The Aberdare Leader

Aberdare Miners in a Fix. Between the Devil and the Deep Sea. Decide to sign the Agreement. On Monday evening a mass meeting of the Abetdare colliers was held in the Market Hall, Aberdare, to consider the position of affairs in view of the fact that Mr. C. B. Stanton, the miners' agent for the district, had declined to sign the new agreement. Mr. P. Davies, the chairman of the district, presided, and was support- ed by all the members of the Executive Committee. Mr C. B. Stanton said that he called that meeting because he had promised them not to sign any agreement without I their consent. As they had doubtless read in the papers all the rest had signed, and under those circumstances, alchough he could not tell them that the new agreement was any better than it was when he last addressed them, he thought that he should now sign it, and that they too, should sign it, and go to work under it. If he was not to sign it would mean that he could not sit on the Conciliation Board, and he did not thir.k the men of Aberdare would like to see anyone else I sitting there in his place. (Cries of No, no,") Thousands had voted for the agreement not because they loved it, bub because they saw that a sectional fight, agreement not because they loved it, but because they saw that a sectional fight, without even financial support from other parts of the United Kingdom, was hopeless. A sectional strike in Aberdare would be still more hopeless. He there- fore asked the men who had so loyally supported him in the past to show that they understood what. discipline meant as well as loyalty. It was said that if he signed thousands would secede from the Federation. If they wanted to play into the hands of the employers leo them make that known. If they wanted to play the game of those who had in the past been very loth to pay, let them play that ticket. They must not be disunited, and it would- please the employers well to learn that the very district which set the pace was beginning to fall to pieces and become demoralised. He was sorry to learn that some lodges had not received a quarter of the usual con- tributions on Saturday night. He hoped that was merely to show their dis- satisfaction with the agreement. Let them continue united, and if it came to it that they would have to give the lead and form another Union they must be sufficiently united to do that. (Hear, hear ) If the leaders let them down, there were hundreds of men in every district in the Federation ready to follow a lead given. He had been called a trumpet blower. If he sent forth a clarion cry that reached the heart of the men of South Wales he was satisfied. The Aberdare district was sending, at his suggestion, a resolution to the annual conference of the M.F.G.B. on abnormal places, as follows:— "That the miners of Scotland, Eng- land, and Wales meet their respective coal owners and demand a fair living wage for all colliers working in abnormal places, failing to get which that apnation- al conference be called with a view of calling a national stoppage to enforce our just demands for the same." (Loud applause). After some questions had been put and answered, a delegate moved. That seeing they were between the devil and the deep sea, and the rest of the leaders had preferred the devil, it was useless for the Aberdare men to go into the deep sea." (Laughter.) He therefore moved that the agent be authorised to sign, and that the men also sign and work under the agreement. Mr. John Prowle, seconding, said he remembered the time when the late Alderman David Morgan refused to sign, and the Aberdare district had to. be represented by another man on the Conciliation Board. It was very dis- advantageous to the district. It was Mr Stanton who had opened the eyes of the colliers throughout the country on the question of payment for abnormal places, and it was important that he should be on the Conciliation Board Committee to watch their interest. It was he. too, who insisted on payment for small coal being pushed forward, but their other leaders had not stood by him. He wish- ed Mabon and the rest would attend to their Parliamentary duties and not pose as miners' agents. They were killing the Federation by their respectability. They were now tied up for five years-bottled up—and could not help themselves, but unless they stuck together they would be able to do nothing at the end of that period. An amendment was moved that the new agreement be not signed, but this was not seconded, and the resolution was carried with practical unanimity. A resolution was alsS passed confirm- ing the resolution to be sent to the M.F.G.B. as given above.

I Mr Bibbings & Socialism. A Minister's Statement. Some exciting incidents occurred at a meeting at Nantymoel on Tuesday under the auspices of the Young LiberalsLeague. The speaker was the Rev, W. S. Phillips, of Newport, who delivered an address on I- The New Liberalism," and criticised Socialism. He declared that the Social- ism of the I.L.P. was atheistic in ten- dency, and that Mr. G. H Bibbings had been driven out of the movement, because of bis Christian belief. Mr. Phillips said he would very much like to have a nice easy job like the miners' agents of South Wales. There was a considerable Socialist element at the meeting, and a local Socialist, Mr Edward Edwards, got up to protest against the speaker's argu- ments. Mr Edwards was invited to the plat- form, and said that one hundred clergy- men had issued a manifesto that their Socialism was the same Socialism as that held by Mr Blatchford,and therefore it could not be in itself anti-Christian. Considerable uproar then took place. Eventually the rneeting was closed amid a great deal of excitement.

