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WINSTON CHURCHILL.

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WINSTON CHURCHILL. HIS SPEECH AT SWANSEA MINERS' EIGHT HOURS BILL. OUR FEARS OF GERMANY. "NOTHING TO FIGHT ABOUT." "NO PLACE TO FIGHT IN," The joint annual demonstration of the Western and Anthracite Miners' Associa- tion (which has a combined membership of 27,000) took place at Swansea on Saturday, those taking part falling in by the Guild" hall at 10.30, and after marching through the principal streets adjourned to the Albert Hali, where a mass .meeting was held, the following having announced their intention of being present and speaking:—Right Hon. Winston CliarchiK, M.P., Messrs. W. Joaes, M.P., W. Abraham ("Mabon"), M.P., R. Smillie (president of the Scottish Federation), County Councillor YV. Jenkins, Messrs. W. E. Morgan (miners' agent), and J. H. Morgan (miners' agent), the last named presiding. The demonstrators wore red, white and blue rosettes, and were accompanied by Ystradgyniais, Waunarlwydd, Ammanford and Abergwynfi Bands. Those taking part were representatives of the district, men coming trom Burry Port, as far as Bryn- amman, and then trom Cwrailynfelf, Ponty- cymmer, Abergwynti and Resolven. There were about 4,000 men in the pro- cession, though there were many hundreds who did not participate. RIGHT RON, GENTLEMAN'S ARRIVAL. A crowd of a oouple of thausand peopia gathered around High-street Station to await the arrivaj of the 12.48 train, bus only passengers, by departing and incoming trains, and the deputation of welcome, in addition to pressmen were allowed on the platform. Supt. Gill and Stationm-istor Elias saw that perfect order was maintained, and when the train drew up and the youth- ful statesman, after shaking hands with the Mayor, Mr. John Williams, M.P., Mr. W. Jenkins, and Mr. Abraham H. Thomas, strode down the platform: hearty and general cheers were raised by those who appreciate the virility and possibilities of Mr. Churchill's career. The Mayor welcomed the President of the Board of Trade to the town, A6 HIT important commercial centre, and regretted that time did not permit of a visit to the docks of the port, which he (his Worship) would have been pleased to have shown him. The Mayor spoke to the pleasure it gave him, on behalf of the town, to welcome so distin- guished a member of the Cabinet. Outside the station the cheers were con- tinued as the carriage drove away to the Al- bert Hall. _CHAT WITH A "DAILY POST" REPORTER. Prior to his departure from the station the distinguished visitor, who looked in the best of health and spirits, and was simply attend- ed by nig secretary, informed the "Daily Post" reporter present that he had no 13 speech to deliver, but would possibly speak about three-quarters of an hour. "1 presume," said the reporter, "that the reports in the London press this morning ef your engagement are correct "Winston" smiled brightly: "Quite cor- red. he responded. Congratulations, sir," said the reporter, "I thank you," said Mr. Churchill. SCENE IN THE HALL. The hall was filled, those present in ad- dition to the speakers announced above in- cluding County C- J. Jordan, Dr. John Evans, Mr. Lleufer Thomas. Mr. J. Wignall. J.P., Councillor W. Williams, Dr. Gomer Lewis, Mr. D. Griffiths, Rev. Evan Jenkins, Rev. J. Parry (Llansamlet), Mr. Ben Matthews, MfSWfi. Matt Criiee, Uqiftitti Jones, Councillor her Gwynne, and the Vicar of Aberpergwm. The joint secrctar- ias cf the meeting were Messrs. Jenkins and D. Morgan. "Mabon" signalled his entry by advancing to the front of the pilat- fo-rn and leading the audience in the sing- ing. The Chairman (who is secretary of the An- thracite Association) and who was received with applause, remarked that the Miner; Federation was responsible for the peace that everywhere.prevailed in the coalfields throughout the country. (Applause.) The employers, therefore, should do an they could to indue j the workmen to join the two great Federations He also referred to the Eight Hours' Bill. Mr. Wm. Jenkins move a comprehensive resolution The resolution expressed satisfaction with the continued succcss of the Federation protested against the action of those work- ¡ men who caused continual disturbance to the trade of the district and unnecessary expense to the Federation, by neglecting their membership, and the best interest to themseilves and their feHow workmen re- greyed that the satisfactory operation of the Conciliation Board in the settlement of the general wages question by the services of an independent chairman was not ex te 1 to the settlements of disputes, which I ariee at the collieries, causing friction and lose to employers and workmen considered that all workmen employed in -.bnornial places should be guaranteed a satisfactory minimum rate of wages; welcomed the ac- tion of the Government in introducing the I Miners' Eight. Hours' Bill, and the Bill for providing old age pensions, and trusted that reasonable amendments to both Bills will be accepted that would ensure them becoming ¡ effective mcar-urcs of reform expressed the hope as a result of the Roval Commis- sion on Accidents in Mines, legislation would ensue that would do much to reduce the number of fatal and non-fatal accidents