The Merthyr Express

j — STRIKING A LIGHT ¡ The following is a digest of the experimental lecture delivered at the Merthyr P.T. Centre tecently to the Work&rs' Educational Associa- tion by Mr. K. A. Harris, B.Sc.. teacher of «hemi £ try to the Evening Technical Schools;— Man has been acquainted with fire from the *ery earliest times. At the outset, this would eot come from fires ol his own igniting, but trom the fires of nature as found in volcanic and oil regions, and in those prairie tires which metirues devastate the more fruitful lands. he prehistorio man who had his potatoes baked to a turn" by a stream of lava, and Ahe prehistoric lady who scoured the stone- iroor of her cave-dwelling with hot water from OL neighbouring geyser, soon recognised the fcenefits accruing from the presence of a fire; I, And when we consider the domestic economy of that period, it is no wonder that attempts were I 'tnaae to obtain fire by human arrency. The operation known as striking a light, while is is one of the moat familiar things of {Common Life, has varied in a remarkable man- ner from age to age in the progress of mankind ftp to the present state of civilization. In every orm, however, the striking of a light is ac- companied with most beautiful and interesting phenomena, all of which illustrate some very important principles in the scienoes of chemistry and physics. The oldest method of "striking lia. light" consisted of rubbing together two pieces of wood. This is done in America at the present time with elkiC, on account of the ex- treme dry. One writer says that everything n dry in America-its humour notably, and I its people perpetually. We are told by Virgil, the Latin poet, who flourished in the first ceutury B.C., that in the reign of the Emperor Titus fire was ob- tained by rubbing decayed wood with a roll of Sulphur between two ftones. Burning glasses had, of course, been used in much the same way jas a mischievous school-boy us:s them to-day. 'Another old method of striking a light was ,by striking sparks from iron pyrites or flint by means of a piece of iron, in much the same I way as a boy with hob-nailed boots scatfera the Sparks from a hard road or pavement. A I Eauch later development of this was the tlnder- box., which was in common use until 70 years tgo. The tinder-box contained a piece of steel, & piece of flint, and some charred linen or tinder. By striking the steel and flint vigor- ously sparks are obtained, which are directed 011. to the tinder, and cause it to glow. A wooden splint tipped with sulphur could then be easily ignited, and the light was usualiy transferred to a tallow dip which was attaphed to the lid of the box. When we consider the trouble of obtaining a light by means of the tinder-box, we can easily understand why our I ancestors went to bed early. In 1770 Volta, whose name has been perpetu- ated in that branch of science called Voltaic electricity, suggested the use of the electric spark to ignite a jet of hydrogen gas. The apparatus used by Volta was called the "olec- trophorus." The nuisance about this instru- ment was that it proved somewhat capricious in its action, and altogether declined to work in damp and foggy weather. In 1820. Dobreiner, a German chemist, noticed that if platinum—a very rare metal-be obtained in a very finely divided state, it would glow on holding it in B. stream of gas, and eventually the gas would ignite. The so-called self-lighters which are sold arc usually modifications of tho original experiment of Dobereiaer, but the excessive cost of platinum prevents its widespread adop- tion as n. means of striking a light. Sir Humphrey Davy ia 18W7, succeeded in I rparati. tho alkali metals. One of these al- ali metals, potassium, when thrown on water gives rise to a vigorous chemical re-action, and hydrogen gas, whioh La moat inflammable, is f given off. The heat of the chemical action is Sufficiently great to ignite the gas, and a more or less severe explosion takes place, accom- or less severe explosion takes place, accom- panied by a violet flame. This method of strik- ing a light found a queer practical application. The potassium was alloyed with anotfier metal, and made up into small pellets, for the use of amokera. A pellet was placed on the tobacco -a._ in the pipe, this was moistened with the finger tip and a light was obtained. Needless to say, this method of striking a light is only sale with & churchwarden; with the ordinary pipe it will prove too effective a nose warmer. In this way we obtain some idea of the difficulty of obtaining fire, before the introduction of matches, and we can easily understand how eagerly some readier means were sought after. The match is the best servant of the house- hold, and the most constant ally of the smoker. We use the match from morn till night, and it is the match which proves our best friend in the hours of darkness. Suppose for a. moment that all matches were made to disappear. It re- quires no great imagination to picture the con- sternation and confusion that such a step would produce, and there is a grim humour in wondering how the older methods of striking a light would serve the impatient, race which is the product of these days of strenuous hustie. Now we come to the history of the match. The first chemical match was made by Chan- cel, a French chemist, in 1805. The ignition of this match depended on the fact that when a mixture of chlorate of potash and sugar is treated with oil of vitriol, flames are produc- ed. The head of the wooden splint was coated with chlorate of potash and sugar, and then dipped into oil of vitriol. which was carried about in a small bottle in the pocket. The next development was the use of phosphorus for obtaining fire. The term "phosphorus" was applied to a non-metallio substance which was discovered by one of the older alchemists, Brandt, in 1669. The word means "light- bearer," and the substance was so called be- cause of its peculiarly inflammable properties. RobertBoyle, the English chemist, scon after- wards discovered the secret of tho propaga- tion of phosphorus, and called it "nocti luoa," i.e., the body which glows in the work. Phosphorus was a very rare substance until Scheele showed that it could be pre- pared from bones. At the present time the sole source of phosphorus is bone, with the result that the farmers are deprived of many thousands of tons of valuable manure. Phos- phorus readily combines with oxygen, and this is the reason why it- burns so vigorously in air, which contains about 20 per cent. of oxygen. Under certain conditions, phosphorus will bum spontaneously. Phosphorus can be dissolved in a heavy oil, known as carbon bisulphide, and if a piece of paper bs dipped into this solution, the liquid will soon evaporate, leaving the phosphorus so finely divided that it takes fire, and the paper burns. This experiment was of- j ten used as a means of striking a light. Paper which had been dipped into this solution of phosphorus was carried about in a small tube; but as fire brigades wfje not plentiful and stone houses were scaroe." it was soon realised that such a mcans of striking a light possessed certain disadvantages. In 1816 tha first matches containing phos- phorus were made. A mixture of phosphorus and sulphur was placed in a tightly corked tube, and when a light was required a splint was introduced. On exposure to the air the