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MINERS AND THE TAX v - - )
MINERS AND THE TAX v VIGOROUS PROTEST AT CARDIFF CONFERENCE. I A s]>coial inference of delegates representiing the lodges of the South Wales Miners' Federation was opened at the; Cory Hall, Cardiff, on Monday morning, mainly for the purpose of discussing, and Jessing resolutions upon, the income tax and food ques- tions. The items oil the aøndai i neluded four resolutions submitted by the Executive Council strongly urging the raising o{¡ the basis of income-tax abatements.. as the. present conditions make the tax a hardship in so many caPes; and « further, dealing with the xit-ed for better control by the Govern- ment of the, supply, distribution and prices of od., tip these matters are very serious to the families of the workers of South Wales, There was a large attendance of delegates, and great interest was takeli in the proceedings. A VIGOROUS PROTEST. I The prmc.pal resolutions submitted were Income ax.- T-liat the Miners' Federation -of Great Britain, having been unable to prevail upon the Chancellor of the Exchequer to raise the slum a llowed as abatement for the assessing of the income ta.x on wages, again expresses its strong determina- tion to. insist npOin the removal of this injustice to the wa,ge earners of the country. "In the opinion of the conference, income tax should not be levied except ifpon incomes ahorve the roint assuring to the workers at least a pre-war standard of living, and in view of securing th's by the next financial Act, ♦he Miners' Federation of Great Britain committee be requested to at I once take steps for bringing the matter liefore the triple alliance for the purpose of putting the necessary steps for giving effect to the resolu- tions upon this matter and others for- ward for immediate adoption." CONTROL, OF FOODSTUFFS. I "The present system of food supply having proved a lamentable failure, resulting in the populations of large areas, from time to time, being un- able to obtain many of the necessaries of Iflfe which can be purchased in other areas, this Conference requests the Triiple Alliance to demand that the Government will assume the full and complc-to control of all food com- modities and apportion them equally among the people." "Food Prices.—That this Conference requests the Triple Allianc-e to at once bring before the Prime Minister the present exorljjtant food prices, and de- mand that the Premier hollld adopt any course that is necessary to relieve the primary articles of food (such as bread, butter. ,margarine, ohcese, milk meat, bacon, tea, potatoes, etc.), of an increase in prices due to excess profits and war risk charges, and that the Triple Alliance demand the fixing of both wholesale and retail prices of siich prirnn/v necessities to enable the people to obtain sufficient food and ensure an, adequate standard of living." MILK FOR THE BABIES I ChAdren.Hanng regard to me ittsuB & c i ency of the food o b  b le for insufficiency of the food obtainable for the proper nourishing of the children, this Conference calls upon the Triple Alliance to take any steps necessary to Rooure that the Prov?.?u <of Meals Act "haH be generally put into opera- tion throughout th? country, with an ad?unte' ?r?ft fr?m the National Fund, and the extension of the powers of education, authorities, enabling tfiem to supply children with boots and clothes in necessitous cas:\s, be- lieving this to be imperatively neces- sary in the interest of child life and the future welfare of the nation." These drastic resolutions had been formulated by the South Wales Exe- cutive Mr James WinHone presided. •*
-I "THE BREAK I I
I "THE BREAK I I It is vain to deny that the hopes of many of us that the war would, among other 'by-products' of good, can men and women-to seek more for quiet and for worship amidst these tremendous upheavals of life, have been greatly disappointed, ways £ he Bishop- of Dur- ham- in his New Year message. "Early in the war new and attractive Sunday newspapers appeared. Munition work- ers and alleged necessities of military drill h ave contributed to the break- up of Sunday. It is indeed a time of trial to fa-ith and patience for those who think with us. "Yet Jet us not lose lien-re. I. for one, am sure that a strong tradition of reverence for the Sabbath lives still in tho common English heart, .aid is < pen to appeals."
