Rhondda Leader Maesteg Garw and Ogmore Telegraph

Welsh Topics. The Influence of Nonconformity. A Record of National Progress. The success of the annual meetings of the Baptist Union marks a memorable and momentous period in the history of the denomination. It is a matter of great rejoicing, not only to the Baptist fraternity, but also to the whole Non- conformist democracy of Wales. The national interest and the intense enthu- siasm engendered is a valuable proof which religion and political ability and scholarship haw upon the mind of Wales. The meetings affect the whole spiritual community. Not only were the Baptists honoured, but Wales itself was honoured, and it is a high tribute to the religious and social progress of Wales that the greatest statesman of British politics should take such deep interest in our spiritual welfare. The Chancellor is an excellent type of man, who. though absent from the land of mountains, still loves it with that ardent and ever-increasing love worthy of a great soul. And in order to enjoy to the full this patriotic endearment one must needs leave his native land to learn the true meaning of nationality. Such a saying mav seem paradoxical, but none the less true. Some of 'our greatest leaders and scholars learnt their cenedl- aetholdeb in the great English Univer- sities and within the precincts of St. Stephen. It is in the midst of the turmoil of nolitical life in the Metropolis that our national hero deepened his love for his native soil, and turned his heart to the mountains. Ond fel y nodwydd ar ei gwrnpawd, try Ei feddwf yn sefydlog atat ti." But this throbbing and yearning must be greatly intensified in the middle of the modern Celtic renaissance. These are the days of Celtic conquests in art, literature, commerce, and politics. And these- conquests are the inheritances of the race which has set its goal on spiritual purity and on that social pro- gress which is inseparable from the teach- ings of the universal reformer, Christ. There is no nation under the canopy of heaven which is so leavened with the truths of Jesus-perhaps, at times, too dogmatical, but none the less, never losing sight of the spiritual advancement of its nationality. To what, then, does the Celt and its great national hero owe its progress. According to the Chancellor's own testi- mony, he owes his progress to the Sunday School. And all who have attained to any height of either local or national service will endorse this sentiment. To-day, Mr. Lloyd George is the perfection of that bond which unites us into a nation. He is the embodiment of the social and reli- gious consciousness of the Wales of to-day. He is the product of Welsh democracy as represented in school, college, and chapel. There are others who reflect the movement, but he is the full-orbed light of it. The ideals of the Wales of to-day are the natural effects of the great religious revolution of the latter half of the eighteenth century and the earlier half of the nineteenth. Wales then outlined for herself in an unconscious manner the path she was to tread. Her ideals were set on a higher plane than the Saxon. She also learnt the art of training, of organising, of discerning the future and to make preparations to bring about the ideal consummation she had mapped out. What, then, was the element which gave birth, nurtured and fostered this ideal? There is only one reply—Noncon- formity. To Wales, Nonconformity means religious toleration, freedom, national independence, and social advancement. These were the points which the Presi- dent of the Union sought to impress upon his audience. The address should have a lasting effect on the youth of Wales and guide them to noble things. The address dealt with the importance of Nonconformity to the life of Wales. Here are the main points of the speech: 1. Nonconformity was more important to the life of the nation to-day than ever, and its hold on the nation tighter than ever. 2. The understanding, the sense, the hope, the national character of the people were formed in Nonconformity. 3. The culture of the democracy of Wales was in the hands of Nonconformity. 4. The democracy should have the same advantages as other sections of the com- munity. 5. The culture of the democracy was dependent upon something else other than the schools. The chapels of Wales were the colleges of the people. 6. There were signs that Nonconformity was extending its curriculum. 7. Nonconformity had given us stability, had taught the people to discipline its zeal and imagination, had taught it per- severance, and power of organisation. 8. To the Welsh Methodists belonged the credit of having first utilised and disciplined the wild, scattered force of enthusiasm. 9. Nonconformity had taught Wales her politics. Wales obtained her politics from her religion. 10. The democracy of Wales had won self-respect and independence. 11. There was no hope for the demo- cracy except in Jesus of Nazareth. 12. He looked for Wales to be in the vanguard in the fight against oppression and tvrannv. These notes cannot be drawn to a close without calling attention to the excellent handbook issued by Noddfa, Church. To state that it is only a handbook is doing it scant justice. It is. in fact, a literary keensake, full of delightful reading, not only to the Baptis-t6, but to all who are interested in the Rhondda. and its doings. The book, it appears, was under the care of splendid workers, Mr. John Samuel, and Mr. W. H. Owen, the head- master of Ynyswen School. Excellent tact and skill have been shown in the choice and arrangement of material. It » contains an appreciation of the Right Hon. D. Lloyd George, an historical account of the beginning and the growth of the Baptist cause in the Rhondda., an account of Noddfa., Treorchy, and the branches, and an excellent appreciation of Dr. Morris.