from all causes; again called attention of the Government to the urgent necessity of legis- lation dealing with the question "of unem- ployment and further pledged fidelity to the Federation as the means for securing the foregoing and many other pressing re- forms. The sections which alluded to minimum rate of wages, Miners' Eight Hours' Bill, and Old-Age Pensions,-had hearty applause. I They were, My. Jenkins said, proud of what had been done in the House of Commons by I their representatives as to the Eight Hours' Bill. Referring to the opposition to the Bill, he said it was not the miners who j would get the benefit of an increase in the price of coal. Miners never got more than 2s. 5d. or 2s. 6d. for winning coal, while in Swansea 25s. a ton had to be paid for it, and the foreigner had to pay more. Hun- dreds of miners wore not getting more than 25s. or 25s. a. week. He was determined to support the old stadwarte to get a mini- ma rate of wages. He urged unity on the part of the workmen. He told the non- unionist, if one was present, he ought to be ashamed of himself. (Loud applause.) They welcomed what the Government had done in the matter of old-age pensions. Some of the Lords who opposed the scheme got more in one minute than some of those old people would get in a year! Mr. W. Jones (chairman of the Anthracite Miners' Association).seconded, "Mabon" in- troducing him with englynion. Mr. John Williams, M.P., supported the resolution. That meeting, he said, would not be a sham meeting. Whatever was said there THE MINERS WOULD STAND TO. (Loud applause.) The trade of the couiitrv would progress, he argued, and the im- provements introduced in coalmine work- ings would be such as that the introduction of an eight hours' working day, etc., would not be a.ny loss to the owner, as the output would net be decreased. They wanted good conditions for everyone, owners, tradesmen, and worb" s. Yet people in 11ih. offices h.<1 been trying to break the ranks of the workmen by supporting non-unionists try- ing to break the Federation that had done so much for the country. (Applause.) They went further, said that the miners had no legal right to interfere. But they had a right to interfere so far as wrong was being cone. (Applause.) Workmen had to fight for their rights. (Applause.) He urged I them to be true to the Federation. Mr. R. Smillie (Glasgow) said lv; took it that the company would not. object to a little Scotch mixed with the vernacular. Mabon (sptto voce) A poll inaris. Mr. R. Smillie said there was a close bond of unity, brotherhood, amd comradeship between the miners of the North and those of South Wales, and that was one reason why he had spent 14 Lours in the train to get there. Touching upen the Licensing Bill the speaker jocularly remarked that the bills were in evidence throughout the coun- try calling upon the working men to shed their last drop cf blood in defence of their to drink beer. (Laughter.) It had been stated by Goalowner that the Miners' Eight Hours' Bill would have the effect of increasing the cost to the consumer of 2s. a ton. But the opinion of miners' leaders was that the Eight Hours' Bill would not increase to a ly extent the settling price of coal in this country. If the 2s. a ton was put on, the miners and tlicir leaders would want a share of that 2s. (Applauee.) Whether the price of coal would be raised or not, continued Mr. Smillie, that was not their concern they said, in the interests of humanity, eight hours was quite sufficient for men and boys to work in the mines. Alluding to the profits of mine-owners, the speaker quoted the case of one who began with nothing, lost money for forty years, and the i died worth £80,000. No man could honestly earn that sum in 40 years, and he held that robbery was robbery, whe- ther it was legal or not. The Federation was not satisfied with what had been ob- tained. He was surprised there were any men so stupid and unmanly as not to join the Federation. If so, in their own inter- ests coercion was necessary. They wanted international unity amongst miners of the world. They would join hands, and so make it impossible for any Government or any king to go to war. The workers were 75 to 80 per cont. of the population, and if they sent their own men to Parliament they would not need to thank any party passing measures on their behalf. Mr. W. Jones, M.P., was called on, but at that moment "Winston" arrived, and had a.n ovation, which he gracefully acknow- ledged. In a short speech, listened to with much appreciation, Mr. Jones eulogised the qualities of the Welsh nation. He dealt with the Eight Hours Bill and Old^ Age Pensions. "Mabon" had been at "old age pensions" years ago, but now there was a strong force of Welsh, English and Scotch representatives in Parliament favourable to these reforms, the Welsh leading. Labour members were receiving sympathetic atten- tion from the Government. They were going 10 got more out of it. Concluding, Mr. Jones favoured the principle of an infirmity scheme, similar to that prevalent in Ger- many, for young and middle aged work- men who had collapsed. Prior to calling on the chief speaker, "Mabon" led off, and the audience joined, in a magnificent rendition of "Dros y bryn- ia*: tywylI niwlog" ("O'er the