!Mr. Barnes Appeals to tLabour…
Mr. Barnes Appeals to Labour to Aid Victory. Lies Told to Workers at Meetings Refuted I appeal to my fellow-workers in the cause of labour everywhere to continue their steady support in the production of the war for democracy. Democracy is at one and the same time on its trial and in the crucible. If this war is lost by the Allies, the cause of democracy is under eclipse for generations to come, and we leave to our children a heritage of trouble.—Mr. G. N. Barnes. M.P. Mr. Barnes, Labour member of the War Cabinet, delivered the above strik- ing New Year's message to Labour in the course of an interview. dly sympathy goes out to all those in the trenches and on the seas who have so magnificently held up our banner so far," said Mr. Barnes. "They have done wonders. Let us at home be worthy of them as well as proud of them. I am sure that the great heart of Labour here at home is sound. "The poorest among us, I know, have heavy burdens to bear, and in that connection I put first of all the families of the soldiers and the sailors who are abroad, whose allowances are so -much smaller than the wages of those who are at work. I grieve to see the women and children standing in the long line at the shop doors waiting to get their meagre share of food and other commodities. "But, I know, at the same time, that our friend Clynes and Lord Rhondda, and the local" committees are striving night and day to get a better distribution. It seems a light thing to say let us be patient, but, after all, that is all .1 can say at the moment, ooupled, however, with the assurance that the difficulty is being grappled with in such a way as to give share and share alike all round. That is the ideal; we are working towards it for all we know how. "LYING STATEMENTS." I "I?- 1. I I iViignt l asK Laoour throughout the country to be steady for the final phases of the war? I ask it not to be contused by lying statements. It has been my painful experience to hear many such statements, a-nd I know tho harm they have done. It was said, for instance, that there had been meet- ings of financiers abroad while the Government were refusing to allow Labour to confer with enemy subject workmen. The statement was absolute- ly false. Nevertheless, it did duty at hundreds of Labour meetings, and was repeated ad nauseam through the Labour Press throughout the country. "Another statement which has done duty in the same May, at Labour meet- ing and in the Labour Press, is that we had refused to discuss war aims with our Allies, and we had particular- ly refused to discuss them with the Revolutionary Government of Russia. This statement was also false. 0 teller statements have also done duty. notab- ly that of the 'dcor-maf incident, v. hic.h eeiild easily be explained. "I ask my Labour friends to rise above these petty things and to re- gard the Mar as a great world struggle for democracy. IN e must win the war, and thereby win a better world for those who follow us; but it can be only done with the help of Labour. weak link in our chain at pre- sent is Russia. Russia has shak off one form of despot ip rule of Tsaro only to be made the play tiling of despoti" power of another kind. I believe Labour is not only sympathetic to the Russian people, but ardently desirous that they should find a way out of their present troubles towards orderly and democratic rule. At present, how- ever, she is naked to her enemies, and has been made to appear faithless to FUTLRE MENACE TO PEACE. I -1 ••uermany under specious pleas is likeiy to occupy permanently part of her territory, and that, to my mind, is a menace to the future peace of. tho world. We may have in the. future Riga and the Baltic provinces, instead of Alsace and Lorraine, as disturbing elements in future affaire. I hope, however that Russia may Ipe able yet to stand up against those unscrupulous people in whose hands she is at present but as lay in the hands of the potter, "At all events, our path is clear, we have to see to the restoration and re- paration of Belgium and the small countries. AVe have to get security against future war, by a League of Nations which will have exercise econ- omic or material forces against any future aggressor. That is the work which seems to me to lie ahead of us as the great task for 1918, and if it be accomplished 1918 will stand out in the years to come as a landmark of democracy on its road to political and economic freedom." N ———.—.
J PONTARDAWE DISTRICT I TRIBUNAL.