%III 1 9 lost# A' I 63 To the riverside, £. to the seaside, into the heart of the .'7 L country on the All-Steel Raleigh /J 44 is the height of cycle enjoyment J ? THE ALL-STEEL "jJ | RALEIGH is fitted with Dunlop Tyres, Brooks' i 1 M fin. Jl Saddle and Sturmey-Archer 3-Sp«ed Gear IV ■ Send a p.c. for the beautiful f *1*1 "Boole of the Raleigh." PARKER BROS., iM {It SIm ABERDARE, Ifili f COMMERCIAL ST., 'yVffijw Iff V MOUNTAIN ASH.

Letter* to the Editor. Letters on any subject of public interest are invited. It should he understood that we do not necessarily agree with the views expressed therein. Corres pondents will oblige by writing on one side of the paper, and must invariably enclose their names and addresses, not necessarily for publication, but aa ? guarantee of good faith.

TO "A YOUNG CONSERVATIVE." Dear Sir,—In your last issue there appeared a letter signed by A Young Conservative," asking what the Union- ists were doing to revive and strengthen the cause of Unionism in Aberdare. In answer to the above enquiry I beg to state that the committee of. the above club, realising more their responsibility to the cause of Unionism, and the need of more active organisation in political matters, have called into existence a strong and representative committee from among its members, known as the Political and Social Committee of the Club, and into its hands are commended the political and social welfare of the club. Under the auspices of this new commit- tee, monthly political meetings will be held during the session, which will be addressed by some of the leading speakers of the Unionist platform. Visitors will be admitted to these meet- ings by ticket which may be obtained from members. This new committee has other aims and other duties which can- not be well discussed here, and Young Conservative would do well, in future, to come from under his nom-de-plume and ask direct at the fountain head for such information as he requires. We want men, and men who will work.- Believe me, yours very sincerely, FREDERICK WILLIAMS. Hon. Sec. of the Political and Social Committee of the Aberdare Consti- tutional Club.

NON-CONFORMIST MINISTERS AND ABERCYNON ELECTION. Sir,—There is one phase of the recent contest for a seat on the Mountain A sh Urban District Council in the Aber- cynon Ward which demands immediate attention. It is the action taken by a few Non- conformist ministers, who not only exhibited colours but exhorted their flocks to vote as they directed. The candidate who met with their opposition was the nominee of the Miners Federation, and the Amalgam- ated Society of Railway 'Servants, both of which are Trade Unions of undoubted respectability. Now Sir, as over 70% of the Church communicants are members of these Trade Unions, it is pertinent to ask those apostles of peace if they are justi- fied. in taking the hard-earned contribu- tions of those members, and at the same time opposing their interests at every possible juncture ? It is useless to say that each voter is free to do as he chose. The dominating power of Non-con- formist ministers is the strongest political force in Wales-to-day. It can be used for and against the workers. At present it is used against direct Labour representation on any Parlia- mentary or local public body. Why ?— Faithfully yours, S. B. r

Life cannot be defined, but we can tell how it is constituted. It is made up of things we don't want, and things we can't get.

Our New Representatives COUNCILLOR D. J. DAVIES. Mr. D. J. Davies one of the newly elected representatives on the Penderyn Rural District Council, is a native of Hirwain, and was born on May 9, 1876. He was educated. at Hirwain Joint Schools and Merthyr Higher School. At the age of 16 he won a Glamorgan Tech- nical County Scholarship, value 240, ten- able for three years at the University College, Cardiff, but owing to being a resident in Breconshire, on the borders of Glamorgan, the majority of the com- mittee decided against him, though some prominent County Councillors fought hard for him. In view of his success in the Scholarship Exam. his father decided to send him to college, and on October 5, 1892, he entered the University College, Cardiff. After having been there one session, the health of his father broke down, and the son's collegiate career came to an end, owing1 to having to take charge of the Hirwain Gas Works during the father's illness, which lasted for a year. Rather than returning to the Uni- versity he decided to go in for Electrical Engineering, and was apprenticed to Mr. Geo. Beith, Electrical Engineer, Ponty- pridd, for three years. After serving his time he was appointed electrician for Lockett's Merthyr Collieries, Mardy, and Glyn and Collena Collieries, Tonvrefail, which appointment he held until Sept., 1899, when his father resigned his office as gas manager, and our subject was ap- pointed unanimously in his place, an ap- pointment he still holds. In politics Mr Davies is a staunch Liberal. He is a Congregationalist, and a deacon of Tabernacle Church, Hirwain.

