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T The Looming Clouds.

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T The Looming Clouds. MR. KEIR HAHDIE ON THE, COAL CRISIS. ABERDARE MINERS' DEMONSTRATION. The Annual Demonstration of the Aberclare District of Miners was held on Monday at the Market Hall, Aberdare, and was extremely well attended. The different processions started about 10 o'clock. The miners of Cwmpennar, Cwmaman, and Aberanian, were headed by the Aberaman Silver Band. and a landau, which was occupied by Mr. J. JLeir Hardie, M.P.. Mr. W. Thomas (High Constable,), Mr. C. B. Stanton (miners' agent), Mr. Illtyd Hopkins (dis- trict secretary), and Mr. Abraham Rich- ards (district chairman). ine other contingents were: (1) Jfen- heolgerrig, Abernaiit, and Cwmbach, led by cwmaman Silver Band; and (2) Glyn Neath, Hirwain. Cwmdare, Llwydcoed, Robertstown, and Trecynon, led by Aber- dare Town Band. The Mountain Ash Hibernian Band were also in attendance. On the platform were Mx. C. B. Stan- ton who presided, supported by Mr. J. Keir Hardie, M.P., Rev. J. Nicholas, Air. W. P. Nicholas, Mr. W. Thomas, Messrs. Abraham Richards, W. R. Evans ^vice-chairman of the district), Council- lors E. Stonelake, Illtyd Hopkine, Rev. Cynog Williams, Guardian Morgan Wil- liams, Mr. Enos Davies. The speakers were heartily applauded as they appeared on the platform, Mi. Keir Hardie especially was given a greatN ovation. Just before the meeting com- menced the Rev. Cynog Williams appear- ed, and was cordially cheered. He was invited to the platform by the chairman. Mr. Stanton, in opening the meeting. said he was thankful for the splendid attendance. Although there was a dark cloud looming ahead at present, there might be a silver lining to it. But whether there was a silver or a golden lining to it, we would have to put up with what was going to happen. The Federation stood for no sectional stop- page. The miners ought to get what was due to them for their labour and for the risks they ran. The employers could w II afford to grant what was being a.-ked of them. Unless the employers saw their way clear to make concessions, then let a strike come. We migfct as well have it first as last. So he im- plored them to tighten their belts and be ready for the fray. It would be a fight, he hoped, net by any one section, but throughout the whole of the country. (Lend applause.) The Aberdare District would stand for unity of action through- out all the coalfields. Referring to that dayJs Demonstration, Mr. Stanton said there was a marked ab- sence of flags and bunting in the streets. All told there were only 3, one being out- side the I.L.P. Institute. Why could the tradespeople of this district not see their way to welcome and recognise the federated ranks of Labour, which meant so much for them ? But it was useless epecting sympathy from the pub- lic and outsiders. Next time they might think of it. The Hev. J. Nicholas, Tonypandy, spefee in Welsh, and made a passionate appeal to the workmen to awake from their lethargy and fight for right and justice. It did not matter how the work- men had become servile and oppressed. The question now was how to remove the oppression. He was thankful for Mr. Lloyd George's Budget, but this would not have been possible were it not for the presence in the House, of Com- mons of Mr. Keir Hardie and other Labour Members. (Applause.) Mr. Keir Hardie, M.P., who was again enthusiastically received, remarked that if the merchants of Aberdare did not know what was due to the miners of Aberdare, the clerk of the weather did. (Laughter and a Hear, hear.") He con- gratulated them upon that great turn- out. The chairman had referred to the clouds looming ahead. It often happen- ed that a cloudy day preceded better clays, and that, he felt certain, would be the outcome of the dark clouds now before us As a member of the Federation, he wished to make an appeal. Let every man and every lad put himself in fight- ing order by being a full financial mem- be>' of the Federation. With regard to the Eight Hours Day, he would lay this down: Inasmuch as Parliament had passed this Act, Parliament was bound to see that the law should be enforced without any loss following to those whom it was intended to benefit. (.Applaufte.) If, unfortunately, a stoppage should take place, then he re-echoed what had been said in other quarters, that was essen- tially a case in which Rule 20 of the Federation ought to be put in force. It would be both unjust and unfair for one corner of the country to fight out the eight hour question on its own account. a There are some of lIS," continued Mr Hardie, a who have been working not merely for the Federation of the work- men of Great Britain, but for the whole of Europe. If a fight take place then we could call upon the French, Belgian, and German miners not to supply your markets while you are fighting their battle on your own. (Applause.) If it were