dark and misty mountain.") "Mabon," in an intense silence, gave a few words of welcome to Mr. Churchill. He referred to his father, Randolph, who had materially assisted the miners, and hoped the day would come when he (Mr. Churchill) would* bring in and carry to a successful issue great measures for them. SPEECH BY THE HON. GENTLEMAN. Mr. Winston Churchill, who met with a real Welsh welcome, said he was very glad indeed to be present at Swansea at the miners' demonstration. (Applause). This was his third time to be in the midst of Welshmen during the summer months and to addre.,s audiences, and upon reflection he had come to the conclusion that he must j he a bit of a favourite down here. (Laugh- ter and applause). He should always be glad to come back to hear them sing—(ap- plause)-to hear them sing those beautiful hymns and sung with so much harmony and unison, because one felt in listening the strength and the virtue of the Welsh -race. (Loud applause). He was anxious to come down this year to talk to the miners of Wales, because in Parliament they were having debated a great many things which mattered a great deal to Welsh miners*,— (loud appkiuse)—and amongst those speei- allv was the 'MINERS' EIGHT HOURS BILL. (Cheers). He was particularly proud when invited, and entrusted with the duty of wind- ing up the debate 'on the second reading of the Bill, for which, as "Mabon" has in- formed you, my father, Lord Randolph Churchill, always worked. (Loud ap- plause). "Now, gentlemen," proceeded the hon. member, "you have a great responsi- bility to discharge to the public in regard to the measure. First, you have got to take effective steps to explain it to people not connected with coal mining; you have got to how the general public, and particularly the poorer people in the great cities, that their interests will not b'e injured in any way by the measure of relief, and that there is justice for that which you are asking. (Applause). In the second place, you have j got to make a success of the measure when it is included on the Statute Book. You have got to show that shortening of HOURS TO WITHIN THE CLAIMS OF HEALTH and proper decent leisure—that the shorten- ing of hours with the natural and happy limits is not attended by injury to any class of the population or to the great industries of the country which are dependent upon the supply of coal. (Applause). Both these tasks are well within your power, and in discharging this duty, you will not only be working for yourselves, but you will be j working for the great multitude of labour- ing people and for our country, aye, and to those in other countries, too, who are joined together with you in a movement to secure those veasonaolo periods of leisure ¡ after their daily work is done- to enable them to enjoy a fair share of life and happiness, and of the good things of the world. Short hours are very important, but there is one 1 other neeft even more important—I mean I security. (Cheers.) Continuing, Mr. Churchill said that look- ing out from the Board of Trade, (and with the opportunities he had for the great de- partments there) upon the great industrial conditions of the country, there was no need more primary and no need more crying among the working classes of their cities than security. In an agricultural country where evervone was engaged in the business of farming and dealing with the soil, the people if thev feli, would not have to fall so far. But "they, in this country, with vast and complex industries, stood on a platform of considerable height above the ground. From that position they might survey a great range of human ailairs. They might be nearer the sun, but that elevated position had its risks because should some- ¡ one fall from such a height to the pave- ment he would be smashed to pieces. They in this country needed bulwarks for thoir protection and nets to catch those who fell from the scaffolding of modern life. (Applause.) The industrial system in Ger- many was later than theirs, and they in G-ermany had taken advantage of their mis takes and experience. In Germany they had a very much wider national system of safe- guards and bulwarks for the protection of those engaged in industries. But it must not be supposed that in our country there was not a very ELABORATE SYSTEM OF SAFE- GUARDS, for as they had heard from Mr. Wm. Jones they had the great apparatus of workmen's compensation a.gainst accidents, and an un- equalled sylitem of factory legislation, but their arrangements for insurance and for safeguards were not complete. In some re- ¡ spects they were better than those in Ger- many, but in some respects they weie much inferior. There was no remedy for many perfectly unavoidable accidents, for unem- ployment, and for infirmity or old age ex- cept the hard machinery of the poor law. There was, therefore, he suggested, a need for a more convprehensive system which I should be inclusive of all the masses of the people. (Loud applause.) And it was with this in view that Parliament would have in the NEXT SESSION TO APPROACH THE CONSIDERATION of various grades of social problems, which were ripe for the attention of the House, and which would be illuminated in their; discussion by the long expected report of the Poor Law Commission—(loud appJause.) 