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Read WIRELESS WHISPERS ON PAGE 4. A Column which will Interest you.
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Read WIRELESS WHISPERS ON PAGE 4. A Column which will Interest you.
My Weekly Budget.
My Weekly Budget. By J. Keir Hardie, M.P. The coming International Socialist and Labour Congress at Vienna on Au- gust 23 means a lot of extra work for many of us. I am on the Bureau of the Congress, and that. of itself, in- volves much work and correspondence; and, in addition, I am deputed by the Bureau to prepare a report on Mili- tarism. Imperialism and the Strike ag- ainst War, which has involved much research and some study. Previously, there was the work attached to the Twenty-First Coming-of-Age Confer- ence of the I.L.P., and all these added to one's ordinary routine of daily tasks, coupled with an occasional depression in health and spirits, must be accept- ed by PIONEEK readers as an apology for the absence of "My Weekly Budget" for some time past. I hope to be more faithful in the future, especially now that the paper is on the point of being once more put on a secure business footing. Some time ago. I suggested that each of the four districts of min- ers in the constituency should invest £ 250 in the PIONEER Company, and other Unions, I.L.P. Branches, and in- dividuals. amounts proportionate to their ability. In this way a capital of probably £ 1,500 could be raised" One thing certain is that neither the Trade Unions nor the Labour Party in the Boroughs can afford to do without their own paper. I am confident, therefore, that a long, strong pull will be made to give the PIONEER a fresh start along the route of a prosperous career. • Before coming to the political situa- tion, let me deal with a more or less personal matter. I probably receive more visitors than any other single Member of Parliament. They come to me literally from all parts of the earth. Our own movement aJso gives me more than my shl-l f. I iiiu at- ways willing to oblige to the extent of my ability, but that and the time at my disposal, both have their limits. And it is here where a hint— a friendly hint—to my constituents comes in. Be it borne in mind that tick" "W for the Visitors' Gallery are issued one week in advance, and must be ballotted for. I ballot every day, and usually, not al- ways. get two tickets. These I pass on to applicants in the turn in which their requests reach me. So far all is well. But every dav visitors turn up. often from the constituency, who have sent me no notice of their coming, and demand orders for the gallery. Nine times out of ten I am unable to comply with this request. On many occasions I am unable, owing to being engaged. to go out and explain to them. But as will be seen, the fault is not mine, and I would press upon constituents who are about to visit London, and who want to go into the Gallery of the House, to give me warning in advance of their coming. To a man with eyery hour of the day mortgaged, it is diffi- cult to attend to every sporadic request made upon his time. Serious Constitutional Crisis. L I This is only a, onei note on tilt) po- litical situation. Whether or not my prophecy of a General Election this year is going to be realised, the next ten days will show. Meanwhile, the K j., has been in- vited. or has invited himself. to inter- vene in the Home Rule embroglio. The most serious constitutional crisis since the days of the Stuarts has thus been precipitated. The House of Commons has three times passed the Home Rule Bill by substantial majorities. Thrice the Lords have rejected it. Meanwhile the Ulster 'loyalists" have been arm- ing to Resist the measure becoming law. That is to say they are in armed rebellion against the State and the King s. Authority. And now the King casts in his lot with the reaction- ary peers and the rebellious Ulsterites. He joins his influence with the forces which are working against and seeking to destroy the House of Commons and our constitutional forms of Parliamen- tarv Government. Interference Resented. I I Needless to say. he and his servile upholders. Liberal and Unionist, in the Press and in Parliament, will seek to conceal this naked truth from the public gaze. But the point is not open to dispute. The Liberal Party did not ask for his interference, whatever the Cabinet may have done. The Irish Party had no need for his services, and Mr. Redmond and Mr. Dillon only consented to attend the conference be- cause the King" commanded their presence. The Labour Party resents his interference. These three sections of the Parliament have stood lo-val-ly together in getting Home Rule through the Tories alone have objected, and therefore the King, in interfering, can have no other object than to assist his friends the Tories. King George and the Democracy. I The hypocrital assurance which is be-1 ing spread abroad that the House tf I Commona will have the last word is mere blind. If an agreement be rea- ched. it will come to us with the com- bined weight and authority of the King, the Tory Party, the House of Lords, and the Liberal Cabinet behind it. Under such circumstances the House of Commons will be paralysed. I have never for a moment doubted that part of any settlement come to will be an immediate dissolution, and we begin to see why the Royals crowd have been visiting Merthyr and many other industrial centres during the past two or three years. The, desired to popularise themselves with the mob so that they mig-ht riyet the chains of their iron rule fore firmly upon them. King Geocrge is not a statesman. He is not the pleasureloving scapegrace which his father was before him. but like his father, he is destitute of even ordinary ability. And this is the man who is being made a tool of by the reactionary classes to break the power of Democ- racy and weaken and finally destroy the power of Parliament. Kow-Towing Condemned. I I But Democracy wn. accept the chal- lenge. The rights of our fathers won by sacrifice shall be maintained. Once more the Republican slogan will be heard ip. the land, and a .sloppv Liber- alism as well as a reactionary Toryism will be swept before the indignant wrath of an angry and enlightened people. The movement, all sections of it,' must speak with no uncertain Sound: Reaction is most easily checked in its earlier stages. The action of t,he King, and the slippery Liberal Cabinet which sanctioned it without the con- sent of the House of Commons, must be condemned unsparingly if our popu- lar liberties are 110 be preserved. The Government. by pandering to rebellion in Ulster, and kow-towing to the Throne, are undermining their position in the country and even endangering a settlement of the Home Rule issue. Watch carefully the developments of the next ten days.
