Merthyr Times and Dowlais Times and Aberdare Echo

MERTHYR GUARDIANS. Saturday Present, Messrs. D. P. Davies, J.P. (in the chair), T. H. Bailey, J.P., John Rogers, J.P., D. Davies, John Edwards, Edward Edwards, J.P., W. 1). Powell, Joseph Powell, Rev. Canon Wade, H. P. D. Phillips, J.P., Evan Lewis, Dan Thomas, David James, Thomas Morris, Richard Edwards, Thomas Thomas, M. Truran, J.P., T. Harris, Rev. Father O'Reilly, D. Davies, J.P., D. Abraham, J. Llsyd, John Rees, J. Pyle, D. Tudor Williams, Mrs. Emma Williams, Mrs. Margaret Tegwedd Williams, Mrs Margaret Williams, Mrs. D. M. Richards, Mr. T. Williams (Gellifaelog), Aid. Thomas Williams, J.P., Mr. J. E. Mills, Rev. J. E. Jenkins, Lewis Evans, T. Be van, Lewis Edwards, J. W. Morgan, David Evans, J. H. Jones, Edward Lewis, G. Seabourne, W. Williams, Alfred Phillips, and Mr. F. T. James (clerk). Ot;T-Rnn:F.- The Clprk reported that the follow- ing sums had lieen paid in out-relief during the past weekAberdare, E56 6s.; Gelligaer, £ 30 2, 6d.; Merthyr Lower, £69 Is. 10d.; Meithyr Upper, J674 8t>. 9d.; non-settled, £ 8 13s. 6d., making a total of JB259 7s. 7d., and leaving a balance of JE55 3s. 8d. in the treasurers hands. A cheque for j3255 was ordered to be drawn. THE AGED COUPLES — On the motion of the Chair- man, it was agreed that the Master be asked to make a return of the :("e;l couples now resident in the house, and to submit the same to the next meeting, so that every information on this subject might be obtained before any steps were taken. THE CHILDREN'S DIKT.— Mrs. Margaret Williams, Aberdare, gave notice that at the next meeting she would move that the diet of the children 11(' so altered that they might receive warm water and milk or cocoa, alternately with tea, instead of cold water during the winter month-.—The Chairman jwinted out that the diet of the sick and the young were placed entirely under the control of the medical officer, and no one but ho could change it.—Mr. Bailey: Then cannot we draw the attention of the medical officer to the matter at onceMr. David Davies moved that the Clerk should send a copy of the notice of motion to the medical officer, so that the matter be settled without delay.—Mr. Evan Lewis: You can dispose of the matter when the master comes up.—Mr. Thos. Thomas: Let the notice take its couise.—It was eventually agreed that the attention of the medical officer be drawn to the matter without delay. THE MKTMCAL OFFICERS AND THEIR RETURNS.—Mr. T. H. Bailey asked what the clerk had done with regard to the medical officers forms as suggested by Mr. Bircham.—The Clerk said he had communicated with the medical officers, and had received a return from Dr. Mansell. In other cases he found that the medical officers had no forms.—He was instructed to have the forms printed at once. THE NEW DISTr.TCT.On the recommendation of the committee appointed to select a medical officer and a relieving officer for the portion of Llanfabon, recently added to the Union, it was resolved that Dr. Leigh be appointed medical officer at a. salary of j325, and Mr. James Davies, the relieving officer, at a salary of £ 125 per annum.—The Chairman said that a little while ago they extended the district, and did not increase the salary but now this he believed should be done.—Mr. Evan Lewis asked if the Board intended increasing the salaries of each officer each time they extended his district. He did not object to the present increase, but he feared it would be establishing a precedent.—Mr. Thomas Thomas asked how many more paupers were there.—Mr. Edward Edwards said he had a list of sixteen.—Rev. Canon Wade thought it would be scarely legal to extend a man's district without increasing his salary.—The Clerk said that if an officer asked for an increase of salarv after his district had been extended, the Local Government Board would very likely support the officer. The total number of paupers in the new dis- trict is 28.—The Chairman: And there is every reason to believe that it will greatly increase in the near future.—The motion was then carried. COMMUNICATIONS.—The Clerk reported that he had received Mr. Bircham's report on the condition of the Aberdare School and some other communications from the Local Government Board, which were of all important character. It was agreed that these com- munications be printed and circulated amongst the member?. THE NEW INFIRMARY.—The Chairman called atten- tion to the proposed new infirmary, and said they ought to get some communication from the architect as to when the building could be commenced. He would move that the architect be asked to meet the com- mittee as soon as possible. This was agreed upon. THE EXTENDED AREA.