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Friday's Deluge Streets Feet Deep under Water. Footbridge Washed Away Traffic Suspended. The heavy rains of Friday last resulted in flooclis which, though fortunately not attended by any fatality, caused much damage to property and inconvenience to pedestrian and vehicular1 traffic. The footbridge over the Rhondda River leading from Trealaw to Tonypandy, near the Glamorgan Colliery, was washed away. A tip was also undermined, and several wagons toppled over into the river. The T.V.R. cottage near the Tre- alaw and Tonypandy Station was also flooded, and the occupants were forced to seek shelter elsewhere. Twenty yards of screens were washed away at the Naval Colliery, and the tip from the new sink- ing was washed away. The greatest damage done by the floods was at Trehafod, where three streets were inundated to the depth of several feet. The violence of the rushing water in the Rhondda River was here such as to sweep over the retaining walls in some places, whilst in some parts huge boundary walls were carried away, leaving large gaps 20 and 30 yards wide. Bewis Street, Bethesda Terrace, and Wayne Street suffered greatly. The rushing water, having swept away the walls, rushed through the streets like a raging torrent, and the houses were inundated early in the day. Fortunately, most of the occu- pants, having received warning of the oncoming danger, quitted their houses for a place of safety, whilst others were rescued from bedroom windows by police officers and civilians. One elderly lady, who was lying seriously ill, had to be conveyed to the Porth Cottage Hospital. A report was circulated that one family, named WiUiama, had perished in the flood, but the rumour, fortunately, proved groundless, the party being subsequently discovered in a bedroom. Pianos, chairs, tables and other pieces of furniture floated about the rooms like corks, and most of the families suffered considerable losses. The Trehafod Council Schools were flooded, but the children had been sent to their homes prior to the inundation. Porth also suffered considerably from the flood. The road between the Post Office and the Police Station was ren- dered impassable, and vehicular traffic was completely blocked. The tramway service was suspended for several hours. A rather unique sight was provided by the number of vehicles lying along the roadway below the Porth Hotel, the horses having been accommodated in neighbouring stables. The low-lying streets of Pentre were under water during the latter part of the day. Lewis Street was inundated to the depth of three or four feet, the occu- pants having to resort to their bedrooms for safety. The water in* many caseis, reached as high as the top bar in the kitchen fireplaces, and the furniture floated about the rooms. The occupants of two small tenements known as Napoleon's Houses on the moun- tain side near the recent disastrous tip slide at Pentre were alarmed by a portion of the land at the rear of the houses crashing into the back room and filling it with gravel and wet clay. Fearing fur- ther damage, the tenants, a collier named Isaac Edwards and a Mrs. Rachel James, decided to abandon the premises, and speedily removed their furniture to neigh- bouring houses. A number of under-houses at Gelli were flooded early in the day, and husbands and fathers were summoned home from the neighbouring collieries by the affrighted women folk. Treorchy and Treherbert also suffered to a corresponding degree. At Ferndale considerable damage was done to property lying on the banks of the river. The cellars of the houses at Taff Street, near the station, were com- pletely flooded, and the occupants had to remove their furniture, the water in many of the houses being 2 feet deep. A portion of the Taff Vale Railway siding was also washed away.

