The Pontypridd Chronicle and Workman's News

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Ensroi^nvEous demand. There can be no surer sign of popularity than the enormous demand all Over the Country for UPTONS DELICIOUS TEAS. THEY ARE APPRECIATED EVERYWHERE FOR THEIR DELICATE FLAVOUR AND EXQUISITE AROMA, AND UNDOUBTEDLY HAVE ATTAINED THE PINNACLE OF FAME. UPTONS DELICIOUS TE \S. MILLIONS DRINK THEM DAILY. Millions of people are daily drinking and enjoying, the^e delicious Teas, fresh from the sweet-scented Island of Ceylon. Liptons own seme of the most famous estates in Ceylon, which cover thousands of acres of the best tea-growing land, including such well-known gardens as Dambattenne, Laymastotte, Monerakande, Mahadambatenne, Mousakelle, Pooprassie, Hanagalla, Gigranella, Karandagalla, Daminatenne, Oakfield, and Nahakettia, in connection with which several thousand natives are constantly employed. KiIPTONS CONTEOL THE BiABKET. £50,5Z3 ::1:][8. 5D. I Represents Duty on over 1,300 tons of Tea, and is the World's Record Duty Cheque for Tea, paid to Her majesty's Customs, London, by LIPTON for his Week's Clearance. It speaks for itself, and represents Considerably more than half the entoire quantity of Tea used per week in the whole of Great Britain. LIPTONS TEAS HAVE THE Largest Sale In the World. It is beyond doubt that Liptons Delicious Teas have no rival for the above title. All othei competitors have long since been out-distanced, and day by day the gap becomes greater, just as the Tea-Drinking public find that they are able to get an ideal Tea blended specially to suit the water of District in which they reside, giving at once a lovely cup of fragrant Tea. ROYAL APPOINTMENT LIPTON, f.. ijr. ).J Tea Merchant by Special Appointment to Her Majesty the Queen. Buy tromfc he Growers. Liptons Delicious Teas are sold at the following prices only THE FINEST TEA THE WORLD CAN PRODUCE. 117 PER LB. No Higher Price- RICH, PURE, AND FRAGRANT. PER 1 JL AND 1/4 LB. LIPTONS DELICIOUS TEAS. SUNNY CEYLON.—Visitors to this beautiful Island are cordially invited to call and see over Liptons Tea and Coffee Warehouses Maddema Mills. Cinnamon Gardens, Colombo. Those desirous of goine up country are also wel- come to visit Liptons Tea, Coffee, and Cocoa. Estates, situate high up in the hills, where some of the finest Tea can be seen growing at the alti-tude of about 7,000 feet above sea level. 0 POPULAR IN INDIA.—The enormous Sale of Liptons famous Teas all over India and the East is a further proof of their excellence over all others. SPECIAL APPOINTMENT.—Lipton has been specially appointed Tea and Coffee Merchant to his Excellency the Right Hon. the Earl of Elgin, Viceroy and Governor-General of India. Lipton Ltd., 11 ntATI I tH Tea, Coffee- and Cocoa Planters, Ceylon. LIJJ ill 11 LIU., The Largest Tea, Coffee, and Provision Dealers in the World.