fwleisrstain Ash District Council. TUESDAY.—Mr. W. Millar, J.P., in the -chair. The other members present were: Messrs. Thos. Jones, D. Rogers, Bruce Jones, Griffith Evans, E. V. Tid- man, J. Charles, Wm. Evans, Evan Morris, Silas Williams, G. H. Hall, W. Lamburn, Wm. Davies, with Mr. H. P. Linton (clerk), Mr. F. Stock (deputy clerk), and Mr. W. G. Thomas (sur- veyor). WATER RATE. On the motion of Mr. Rogers, seconded by Mr. Thos. Jones, it was resolved to nold a special meeting to consider the Water Rate. STONY HILL. The land agent, Mr. Morgan, wrote in reference to the improvement of Stony Hill, Abercynon. Mr. Bruce Jones moved, and Mr. Wm. Evans seconded that a copy of the letter be forwarded to the Abercvnon Chamber of Trade. SUNDAY CONCERTS ILLEGAL. The Clerk presented a report on the Theatres Act, 1843, and the Sunday Ob- servance Act, 1781. He stated that the form of licence granted to Theatres pro- vided that they must be closed every Sunday. They could not therefore re- main open on Sundays, except for the purpose of a sacred concert. This could be held without a, licence from the Coun- cil, provided there was no charge for ad- mission. If an entertainment, concert, or debate were held on a Sunday, at which payment was demanded for ad- mission, then it was an offence against the Sunday Observance Act, and the keeper of the house would be open to heavy penalties. Mr. Bruce Jones The halls are break- ing that Act every Sunday. Mr. Griffith Evans: Not in Mountain Ash. Mr. W. Lamburn: They are not mak- ing a charge-simply silver collection. Rev. E. V. Tidman: They try to evade the law in that manner. Mr. Lamburn mentioned that Moun- tain Ash Institute was closed every Sun- day. Mr. S. Williams: And Ynysybwl. Mr. Hall: And also Penrhiwceiber, so there is only Abercynon left. (Laughter.) Mr. Bruce Jones: Tickets are sold be- fore-hand for Aliercynon Sacred Con- certs. The Chairman was of opinion that no entertainment of any kind should be held on Sunday. There were concerts held in shows. These ought to be stopped. Mr. G. H. Hall: The chapels are doing the same thing. Rev. E. V. Tidman: I should like you to mention one instance. Mr. Hall: At any rate they demand a silver collection. Mr. J. Charles: At the sacred concerts there is generally a hat at the door. Those who don't put something in are turned away. Mr. S. Williams How is it the people want sacred concerts, are there no good preachers in Mountain Ash (Laughter.) Mr. Morris: They are held after the churches are out. Mr. Thos. Jones: The concert is a kind of soothing syrup after the service. (Laughter.) Mr. B. Jones moved that a copy of the clerk's report be forwarded to the secretary of the Abercynon Institute. Mr. W. Davies seconded. Rev. E. V, Tidman: Someone in Aber- cynon ought to take the matter up. Mr. Rogers: I propose we send Mr. Tidman down as missionary. (Laugh- ter.) Mr. Wm. Evans said they ought to take action against shows. Sacred con- certs were often held to relieve injured and necessitous persons, whereas show- men took the money away from the dis- trict. The Chairman suggested that the at- tention of the police be called to the shows who open on Sundays, and this suggestion, together with Mr. Bruce Jones' motion, were adopted. CHURCHES AND COUNTER- ATTRACTIONS. Mr. W. Lamburn said he wanted to raise a question regarding sacred con- certs. He maintained that the churches ought to provide some counter-attrac- tions. They often complained that young people trudged the streets on Sunday evenings. This was quite true, and if they were going to prevent the holding of concerts things would be worse in future. What he wanted to know was: What action was the churches going to take in providing some substitutes for sacred concerts ? Rev. E. V. Tidman: Do you want the churches to provide some rubbish and nonsense similar to what they get at the halls? Mr. W. Lamburn: No, but the churches might do something for the young people. Rev. E. V. Tidman: That has been done, and the young people still prefer walking the roads and streets. Chairman: I am afraid we are getting off the track. Let us get on with the business. PENRHIWCEIBER FIRE BRIGADE. There was a petition from the rate- payers of Penrhiwceiber asking the Coun- cil to provide the local Fire Brigade with a modern fire appliance, alarms, bells, outfit for repairs, uniforms, etc. Mr. Hall mentioned that a committee had been appointed some time ago to go into this matter. He moved that the letter be referred to them, and in the event of the request being granted, that provision be made in the next rate. Mr. E. Morris seconded, and the motion was agreed to. COUNTING OF VOTES. THE CLERK ANGRY. Mr. Lamburn raised a question regard- ing the elections, and spoke in favour of counting the tfotes on the same night as the poll was taken. Mr. Linton: You may appeal as much as you like. You won't get it done. Mr. Lamburn: That is your answer. We shall know what had best be done in future. Mr. Linton: It took us four hours on the following day to do it, with clear heads and in broad day light. It could not be done in anything like that time if carried out the same night. I ask gentle- men who represent Labour whether they would like to be called upon to work for 18 hours in one day. Mr. Lamburn: Yes, if paid extra time for it. Mr. Linton: We cannot do this work properly at night, and you can take it from me that if you want it done at night you must get somebody else to do it. Mr. S. Williams asked the Clerk why he mentioned Labour representatives. Clerk: I mention anybody. Mr. S. Williams said it was quite reasonable that the boxes could not be opened which did not reach the Town Hall till 10 or 11 o'clock at night. But could the Clerk not make arrangements to count the votes recorded say, in Moun- tain Ash and Penrhiwceiber Wards? The Clerk said that the law on the matter was that one box should not be opened unless the whole lot were opened at the same time and place. Mr. Williams: That means you could not count one Ward unless you counted the whole of the contested Wards? Mr. Linton: That is so. Mr. W. Davies said that possibly when there was a bye-election the Clerk would have no objection to count the votes the ,iie evening. The matter then dropped. YNYSYBWL RECREATION GROUND. The owner of the site of the proposed recreation ground declined to alter the wording of the lease. Mr. S. Williams: It is thoroughly bad and quite typical of landlordism. But the place might be better than nothing. Mr. W. Davies moved, and Mr. Bruce Jones seconded, that the offer be ac- cepted. Carried. Mr. S. Williams asked the Surveyor to proceed- with the work of fencing at once. Mr. W. Evans: Not at the cost of ne- glecting the Abercynon Bridge, I hope. Mr. D. Rogers: If we put that bridge right, Abercynon people will have no election err. (Laughter.) Mr. Charles: They will still have Stony Hill. < Mr. W. Davies asked what progress was being made regarding the proposed Miskin Recreation Ground. Mr. Stock replied that an Inquiry was to be held next week? TELEPHONE. An application from the storekeeper to have the telephone installed in his room was refused.