phos- phorus and sulphur ignited, and then in turn ignited. the wooden splint. With such a match, there was no control, and there was great dan- ger. In 1827, John Walker, a druggist of Stockton-on-Tees, invented the first friction match, which was called the "Lucifer." These matches consisted of wooden splints tipped with sulphur and a mixture of chlorate of potash and sulphide of antimony; they were ignited by drawing them briskly between two pieces of glass-paper or sand-paper. Walker s lucifer matches were sold on cards of 84 for a shil- ling. The tinder-box managed to live through all these clever ideas of the scientists; the flint and steel were easily procured, and the in- gradients were not dangerous. Many of the adventurous men who employed other methods for striking a light were regarded as wizards, and it is related that the first traveller to take a match into Cornwall was well soused in the village pond. In 1833 the reign of the iia- der-box came to ax end, for at that date fric- tion matches containing phosphorus were first; made at .Vieaaa, find they. Lavs continue^ ia j -àf..J i use right up to tha present time. The match ci the present <5&j' ii ijpped with an ignition mix- ture coixsisluig1 of phosphorus, chlorate of pot- ash, red leao dioxide, etc. All these substantes, ixsitJck phosphorus, are simply to provide the phov.piicrvjs with the necossary cxy- gen to enable it to bum. In addition, the ig- nition mixture contains colouring matter to suit the tasca of the buyer, powdered glass or fine sand, and chalk or whiting as an adul- terant, the whole being made into a. paato with gum. We can illustrate the preparation of the matches by means of the specimens, for which I aindebted to Messrs. Bryant and May. Piece." o: e}j~.ice wood are cut into splints about fivA i long, and one-eighth of an inch squarey/aereas in other countries they are rnadii pwi-J in section by forcing the wooden block through a plate pierced with small round holes. i do not know why we make our matches square, uJiic-ss it is that Britishers doing things on the square. The wooden splints are next piacod on a travelling steel band; both ends are tipped in passing through a bath of molten paraffin wax, or sulphur, and then through a bath of the ignition mixture, the exact composition of which is a secret. The travelling band is about 700 feet in length, and follows a serpentine course, which occupies about one hour from start to finish, the speed being regulated according to the temperature so that the matches may be quite dry when they reach the boxes. When the band arrives at the finishing point, a steel bar punches out the matches stuck on its surface, and they fall into the inside boxes placed ready to catch them. These boxes are kept continually shaking so that no spaces are left and the matches fill them completely. As the inside boxes fill, a steel arm presses them forward into their covers, and they are passed along a trough in dozens, quiokly wrapped in paper, and seal- ed by a machine. Quick-fingered girls then wrap twelve of these dozen packets and we have the gross parcels so familiar in the shops. The sad side of this huge match industry is that the men and women engaged in the work are liable to suffer from phosphorous poison- ing, which is known as "phossy-jaw," or ne- crosis. The effects of this disease are more evident outwardly than those of lead poisoning. The disease consists of the death of certain parts of bone; the dead bone separates from the living tissue, and the process of separation is a slow one. New bone is often formed round the sequestrum, which often renders its removal difficult. As a rule, the surgeon waits until the dead part is loose, and then outs down through the new case, and removes the se- questrum. The cavity in which it lay gradu- ally closes, and a useful limb is the result. By means of a thorough system of ventilation in the factories, whereby the air is changed throuebout every four minutes, the ravages of this disease have been considerably curtailed; and the White Phosphorus Act of 1908, due to the energy of Mr. Lloyd. George, who was then at the Board of Trade, has done much to pre- vent the reckless methods of production adopt- ed by some firms. The last method of striking a light is the "safety match," which only strikes on the pre- pared surface on the outer cover of the box. The safety match was hailed with delight by those house-wives who wished to preserve the drawing-room wall-paper from ruination. The manufacture of the safety match was made possible by the discovery of "red". phosphorus in 1845 by Von Schrotter. This red phosphorus differs from yellow (or white) phosphorus, in that it is less inflammable, does not take fire on exposure to air, and is non-poisonous. In 1851, Lundstrom made use of red phosphorus for the manufacture of the safety match, and the first match of this kind was shown at the Grand Exhibition of 1851. The red phosphorus is placed on the rubber of the box. and the match is tipped with a mixture of chlorate of potash, red lead and antimony sulphide Note the various stages in the striking of a light by means of the safety match. The friction sets fire to the red phosphorus on the rubber of the box, this ignites the antimony sulphide, on the match, which burns in the oxygen supplied by the other ingredients; next the paraffin burns, and finally the wood itself ignites. These safety matches have not found the favour they de- serve. The discovery of a leadless glaze has made it possible for us to save the women and girls engaged in the potteries from lead poison- ing. The discovery of red phosphorus has made it possible for us to save the women and girls engaged in the match industry from the terri- ble ravages of phossy-jaw. Also cases of pois- oning of children due to the sucking of matches are made impossible; but custom overweighs common tense.1 We have thus obtained some idea of the different ways of striking a light. We have seen how the match is made, and have considered some of the re-actions involved. The history of the matches a good illustration of the growth of the science of chemistry; and WP. see in this convenient little object the result of pa- tient research on the part of our fore-fathers. Brandt, who accidentally discovered phosphorus in 1669, belonged to the old school of alchem- ists, who Fought for the "philosopher's stone," whereby they could convert the base metals into gold; for the "universal solvent" whereby all crystalline gems could be obtained; for the "elixir of life," which was to prolong life in- definitely. These were the modest aims of the alchemists. You may say that such ambitions sound foolih-but the great practical disco- veries had their origin in the out of the way researches of the alchemists. Depend; upon it, an object of lofty pursuit, though tliat object be one practically impossible of attainment, is not unworthy the ambition of a scientific man. Though we cannot scale the summit of the vol- cano, and peep within the crater, we may, not- withstanding, reach a point where we can examme the lava which the subterranean fires have melted. We can also do a great deal in our attempts to grapple with the impossible. It was eo with Brandt, and many other alchem- ists. Let us not cease from straining after the impossible, for thereby, benefit will not only accrue to ourselves, but to future generation"