—The Clerk said he had been asked whether that part of Llanfabon added to the Union would form a part of the Merthyr School Board district for the purpose of the forthcoming School Board election. After some consideration he had come to the conclusion that it would. He had sent that opinion to the Education Department, and bad received a confirmation. Therefore he wished to make it known that all the electors in the added dis- trict were entitled to vote at the ensuing School Board election for the Merthyr Parish.—Mr. E. Edwards: Then the School Board rate will come on us in that district?—Mr. Dan Thomas: Ye", you ought to feel delighted with the half-crown rate (laughter).—The Chairman If you come to Merthyr you must get all tho honours of Merthyr (renewed laughter). NOTICE OF MOTION.—Mr. E. Edwards, J.P., gave notice that he would move that day fortnight that all applications for relief be considered before any public business. THE GAS BILL.—Mr. D. Davies (Aberdare) called attention to the gas bill presented to the finance com- mittee. That committee had refused to pass it because it was very, very high, and they considered that before it was paid further light should be thrown upon the matter. It was remarkable that the bill was JB14 more than it was for the corresponding period of last year.—Mr. D. Davies (Glebeland) asked if it would not he well to send for one of the officials of the Gas ComDany to meet the committee. The difference hetween JS25 and JB57 showed that something must be radically wrong, that there was a terrrible waste, or carelessness, or leakage. If there was a leakage it should be found out, and an official had better be sent for.—Mr. Thomas Williams, J.P., said that had been arranged for.—Mr. Evan Lewis said that their first duty was to put out the gas in the Board-room, so that it would not be wasted.—Mr. Dan Thomas thought there was another kind of gas that required extinguishing (laughter). — The matter was deferred for further consideration. BOOTS FOR POOR PEOPLE. One of the relieving officers submitted a report as to the condition of a certain non-settled pauper at Tylorstown, and on the motion of Mr. 1). Davies (Glebeland), it was resolved that two pairs of boots be given to this pauper's chil- dren.—Mr. Evan Lewis said that if this was going on he would move at the next meeting that 100 pairs of hoots be purchased for distribution among the pauper children of Dowlais. As long as they gave boots to people outside it would only lie fair that their own children should have some.—Mr. Dan Thomas Yon must not be too extravagant.—Mr. E. Edwards They very often give boots to the paupers of Ponty- uridd._Mr. Dan Thomas That Board is most extra- vagant and reckless in the distribution of boots.—Mr. E/Edwards But their rute is not so high as yours. THE REV. AARON DAVIES. —A letter was read from the Rev. Aaron Davies thanking the Board for their sympathy in his recent bereavement. THE MASTER'S REPORT, Mr. I'. Pearcey, the master of the Workhouse, reported that during the Ttcek 34 had been admitted to the house, 25 dis- r harged, 1 born, and 3 died. The total number in the house was 397 as compared with 539 during the corresponding week of last year. BATHS FOR OLD WOMEN.—The visitors for the week reported having found everything clean and in order in the house, but suggested that some arrange- ments he made for providing baths for old women.— The Master said there might be a bath there for the poor old creatures who were not able to come down to the ordinary baths.—Mr. J. W. Morgan said it would be only a small expenditure.—Mr. Dan Thomas moved that tenders bo obtained.—Mr. J. W. Morgan seconded, and it was agreed to. Yon; OF THANKS.—A hearty vote of thanks was pissed, and ordered to be conveyed to Mrs. C. H. James for a parcel of periodicals, which she had sent t-> the Workhouse. THE SUFFERING POOR.—Tho Rev. Canon Wade I f-M .?alled attention to the extreme poverty wbielise. edto be prevailing, and stated that there were 39v paupers in the house, PS compared with 339 for the corres- ponding w*. k of last year.—The Clerk explained that j he did not think there was more poverty than usuid, only the severe weather they were then experiencing drove people to the house, for shelter. The master said that the number in the house was so abnormally high that he had been obliged to place 20 beds on the floor to accommodate the inmates. The Chaiiman asked what would be done if they had a larger number still. The Master said they would do the best they could They had plenty of bedsteads in hand, but lacked space to put them up. It was resolved on the motion of Mr. D. Davies (Glebeland), seconded by Mr. Dan Thomas, that the medical officer be asked to pay a visit to the house on the following Monday to discharge all able-bodied men and women who could find work.