..c"1>01'1 .4> -> Aberdare Police Court. WEDNESDAY.—Before Sir T. Marchant Williams (Stipendiary), Messrs. D. P. Davies, D. W. Jones, L. N. Williams, Dr. Jones. EJECTMENTS. On behalf of D. H. Morris, Aberaman, Mr. W. Winstone Rees applied for an order to eject J. Davies, 137, Cardiff-road, Aberaman. Mr. W. T. Howell applied for an order to eject E. L. Evans, 26, Commerce- \1 place, Aberaman. Both were granted. SHOULD AULD ACQUAINTANCE, &c. ) Ellen Kiley, whom the Stipendiary de- scribed as an old acquaintance," was fined 10s. and costs for drunkenness in Aberdare. FOOTBALLER ROBBED. YNYSYBWL MAN SENT TO PRISON. James Griffiths, 18, Castle-street, Ynys- ybwl, was charged with drunkenness and also with stealing a leather handbag, the pioperty of James Jacobs, collier, Ponty- pridd. Jacobs said that he was playing a foot- ball' match at Pontypridd. He went to j the Windsor Hotel to change clothing, and left a bag containing a pair of boots, a pair of drawers, 2 pairs of stockings, some shinguards, and other things, on a seat in the smoke-room. Prisoner was in the smoke-room at the time. Witness valued the articles at 17s. P.C. Henry Osborne, Ynysybwl, said that acting upon information received, he in company with Sergt. Griffiths visited prisoner's residence in Ynysybwl. In the kitchen a bag contairing a foot- baller's kit was found. Asked where he got the bag, prisoner said, "I know noth- ing about it." His mother said that prisoner brought it to the house. Pris- oner was then arrested. Prisoner pleaded not guilty. He was fined 10s. and costs for drunkenness, and sent to prison for six weeks for the theft. WIDE-AWAKE ABERCWMBOI OFFICER, Edward Ware was charged at the in- stance of P.C. Histon with being drunk in John-street, Abercwmboi. Defendant said he passed three or four policemen in Mountain Ash on his way home, and not one of them said a word to him. Fined 10s. and costs. MORE DRUNKS. Wm. Parry, in Cromer-street, Aber- cwmboi, 10s. and costs. John Thomas Morris was charged with being drunk while in charge of a horse in Merthyr Read, Llwydcoed. Defendant complained that P.C. Tay- lor had accused him of stealing the horse, and held that that accusation should have been embodied in the charge. The constable said that he had simply enquired whether the horse belonged to defendant. Defendant was fined 20s. and costs. STREET DUEL. James Williams and Rees Thomas were charged with fighting in Bridge- road, Cwmbach. P.C. Perrott gave evidence. Fined 20s. and costs each. INDECENCY. Henry Roberts and Eliz. Davies were charged with committing an indecent act in South Avenue, Gadlys. Defendants did not appear. P.C. Bevan gave evidence, and defend- ants were fined 40s. and costs. CANINE: CASES. W. J. Harris was fined 7s. 6d. for hav- ing an unlicensed dog in his possession. George Jones was summoned for hav- ing in his possession a dog not under proper control. Mr. T. W. Griffiths de- fended. Samuel Lawrence, gardener, testified that the dog was trespassing near Maesy- ffynon. Defendant consented to an order to keep the dog under control in future, and to pay the costs of the case. THREE DOGS IN THE MESS. Owen Hughes, John Bowen, and Wm. Jones were charged with possessing dogs not under proper control. A bailiff to Mr. Rees, Glandare, said that he saw three dogs belonging to the three defendants worrying sheep. He saw Bowen's dog running away with a lamb. P.C. David Thomas gave evidence of the sheep-worrying. John Williams, farmer, gave further evidence. It was stated that two of the dogs had been destroyed. The Stipendiary ordered that the third be also destroyed, and for every day the dog's life would be prolonged the owner would have to pay 20s.