Liwynypia Baths and Institute, Application for Music and Dancing License. At Ystrad Police Court on Monday, Mr. James Phillips, solicitor, Pontypridd, applied for a music and dancing license in respect of the Llwynypia Workmen's Institute and Baths. The application was opposed by Mr. T. Millward, on behalf of certain members who were not on the Workmen's Committee and also several reverend gentlemen in the district. Mr. Phillips said that the Baths were situated at Tonypandy, and within a few miles there was a population of 40,000. The District Council had thought that the population of the district was so enormous that they granted a license to the New Empire, although the application was closed by a solicitor on behalf of the owner of the local theatre. He (Mr. Phillips) did not think there was a serious objection to the license except by his friends the preachers (laughter). A pro- test meeting was held on Friday evening last, and although it had been adver- tised, only 53 attended. The Stipendiary What was the weather like that evening? (Laughter). Mr. Phillips: I don't know, sir. I generally spend my nights at home. Continuing, Mr. Phillips said that out of the 53 who attended the protest meet- ing, 42 voted for1 the license and 11 against, and not one of the ministers present had the courage to speak against it. The Institute, said Mr. Phillips, had a membership of 4,000, and shooting and other attractions had been tried at a loss. David Ambrose Thomas, secretary of the Institute and Baths, gave evidence, and in reply to Mr. Millward, admitted that at the protest meeting 42 out of the 53 voted against the license. Mr. Millward commented on the fact that the matter had not really been placed before the workmen. The Stipendiary said that without pre- judicing the application, he believed it would be better that it should be made 1 at the Special Sessions. In the mean- j time, the matter should be put before the workmen generally, and if they were in favour of granting the license, he would i suggest that they should bring forward 1 a scheme showing how the duty of look- 1 ing after the place night by night was to i be done by the committee. i Mr. Phillips said that he would take ( steps to call a meeting of the workmen. The Special Sessions will be held at Pontypridd on 10th November next. j

Rev. Conrad Noel at Porth. Ferrer's Judicial Murder. On Sunday afternoon and evening last, at the Palace Theatre, Porth, the Rev. Conrad Noel addressed large and appre- ciative audiences on What is Socialism P" and also Economics." Mr. W. F. Hay presided. "The problem before us," Mr. Noel said in the evening, may be. put into a nutshell." It was the problem of the overworking and underfeeding of the many; and of the underworking and over- feeding of the few. And add to this the general insecurity of the wage-earner and the poverty of the clerk, and the dangers that encompass the small trader from large combinations of capital. Wealth, continued the speaker, was produced solely by the worker. The essential means of life were owned by the few. Dividing the population, we find one million rich men, 5 millions comfortably rich, 39 millions poor people, 12 millions of whom were very poor. The capitalists, possessing the means and the power, were thus enabled to Hictate the terms upon which the workers should produce. The larger proportion of the wealth produced went into the rich man's pocket, and enabled him to avoid the commandment of his own religion, If any man will not work, neither should he eat." Some people said, Capital should have its reward." You might as well say," Mr. Noel declared that a saucepan as a machine should have its reward. Capital is an inanimate thing, and but the fruit of the labour of bygone generations." The speaker went on to suggest that the whole tendency of industries was towards Social- ism. The collective enterprise of the great Trusts, sweated industries, and municipal trading suggested that the public could manage their own affairs more efficiently than private traders, and that, further, the wealth produced would no longer support a useless class of land- lords and usurers, but would flow back again into the pockets of the people them- selves. The address was frequently interrupted with applause, and at the close several questions were answered by the speaker. Before the meeting terminated, the Chairman very sympathetically referred to the execution of Senor Francisco Ferrer, and the following resolution was put to the meeting: and carried unani- mously That this meeting of the in- habitants of Porth denounce the murder of Francisco Ferrer, the patriotic edu- cator of Spain, by the Spanish Govern- ment, and deeply lament his death, which has deprived his country of one of its most useful and eminent citizens. This meeting expresses its utter detestation felt by all civilised men and women for the murderous ecclesiastics who, with bheir military allies, are daily sacrificing innocent victims, and are reviving in modern Erurope all the horrors of the Inquisition. This meeting, therefore, whilst denouncing the infamous attack of he Spanish Government, takes the oppor- tunity of sending this message of greeting bo the Spanish people, and of sympathy ivith them in their struggle against clerical and military tyranny." The resolution was forwarded to Mr. Asquith and the Minister for Foreign Affairs.

