the afternoon and night shifts. (3) A day wage of 5s. for surfacemen. (4) Equal wages for night and day hauliers. (5) That the agreement shall apply to all grades of workmen employed in and about the collieries. I Eventually the conference empowered the I delegates from South Wales to the M.F.G.B. (Continued on Bottom of Next Column.)

I LETTERS TO THE EDITOR I I PROHIBITION. I J To the Editor. j f Sir ,-To-day the agitation for the prohibi- tion of the drink traffic has become table-talk in our country, yet the gravity of the ques- tion has been realised by but a few. It is all very well for teetotal fanatics to preach pro- hibition, but how* many of them have consi- dered the immensity of this agitation. For my own part, although I am a total abstainer, I think prohibition is both impracticable and undesirable. It is impracticable because: (1) It would give rise to unemployment. Just think for a minute of the thousands of people who are employed in the liquor industry. If prohibi- tion becomes law, how are these people going to live, many of whom are above the recruit- able age ? And, furthermore, the agricul- tural industry will suffer, for if the millions of bushels of barley now consumed in the manufacture of liquor were not wanted, they would not be grown at all. (2) It would cripple a fruitful source of revenue, for the national revenue derived from the beer trade is a very large annual sum, which our Ex- chequer could with difficulty spare; and, if spared, would only be at the expense of general taxation. Prohibition is undesirable because: (1) It would be a gross infringement of our much- cherished freedom, and, although as I have already said, I am a total abstainer (not a teetotal fanatic), I would prefer to see Britons a nation of drunkards than slaves. Bad as would be the former, the bonds of slavery would be worse. (b) It is unfair to the honest working-man that he should be denied his glass of beer because a minority abuse the drink. The innocent gratification afforded by alcohol, especially to hard-work- ing-men and to manual labourers, is a dis- tinct faefcor in the pleasures of their lives, and one that they should not be forced to forego. That its abuse is harmful no one can deny; but the true principle is to set an ex- emple of its right use, not to shirk responsi- bility by disuse. Moreover, the argument for 6elf-sacrifice applies with equal validity to all pleasures—excess in everything is bad. What we want is moderation—the happy medium. (3) Alcohol is useful as a food, although not absolutely necessary; in moder- ation it has none of the evil effects commonly attributed to it. It interferes with no bodily function, nor does it lower the temperature Ms it often asserted). There is every reason believe that its action on the whole is beneficial and its stimulating and recupera- tive influence on an over-tired man is beyond dispute. (4) Brewery shares are not held by the well-to-do class only. Most of our large breweries have hundreds of shareholders, many of whom are widows of limited means, w hose incomes depend very considerably on the annual returns of their shares. Is it fair that an innocent woman should suffer because a small class of workmen make fools of themselves? Before concluding, I will suggest an amend- ment to the prohibition agitation, which is as simple as it ought to be effectual. Those men who neglect their work owing to exces- sive drinking habits should be placed under military control, and then their selfish un- patriotism will receive the punishment it de- serves. This procedure will allow the honest hard-working man to enjoy life as before.— Yours, etc., GLENROY. Cardiff.. GLENROY.

ON HOLY GROUND. LLANGYNWYD BOYS' SACRILEGE. At Bridgend Police Court on Monday, Wm. Hall (15), of Maesteg Road, Cwmfelin (who did not appear); Ivor Williams (14), of Cwm- felin; Albert Woodbridge (16), and Emlyn Major (16), both of Llangynwyd, were charged with having damaged certain grow- ing plants to the extent of Is. P.C. 434 gave evidence as to having fotind the boys in the Llangynwyd Churchyard play- ing about and causing a nuisance during divine service. He afterwards saw them go across and' pull up a box shrub and some plants from a grave. The Vicar of the Parish said the reason why he had brought the charge was because, for the last two years, he had had constant complaints from the owners of graves that things were stolen from the graves. He did not wish them to be convicted, but just warned. The mother of one of the boys said the damage was done by the horses kept by the farmers and by the publican's horsesi. The Chairman said boys of that description ought to know better. The churchyard was holy ground, and they knew they had no business there except for sacred purposes. They were.dismissed with a caution.

Female porters have taken the place of the male porters at the Royal Oak Station on the Metropolitan Railway. Their duties are of a light nature, principally seeing to the prompt despatch of trains.