NO TEA LIKE. No n Asiolb. 'Quaker' Tea OF ALL GROCERS.

Taff and Cynon Miners. MEETING AT MOUNTAIN ASH. Delegates representing the collieries in the Taff and Cynon District held their monthly meeting at the Public Institute, Mountain Ash, on Tuesday. Councillor Wm. Jones, Merthyr Vale, presided, and Mr. Lewis Williams, Mis- kin Colliery, occupied the vice-chair. Others present included Aid. Enoch Morrell, miners' agent; Councillor J. Powell, district secretary, and Ald. Row- land Evans, Merthyr Vale, representing Mr. Peter Gardner, district treasurer, who was indisposed. THE NEW AGREEMENT. Mr. John Picton, Penrhiwceiber, gave art elaborate report of the conference held by the M.F.G.B. in London, when it was decided that the South Wales de- leg-ates should sign the new agreement. Mr. Picton paid a high tribute to the Welsh delegates for the manner they con- ducted the case for South Wales. Aid. Enoch Morrell also gave a brief report of the same conference. ENGINEMEN AND STOKERS. It was reported that Mr Wm. Hopkins, agent of the Enginemen and Stokers' Union, had addressed meetings of surface men at Mountain Ash and Penrhiwcei- ber, urging them not to sign the new agreement and to avail themselves of the day-to-day contract system for the pur- '| pose of improving their position. The District Meeting felt that such conduct on the part of Mr. Hopkins was not consistent with an agreement made between his Union and the Miners Exe- cutive, when it was agreed th4 no notices should be given by either side without first consulting each other. The delegates were of opinion that Mr. Hop- kins had violated that understanding, and further maintained that all surface men should sign the agreement. MISKIN COLLIERY. It was reported that a dispute had arisen at Miskin Colliery, owing to the owner taking advantage of the day-to-day ccntract to stop 16 men and boys. The owner now contended that it was no longer profitable to oontinue those stalls in which those men worked. The District decided to support the men until they obtain employment else- where. REGISTRATION. Mr. T. I. Mardy Jones, the registration agent for the B Division of the Miners' Federation, paid a visit and gave a short address on registration work. He was accorded a hearty vote of thanks, and arrangements were made for him to meet the Executive of the District on the 25th inst. CONTRIBUTIONS. The contributions for the day totalled .£208. Cash receivers, Mr. John Jeffreys, Mountain Ash, and Mr. John Morris, Troedyrhiw.