MABON AT MERTHYR V ALE. On Saturday evening last Mr. W. Abraham, M.F. (Mabon) addressed a crowded meeting of colliery workmen at Merthyr Vale. Dealing with the ques- tion of the Sliding-scale, the hon. member said that apparently they in the South Wales coalfield were on the eve of a crisis of some magnitude should they not during the next couple of months come to some amic- able arrangement between their employers and them- selves with regard thereto. He had not yet given up all hopes that such a desirable consummation was within the range of practicability. They were pro- ceeding but very slowly with negotiations, still he had not given up hoping that, although slow, it would be sure upon something that they were contending for (cheers). He, however, was very glad of one thing, which was this, that notwithstanding all the ques- tions that had been urged upon and against the Sliding-scale as a regulator of wages, that now, when its existence seemed to be in danger, there were yet a. large number of colliers and other colliery workmen who were strongly of the opinion that it was the beat arrangement that has ever existed for regulating trade and wages in the South Wales coalfield (applause). And though it was so much against the grain to accept reduction in wages, he had met a group of colliers that day who admitted to him that they were now more convinced than ever of the efficiency and fairness of the arrangement, since it had proved itself capable of dropping the wages in as small degrees, if not smaller, than what they had occasionally been advanced (cheers). One of them had gone as far as admitting that he had expected a larger reduction than the Ii per cent. they had received recently and 4 although he himself shared not that anticipation on that occasion, still it made his heart glad to find that workmen were now beginning to think out this matter closely for themselves (hear, hear). In all the course of life men had occasion to accept the least of two evils, and he was a wise man who chose to cope with the ills that lie knew rather than to fly to those that lie knew nothing of. South Walians had now a great number of them. They had experienced 40 years of the ups and downs of the coal trade one 20 years without a scale, and another with a sliding-scale regulating their wages; and there was not the slightest doubt that the experience of 90 per cent, of them was that the 20 years under the regulations of the scale had been far superior to the 20 years with- out. That being so, he was sorry to hear of so many workmen that had not got the benefit of that experi- ence claiming to be better judges of the two in this matter. Let them, however, hope that wise counsel and cool deliberation would prevail. For disturbing the trade upon which over 100,000 people and their children denended was not a light thing to do and he hoped that both employers and workmen would consider what they were about before taking any rash action in the matter. For let it be understood that it was not among the workmen only there existed the desire to see the Sliding-scale coming to an end. No, there were, and for divers reasons among the em- ployers also, a number that were anxious to see the same thing. If the Sliding-scale was done away with, there could be the least doubt but that it would be a source of great success generally. It has been stated, and with no less an authority than our friend and colleague, Mr. D. A. Thomas, the senior member for Merthyr, that the Sliding-scale stereotyped low wages. But in that statement, like a trood many others be made that night, he only stated one-half and one side of the truth. True, the Sliding-scale stereotypes low wages, but it does more it stereotypes high wages, customs, and privileges, and protects them too. The comparison between Clydach Vale and the Merthyr Valley was a most unfortunate one, for the workmen of the Plymouth Collieries, Merthyr Vale, were able some few years ago, in consequence of the protection they had from the stereotyping of wages and customs by the Sliding-scale to get refunded 2d., 3d., and in some cases 4d. j>er ton that had beeu previously confiscated from them. While on the other hand, the workmen of No. 2 Pit. Clydach Vale, for the want of the Sliding-scale protection, lost 2d. per ton from the standard price paid for the ton of coal. And that vein—the red vein—is now being worked there at 2d. per ton less than it has ever been worked at in any colliery in the Rhondda Valley since the commencement. Moreover, we have another colliery in the valley that has for nearly twenty years been receiving 2d. per ton for sticking coal. "Glo-citcliio," commonly called the physical condition of the seam, has changed several times during that period, but owing to the protection of the Sliding-scale the 2d. per ton allowance continues to stick on, and it will do so while the Sliding-scale agreement lasts. After then, who knows but that it may take the same course as the 2d. per ton off the standard price at Clydach Vale ? Of course, he was making this state- ment in order to prove to them the assertion that there are two sides to the question, and that it behoves them all at least to be careful and see that they had definite reasons for believing, if not for actually knowing, that they could supercede the present system with something better before they ruthlessly agreed to throw it away. And in his humble opinion that would be difficult work indeed. Mr. Abraham, in conclusion, gave several instances of the working of the Cambrian Association, and how it afforded protection to a number of men who were too indifferent to their interest to protect themselves in any other way. Mr. John Rogers, collier, moved, and Mr. John Williams, collier, seconded, a vote of confidence in the Cambrian Association and its officers, and pledging the workmen of Merthyr Vale to adhere to the association, its principles, and modes of doing its business.