Merthyr Curator's Appointment
Merthyr Curator's Appointment The appointment, of Mr. Isaac J. Williams. of Hazledejie, Lancaster Villas, Merthyr, as keeper of the Arts' Department of the National Museum of Wales has given a deal of satisfac- tion to local citizens. Mr. Williams, who is the eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. George Williams, of Williams' Square. Glebeland Street, has held his present appointment as Curator at the Cyfarthfa Castle Mu- seum since Ít. inception. Besides hold- ing the post of superintendent of the handicraft, and art teacher of the bo- rough, Mr. Williams ha.5 also acted as instructor in art and organiser for the evening continuation and technical classes in the borough. He has also been engaged as instructor in wood- carving at the Sumer School at Barry, under the Glamorgan County Council. He is the possessor of numerous med- als and certificates, and while at the Art School in Cardiff won the gold medal for an art design in a competi- tion which was open to Great Britain. Mr. Williams some years ago sub- mitted a bust of the late Mr. John Lewis, printer, at the National Eistedd- fod, and was highly complimented for his work by Mr. Goscombe John, who also exhibited a bust at the same eis- teddfod. The new appointment will necessitate Mr. Williams' removal to Cardiff, as soon as his present appointment with the local authority terminates. His first duty in connection with his new appointment will necessitate a visit to Germany for the purchasing of vari- ous exhibits for the National Museum.
Merthyr Schoolboy's Death.
Merthyr Schoolboy's Death. AN INQUEST TO BE HELD. I The death occurred on Thursday morning, at 11.30, at Trevethick St., Merthyr, under distressing circum- stances, of Joseph Winter Singer, aged 4 years, the son of Joseph Winter. It appears that on July 13, the lit- tle lad had, as usual, attended school at Queen's Road Infants' School, and after lessons were over was descending from the flat roof by means of a stair- case. By some means he missed his footing, and fell to the ground below, sustaining very serious injuries, which, it is presumed, led to his death. He was picked up by a teacher, and con- veyed to his parents' residence, and there attended by Dr. rSrennan up to Thursday, when, as stated, death oc- curred. An inquest is to be held.
Merthyr Constable's Dismissal.
Merthyr Constable's Dismissal. COUNCIL AND WATCH COMMITTEE I COUN. WM. LEWIS EXPLAINS. I A somewhat acrimotnioua discussion took place at the meeting of the Mer- thyr Borough Counci l on Monday,, Coun. H. M. Lloyd (Mayor) PresidiioLg: regarding the following minutes of the Watch Committee meeting of the 10th July: — Report by Chief Constable re Al-1 leged Harsh Treatment to Polioe-CJon- stable.—The Committee considered a report of the Chief Constable with re- ference to an application made by1 P.C. 76 Idris Davies for permission to appear before the Committee, alleging four instances of harsh treatment by! the Chief Constable. "The Committee, after hearing Mr. F. S. Simons, solicitor, on behalf of P.C. 76 Davies, and the Chief Consta- ble, are of opinion that the charges of alleged harsh treatment have not been substantiated. Charges of Misconduct against Constable.—The Committee considered three charges of conduct to the preju- dice of good order and nolice discipline against P.C. 76 Idris G. Davies, when after, an admission of these charges by the constable in* question, it was re- solved that P.C. 76 Davies be ordered to resign and be paid a mont h's wages in lieu of notice." Aid. T. J. Evans: I should like to know what the charges are? Mayor: I must decline to go into the matter. The Council have no power to go into the matter or to raise any question at all except regarding fi- nance. Aid. T. J. Evans: It is customary for the Mayor to answer questions. Coun. W. Lewis: The minute is not correct, Mr. Mayor. We were not unanimous. Mayor: The Council cannot discuss the question. Coun. E. Morrell: If you admit questions regarding finance, you are admitting this Council's controlling influence. If not, why do the minutes come here for connrmationP What is the use of bringing them here at all? Mayor: It is an act of courtesy. (Sev- eral members: -No no I) It is done simply to keep you informed of the work done on your hehalf by the Com- mittee. You are out of order. Coun. Morrell: Oh! That isn't good enough. The control of this Council over the Watch Committee should be admitted. If there was an item deal- ing with finance. I should be in order in moving a reduction, or otherwise, on the matter, but now I am told that I am out of order. Coun. Dan Thomas: I quite agree with the last speaker. This matter continually comes up at the Council meetings. I do think that the time has come when we should have an authori- tative report from the Town Clerk. Aid. Berry: We have had it before. Coun. Morrell is entirelv out of order, and no one knows it better than he does. He has been in the chair. Coun. Dan Thomas: Let us have the report. I have not seen it. Aid. T. J. Evans: Is it in order for the Watch Committee to pay a month's wages in lieu of notice? Mayor: Yes ? Coun. Francis: it. is not fair that we cannot go into the matter. You are asking our opinion about this, and we should have the information. I am of the opinion that the Committee has not dealt fairly with the Constable.. Mayor: You are entirely out of order. Coun. W. Lewis (a member of the Watch Committee): You are asking the Council to pass a minute which is not correct. Mayor: I think it is very unseemly that you, as a member of the Watch Committee, should raise it here after the matter has been thoroughly gone into. Coun. W. Lewis: I am very sorry for your remarks, or that you should al- low a minute to go throijgh which is wrong. I would he glad if you. as our Chief Magistrate, would stick to hones- ty and truth. Mayor I must ask you to withdraw that remark at once. Councillor Lewis. Coun. Lewis, however, remained ob- durate. Coun. John Davies: If you will al- low me, Mr. Mayor, I don't think Coun. Lewis intended to reflect on yof per- sonally, but what he means is that you are allowing a minute to be passed which is not true. Mayor: Coun. Lewis was present at the Committee, and he knows that we dealt with the matter impartially. Coun. Dan Thomas: I am sure that if my friend had spoken in his own tongue he would have explained himself much better. Coun. D. W. Jone6: It is a serious matter, if the public have reason to believe that the minute is incorrect. I quite agree that we have no control over the management of the police, but that is a very different thing to deal- ing with the minutes which come be- fore us. Ooun. Wm. Lewis said that what he wanted to explain was that he did not agree with the decision of the Watch Committee, whereas the minute led the Council to think that the Commit- tee had been unanimous, which was not so. Ald. J. M. Berry It is only a mare's nest. The minutes were subsequently ad- opted, and the Town Clerk instructed to report as to the Council's powers I in the matter. BOROUGH STIPENDIARY PRO. I POSAL. A proposal to appoint a separate sti- pendiary for the Borough of Merthyr was considered. The County Powers Committee reported upon a statement prepared by the Town Clerk (Mr. T. Aneuryn Rees), and a further state- ment by the Borough Controller as to the estimated cost. compared with the actual cost for the past four years of the present arrangement, whereby the stipendiary sit at Merthyr, Abtjrdare, Mountain Ash, and Abercynon. The committee resolved that, having regard to the action of the Glamorgan Stand- ing Joint Committee in petitioning the King to order the inclusion of the ham- lets of Cefn and Hengoed in the pre- sent stipendiary area. and taking into consideration the population and stat- us of the borough, the Council be re- commended to petition that Merthyr shall cease to be included in the pre- sent area, so as to enable the Council to petition the King to appoint a stipendiary for the borough. Mr. Andrew Wilson said that this would mean that the Borough Council would have to pay the whole of the sti- pendiary's salary of £ 900. instead of teir pro rata share. Several members No! No! The Mayor replied that, on the con- trary, it would mean a saving. The report was adopted, it being understood that the matter would have to come before the Finance Com- mittee before anything definite was done.
Labour -Party's Record.