Up-to-date Appliances for turning out overy class of work at oowmetitive prioee, at tbe GUmxwgain G&wMte Prmt; W od.ø

I MAESTEG SCHOOL MANAGERS. TEACHERS' TRANSFER. The ordinary meeting of the Maesteg Group of School Managers was held at the Board Room, on Friday, when there were present Mr. v Miles Hardcastle (in the chair) Mrs. David, Messrs. J. Roderick, W. G. Roberts, T. E. Hopkins, J.P., Rev. D. C Howells, Al- derman E. E. Davies Messrs. J. P. Gibbon, J.P., J. Evans, with the Clerk (Mr. R. Seale). RESIGNATION. Mrs. Elizabeth Edwards, cleaner, of the Plasnewydd Girls' School. wrote resigning her post.—Accepted. An application was read from Miss Hannah Francis, of 3, Crown Road, Maesteg, for the post, and it was held over until the next meeting for consideration with any other ap- plications which might be sent in. TEACHER'S TRANSFER, I A letter was read from Dr. James with re- gard to the Managers recommendation at the last meeting appointing Miss Nancy Davies, certificated assistant, to the Blaenllynfi Girls' School, asking whether the consent of the Port Talbot Managers had been obtained to the transfer of Miss Davies from the Aber- gwynfi Girls' School. It was resolved that the clerk should com- I municate with Mr. Powell, the primary in- spector. EARLIER MEETINGS. I A circular letter was read from Dr. James, I asking that all Group Managers should in future, if possible, hold their meetings in the I I fortnight preceding the dates of the Elemen- I tary Sub-Committee meetings, so that he could include the Managers' recommendations in his reports to the Elementary Sub-Commit- tee meetings. It was resolved that future meetings of I the Managers be held on the first Monday in each month, instead of on the second Friday in each month. ILLNESS. I It was resolved that a vote of sympathy be passed with Mr. Evan Williams in his illness, and wishing him a speedy recovery. The Clerk was directed to communicate the same to him.

I MAESTEG. I PREACHING SERVICES.—The anniver- I sary preaching services of Tabernacle Welsh Baptist Church were held on Saturday, Sun- day, and Monday. The Rev. T. Lewis (pastor of the church) conducted. The officiating ministers were the Rev. J. J. Richards, of Aberavon, and the Rev. H. Ellis, of Dowlais. Collections were made at the close of each service towards the chapel funds. "PRINCESS POPPYLAND.An inter- esting performance of the "Princess Poppy- land" was given at the Co-operative Hall on Wednesday evening by the English Congre- gational Church Band of Hope. The chair was taken by Mr., W. M. Lewis. The per- formance was carried out in three acts under the able conductorship of Mr. Tom Carbis. Miss L. Williams was responsible for the in- struction of the children. Mrs. A. Davies, wife of the pastor, presided at the pianoforte. The sailors and gipsies did exceedingly well and were much ajppreciated, as also were those who took the part of the poppies and roses. The prominent performers were:- Messrs. Garfield Williams, R. N. Lake, E. Richards, Dan Evans, W. Jackson, T. Love- lind, J. Hopkin, Misses W. Murley B. Jones, Maggie Gall, Elsie Morgan and A. Evans. There was a splendid attendance, the hall being packed. The proceeds will be devoted I to the funds of the Church. DEATH.—An old inhabitant passed away on the 12th inst., in the person of Mrs. Mary Llewellyn, at the residence of her grandson, Mr. Evan John Jarret, Station Street, after but a brief yet acute illness. Deceased, who was 72 years of age, came to Maesteg with her parents—who were farmers—from South- erndown, she being the youngest of nine children, of whom only one now remains. On the Thursday following her demise a large concourse attended the obsequies, when the Rev. Iorwerth Jones, Bethania, of which church she was a faithful member, officiated. The interment took place at the adjoining burial ground. The mourners were:—Mr. and Mrs. W. Llewellyn, Kenfig Hill (son and daughter-in-law); Mr. and Mrs. W. Jarret (son-in-law and daughter), Mr. and Mrs. E. John Jarret and Mr. and Mrs. W. John Jarret (grandsons and their wives); Mr. D. Williams, G. andL., Ogmore Vale, with Mr. Joseph Evan Williams, Caerau (nephews); Mrs. Rees and Mrs. Griffiths (nieces); Mr. W. Absalom (nephew-in-law), etc. FUNERAL.—The funeral of the late Miss Gwladys John, niece of Mr. R. Phillips, of the Blaenllynfi Hotel, Caerau, took place on Wednesday of last weeTc. The deceased lived with her uncle at the hotel, and was only 24 years of age. She had been confined to her bed for the last two and a half years. She was very popular and highly respected in the neighbourhood, where she had resided during the last twelve years. Evidence of the popularity and respect in which she was held was manifested by the very large num- ber of friends that attended the funeral both at Caerau and Nantymoel, where the inter- ment took place. The Rev. Rhys Davies (vicar) officiated at the house, and the Rev. J. Hughes, Saron, Nantymoel, at the grave- side. The chief mourners were: Mr. and Mrs. Richard John (father and mother), Miss Cassie M. John and Mr. Trevor John (sister and brother), Messrs. Howell and Jenkin John (brothers), Mr. and Mrs. Richard T. John (brother and sister-in-law), Mr. R. Phil- lips (uncle), Masters Peter Phillips and Percy Williams (cousins). Other relatives were:—Mr. and Mrs. Dawkins, Brynmenin; Mr. and Mrs. Dawkins, Heolycyw; Mr. and Mrs. John, Bryncethin; Mr and Mrs Thomas, Trebanog; Mr. and Mrs. Morgan, Hafod; Mr and Mrs. Oliver, Messrs. John and Horace Oliver, Mrs. Williams, Mrs. Thomas, Mrs. Jenkins, and Miss Maria Oliver, all of Og-, more Vale. Beautiful wreaths were sent by Mr. O'Regan, Abergarw; Mr. Davies, Aber- garw; Mr. R. Protheroe and family; Mr. Dd. Owen and family; Messrs. D. Roberts and D. Sullivan, London; Mr. and Mrs. Etheridge, Mr. and Mrs. John, Mr. and Mrs. Griffith Howell, Mrs. Daniels, Ynishir; Mr. R. Phil- lips, Caerau; Mr. R. Williams, Cardiff; Mr. L. O. Morgan, London City and Midland Bank; Mr. Williams, Blaencaerau Road; Mr. and Mrs. Willie Evans; Mr. and Mrs. Jones, Hearts of Oak Hotel; Staff of Caerau Infants' School; Church Street Property Club; Caerau Touring Club; Girl Friends; Mr. Bourne, Caerau Colliery Offices. The following also attended from Ca,erau en route to Ogmore Vale:—Mr. Tallie James, Pontypridd; Mr. Samuel Evans, Clydach Vale; Mr. Carinody, Aberdare; Mr. T. Williams, Llanharran Hotel; Mr. A. Ridout, Bridgend; Mr. Davies, Abergarw; Messrs. L. O. Morgan, W. T. Williams, George Beynon, —. Knowles, Rees Hughes, and Hopkin Thomas, all of Maesteg.