ASSAULTING THE POLICE AT MERTHYR. On Saturday, at the Merthyr Police-court, before Dr. Ward and Mr. C. H. James, William Manning, of Mountain Ash, was fined 10s. and costs, for being drunk and disorderly, and 20s. and costs for assault- ing P.C. Robert Miller.—Morgan Morgan, charged with being drunk and disorderly at Merthyr, was fined 10s. and costs, and for the offence of assaulting P.C. Michael Clinch, he was ordered to pay 30s. and costs.

LLETTY SHENKIN COLLIERY, CWMBACH. Notices terminating all contracts have been served at this colliery, owned by Messrs. Burnyeat, Brown and Company, on Saturday. No reason has, so far, been assigned for this but it is surmised that the colliery are able to supply all the diminished demand for coal from their colliery in the Rhondda Valley, and that Lletty Shenkin will not bo re-openod until there is a considerable revival of trade.

A MERTHYR SHORTHAND WRITERS CLAIM. EVANS v. THE ROYAL LONDON FRIENDLY SOCIETY. In the Queen's Bench Division of the Hiffh Court of Justice, on Monday—before Mr. Justice Wills and Mr. Just ice Wright, sitting as a Divisional Court— Mr. R. V. Banks mentioned the case of Evans v. the Royal London Friendly Society, decided by their lordships on Thursday. The learned council said he had to ask for the costs of the shorthand note taken in the Merthyr County Court by Mr. T. Barrett Greene, of the Merthyr Times, and used on behalf of the plaintiff, Mr. Henry Evans, a tailor, of Merthyr. There was no sufficient judge's note their lordships had used the shorthand note, and without it the case could not have been decided.—Mr. Justice Wills said the learned counsel mnst give notice to the other side of his application. At present it seemed reasonable. -Later on Mr. Roskill, for the Society, said he would agree to anything the Court considered reasonable, and their Lordships said theyjthought the costs of the I shorthand note should be paid by the defendants.

DICK'S DIAR). The other day a peevish old customer, not many miles from Mountain Ash, who is particularly addicted to versifying, sent the following complaint to bis brother-in-law "The boot", I think, are not for me They are too short by half I want them long enough, d'ye see, To cover all the calf." The eccentric Crispin, who was for the first time in his life inspired by the muse, replied thus :— Wily, think again you made me laugh, To alter them I'll try But if they cover all the calf, They must be six feet high Love again Love quarrels will out. An Aber- dare damsel has become so much dissfiatised with the young man to whom she was engaged to be married, that she has dismissed him. In revenge, the dis- appointed lover threatens to publish her letter It may be the fair one has no reason to be ashamed of any part of her letters, except the address. What a blessing it is to have a watchful wife "If I am not at home from the club to-night at ten o'clock," said a votary of the Merthyr "Constitutional" the other evening to his better and bigger half, don't wait for me." "That I won't," replied the lady, significantly, I won't wait, but I'll come for you The gentleman returned at ten o'clock precisely. Dullards are not always too dull to tell the truth. One who bore that reputation applied once to a respectable lawyer in Aberdare for legal advice. After detailing in his own peculiar manner the cir- cumstances of the case, he was asked if he had stated the facts exactly as they occurred. "Yes, sir," replied the incoherent applicant. I have told you the plain truth you can put the lies to it yourself, of course." Both are still alive and doing well. A notorious Merthyr Chartist, now deceased, was once asked if he had ever Iwen to a military ball. He acrimoniously replied, "No, but I have been in a place where military balls came to me It is said that the woody valley of Aberdare, lniu- dred and fifty years ago, was so healthy that people could not die there, but were obliged to go to Merthyr Tydfil if they were tired of living. This, no doubt, accounts for the assertion that the former place was populated some years before the latter. A young man at Alierdare was recently informed by his companions that a Pontypridd damsel had fallen in love with him, and was desirous of making his acquaintance. Too tender-hearted to hear of any- body suffering on his account, he readily acquiesced in his friend's arrangement to meet her by appoint- ment at the Aberdare T.V.R. Station. The love- stricken bonnibel arrived. She was respectably dressed, with a veil over her face and the simple swain, who was there to meet her, was evidently enchanted with her outward appearance. But he finally discovered that she was not a damsel after all, but a sell" of another kind. The supposed "she" was really a "hA "-one of his own companions dressed in woman's apparel! Too bad. Merthyr, of all places in the world, has the unique reputation of being the native town of a lover who is so shy and niedidative that he has walked out with his girl for over three English miles without speaking more than half-a-dozen words to her Surely this sort of courtship must be as animated (?) as the following They met 'twas in a shady bower, There they sat speechless for an hour At last, as at his too's lie gazed, He said, Dear Ann, why butter's raised A scornful laugh plays on her lips, As from his side lie gaily trips When shall I come again ? he calk She said, Pray come when butter falls A young man, who had evidently been endowed with more bounce and brains was lately in a Merthyr barber's shop conversing of liia abilities and mighty performances as a tradesman. When he had finished, one who knew him well quietly observed, There is one thing you can't do you can't tell the truth." This appropriate observation gagged the braggart. The mere contact with truth, it seems tome, would be fatal to souie people. Truth is said to live in the bottom of a well," and if bragging noodles of this sort were pitched down after it, their firstperformance" would be to kick the bucket.

COAL STEALING. George Jones (17) and Arthur Jones (13), at the Merthyr Police-court on Thursday, for stealing coal, the property of the Dowlais Iron Company, at Cae- harris. P.C. Enoch Davies said he saw the boys carrying coal, which they dropped on seeing him. Henry Williams, agent to tho company, said that the coal was worth threepence. Both boys admitted the offence and were fined, George 10s., and Arthur 5s. Herliert Watkins and Edmund Lewis, two young fellows, from Al>ercanaid, were similarly charged by the Hill's Plymouth Company, and fined 15s. each or seven days.