Labour Party's Record. WHAT HAS BEEN DONE FOR THEI WORKERS. I Labour's representatives at Westmin- ster have, during the session months of this year, worked with characteristic enrgy and zeal on behalf of the organ- ised workers. In a leaflet just issued by the Lab- our Party, entitled Labour's Work in Parliament," a review of the princi- pal achievements of the Labour group is given. They are. the leaflet ex- plains, merely "a selection of the many questions with which the Labour Party has been interested during the first few months of the present year. Included in the list are the follow- ing examples: — Raising the question of the South African deportations and the rights of British citizenship, which had been grossly violated by the expulsion of the Trade Union leaders without trial. A demand for Government action to prevent loss of life in mines and on railways, the case being presented by Labour members possessing experience of the pit and on the footplate. The Government promised mining legisla- tion and an inquiry into railway acci- denta, As a protest against the dismissal of Police-Constable Fairweather, a Great Eastern Railway policeman, for presid- ing at a Trade Union meeting. Labour members moved the rejection of a Parliamentary Bill seeking to extend the powers of the Great Eastern Rail- way Company. The Bill was rejected a second reading by 140 votes to 62. On the second reading of a Great Northern Railway Bill, the protests of the clerks employed by the company against the undemocratic government of their superannuation fund were voiced by the party. As a result, the House declined to pass the Bill until satisfactory proposals had been con- ceded. Vigorous protests were made against the increased naval estimates. The Labour Party has voted steadily for Home Rule, while opposing the adoption of armed force by titled re- bels in Ulster. It was left to the Labour Party to bring Parliament to a sense of its supreme responsibility for government free from the influences of Court or camp. On the Army Annual Bill the Labour Party urged that the military should only be used in industrial disputes when demanded by three magistrates instead of one as at present, and after the civil force had proved incapable of sustaining law and order. After at- tempting to overcome the Labour case, the Prime Minister consented to the subject being remitted to a committee for consideration. The distress in Dublin and the police outrages on strikers were raised by the Party. On innumerable occasions Ministers have been questioned and persuaded to grant concessions on the Insurance Act (Amendment Bill). The demands of the destitute blind were voiced on the floor of Parliament. Through the Labour Party, there is a prospect of an extension of the feeding of hungry children. With regard to the conditions of pos- tal workers, the House adopted a La- bour Pa'rty proposal to remit the whole of the recommendations of the Holt Committee to a new body.
IMerthyr Turncock's Wages.
Merthyr Turncock's Wages. WATERWORKS COMMITTEE REFUSE INCREASE. Coun. Dan Thomas presided at a meeting of the Waterworks Committee on Wednesday. Fried Fish Shops. Mr. Fredk. Hughes, Deputv Engi- neer reported as follows on this mat- t,e.T.: For some considerable time I have been carefully observing the large quantity of water used for potato wash- ing (in connection with the chip potato business) at various premises in the different districts. In some cases ma- chines are used to which a hose pipe is attached from the water tap. In oth- ers. concrete tanks have been construc- ted over which a water tap is fixed, and sometimes tubs are used. The quantity of water used is considerable, varying from three to ten thousand gallons per quarter, according to the method washing, and the amount of trade. No extra charge ia at present made." Ald. D. John asked what it would mean to put a water meter on the fried fish shops in the borough. There was a large amount of water used in these premises. Mr. Fredk. Hughes, Deputy Engi- neer, said that it could be arranged with an ordinary meter. Ald. D. John: The Controller could make a deduction after calculationg from the ratable value. The Committee accepted this sug- gestion. Turncocks' Wages. I A report was submitted by the Engi- neer regarding the wages paid to turn- oocks by the various Councils in South Wales. The i.chairman said the report show- ed r' hat i.; Almost every case Merthyr paid the highest. Ald. D. John I think our men should be very well satisfied. Coun. Mrs. Edmunds: I should like to move that Mr. Hope be granted an increase. Chairman: He gets 31 i-a week now. Coun. Mrs. Edmunds Two month* ago it was stated here that no personal application was received from Mr. Hope. That is not true. Mr. Hope did apply for an increase. Coun. Francis: 1 should like to point out that there is a difference re- garding the turncocks in outside towns. Our turncocks all do plumbing work with the exception of the men at the lower part of the borough. The Engineer Only two of them. Chairman Under what circumstanc- es do they do the work ? The Engineer: The work which they do is mainly wiping off on the mains, etc. Calding is a fully qualified man. Chairman: I think they are very well dealt with. Coun. Francis: I would like to point out that it is admitted that they are doing plumbing work. Exception is being taken by the plumbers that turncocks should do plumbing work. If they are doing plumbing work, they should be paid the plumbers' rate. If they did not do the work. we should have to send men from other parts of the borough to dó the work. which would cost us a considerable sum of money. I move that in these two in- stances we give the rate asked for. Coun. W. Jones seconded. Coun. Marsh I move that we leave the rates as they are. Our men are get- ting better rates than outsiders. They don't do real plumbing work. It is only rush work. A Member: What is the rate for plumbers? The Engineer: I think it is 36/ Coun. F. A. Phillips seconded the amendment. Coun. W. Lewis: Do they get any acknowledgment at all for this work? The Engineer Hooe was given am advance some time ago. Chairman The only justification for the motion is that he is a plumber. But lie has not served an apprenticeship. Coun. Francis: I quite agree that a man should serve his apprenticeship, but you are willing to assist this man to undermine the principles of the Plumbers' Union by expecting him to work at a low rate. On a vote being taken, the motion was lost. A Bit of Jealousy." I Coun. L. M. Jones then moved that Hope be granted 34/- per week. Coun. Mrs. Edmunds seconded. Aid. D. John: I move that his wa- ges remain the same. It is only a bit of jealousy. The motion was defeated. Troh-ar-ria. I RECRBATIOX GROUND.—A letter was read at the Merthvr Council meeting on Monday from Mr. David Davies, Llandinam, stating that he was unable to perform the opening ceremony on Bank Holiday Monday, as had been sug- gested. On the motion of Coun. A. Wilson, it was agreed that Mr. Davies be requested to fix a date suitable to himself.