C.E. Men's Society, irm Opening ef New Headquarters at Porth. A combined meeting of delegates from various branches of the Church of Eng- land Men's Society within the Rhondda Deanery was held on Thursday evening last at the St. Paul's Schoolroom, Porth. The following branches were represented: —Bryn Eirw, Porth, Cwmparc, Peny- graig Tylorstown, Llwynypia, and Glyn- taff, Mr. W. B. Salmon (Porth) very ably introduced his reasons why the branches should form themselves into a Federation. Mr. Salmon did not enter fully into details, but having made a substantial case. the matter was taken up, and it was decided to enter into further details at another meeting to be called on the 22nd inst., when the full sdheme will be discussed. After the delegates had partaken of tea, a service of admission was held in the church, at which five new members were admitted, thus bringing their numerical strength to 50. The Rev. W. Thomas (vicar of Porth) performed the admission ceremony, while the preacher for the occasion was the Rev. G. Phipps, of Tre- orchy. who gave a brilliant sermon upon the text. Put on the whole armour of God (Eph. vi. 13). The new headquarters of the Church of England Men's Society was opened by the Vicar of Porth, in the presence of a large congregation. Opening the door," exclaimed the Vicar, is quite an easy matter, but I should like first to express my gratitude to those who have come from some dis- tance to witness the opening; of our new Guild Room." The Vicar then went on to say that great credit was due to the self-denying efforts of the members for the new room, especially to Mr. Hutchins, whom he termed our old Father Hutchins." If the churchwardens had been called, continued the rev. gentle- man, to pay for this extension, it would have meant about L60 from the church's funds. He hoped, however, that the branch would be always progressive so that the work of Christ, their great Cap- tain, would be furthered by their efforts. The room was thereupon declared open.

Tired, Nervous Women have a Marvellous Remedy in DR. CASSELL'S TABLETS. (1) Do you feel tired, worn out and overcome? (2) Do you fail to get refreshed from your night's sleep? (3) Does your food easily upset you ? (4) Do you feel sick and languid? (5) Do you suffer from faintness, dizzi- ness, weakness or a sinking feeling? (6) Do you get short of breath and have palpitation ? (7) Have you headaches or neuralgia? (8) Are you pale, thin, ansemic, or sallow ? These conditions indicate a diseased nervous system. What you want is a pure, safe and reliable general body like Dir. Cassell's Tablets, guaranteed to cure you quickly and per- manently. This marvellous medicine con- tains just what is necessary to restore I worn out tissues of nerves and the organs generally, and it possesses the peculiar power of enabling the nutrient properties of the food taken to be thoroughly absorbed and converted into healthy flesh, blood, bone and muscle. Price, 10kl., lilt, and 2/9 of all chemists.

Afternoon Shifts. Meeting of Rhondda Miners. A meeting of the Rhondda miners was held at Porth on Monday to consider the question of the functions of an afternoon shift in Rhondda Collieries, Mr. J. H. Lewis presiding. Mr. D. Watts Morgan said that a reso- lution had been passed that no afternoon shift should he introduced into the col- lieries unless a bonus turn was paid. At some collieries the workmen who were engaged in cutting and filling; coal on the night shift had sought to be transferred to the afternoon shift. The question for the meeting to decide was as to how far they would allow these changes to be effected, provided that the wages of the men were safeguarded, and that the management would not engage more men on this shift than was absolutely neces- sary. There should be a further condition that if men were allowed to fill coal on the afternoon shift similar work should not be done on the night shift in the same colliery. All that the Executive Council had done was to agree to a, traffic shift in the afternoon conditionally upon the men engaged being paid the bonus turn the same as the night men. He saw no objection to the transference of the night coal shift to the afternoon. This could be limited in its extent for a certain period to ascertain whether it was work- able. So far as the safety of the colliery was concerned, it would not be more pre- judicial for the men to cut coal in the afternoon than by night. Mr. Tom Evans said that he had just had a chat with Mabon, M.P., and the hon. member thought that the matter should be referred to the Executive Council in order that a uniform method might be adopted throughout the coal- field. One of the delegates said the great objection to the filling of coal on the afternoon shift was that if the principle were adopted it might lead to three con- secutive shifts on coal-or a proper double shift. Mr. Watts Morgan said that the simple issue was whether they should confine the filling of coal to the night shift, or allow, the workmen liberty at the various collieries to make any arrangements they liked as to the filling of coal on the afternoon shift, provided no coal was filled on the night shift as well. The meeting decided by an over- whelming majority that no permission be given to colliers working on double shifts in headings to work on the afternoon shift instead of the night shift. A resolution was also adopted that the various lodges should decide locally as to the number of repairens and other day- wage men required on the afternoon shift, with the instruction from the dis- trict meeting that the set of repairers should be limited to the number of main haulage roads in the collieries. Reference was made by Mr. Watts Morgan to what he termed a matter of great importance to men in receipt of compensation. Several cases had been brought to his notice where injured men put on light work were paid half the difference between their present and former wages, but when a reduction of, say, Is. took place in the wages no differ- ence was made in the compensation allow- ance, which, as a matter of fact, ought in such a case to be increased by 6d., so as to make up half the difference of the previous wages. He, therefore, made a special 'request to the delegates to deal with this matter at their respective lodges, otherwise a good many injured men on light employment would be re- ceiving less than they were entitled to.