WHISKEY DRINKERS, LOOK HERE! WHAT THE PUBLICANS CAN DO. At the Merthyr Police-court on Monday, Richard Jones, landlord of the Ivor Armc, Penywem, was summoned for selling whiskey 281 degrees under proof on January 9tn.—Mr. J. W. Lewis (solicitor to the Licensed Victuallers Society) defended.- Inspector Cooke said he purchased half-a-pint of whisky, which ho divided into three parts in the usual manner, and sent one sample to the Public Analyst (Dr. Morgan, Swansea).—By Mr. Lewis: He waa served by the defendant's daughter. He noticed that the usual card was hanging in the bar, which stated that all spirits sold in that house were diluted, but this notice was partially covered. When he served the summons, this card had been uncovered.—The certificate of the analyst showed that the sample con- tained 33"94 per cent. of alcohol, and 66'06 water or extracted matter, and was consequently 28i degrees under proof.—Mr. Lewis, for the defence, submitted that a case had lieen decided previously, in which it was held that tho placing of the notice in the bar covered the sale, because purchasers knew that they were buying adulterated spirits. Publicans were allowed under ordinary circumstances to sell whisky 25 per cent, under proof, and consequently, if the Bench held that an offence had been committed, it could only be regarded as very slight. The defendant had been in "the trade" for 34 years, without any previous charge having been preferred against him.— Mr. North held that the can was covered by the posting of the notice in the bar, and dismissed the summons.

DISPUTE OVER TERMS OF A LEASE. BLAENDARE COMPANY v, THE EBBW VALE STEEL, IRON, AND COAL COM PAN v.—In the Chancery Division of the High Court of Justice yesterday- Mr. Warmnigton, Q.C., with whom was Mr. Maroy, moved on behalf of the behalf of the plaintiff company that the defendants, their agents, servants, and work- men might be restrained by the order and injunction of the court from removing, disturbing, or injuring the railways, tramroads, rails, and other works, machinery, implements, utensils, and things standing, or being erected, or set in, or upou the Meadow Vein coal mine or workings on the Blaendare estate, com- prised in a certain agreement dated the 21st day of May, 1878, made between tho plaintiffs of the one part and the defendants of the other part, contrary to the covenants of a lease of the lltb January, 1859, referred to in such agreement, and from committing any waste upon the said demised premises until the trial of the action. — Mr. Upjohn, on behalf of the defendants, resisted the motion.—Mr. Warmington said the question to lie determined depended upon the construction of the lease, and the real question of fact was as to whether the workings of certain roads in the mines were either useless or necessary.—Mr. Justice Kekewich, after hearing arguments, said that as long as the roads were necessary for tho immediate working of the colliery, the lessees were bound to. repair them. On the present issue he decided in favour of the plaintiffs.

IVhat these spoiled hands are causod by Washing Dav. I am surprised, jet MATCHLESS CLEANSER SOA1' at once, I pray.