J PONTARDAWE DISTRICT I TRIBUNAL. ) The Pontardawe District Tribunal sat on Monday, Mr. Morgan Davies presiding. Mr. F. P. Charles was for the mihtary authorities. A Pontardawe plumber was granted six months' exemption as he was in a certified occupation. He was in Class t-2 at a recent examination. A Pontardawe solicitor's clerk, who was to sit his final law examination in J anu try, 1919 appeared. The Appeal" Tribunal had upheld the previous de- cision of the local tribunal when the military had appealed against the rul- ing of the tribunal. Mr. Wyndham Lewis asked if applicant was prepared to sign the Volunteer Force Form 4010. Applicant said he left that to the tri- bunal, but he was so pressed with work that he would be hardly able to fulfil his obligations. On account 'of the fact that he was preparing for an examination in March he was granted three months and tem- p.rarily exempted from the G.V.R. The application of an Ystalyfera grocery manager, in Class C2, who was also married, was refused. It was ad- mitted tkat applicant had no heavy work to do, but he had to cut che-.ves. Mr. Charles: If a woman car c a wedding cake she can cut a cheese. A Pontardawe haulage contractor, single, and in Class C2, refused ex- emption on the understanding that he was not called up for a month. Mr. Charles said that applicant or his mar- ried brother ought to serve. Applicant: If you think I am of more use in a khaki suit than now, I'll go. Mr. Charles: It's what these gentle- men think. Applicant asked that he should be allowed time to look for a haulier. A Tair'gwaith grocer, draper, and postmaster, who vwas single, 'was al- lowed 3 months' final. Applicant ad- mitted he had had five or six exemp- tions. It was mentioned that the man was only making money for himself. The Rev. Evan Davies contended that the man was legitimately em- ployed. "and after all, continued the rev. geiitleman, "there's not an honest tradesman in the world; we are all profiteers and rogues." (Laughter.) A boot firm appealed for a branch manager at Pontardawe. The man was in Class A and had been in the busi- ness for 17 years. He had the "sole" responsibility of ordering goods, etc. He was given three months. It was stated that on account of de- lay on the part of the War Agricul- tural Committee a certain ploughman could not go to Swansea as he was liable to arrest, being without a oerti- ficate. A Member: He ought to have a label, anyhow. (Laughter.) An Ynisforgan bread deliverer, aged 26. said he was in Grade 2, and his employer was disabled owing to rheu- matism. A woman could not do the it-oi-k.-Two months final. A Pantteg grocer said he would have to close down if he had to go. He was in Class A, and said his wifo could not assist him. He was allowed 3 months. A Trehanos rollerman appealed for terapoiv.ry exemption for his step-son aged 18, who was now engaged as a trammer at a, colliery. The applicant said he was now out of work, and he and his family were partly dependent upon, the boy's earnings. He said he had repeatedly tried for work for him- self, but failed. Mr. Charles: Do ,vou r,oaii to*ask these gentlemen to believe this cock and bull story, thar as an able-bodied man you cannot obtain employment in these times ?—Yes, <ar. Mr. Charles remarked that there were plenty of other sons who had to ft a nd the racket, and he ooulai Hot see why this boy shoul dbe kept at bo.ee ithe sake of a few paltry shil- lings. A.;)i)licnt said he only sought tem- porary exemption. He admitted he could find work if he went away, but t it would be a hardship to keep two places going. Mr. Charles: Why is every one re- don't know sir. [ Mr. Charles: You ought to be ashamed to re atiu aak exemp- tion for this bee, a more impudent ap- plcation I have seen on paper. Exemption refused. A Garnswllt n-itti itid 1 was a far- mer, timber feller, haulier, and build- er. and also a colliery repÚrer." Air. Charles: Have you heard of a "Jack of All Trades?"— Y er, sir. Mr. Charles: When do you sleep?— In the day, sir. (Laughter.) It was explained that the IUln was eombed-out. Rev. E. Davies: I think he would do all right as a superintendent at the Iron't. (Laughter.) > He was granted exemption as he was considered to be doing work of national import", noo timber feller. The manager to a Clydich wholesale .(. "}L\J, c.t .h. ,t 1:1. ¡j.4. L I grocery firm wa.s allowed three months. A Cwmgorse milkvendor in Grade 1 was refused exemption. The man cx- ( pressed the dissatisfaction that he had i been placed in Grade 1 inasmuch as he had been been previously plac<?d in C2. Mr. Charles: You ought to be de- lighted to be in Grade 1. An Y stalyfera clothier who was placed in Class C2 was allowed three months. A Gwaunca^urwen colliery labourer I of the 1914 class, suggested in aa indirect manner that the tribunal was not meting out justice in all cases. He appeared on domestic grounds, but his application was refused. An Ystalyfera clothier said ho had been in business on his own account for 7 years, and was only in Class C2. He was allowed three months.