What Tonypandy is Tempted n' to Ask. lonypandy people are often tempted to ask, on reading testimonials from per- sons living many miles away, How is it these testimonials are always from strangers in distant towns, when the word of a neighbour alone can be easily proven? But when the evidence is Tonypandy evidence, like the following, there is no longer room for doubt. Mrs. J. Hann whose address is 85 Kenry Street, Tonypandy, says: I caught a bad chill which affected my kidneys, and later bladder weakness set in; the secretins from the kidneys were painful and contained a sediment, and I had to get up many times during the night. The pain in my back was intense, and I could not sit for long or kneel at my work because of it. I often had such bad attacks of dizziness that I had to leave my work. At one time I was so overcome by the giddiness that I fell to the ground. I used to have fearful head- aches, and my sight was affected. Reading of a cure by Doan's Backache Kidney Pills, where the symptoms had been similar to mine, I went and bought a box, and when I had taken the pills the kidney secretions became more natural and there was less pain in my back. When I had taken two more boxes of Doan's Pills I felt better, and was able to do my housework in comfort. Before I used Doan's Backache Kidney Pills, I had been unable to sleep well—I would lie awake longing for morning to come and when I did get up I felt tired and dull, with no energy. "I can honestly say that Doan's Pills are a splendid kidney medicine. To any- one suffering with kidney and bladder trouble I would strongly recommend Doan's Pills. I shall always keep some of them by me. (Signed) Mrs. J. Hann." Doan's Backache Kidney Pills are two shillings and ninepence per box, or six boxes for thirteen shillings and ninepence. Of all chemists and stores, or post free direct from the Foster-McClellan Co., 8, Wells Street, Oxford Street, London, W. Be sure you get the same kind of pills as Mrs. Hann had. 4905r Porth Y.M.G.A. Lecture Course. The first of the series of lectures under the auspices of the Porth Y.M.C.A. was held at Salem (W.B.) Chapel, Porth, on Tuesday evening last, when Miss Gertrude Bacon gave one of the most interesting lectures ever given under the auspices of this Society. The subject was, Balloons Airships, and Flying Machines." Mr. E' S. Williams. M.E., Cymmer, presided. Miss Bacon--who is the daughter of the late Rev. J. M. Bacon, the well-known aeronaut and scientist-very clearly demonstrated her vast knowledge of aeronautics, and exhibited an entire mastery of her subject. For upwards of an hour and a half Miss Bacon rivitted the attention, and completely charmed her audience with the delightful manner in which she related her thrilling experi- ences. Her remarkable pictures and thorough grasp of her subject, combined with her choice diction and easy delivery, made up an evening's enjoyment and instruction which will not be readily for- gotten by those whose pleasure it was to hear her. Miss Bacon possesses and dis- played an inexhaustible fund of infor- mation concerning aeronautics, which could not fail to awaken the interest of all present, apart from the humorous manner with which the lecturer delivered her subject. An abundance of knowledge was imparted, and at the close of her remarks the audience, who had given Miss Bacon quite an ovation, applauded her with real enthusiasm. The lecture was a great success.