MEETING OF THE SLIDING SCALE COM- MITTEE. NEGOTIATIONS WITHOUT PLENARY POWERS USELESS. OPEN CONFERENCE OF MINERS CALLED. A meeting of the sliding-scale joint committee was held at the offices of the coalowners associa- tion at Cardiff on Monday. Preliminary meet- ings were held separately by the masters' and workmen's representatives, and it was nearlv 12 o'clock when the conference commenced. As the position was an abnormal one, application was made by representatives of the press for admission, but, after a consultation, it was not thought ad- visable that the application should be granted. OFFICIAL REPORT. At the conclusion of the meeting the secretaries (Mr Dalziel and Mr Lewis Miles) supplied the I press with the following official report:—' A meeting of the employers' and workmen's representatives comprising the sliding-scale joint committee was held on Monday, Sir William T. Lewis in the chair, and Mr William Abraham, M P., in the vice-chair. The other members pre- jpent were—Mr Archibald Hood, Mr Edward Jones, Mr Forster Brown, Mr Fred Davis, Mr William Thomas. Mr Charles H. Eden. Mr Joseph Shaw, Mr William Jenkins, and Mr W. S. Gas- coyne Dalziel (secretary), representing the em- ployers' side; Mr David Morgan, Mr T. D. Isaac. Mr T. Richards, Mr A. Onions, Mr John Thomas, Mr Evan Thomas, Mr David Thomas, ¡ Mr John Davies, Mr David Morgan (Anthracite), and Mr Lewis Miles (secretary), on the workmen's side. At the commencement of the proceedinsg an application was read from representatives ef the press asking for permission to attend to hear the discussions, and on this being put to the meeting Mr Abraham, for the workmen's side, stated that they could give no other answer to the applica- tion than that the workmen's side had always been willing to permit the press to be present, and had no objection to doing so on the present occasion. The owners' representatives, however, adhered to the previously expressed decision, viz., that they regretted they were obliged to decline to admit the press into the discussions, and an an- swer in these terms was then conveyed to the press. The discussion adjourned from the 25th of March on the proposed revision of the sliding- scale was resumed. The result of the ballot taken t among the workmen on the question of giving plenary powers to the workmen's representatives I on the joint committee to negotiate with the em- ployers' representatives was only communicated to the employers' representatives, the result having been-In favour of plenary powers being granted, I 14,500 votes; against, 44,370; majority, 29,870. In the face of this decision of the general body of the workmen, the workmen's representatives intimated that they were not authorised to enter into any final arrangements, but were willing to discuss the question further with the employers. A discussion arose as to the terms which were demanded by the workmen's representatives for a renewal of the existing sliding-scale arrange- ment, viz., an improved scale to grant the work- men 10 per cent. per shilling, instead of 81 per cent; a minimum of 10s. per ton; and an im- mediate advance in wages. The terms stated by the employers as their demands for a continua- tion were also referred to. The owners repeated their positive assurance, which was given to the ^workmen's representatives previously], namely, that the demands of the workmen could not for a moment be entertained. The owners' represent- atives drew the attention of the workmen's repre- sentatives to the breach of the understanding ar- rived at on the 25th ult., viz., that work should continue to the 9th of April. Work had, how- ever, stopped at the majority of the associated collieries since Friday last. The workmen's repre sentatives, while regretting the unfortunate posi- tion of affairs at present, stated that they were unable to do anything in the matter in the absence of plenary powers. As a result a very full dis- cussion of the question took place, and the com- mittee separated in order that each side should consider the position. When they again met, Mr Dalziel read the following resolution which the employers' representatives had arrived at: "The associated employers are quite prepared, as they always have been, to meet their work- men,, bu tthey fail to see any reason for altering the opinion expressed in Mr Dalziel's letter to Mr Miles of the 10th of March that it is useless to negotiate terms of settlement with persons who do not possess plenary powers to act on behalf of the workmen." The workmen's representatives, having received this reply, intimated that a meeting of delegates from all the collieries would be called for Thurs- day next, and the whole position would be put before them. STATEMENT BY THE WORKMEN S REPRE- SENTATIVES. Subsequently the representatives of the work- men, who agreed with the official report as far as it went desired to make certain additional state- ments, which were as follow — "The resolution passed by the employers, and quoted above, was, in reply to a question put by the men's representatives, viz., The latter wanted to know whether, when they had met the workmen in conference, and in the event of the conference selecting persons to meet the employ- ers, they would negotiate with them for an agree- ment without plenary powers? The resolution was the reply to this interrogation, and then the work- men's representatives asked— "Are we to understand this to mean that you will meet anybody who may be representing the workmen, whether they have plenary powers or not, but that unless plenary powers are given it will not be possible to effect a settlement?" To this the employers' representatives replied: "Certainly, it will not be possible to effect a settlement unless plenary powers are given."

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MEETING AT THE ROCKING-STONE. The time announced for the meeting summoned I by the Gelli and Tynybedw men to be held on Wednesday at the Rocking Stone varied, but at I noon the various groups were called together, and fi chairman ejected. The first chosen, named I Evans, was not present, and a Trealaw collier was then selected. There were about 500 present. The Chairman spoke of his experiences during the past fifty years of the gradually hardening lot of the collier. It was proposed that the meeting demand an immediate advance of 10 per cent on the shilling, and two months audit. The proposer stated that the crisis had been brought about by Sir W. T. Lewis, who delayed the audit, and add- ed that Mabon and the other men's leaders were to blame for extending the notices. Another proposal was made by a workman- who said they were not prepared to fight for the larger advance-that they ask for a 5 per cent. advance, with 10 per cent on the shilling, the 1890 scale, and two months' audit. The Chairman suggested a 15 per cent. advance with a fixed agreement for one or five years. That, he said, would do away with the sliding- scale. and sweep away all the men's representa- tives. (Cheers.) Let them go to work for a bit, added the chairman, amidst applause and laughter. I "Let us get back," he said. "to the old way of going direct to the masters, and doing away with all middlemen and idlers." (Applause.) The next speaker urged that they stick to the first demand. He proposed a 20 per cent. advance and the 1890 scale. A Pentre collier supported the last proposal, with a rider fixing a minimum selling price of 10s. The Chairman's proposition was then seconded. Another proposition was 20 per cent, and no sliding-scale, and another was 10 per cent for three months, during which time the men could organise themselves to enforce another advance. The Vice-Chairman urged the sweeping away of the men's late representatives, who, he said. had got them into the present hole. A Monmouthshire man condemned the leaders for arranging the remedy, for if they could not settle the matter during the six months' notice they could not settle in nine days. He urged them all to stick together, and all the men to come out. (Cheers.) The chairman's amendment was put to the meeting and three voted for it. The motion for a 20 per cent advance and the return of the basis of the 1890 standard, a mini- mum selling price of 10s per ton, and two months' audit, was, after some delay (during which the chairman urged the advantages of his lost amend- ment), carried without dissent by the meeting, which, probably, by this time numbered a thou- sand. The Chairman said that the passing of the resolution meant that the struggle had begun. It was resolved to appeal to all the men now work ing to come out at once. The time for the remov- al of tools is left to the men of each colliery to I decide. A suggestion to call upon the enginemen and stokers, etc., to come out was not pressed, and at the finish various speakers protested against the use of the term "strike," and declared the J I present crisis was as much of a lock-out as that of 1895. After some discussion relative to the press, in which numerous exhortations in reference to truth-telling were spoken, the meeting ter- minated with a vote of thanks to the chairman.