BIG BLAZE AT SWA> ^A FUEL…
BIG BLAZE AT SWA> ^A FUEL WORKS £ 15,000 DAMAGE CAUSED. Damage estimated at £ 15,000 was caused by a fire which occurred early on Sunday morning at the Pacific Patent Fuel Works, Prince of Wales --?,, Prince of Wa 4es Dock Swansea, a. large portion of the premises being destroyed. The watchmen, who discovered the fire shortly after five a.m.. gave the alai-m to the harbour police, who at once apprised the Swansea Central Fire-station. The fire engine was de- spatched at once with a, force of men, and arrived on the scene of the fire at about 5.20. The works then appeared to be all ablaze, the tremendous volume of flames lighting up the whole of the docks. There were a number -of railway trucks standing alongside the works, some loaded with pitch, and the?? becoming i?Il?d. the Î!l-I flammable matter spread a,? over the ground floor of the works, causing in- tense flames and smoke, which greatly added to the arduous task of thp fire brigade. Apparently the fire had not been de- tected iin its earlier stages, and the wa,tchman was unable to locate the part of the works in which the first outbreak had occurred- The brigade worked wih the greatest as^idu'itv till about noon. They were assisted for about two hours by the harbour trust tug-boat Trusty, which pumped water from the docks, but they failed to pre- vent extensive dama-ge being done. Although, however, a large portion of the works was destroyed, they pre- vented the fire from spreading to the stagilug, whicih contained a cargo of fuel ready for shipment, and they also saved t le boiler-house, which con- tained i-ur large Vvlers, and the oil stores at the works. Sew-en railway tracks belonging to the Cwmbach Colliery Company, Messrs. Holmes, the Great Northern, Great. Western, a-nd Midland Railway Cornpanie. were destroyed. The works were insured.
SIR A- GEDDES & MINERSI
SIR A- GEDDES & MINERS I "TEMPORARY TRANSFER TO I, ANOTHER INDUSTRY. In a speech to the representatives of the. of Great Britain regarding the war work volun- teer scheme. Sir Auckland Geddes said that a-? many men as could be snared were, being brought back from the Army, but there was a brnit to the number which could be withdrawn from a highly technical organisation like the fighting force without destroy ing its efficiency. To destroy the efficiency of an army we had so labor- irnvly built im would bP the height ?f fonv. because, with Ru&siia out of it, it had become the keystone of t1w I arch, and if o?ce our army ?ot i?t?) ? d?3r?,nis"d condition th? whole thing would collapse. Sir Auckland added that thev were not g-air.g to coii>pel men to undertake work (If a type they had never] undertaken before but persuade them to transfer tem- porarily to another industry. He dwelt on the fact that a certain num- ber of men in tlie mining industry were not fully -employed.