COLLI i CONFERENCE AT MERTHYR. On Monday moining last a meeting of the Work- ing Committees of Plymouth and Cyfarthfa was held at the Globe Hotel for the purpose of discussing the question of organisation. The chair was occupied by Councillor Thomas Thomas, and there was a good attendance. The chairman, in the course of his open- ing remarks, said they had to deal with a question of vital importance, when they considered that in these days they were surrounded with circumstances and obstacles they soon would have to surmount; and it behoved them as working men, especially those who were engaged in and about the collieries, to try and do something to prepare themselves for the battle which they would soon have to tight. The Sliding- scale, as a means of regulating wages, had been in existence since 1879, and it had been amended from time to ti.oe, sometimes in favour of the workmen. but more often in favour of the employers. It was entirely owing to the lack of organisation that the Scale had gone against the working men. The Scale of 1890, according to their view, was a reasonable one. It was the best Scale they ever had; yet there were some deficiencies in that scale which their representa- tives had endeavoured to remedy. But so far as the regulating of wnges was concerned the Scale of 1890 was far superior to anyone they had had since the establishment of the principle (hear, hear). The principle of the Sliding-scale was a good one, and he would give way to no man as an advocate of prin- ciple, for he believed it was the best for the colliers, for those who depended on the produce of the collieries, and for the commercial interest of the country all round. Nevertheless, there were internal affairs which ought to be considered in order to have the system perfected. They not only had to look at the working of the principle, but they had to look at it as one to eettle dispnte-4 which might arise. Unfortunately, many of their cases had been left in abeyance, owing entirely to the fact that the principle of an umpire had not been admitted and their experience had taught them that there ought to be an impartial judge belonging to the institution of the Sliding-scale, and that employers and employed should agree to his decision from time to time. As a matter of principle they were found to press forward this question to an issue, for the men could not afford to have their cases left for two years before they were settled at all because there was no umpire. It was the man's duty to strengthen the hands of their repre- sentatives on the Sliding-scale committee to have this most important item included in the next agreement (cheers). Let them take for instance the question of the advance upon the gross earnings. This case came before the Sliding-scale committee, and proved to the hilt; yet it was adjourned time after time, until, eventually, the men were obliged to give notice before it came into actual operation (" Shame "). If they had an umpire appointed, then the matter would have to be decided at once, and they would not have had to lose a fortnight's wages in their attempt to claim their demands. Before they could get this item included in the irxt agreement it behoved all the workmen to he united, and they must join some asso- ciation. As far as the demands of the working-men for amendments in the scale went he believed they were very fair and reasonable. They wanted an advance from 83 to 10 per cent. on every shilling, and they believed there should lie a minimum if not a maximum price upon the scale in order to prevent the cnt-throat policy of competition among the employers (hear, hear). The employers had no sym- pathy with the working men as a wholf. They did not feel one iota for the working classes when they made these most unfair sales of the products of the working men. He felt sorry that the employers of Cyfjvthfa were subject to this most abominable cnt- throat competition, and he could hardly credit the fact that they had condescended to sell their ecal at a price below anyone else in the wavket. Thev had accepted 9s. 9d. per ton for the second l est coal, and made a contract with the White Star Line to send the coal f.o.b. at that price (shame). In the face of this they must expect that others would follow in the same direction, and the result of it would be that at the next audit the men would have to accept a reduc- tion of Is. or Is. 6d. per £ in their wages at the next audit (shame)' If the masters were going in for com- petition in this way they might do it upon their own responsibility. They had given the men their word that they would not be a party to do anything that would bring down the wages of tho working-men, but although these promises had been given in many cases the men con II not believe that they were sincere, for their actions proved otherwise. It was therefore plainly to be seen that the men wanted more organization. They did that the men wanted more organization. They did not want so much a union of money so much as a union of hearts, so that they could present themselves as one solid phalanx to meet the capitalists when they encroached upon their rights (hear, hear). He was of opinion that these things could have been obtained when the last scale came to an end, and when their representatives for three days and three nights were engaged in fighting the employers at Cardiff. The best agreement possible under the circumstances was arrived at, but if the men had been firm, or had been in a position to stand out for a fortnight or three weeks, they would have had a very much better agree- ment. They were, however, in such a disorganized stato that they had to accept 8J per cent, instead of 10. Now the sectional feeling among the men had disappeared, a:.d they were in hopes that they would be able to arrive at some understanding which would meet the views of all sections. The year 1895 dawned with the intention on the part of the men to establish an organization independently of all associations in South Wales. Those that did belong to the Miners' Federation of Great Britain, and those that belonged to the South Wales Association, had agreed to sink all differences and to organize the men. They would leave in abeyance the question of regu- lating the wages until the men were ready to face the masters. Several men had, however, come to him and asked if the 20th Rule of the Federation was now in force, and he had informed them that it was not to-day in operation. A member of the Federation explained that this was a mis-apprehension. It was a mistake for any- one at Plymouth to say that the 20th Rule was in force that day.—Another Federationist explained that they had sunk all differences, and now their only object was to organize the men. It had also been decided that until the question of the regulation of wages had been settled all contributions would be kept at home. Councillor Thomas, proceeding in Welsh, stated that people should not think because they were going to do away with the present scale that that necessarily meaut a strike. He was, however, certain that unless something very much better than the present scale could l>e agreed upon they had a very hot fight in front of them. But a month's notice would have to be given at the termination of the Sliding-scale agree- ment l)efore they need fear any disturbance. It °vas, however, very evident that unless all the amendments which the men asked for would be included in the next scale, they would have no scale at all (hear, hear). That had been decided upon, and the men knew that if they had to fight they would do so with the prospect of the warm weather of summer to support them. A Plymouth delegate saId that in the Merthyr Valley they wanted Home Rule in the matter of organization, and it was only right that they should have it. At the meeting held last Mabon's Day iu the Temperance Hall he asked Mr. Brace and Mr. David Morgan whether they were prepared to support them in getting a district in the Merthyr Valley, and both of them replied that thev were not. The pre^s, however, took no notice of the question. He thought they y ought to insert whatever may be said by a poor work- man as well as what might IK: said by the agents. Ho had noticed it before that when they hit at their leaders the press did not take it up. Whether they were told by the leaders not to put it in he could not say, but if so the reporters ought not to listeu to them. ¡ It was of ital importance that in that meeting they should make some suggestion to get quiet, if nothing else, from the agents. If the agents would not help them, let them keep away, but they might depend upon it that if the agents did not help them they would not do much good. If the 1800 or 2000 men at Plymouth paid in to a lodge, one shilling a month each, and the employers knew it, the employers would never attempt to do what they had lately done at the new pit. For his own part he would go in for a district of their own, even if the Plymouth men stood alone. Tho Chairman said that at a previous conference a resolution was passed to take a ballot of each colliery as to whether a new district should be formed, or whether they should join the Aberdare district. That resolution had been before the Cyfarthfa Working Committee, and they had adjourned its consideration until this conference. The Vice-Chairman said that in face of the fact that wages bad continually dropped, notwithstanding that a million and three quarter tons of coal were tipped last year in excess of the quantity tipped ia the previous y«ar, it was high time that the men should organise to defend their position. As one who had been an advocate of the Miner's Federation be was quite willing to fall in with a ballot and abide by the result. Let them sink their differences, and join hands and work harmoniously in establishing a good. sound organisation. Mr. Isaac Edwards followed, and in the course of a lengthy Welsh speech urged upon the men to do all they could to make the new organisation as strong as possible in order to put a stop to tyranny of the employers. After some further discussion a delegate moved an amendment to the resolution passed at the last meeting to the effect, That both lodges now in existence at Cyfarthfa and Plymouth be recommended respectively to consider the amalgamation of them- selves into one district in the valley, and that every attempt be made to bring all the men into union." A vote was taken, and the. amendment was carried by 14 to 7 for the original motion.