"Amos." PERFORMANCE AT ABERDARE. On Thursday, April 7th, at the New Theatre, a grand performance of the cantata, U Amos, the Cripple of Caper- na-um," was given by Trinity Choir, be- fore a large audience. The following well-known artistes took the chief parts: Mr. Eben Powell, Chuza; Mr. Steve Jen- kins, Mountain Ash, Centurion; Mr. Davies, Trecynon, Baruch; Mr. Bryant, Micah; Miss M. Phillips; Joanna; Mrs. Lewis, Widow of Nain; Miss M. Davies, Mountain Ash, Amos; All the artistes sang well. -Miss Phillips as Joanna was in fine voice. Her singing of the solos was splendid. She has an exceptionally good voice, of which she made full use. Amos as played by Miss Davies was be- yond reproach. She fairly captivated the audience with her touching pourtrayal of the part. Mr. Steve Jenkins brought down the house in his Centurion's solo. Mr. Bryant sang well, but it was in the dialogue that he scintillated. As the Widow of Nain Mrs. Lewis seemed to breathe out the pathos of that incident. The choir, conducted by Mr. Dan Jones, sang magnificently. Some of their scenes were delightful in the extreme. The stage managers were Messrs. R. R. Price and Cled Jones. This work could not have been in more capable hands. The orchestra, under the Directorship of Mr. J. Arkite Phillips, played no small part in the huge success of the performance. The proceeds, were towards lessening the debt on the church. It is to be hoped that a good round sum will be the result of this work.

Mid-Glamorgan Sequel. Mr Keir Hardie at Gwmaman. Mr J. Keir Hardie, M.P speaking at a social meeting of I.L.P. workers at Cwmaman on Monday evening, paid a high compliment to the work done by women. He was delighted to see how the women had worked in political circles. The fact had at last awakened the Liberal party to recognise, at least to some extent, the claims of women, for they felt if they did not do some- thing they would be bound to get left. The women's movement, he added, was making very rapid progress, and he ) would be not at ail surprised if within the next two years a Bill was carried through all its stages to grant women the vote on the same lines as men, Proceeding, the hon. gentleman said the recent contest in Mid-Glamorgan had emphasised the fact that the part- ing of the ways had come and that no longer could Labour and Liberal work together. There had been a great deal of crowing in the Liberal camp over the fact that Mr Gibbins had been returned. It had been referred to as a great Liberal victory," but what did that vic- tory consist of ? It merely ment that the Liberals and Conservatives com- bined to hold the seat by a small majority over a Labour representative who was a well-known Socialist. If anybody a few years ago had said that a Socialist candidate in Mid-Glamorgan would have done as well as Mr Harts- horn had done he wonld have been laughed at. I A statement freely made in Mid- Glamorgan, aod one that had a bearing on the situation in the Merthyr Boroughs was that the Liberals would not oppose the Labour candidate. had he not been a Socialist. That was not true. In proof of that it was sufficient to recall the fact that in 1885, when Mabon first came out, the Liberals fought him, and now they did not oppose him only because they knew it was hopeless to try and defeat him. In Gower Mr. John Williams had to fight a Liberal, and in South Glamorgan Mr Brace would been fought by Mr Lief Jones if the local Liberals had had their way. Neither Liberals nor Tories would give up a seat and make way to Labour unless they were bound to. Dealing with the situation in Parlia- ment, he said they ought to be very thankful that there was an Irish party and a Labour party in the House of Commons to force the Liberals to fight the House of Lords. He never saw more make-believe than there, was at present in the Liberal press in reference to the House of Lords. There was compromise in the air, and an attempt was made to lay the blame for the pre- sent deadlock on Mr Redmond and the Irish party. The blame for the delay was on the Liberal Cabinet in not carry. ing out the mandate of the people at the last General Election. There was a moral certainty that there would be a General Election in June, and when that came he did not want to hold his seat by the favour of Liberals or Tories. If the Liberal party in Merthyr decided to run two candidates, provided his party would select a strong colleague for him he would cheerfully take the risk, but let them remember that it was to be war not politics.