1 —and which, he trusted, would occupy the attention of the best men in the country for ma-y months, and result in relieving the poor and infirm of the harassing evils of casual labour. (Applause.) He agreed with Mr. Win. Joneti: Let them utilise all their strength in deling with this question. The problems were of the most perplex com- plexity, and all progressive forces must join tor only with this union can the desired progress be achieved. (Loud a>pplause.) FOREIGN TOPICS: GERMAN QUESTION. But it was not only of domestic affairs he wished to speak a word. Every mail who was a British citizen had interests ail oyer the world, and he must be concerned with the affairs of other countries besides Lie own, and, he aid, did they not view with grea.t satisfaction and hope the won- der! ol revolution which had and is taking place in Turkey at the present time. In a tew weeks, almost by the stroke of a.n en- chanted wand, a despotism had been trans- formed into a constitutional Government, and the people had come into their own. Bands and factions, races who seemed hope- lessly divided, had become reconciled. The prisons were empty—(applause)—except lor the Cabinet Ministers of the late Govern- ment. (Laughter). That beneficent change would be an advantage to this country. I1 or a good many vears we had pursued a policy in regard to Turkey which had estranged us in some degree from the Gov- ernment of Turkey. W e had not pursued that policy in any sordid interest of our own; we had done it for the sake of human- ity, because we wished to see an end put to outrage and murder, because we wished to see good government establisiied in re- gions over which we had assumed some in- direct and serious responsibility. We did not think of our own interests. We pur- sueu a high course, and now in the fulness of time, when this constitutional revolution had taken place, it would at a stroke open a new page in the relations of this country \"h the people of Turkey. (Applause). With regard to our relations with Germany he had been astonished and grieved to read much of the wild ia.nguage which had been used lately by people who ought TO BETTER—Bi' LORD CHOMER in the House of Lords, and by Mr. Blatcli- ford in the "Clarion." (Some applause). He thought it was greatly to be deprecated that persons should try to spread the belief in this country that war between Great Britain a.nd Germany wa.s inevitable, it was all nonsense (Applause). In the first place, proceeded Mr. Ciiurchfll, the alarmists have no ground whatever for their panic or fear. This country is an island, and no Govern- ment which is in power in this country in the near future, or likely to be in power will depart in any degree from a. naval policy which shall secure us effectively from outride invasion. AH parties are pledged to those reasonable measures of naval de- fence which secure our development in this island, which free llS from the curses of Continental militarism, and which can never be a menace to any other great Power in the world. I say in the second place there is no eel lis ion of primary interests— big, important interests—between Great- Britain and Germany in any quarter of the globe. Why, they are among our very best customers, and if anything were to happen tj them I don't know what we should do in this country for a market. While there is no danger of material interests there is no reisnit which could be expected from any struggle between the two countries except a disaster of a most appalling and idiotic character. (Applause). People 'said it might be worth while fighting for the sake of the trade. Gentlemen, it is NEVER WORTH WHILE FIGHTING for the sake of the trade. In a month of fighting you would destroy more wealth than a successful trade of five years would produce, if everyone worked 12 hours a day and spent the money. We are told there are colonies which could be seized. Why, nothing will alter the destiny of great com- munities like Canada, Australia, South Africa, and India. They were pursuing their own path and their own destiny, and that destiny will not be altered in the future, in my opinion, as the result of any struggle between European Powers. What remains as a. prize to be fought for, bv two great countries? Nothing but tro- pica! plantations and small coaling places scattered here and there about the world. Look at it from any point of view yon like, and I say you will come to this conclusion in regard to the relations between Engbnd and Germany—that there is no real cause of difference between them. although there may be snapping^ and snarlings in the news- papers and in the Ijondon clubs. (Laugh- ter). Those two great peoples have nothing to light about, ( HAVE NO PRIZE TO FIGHT FOR, and have no place to light lll. (Cheers). What does all this snapping and snarling amount to after all ? How many people do vou suppose there are in Germany who really want to make an attack on this country 7 I don't suppose in the whole of that great country of fifty or sixty millions of in- habitants there are ten thousand persons who would seriously contemplate such a hellish and wicked crime. And how many do you think there are in this country? I don't believe there are even that number I to be found in our country