HAULIERS' GRIEVANCES AT PLYMOUTH. STIWXU REMARKS BY MR. MORGAN THOMAS. For some time past a spirit of discord has been in evidence at the Plymouth Collieries, consequent npon the interference of the officials with the hauliers em- ployed, and of late the feeling between masters and men has been considerably strained. There are several grievances of which the men complain, the principal being that the night men work two hours per week more than the day men, for which they receive no extra remuneration.—A meeting of the night men was held at the Globe Hotel on Monday afternoon, and, after some discussion, it was decided to leave the matter in the hands of the agent of the hauliers Association. It was further complained that the night men had to work an extra hour on Saturday nights, and on Saturday evening last the me.1 refused to do this unless their grievances were remedied.— This matter also was referred to the agent. A very well-attended meeting of the daymen was held at the same place in the evening, at which Mr. Morgan Thomas, the hauliers' agent, and generally known as "The Rocking-stone Chairman," was Iiresent. In the course of a stirring address, he said, be was glad to be able to bear testimony to the fact that as far as the hauliers were concerned their affairs were brightening up all round. If the men only remained united, they would reap far greater benefits than those they had hitherto enjoyed. Some managers told them that by joining an association, they were running their heads against the wall, but he hoped they would soon knock the wall down on the heads of some of these managers (laughter). They were told that the collieries did not pay, but it was a remarkable fact that many of their wealthiest coal- owners started life as common workmen and died, having invested their money in collieries worth millions of money. If they only looked into the affairs of colliery proprietors, they would find that these men reaped enormous profits and paid the men starvation wages (shame). There were cases in which colliery owners employed their own agents to buy coal at the home ports at a low figure and then take it abroad to sell it at a high price. These high foreign prices weut into tue colliery owners pockets, and tho low home prices were sent to the Sliding-scale and it to keep the men's wage? down (shame). Then he knew of other cases where the officials tyrannised over the men. He was in favour of peace but he would not be surprised to hear that a gang of workmen had turned upon certain men and feathered them pretty well (laughter). Pro- ceeding Mr. Thomas expressed the gratitude he felt to notice the flourishing state of the hauliers lodges in Merthyr Valley (cheers). There were many people who would like to see their organisation broken up, but be believed their present strength to be impreg- nable (hear, bear). Dealing with the Sliding-scale question the speaker said that something ought to be done to prevent what was known as the six months notice being introduced into the next scale. This was only done in order that, if six months notice were given by the men, the employers might pounce upon them. The employers were afraid to trust the working men upon a month's notice, and naid they could not supply certain contracts unless they were allowed a large notice. That, in his opinion, was all bunkum, and the sooner they got rid of that bogey the better it would be for them. He believed it was only something that would give a chance to the employers to starve the men before the six months were up, so that they might deal with them after- wards as they wished. He considered the coal-selling agents at the different exchanges in South Wales ports to be nothing less than men who drove the colliery workmen to privation and want. They cut each other's throats and statvcd the workmen by unfair competition, and brought down the price of coal to leps than its value. People purchased coal beoause they wanted it, and if coal was worth driving and cutting it was surely worth paying for. It was a remarkable fact that the officials paid so much attention to the hauliers. Why WM this? Simply because they knew that if the wheels stopped, the whole colliery would stop, and the profits would stop. At the same time he did not believe the employer tried to prevent this cut throat competition, because when the price of coal went down he knew very well that he would not suffer, but that the loss would be the collier's, and if the men only stood against these long settlements they would pretty soon be able to put a stop to this unfair competition, and obtain better wages than they received in the past (hear, hear). It was not money only that was essential to repair the condition of the working community. Unity would go a great deal further than money, and he hoped they would endeavour to feel for one another, to try and help each other, and endeavour to protect their common rights. If they were in a position to fight the employers and stay out for two or three weeks say once or twice a year, they would pretty soon bring the masters to their senses. The employers demanded the law of Moses, an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. Let them have it. The men could treat them in the same manner (applause). If the collieries did not pay, as the employers said, why did they pay their agents, whom they very well could do without, £1,000 and J62,000 a year? He feared the inspectors sided with the masters rather than the men as was manifested the other day when they gave evidence for the em- ployers against the nien (shame). Proceeding, Mr. Thomas charged the managers and employers of collieries of doubting the accuracy of the men's reports, and accepting the word of one official against 40 workmen (shame). Others had such respect for the Sliding-scale that they would not listen to the men's representatives unless they were brought for- ward by the advocates of tho Sliding-scale or the men's representatives on the Scale Committee (shame). He hoped that these things would have an end soon and be buried ic oblivion with the Sliding- scale of 1892, and that the men would be in a position to demand better wages, not when the audit said it should bo given, but as 8t1)()Il as the value of coal increased in the market (hear, hear)..Ileferring to the Miners' Provident Permanent Fund, the speaker said that it was high time the employers should be taken out of the management, which should be handed over to the working men. The men did not want the 25 per cent. which the masters paid if they had the funds into their own hands, andit would be far better for them to have afund of their own than to deprive themselves of common justice by joinfng the fund which the employers ruled. The Provident Society would take the work- man's Is. 2d. per month during his lifetime even should he be the biggest drunkard that swallowed a pint of beer, or be he the greatest reprobate on God's earth, but when he was killed in the mine, and his poor widow became dependent upon the fund, she must be of "'a chaste character and conduct herself properly," else her pittance would be taken away. It was uot so very Ion;, ago that a poor woman's weekly payment had been stopped simply because she had been seen coming out of a public-house. Yes, the way for the money to go into the fund was as wide as Russian fields, but the way to get money out was very narrow indeed (hear, hear). In conclusion, Mr. Thomas earnestly urged upon the men to l>e true to each other and to keep in union, so that they might reap more benefits even than they already had.