HENRY LAVIERS'  TOOTHS  J ('ill Send for C.B. 245. Linen, Hand Drawn. C.B. 222. 33 x 33, 3s. lild. each. Trimmed Renaissance Lace. 36 x 36, 4s. Hd. each. iTlil lUStX rStti 6(j l 1s. 111d. Set. 40 x 40, lid each. l-i? iUStrMeG? is. ?Ud. Set. Catalogue Post C.B. 201 Bedspread. WF ———— Free. ————— C.B. 244; 36 x 36. Single Bed Size, 6s. 11d. each. I Renaissance Lace, Trimmed, 2s. 11 id. each. Double Bed Size, 8s. 6d. each. HENRY LAVIERS, MAESTEG. .=- .II"=. .=.=0.. .e=-=-=- JE,2?? NKIS SONS  o.mpl.t. ti?, q 11' == Furnishers, =. 15, Commercial Street, MAESTEG. In no other Furnishing Establishment in this district will you find such a pleasing variety pf Sideboards, Bookcases and Suites as we are able to offer. A still further reduction in our Prices while the War lasts. TPJ This Sideboard, nicely Carved, we sell at the ridiculously low price of S2 18s. 6d. ?l! ?. '4 A 11 1 i A well finished Walnut Bookcase S2 15s. Od. ALL WE ASK: Inspect our Showrooms, compare the Quality of our Goods and the prices with other Furnishing Firms and judge for Yourself.