\AOAiF.X POLICE WATED. I I
\AOAiF.X POLICE WATED. I Women who wish to serve 'their country are asked to train as police- women and to take their part in help- ing to guard mnnition factories, to aid in protecting their sisters who are en- gaged in munition work, and to en- force the keeping of law and order. Policewomen are well paid and well • housed. and every opportunity is ?ircntothcm UtquHitfyforpcrma- j ncnt service when the war is over. All i application should be made to the Headquarters of the Women Police Service, 0, Eccloston-jqmre, London. ä. I.I .J. m
I Pontardawe Metal i Frauds.…
I Pontardawe Metal i Frauds. I I I M: reliant ?ent to Prison. At the Glamorgan, County Quar&er Sessions, held in Cardiff on Tuesday, before Mr. J. 1. D. Nicholl and others, David J. Walters, metal mercharft, ot J'ontardawj, surrendered to his bail on charges of obtaining by falf pretences from Messrs. Gilbertson and Co., Pontardawe, sums of £10 12s. 6d £ 40; and also three charges of attempting to obtain sums of £ 4i!, 1;29 i's. örl., £ 41 2s. 6d., from the same .company. Three other charges of ob- taining money were withdrawn by the prosecution. Mr. Marlay Samson (instructed by Messrs. R. and C. B. Jenkins) prose- cuted, and Air. St. John F. AVilliams (instructed by Mr. Henry Thompson) defended. Defendant pleaded guilty to the six charges. Mr. Samson explained that defend- ant entered into a contact with the firm of Messrs. Gilbertson and Co., some time ago, and as a result there were monthly payments to him rang- ing from £ i.000 to 22,000. Messrs. Gilbertson had in their employ a clerk named Baker, whose duty it was to make entries of the weights of various consignments which went into the works. In 1916, Air. Samson" proceed- ed, defendant got into touch with Baker, and invited his assistance in de- frauding the firm. The fraud was con- trived through defendant sending con- signment advice notes to the firm with- out inserting the actual weights, and then Baker, who received these notes, entered weights in excet-s of what they should fye. Defendant would then rt- ceive the weights entered bv Baker, and invoices were sent to him accord- ingly. Mr. St. John F. Williams made a strong plea for leniency for defendant, who, he said, had up to now borne an irreproachable character. He had act- nd as chief clerk at. the Bryn Tinplate Works, and subsequently became mar.- ager of tinplate works at Garnant, until he went into business on his own account in 1913. REPUTATION RUINED. The defendant's business as a metal broker was of a highly speculative character, and when markets went against him, he foolishly took to gambling in stocks and shares, whica placed him in still greater difficulties and in an evil moment for himself and his family he committed offences which Ccaiit the sacrifice of the char- acter he had previously enjoyed. Be- fore there was any suggestion of crimi- nal proceedings defendant wrote t:) Messrs. Gilbertson. expressing his re- gret. Defendant had been severely puijjshed already. He had brought absolute ruin to himself and his busi- ness, and his health, which had never been too strong, had become seriouslv endangered. A.s far as the company- was concerned, they had not suffered the loss of a single penny, and whea accounts came to be adjusted, it way found there was money due to defend- ant. Air. F. R. Phillips, J.P.. Air. J. Ernest Lewis, and tlw. Rev. Joel Davies, Pontardawe, gave evidence ':s to character. Th, Chairman said there was no doubt that defendant InQ been severe- ly punished already, hut as. a warning to others, th? lea?t sentence they cou!d pa?s upon him was 12 months' impr?- sonment in the second diN-* *or :UT? dd"J1(hnt would also have to pav £ 100 towards the cost of the prosecution. tli-? of ti,?e
1,000 TONS OF BERRIES
1,000 TONS OF BERRIES CHILDREN'S AYORlv FOR ARAIY SAVES THOUSANDS OF POUNDS Children of 2,500 schools, who set this autumn to pick 1,000 tCClS of blar h berries to make jam for the A. wiv, have brought alxnit a great savin- not only of lahoar; but of money. The work was organised at the r", quest oi the Food" Production D<. partment hy Air Arthur Bryant. HiF return? show tiiac 70 tons were picked in Buckinghamshire, SO tons in tons Oxfordshire, the other counties equally good. The children have supplied to jail works, after expenses in weighing, carting, carriage, and boxes bought, blackberries at less than £ 17 a tor. and in one county where boxes were iree and part of the berries nickel ii'ce. they Avere delivered into the j am factor* at less than -.CIO ,t ton. Taking Bucks 'with its 70 r<>s at £17 a ton as against the wholesale there WIK re+ i of £ 2.310. I