FREE MEDICINE And Expert Advice in Aberdare. Veno's Medicine Working Wonders. TREATMENT FREE FOR A, SHORT TIME ONLY. A Nurse is in attendance daily at Messrs Boots, Cash Chemists, 12, Com- mercial-street, Aberdare, to advise suf ferers and give free doses of Veno's Sea- weed Tonic and Veno's Lightning Cough Cure to all who call. Veno's Seaweed Tonic is guaranteed to cure the most aggravated forms of Stomach, Liver, Kidney and Blood diseases, and the cures which are daily announced are of such an extraordinary character as to excite deep and wide- spread interest. Veno's Lightning Cough Cure is the far-famed remedy for all throat, chest and lung troubles, which is sold the world over and recommended by many doctors. Mr H. Davies, 40, Cardiff-road, New- port, a Corporation official, writes :— I suffered for over a year from severe chest troubles and catarrhal deafness, and I received the best of treatment, but all to no good. Then I tried Veno's Lightning Cough Cure, and at once my, hearing improved, and my chest was easier, and now I am quite cured. I consider Veno's Lightning Cough Cure a marvellous remedy." All suffering persons are requested to call immediately and test these remedies free. They can be purchased after- wards at Is. ILd,, and 2s. 9d., of any chemist. Don't hesitate to call. All are welcome. Last day for free treat- ment, Wednesday April 27th.

CANVASSING IN CHURCHES. TABERNACLE, HIRWAIN, AND THE GUARDIANS ELECTION. Sii,-I read in the Liberal Jottings column in last week's LEADER that one of the deacons in the above Chapel went out of his way to ask the congregation to support a certain candidate in the Guardians Election. I could hardly believe this, so I made enquiries, and find the statement to be perfectly true. To make matters worse, the occasion was the anniversary services, and scores of outsiders attended to hear the special preachers. To take advantage of a crowded congregation, and canvass, as it were, in favour of an election candidate, was most despicable, and cannot be too harcshly condemned. It should be understood, however, that the candi- date in question was nob Councillor D. J. Davies, who is a deacon at this church. It may as well be made clear that Mr David Jones, Llwydoced Ward, was the person referred to. We in Llwydcoed would have a better excuse if we made use of our Chapels to further Rev. W. S. Davies' candidature, but no such unfair electioneering took place. I trust that the deacon in question will be taught a lesson by his congregation, who surely cannot tolerate such a prac- tice in a place of worship.-Yours, LLWYDCOED.

w..o.. -2. Local Cricket Notes. BY "TURFITE." The Parks Committee of the Cardiff Corporation have decided to spend a sum of money to lay down Cricket Pitches in Roath Park. It would be well if the Aberdare Council followed suit, fpr the local park is in a very unsatisfactory and dangerous state for cricket. The difficul- ty of finding suitable pitches' in the locality is very great, and is the chief cause of the deterioration of the game. The St. Margaret's C.C., Aberaman, who rendered a good account of them- selves in the local^league last season, have again decided to become affiliated to the league. At their annual meeting held recently the following officers were appointed:—President, Councillor G: A. Treharne; vice-president, Mr. D. C. Davies; chairman, Mr. E. Lewis; treas- urer, Mr. R. Williams. Mr. W. J. J. Smith has been re-elected secretary. There is every likelihood of a strong club being formed at the County School this season. Mr. T. Brinley Reynolds has been appointed captain. Committee: Messrs. T J. Reynolds, L. T. Morgan, L. Bosher, G. L. Thomas, W. R. Davies, and B. Oxenham In addition to the ordinary fixtures, house matches will be arranged.