POLICE BLOOD HOUNDS. I SOME GOOD RESULTS OBTAINED. I During the last few years a distinct change has been noticed in the official attitude to- wards bloodhounds. Force of circumstances has been too strong for the unbelievers. Of the bloodhounds belonging to five or six chief constables in England, my information is mainly restricted to the work of those owned by Mr. A. S. Williams, of West Sussex (late chief constable of Breoonshire, the youngest son of the late Judge Gwilym Wil- liams, and a brother of Mr. Rhys Williams, K.C., of Miskin Manor), and Captain Hoel Llewellyn, of Wiltshire, and from what I know of this work (states a correspondent of The Times") I can say without the slightest hesitation or reservation that the experiment has been more than justified by the results. Sufficient has been done in the way of actual captures and convictions to repay more than the expense involved, while the diminution of crime in both these counties, attributable to the presence of the hounds, is in itself strik- ingly significant. One may cite two recent cases in West Sussex, in which Mr. Williams' hounds were concerned. The first related to some pheas- ant stealing from a shooting at Cocking leased by Lord Cowdray to Mr. Price, of Hor- sell. At least six hours must have elapsed between the time of the offence and the ar- rival of the hound from Horsham, 30 mil es away. in charge of her handler. J. C. Wilson. Notwithstanding that the spot had been trampled about by keepers investigating the matter, the scent was taken without diffi- culty from strange boot marks, and followed for two or three miles to one of a block of cottages, in which some pheasants were found. Brought before the magistrates at Midhurst, the inmate pleaded guilty. The second case, which followed within a week or two of the other, had to do with the theft of fowls from a farm at West Chilting- j ton. The hour of the robbery is not known,, but presumably it must have been early in the morning, for it was half an hour past noon before the hound got to work. Again footprints gave the clue to the scent, and the quest ceased at a cottage a mile and a half away, other cottages having been passed en route. Feathers, fowl bones and a partly- eat-cn chicken pie were discovered indoors. Two men in the cottage were placed among half-a-dozen others, and the hound picked out one of them. The man pleaded guilty at the Petty Sessions and was sentenced, the other also being sent to prison as a receiver. In neither instance was any evidence left that could have aided the police in tracing the criminal, that of the boot impressions, of course, only being useful as corroborations. Similar misdemeanours occur practically every day in some parts of the country or other, many of which are never cleared up, and one may safely contend that properly trained bloodhounds would be of the greatest use to the constabulary. It is true the cases mentioned are of comparatively minor import- ance, but had they been murder, arson, or any other serious crinicj the hound would have been equally useful.

CAERAU AND MAESTEG CO-OPERATIYE SOCIETY, Ltd. EVERY MEMBER IS NOW INSURED And in the event of Husband's death, 4/- in the £ on all money paid 8.8 a trading member will be at once paid: If his Wife dies, 2/- to the £ will be paid to the widower. This is not a "bubble" idea, but is baoked by the CO-OPERATIVE INSURANCE SOCIETY, Who have Accumulated funds of over £ 450.000. Our Salee for the Quarter just closed again show a VERY LARGE INCREASE, new Mem- bers joining freely. Two Shillings in -6 on all Money spent comes to a nioe cmrn every Quarter. Just think it over and join. Entrance Fee, 1/- only We pay 5 per eent. on Share Capital, 4 per cent. on Loan Capital, and 3f per cent. on Penny Bank Deposits. Established 15 years during which, about £ 25,000 has been paid in Dividends

Presiding at the meeting of the Pilgrims' Club in London in connection with the 50th .anniversary of the death of Abraham Lincoln, the Hon. Cameron Forbes, late Governor of the Philippines, said Americans were expected to remain neutral, yet their sympathies were not neutral. He believed the great heart of the people of the United States beat with the Allies. They could not help feeling that the Allies were fighting not only the battle of their nationality, but the battle of Christian- ity, the battle of humanity. A message was read from the Hon. Joseph H. Coate, presi- dent of the Pilgrims of America, describing Lincoln as the foremost champion of freedom, humanity and good faith. If he were liv- ing to-day," Mr. Choate said, "we know how heartily he would sympathise with you in the terrible contest you, are waging in defence of those great causes.

CAERAU BOXER MATCHED WITH HOLBERG. Articles have been signed for a meeting over 20 rounds, at lOst. 41b., for jE50 a-side, between the Caerau boxer, Dai Roberts, and the Dane, Waldemar Holberg, who defeated Charlie Wood (Young Nipper) on Monday.

The Bishop of Carlisle, speaking on Mon- day, said that that State or that Church •as doomed to depletion and inanition id general ruip, which either depressed its 1, h- rate or neglected the higher education 01 its children. How was it that Germany to-,lay could hold the world physically and martially at bay ? Germany's strength lay in her physi- cal strength of men and women she had physi- cally well nurtured as children. Although that physical strength had been perverted by mechanical means to immoral ends, yet in its individual personality and in its aggregate mass, it was to-day the stupefying .wonder of worlds. Because Germany had despised morals and rejected the God of all families of the earth, re-placing Him by a little pry- ful Prussian kod, batoned to blood and trust- ing in powder, she had fallen into an abyss of cruelty, greed, and shame. In Germany to-day we saw the worst perversion of the value and power of children.

I The Welshman's Favourite. MABON Sauce I VW As good cu its Name. DON'T FAIL TO GET IT. anufacturin—BLANCH'S, SL Peter St.. Cardiff. IMy Moo's Sauce I I F.8 Bottle 21cL I «t Delightful kuce and 1&-s of It for « K the monay. o?<?Gf«M?<???? I G SL 1W SL. c. t j $<MMtN?? <sBC'?<MM'M<aMM)Ntwm<

(Continued from previous column.) Conference to urge the National Conference not to agree to the signing of any agreement in any part of the country until the whole of the district agreements have been negotiated.