HAULIERS' PROGRAMME. A PLEA FOR UNITY. A mass meeting of hauliers was held on Wed- nesday in the Empire Theatre, Pontypridd. The proceedings were conducted in private. After sitting for about five hours the following official report was handed to the representatives of the press: — "It was agreed, first, to appeal to the hauliers of South Wales and Monmouthshire to take united action in this crisis, and to disapprove of any other action but the above, and to call upon them to discontinue work immediately." 2. To appeal to the hauliers to select a delegate to forward their communication to the next con- ference, which will be convened through the press. 3. To ask for a uniform rate of wages of 5s per day. 4. To assist the colliers by appointing a delegate to represent them in the Cardiff conference on Thursday."

IMPORTANT MEETING OF OOALOWNERS. PREPARATIONS FOR THE FUTURE. OFFICIAL REPORT. A meeting of the coalowners' association was held at Cardiff on Tuesday, and subsequently the following official report was communicated to the press by the secretary, Mr W. Gascoyne Dalziel: "One of the largest meetings of the Monmouth- shire and South Wales Coalowners' Association held for some years past took place at Cardiff on Tuesday, practically the whole of the colliery com- panies in the association being represented by their principals. Mr Henry Lewis, of the Albion Col- liery Company, was in the chair. The subject under discussion was the stoppage which had oc- curred in nearly the whole of the associated col- lieries notwithstanding the arrangements which were made with the workmen's representatives, and as to the best mode of proceeding with re- spect to the regulation of wages at the associated collieries in the future. A full report of the negotiations with the workmen's representatives was submitted by Sir W. T. Lewis, Bart., the chairman of the late sliding-scale committee and after a full discussion, a resolution was unani- I mously passed, entirely approving of the action I taken by the representatives of the association. In alluding to the breach by the general body of the workmen of the arrangement entered into with their representatives for a continuance of opera- tions until April 9th, the association unanimously re-confirmed the intimation which had been con- veyed to the members, and which had also been communicated to the press, that the members ot the association will loyally observe the arrange. I ments entered into. Having regard to the fact that the sliding scale committee ha snow ceased to exist, in consequence of the notice given by the j workmen to terminate the agreement on the 31st of March last, the association unanimously re- solved, in order to preserve friendly relations with the workmen, to request their representatives on the late joint committee to continue to exercise plenary powers already given to them by the as- sociation, and to be prepared to conduct any fresh negotiations with authorised representatives of the workmen for settling terms for the working of the collieries embraced in the association. Ar- rangements were made with a view to financially supporting every member of the association whose collieries have been on strike since the 1st of April."

MIDLAND COAL FOR WALES. LARGE CONTRACTS. The almost entire stoppage of the output of coal at the South Wales collieries is producing ac- tivity in the coalfields of the United Kingdom, and prices are everywhere advancing. It was announced in Birmingham on Tuesday that coal merchants who trade with the Principality had received telegrams from Welsh owners returning orders for all classes of Welsh coal, as they are unable to execute them, and also urgent applica- tions for prompt supplies of Midland and other fuel. The Eveson Coal Company, of Birmingham, have entered into enormous contracts with col- lieries in Staffordshire, Warwickshire, Derbyshire, South Yorkshire. East Lancashire, and also with Scotland and North Wales for coal to be delivered in Carnarvon and other South Wales ports. Ar- rangements are also being made by the .company for loading and supplying vessels now in the Bristol Channel with coal at Liverpool, Hull, and Grimsby, and the principals anticipate that they and other merchant houses will be able to meet all the requirements of the huge coal export trade otf Chrdiff and Swansea. The price of Welsh steam coal at the pits have doubled since- the crisis commenced.

MARINE EXCURSIONS. As will be seen by our advertising columns Messrs H. and A. Campbell, Limited, are running some fine trips to Ilfracombe, Weston-Super-Mare, and other favourite resorts in the Bristol Channel for the Easter Holidays by their magnificent New Fast Saloon Steamers Britannic, Cambria, and Lady Margaret, etc. No doubt, should fine weather prevail, numerous patrons of those popu- lar watering places will avail themselves of this opportunity, as the Messrs Campbell have, with- out a doubt, the best and fastest pleasure steamer? on the Bristol Channel. For further particulars- and times of starting see our advertisement col- umns. rinted and Published by T. Davies and Company, "Chronicle" Offices, 23. 24, and 25, Mill Street Pontypridd.