ABERDARE FORESTERS. On Thursday evening the members of the Court "Foresters' Home" of the Ancient order of Foresters held their second annual dinner at the Cardiff Castle Temperance Hotel, Aberdare. The spread was a capital one, and reflected much praise upon Host and Hostess Pugsley. All having enjoyed the dinner to their hearts' content, the cloth was removed, and speechifying commenced. Mr. William Hunt, chief ranger, occupied tho chair, and there were also pre- sent Messrs. T, A. Matthews, sub-chief ranger (vice- chairman), T. Whitty Evans (auctioneer), Arthur Morris, J. L. Berry, James Hek, R. H. Miles, — Hambly, J. Williams (Commercial-street), and about 60 brothers.—Mr. A. Mountjoy, the secretary, deli vered an elaborate detailed statement as to the position of the society, which is in a flourishing condition.—Bro. Christmas proposed, in eulogistic terms, Success to the Society."—Bro. Griffiths, one of the trustees, responded in suitable terms, his remarks being re- peatedly applauded.—Bro. R. H. Miles proposed 'The Town and Trade of Aberdare," which was enthusiastically received.—Mr. T. Whitty Evans responded, and in the course of a very able speech pointed out the great improvements that had taken place in Aberdare of recent years. For instance, they were now about having a new waterworks, and for that as well as for mo;t of the other great improve- ments he said that the greater share ot the thanks was due to Mr. R. H. Rhys, chairman of the District Council, Sir W. Thomas Lewis, and Mr. James Lewis, Plasdraw. Their worthy Board of Health, as it was so at the time, had carried the waterworks scheme through without any opposition as compared to the wrangling and heated discussions which the Merthyr Board had over their mite of a thing (applause). Their rates were low in Aberdare, lower than in most places, and he was very pleased to find that the elec- tric light was on the verge of being introduced to them. He hoped it would bo thu means of reducing the prico of gas which was now too high. He asked them to support all movements that would tend towards reducing the price of gas. Then as regards sanitation. There were not better sanitary arrange- ments in Wales thau in Aberdare. In sayiug thatlie was speaking highly of Bro. James Hek, for in his capacity of contractor lie had carried out the sewer- age scheme. He bad done it splendidly, and thanks were due to him. He (the speaker) ended by saying, Take Aberdare as yon will you are lxwnd to come to the conclusion that it deserves the name of Sweet 'Berdar."—Bro. James Hek, in responding, said that Bro. Evans had left him nothing to say, so he could only endorse his remarks.—The toast of The Host and Hostess" for their splendid catering followed.- During the evening songs were sung by Messrs. Charles Matthews and — llambly. Bro. Berry, jun., gave pianoforte aud violin solos in admirable style! Bro. Lewis made a most efficient accompanist. A most enjoyable evening was; brought to a cl" je by the r-inging of the Doxology.

That line full of cWhM. so perfectly elcan, I MATCHLESS CLEANSER'S been used, that is ca-.ttj' seen

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