Merthyr School Appointments.
Merthyr School Appointments. MR. RHYS ELIAS MAKES A SUG- GESTION. Mr. H. M. Lloyd (Mayor) presided over a meeting of the Merthyr Borough School Management Committee on Wednesday evening. Surgical Appliance. A case was mentioned in which a child examined at the schools was found to require a surgical appliance, the cost of which would be £ 4. The Medical Inspector recommended that this be provided. Coun. Dan Thomas asked if was proposed that the parent should repay the whole or part of the cost in instal- ments. and was informed that the re- commendation was that the whole of the cost should be defrayed by the au- thority. The report showed that the father was an industrious man, and & good father. He had six children, and his earnings were a.2 a week. A Member: Not much to keep eight. Coun. Dan Thomas: No, I realise that; but to defray the whole of the cost would be a dangerous precedent, and we don't know wnere we should land ourselves. The parent should at least pay half, by instalments. The Mayor: Do you move that? Coun. Thomas: I do, sir. Coun. D. W. Jones seconded, and the proposition was carried. Appointments. Appointments were then proceeded with. There were several applications for the post of Headmistress at the Troedyrhiw and Clwydyfagwyr Girls' Schools. Miss Fulford, the head teached at Treharris, was appointed to the for- mer school after a vote, though Mrs. Edwards asked why the staffs should be disarranged merely to suit the conveni- ence of individual members. If dly. course were followed in every case, they wwuld vacancies every month. < This .,(':8,<JOd vacancy at Tre- harris, and it was suggested that this should be now filled, though objection was raised on the ground that none of the present applicants had applied for that school. Coun. Dan Thomas: This is a change, not a new appointment. Miss Maude Edith Price was ap- pointed to Clwydyfagwyr. Before proceeding with the Trehar- ris appointment, another phase of the question was raised by Coun. D. W. Jones, who asked for a report of the qualifications and capabilities of these teachers. The Director (Mr. Rhys Elias) said all were qualified. Coun. Jones: The time has come when we should know something of their individual qualifications. We have no report from the Director and none from the inspectors, yet we are pitchforking them into important posi- tions. The Chairman pointed out that all the applicants had been in the service of the authority for some time. and had rendered satisfactory service. There were cries of "Vote." Coun. D. W. Jones: I see you have all come here cut and dried. Coun. Harpur: I protest emphati- cally against that remark. I for one have not come here cut and dried." Coun. D. W. Jones: Well. some of you have. Miss Elsie Moss was then appointed to Treharris, after a close vote. An important question was then raised by the Director. He pointed out that it was often the case that teachers trained in the borough. came back after training to take up posts, frequently returning to the very school where they had served an ap- prenticeship. They should have some broader experience by first going else- where. It would be a very good thing if they, as an authority, would encourage them to do so. They could not insist on it, he knew, but if the teachers took a year outside and then came back, the teaching services of a district would be improved very much. Coun. D. W. Jones: I think we ought to have a report on what the Director says. The difficulty, I think, up to now is that once teachers go out of the district, they have a very poor chance of coming back. If they were satisfied that they would have a chance of receiving appointments after- wards by this authority, I think many more would go out and gain experi- once. If publicity were given to it, I think something would be done to- wards carrying out what has been suggested. It was agreed to have a report. What Did He See? The business being over, CIoun. ixi- Davies, one of the Dowlaia R.C. MOM- agers, rose to make a report with re- g?rd to what he s? last Fnd&?y at Dowlais. The Mayor: Would you kindly write the report, that we may have it before us, Mr. Davies? Coun. Davies: Very well. sir.
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