if you exclude, the inmates of Bedlam and the writers in the "National Review." (Laughter). But we are told t-hwt though these mischief- 1 makers, these snappers and snarlers, may | be few, yet they are very influential. I am j not sure there are not more influential people on the side of peace in the cause of which his Majesty the King has worked > nobly, and I think it is clear now that thera are LAURELS TO BE GAINED BY EUROP-1 EAN SOVEREIGNS, by working for peace, which are much more glorious, which win more applause and a far wider circle, which enable them to write a much finer page in the history of their own times than were ever gained by barbarous and purposeless battles. But, ladies and gentlemen, even if the fifteen thousand per- j sons whom we will say in Germany and England desire to make war on one another (á voice "Not one would fight" (laughter; and hear, hear)—I quite a.gree, they are not- the people to fighit's the soldiers and sail- ors. (Cheers.) Those others like to stay at home and read about it. (Laughter and ap- plause.) Even if these persons wore as in- fluential as one would think, for all the noise they make and the clatter they keep up, what about the rest of us? What about the hundred millions of people who dwell in these Islands and Germany. Axe we all such sheep 'I Is democracy in the twelfth century so powerless to effect its will ? j Are we all become such puppets and mar-I ionettes to be wire pulled against our in- terests into such hideous convulsions? L have a. high and prevailing faith in the essential goodness d great peopJe. I be- lieve that wcjrking classes allover the world are recognising they have common interests and not divergent interests. I believe that what is called the international solidarity of labour has an immense boon to confer upon all the people." In conclusion the speaker asked them to join with him in saying that far and wide throughout the masses of the British dominions there was no feeling of ill-will whatever towards Ger- many. We did not envy them their good fortune, their power, or their prosperity. We were not jealous of them. We rejoiced in everything that brought them good; we wished them well from the bottom of our hearts. THE QUESTION OF IRELAND. The right hon. gentleman, in a few words, referred to the a-ntagonism which existed between our island and, Ireland. If they wanted to make the British Empire stronger, the British people more glorious, to es- tablish good relations all over the world, and let our name stand high in many lands beside our own, let them work for a na- tional settlement with Ireland on the basis of a more generous reconciliation which should secure them the national rights. which they did most deeply desirti. Vvhy, the problem of givipg Home Raile to Ire- land was nothing like so difficult, or seri- ous, or so dangerous, as the problem which we had successfully solved in South Africa. (Applause.) The Chairman referred to Mr. Churchill a statesman who had a great future before him. The miners were very much indebted to Mr. Churchill for his support of the Eight Hours' Bill. His speech on that mea^are in I the House of Commons was both masterly and convincing. Mr. Tom Richards, M.P., congratulated them on capturing Mr. Winston Churchill. Honour wa.s also due to those who had worked in the "stoke-hole"—doing the drudgery work. There wore a "few words" from Messrs. W. E. Morgan (Western District Agent), and J. D. Morgan (official of the Anthracite Association). 0 A resolution was put to the meeting and carried, and theci Mr. Churchill was in- I formed thai "what has passed is that a. vote of thanks been proposed, seconded and carried, to the speakers/' (The address bad been in the Welsh language). I WINSTON ASKS FUit ANOTHER HYMN. Mr. Churchill, who again got a reusing reception, thanked the meeting for the re- solution proposed "in such eloquent terms— (laughter)--as I don't doubt—and in such complimentary terms as I feel almost liold enough to hope." (Applause). He was very much obliged. It had been a. great pleasure to him to come down at the invitation of Mr. John Williams, and to fee so many of his Parliamentary friends on the platform. "The only thing I ask," he continued, "is that 'MLabon' shall lead you in another hymn. That 1 can listen to and enjoy. That will be my payment." The singing of "Aberystwyth" was very fine. That concluded the meeting; the dis- tinguished guest, tlie Mayor, Chairman a.nd others then drove off t-o the Royal Hotel, preceded by the Ystradgynkis Band. A big crowd followed Mr. Churchill' to the hotel, where hearty cheers were raised. He took lunoh quietly with the Mayor, "Mabon," Mr. W. Jones, M.P., and others, then left for London by the 3.30 p.m. train from High-street Station. There was no demonstration, the general public not being aware of the time of de- parture. There were not more than a dozen or so persons on the platform at all. Mr. Churchill shewed his good taste by pur- clwusing a 'Tost" to read on the way. He was accompanied by his secretary.

" WINSTON " AND THE PILOTS.

' OPINIONS OF THE PRES).

! DRIVER APPLIED THE BRAKE.

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SWANSEA WOMAN HURT.

ALLSOPPS, LIMITED.

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