Dress-cutting Demon- stration in Aberdare. On Monday last Madame Lowther- Knights, Inventress of the New European Hygienic System of Dresscutting, gave one of her interesting and instructive demonstrations in the Memorial Hall, Aberdare. There was a large audience, who appeared to thoroughly enter into the spirit of the meeting, which, as Madame Knights said, -was perhaps to decide a very important matter indeed'. Two points she promised to prove during the afternoon; one was the perfect sim- plicity of her chart and the other the perfect fit of the pattern drawn from it. Mrs. Tremellen was the lady who lent her figure for the experiment. After tainng the measures, the drafting of the pattern was at once proceeded with. It was done very quickly, and handed round. to show. While the pattern was being sewn together by the ladies present, Madame Knights gave some very inter- esting facts about her chart and her work in general. She pointed out that what was really wonderful about it was that all other garments that laxiies and chil' dren wore could be produced from that one bodice they would fit that afternoon- The simplicity of the system had beell shown in Merthyr by girls from the ele- mentary school having learnt to draft back, front, and sleeve in three lessoIls, and their drawings were actually in the room for inspection, each girl" havi» £ written her age and name and on her work. Madame Knights claim^ that this was an achievement never fore attempted by any system, as girls were only 12 years of age. S}3* hoped that this would pave the way '°s, the adoption of her system, which primarily intended for use in element^ schools, not only in Merthyr and Ahfl, dare, but all over the world. She i plored the fact that so many millions 0 public money were spent yearly on cation and so little of it directed to tP best interests of the girls who were to■ the future wives and mothers. could be better than knowing how to out and fit and make everything they their mothers wore? Madame Knift?Jc feared that those responsible for was taught in the schools had not able to he present to see the perfect which gained the unanimous applause< all. So it was announced that an eve?PfS meeting would be held for all, tea, J and_ dressmakers and others emp'°vt, during the day, on Friday evening ° at 7.30, at the Memorial Hall. Printed and Published at their PrjD^k<»t Works, Market Buildings, *»rV Stnt. Aberdare, In vhe Coxtn" Glamorgan, by the Proprietor*' Pugh and J. L. RowlArida.

COAL PICKING. Thos. Jenkins was charged with pick- ing coal from the tramroad on the screens at Abernant pit, the property of the Marquis of Bute. P.C. Morris stated that he saw defend- ant filling a sack with coal. Walter Morgan, house coal weigher, gave evidence. Defendant was fined 10s. AN EN GIN EM AN ASLEEP. Arthur Hill was charged with com- mitting a breach of the Mines Regulation Act by sleeping at the Abercwmboi Col- liery (P.D.) while in charge of an air compressor and fan engine. Mr. C. Kenshole prosecuted. Wm. Leyshon, mechanical engineer at the colliery, said that he entered the compressor engine house at 11.20 p.m. He remained there ten minutes, during which time defendant was lying asleep. Hill woke up eventually. Defendant had entered on the log book that every- thing was all right up to 12 o'clock. David R. Morgan, manager, testified that defendant's occupation required his constant attention. Defendant said he was son-y for his neglect. The Stipendiary commended defendant on not setting up a falsehood. He had, however, done a serious thing, and would be fined 40s. and costs. LANDLADY AND EX-LODGER. Mary Anne Lawrence summoned James John Lewis, 158, Cardiff-road, Aberaman, for assault. Mrs. Lawrence said that defendant had struck her twice. He had been lodging with her and owed her money for a week's lodging. Defendant denied the assault, and held that the woman had insulted him..He declared also that his landlady had starved him. He had been paying her 10s. per week. The Stipendiary said that defendant lived cheap. Besides, he did not look like a starved man. P.C. Walsh said that Mrs. Lawrence came to the police station, complaining that defendant had struck her on the face. Defendant held that the woman had kicked and struck at him like a man." Defendant was fined 10s. and costs. Asked by the woman how to recover the money which defendant owed her, the Stipendiary advised her to seek the jurisdiction of Judge Bryn Roberts.