a case in which the colliery owners could not afford an eight hour day, then something might be said for coming to terms. But everyone knows that for a number of years profits have been ab- normal in the Welsh Coal-field and also in other coal-fields. I know trade is not so good at present, but we have a right to ask those owners who have been draw- ing 15, 20, and 30 per cent. profits to resort to this money to help them over the lean years, rather than call upon the miners and the miners' wives and children to take the bad trade from their stomachs by becoming poor. If a strike takes place, a new note will be heard sounding right through the strug- gle. It will no longer be a fight for an 8 hours day or 6s. minimum wage. but —The Coal-mines for the Nation. (Ap- plause.) Stirely if nature has endowed this land with mineral wealth we should see to it that that wealth is not allowed to be exploited by a handful of capital- ists and landlords for their benefit, but should be used to give the greatest degree of comfort to the men who win the coal. There is only one way this can be done, and that is by following the example of New Zealand, and make the mines and the minerals State property to be worked for the common good. I regard the working class as possessing the only ?tower whereby this nation can be saved rem destruction. Take what is happen- ing in connection with the Budget. A td. tax is proposed on mineral royalties. The landlords are crying out "robbery." r would like to ask how much the Mar- quis of Bute has paid for the minerals, and is it too much for him to pay a Jd. out of every 20s. value ? In his effort to make his voice heard in the farthest portion of the building, Mr. Keir Hardie perspired, 'and in the middle of his speech he took his coat off, an act that was loudly applauded by the audience. There was one good thing about the Budget, concluded Mr. Hardie. It was going to socialise the 480th part of the value of mineral royalties and other matters of that kind. Half-penny in the £ was small, but it was a beginning. (Applause.) It was for us to see that the battle was forced right up to the gates, and the fight continued until every cent of the value created by the work of the common people should belong to the com- mon people, and not be filched away by legal enactments. (Applause.) If a atriko came the soldiers should not ar- rive here to bully and intimidate the miners under the guise of protecting Sroperty. The Labour Party was intro- ucing a humanising element into poli- tics. (Applause.) Mr. W. Thomas, who wore his chain of office, was next called upon, and was well received. He observed that he had been invited to that meeting" and he would be very remiss in his duties if he did not avail himself of the offer. That Demonstration was for the beneht of the miners, and for the welfare of the town. 17 • agreed with Mr. Keir Hardie that the Eight Hours Act should be given a trial. Any defects that might be discovered could easily be remedied in course of time. He hoped that wisdom would pre- vail at the momentous meeting which would take place between the masters and the miners' agents. He would re- mind them that "Peace hath her victor- ies no less renowned than wa.i- (Ap- plause.) Mr. W. P. Nicholas, solicitor, referred to the time when they met at the Aber- dare Market Hall to welcome the return from Swansea Prison of the late Aid. D. Morgan. They were then in the threes of a great industrial struggle. Out of the ashes of that strike a great and powerful organisation had been reared Mr. Nicholas dwelt briefly on the bene- fits which the Federation had obtained for the workers. It had been the means of securing compensation for toilers who had been maimed in the mines. He would not say much about the dark cloud that hung over their head. But he hoped that mutual toleration would be shown, and that the men would show absolute confidence in their leaders. (Ap- plause.) Mr. Illtyd Hopkins moved a vote of thanks te the chairman and speakers. They were that day in the presence of one maker of laws, two lawyers who were interested in tte administration of laws, and if that was not sufficient there were two ministers of the gospel to protect them further. He (Mr. Hopkins; was pleased to see the unparalleled reception given to the veteran leader of Labunr, Mr. Keir Hardie. Mr. Abraham Richards seconded the vote of thanks, which was carried with gl eat enthusiasm, a special cheer being given to Mr. Keir Hardie. Mr. Keir Hardie, in acknowledging the thanks, greatly appreciated the presence of the Ambulace Brigade. Also the ser- vice of the Bands and the police officers who, under Inspector Nott, acted as if they were guarding a royal procession. Mr. Stanton, in supporting this appre- ciation, told the men to ask the Aberdare tradesmen, the next time such a pro- cession took place, if they had any con- science about them.

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