London & North-Western Railway PASSENGER TRAIN ALTERATIONS. A new train will leave Tredegar for Newport at 9.50 p.m. on Mondays, Thursdays, and Sat- urdays. A new train will leave Newport at 10.30 p.m. for Sirhowy on Saturdays. The 8.12 p.m. train, Tredegar to Newport, Thursdays I and Saturdays only, will cease to run on Thurs- days. The 11.23 p.m. train, Newport to Sir- howy. Thursdays and Saturdays only, will also run on. Mondavi. hnd be slightly re-timed, The 5.30 p. m.. iriin, Ebbw Vale to Brynmawr, j will leave at 5,¡j fl. The 5.55 p.m. train,' Brynmawr io Ebb* .Vale, wia leave 6.2 p.m. j lrr.i:t_

_0 CORRESPONDENCE^ The Editor ish U to be distinctly understood that he will not tatd himself responsible for the opinions or statements 41 correfpondente, nor under- take to return rejected manuscript. Correspondents MUST write on one .4w of t. e paper only. Correspondents are ieqc'»^ to condense their re- marks as much as possible as. owing to the very reat demands upon our sp;:r.e, we cannot undertake to publish letters of grea. length. Letters of a personal character will not be inserted.

THE MERTHYR TOWN SOCCER TEAM. Sir,—I should be exceedingly obliged if you would kindly allow me a space in your valuable paper to reply to remarks made by "Observer" in last week's issues concerning the Merthyr Town A.F.C. He criticises the committee for persisting to play Daw instead of giving young Lewis a chance. Is "Observer" aware that young Lewis, through a slight mishap, has not been able to play for the last few weeks? Per- sonally, I Lsiieve that Lewis would have been in goal in tlie third round of the Welsh Cup and in matches but for his misfortune. He complains of the dismissal of Leonard. I do not intend to uphold the committee for get- ting rid of Leonard—it was a sad mistake— but "Observer" must remember that it isn't on the field of play alone a player wants brains. .Hé further complains of allowing Sam Weight- man to go. I have been given to understand that it was Weightman's wish to get nearer homo ("Home, sweet home"). Therefore, the committee were not altogether to blame for this. Let me as a working man, congratulate the committee for the excellent football that we have witnessed this season. Some matches have been bad, but every team has its day off. I am confident if the present eommitteee re- main in harness in season 1912-13 our Soccer team will bo in the First Division of the South- ern League. I hope "Observer" will not think that in my case "blood is thicker than water." I'm a total stranger to every member of the committee. The only complaint that I have to report is the language of some of the spectators. Hoping that the police will see to this in future. OLD FOOTBALLER.

THE MERTHYR ELECTION FIGURES. Sir,—You state you are surprised at the figures shown by the Merthyr Borough election -"d find it strange that voters should show h a disregard for the second Liberal candi- "te. and vote as they did for an avowed So- c'jJist. To an outsider they (the figures) may ••j v-pr unaccountable, but to a person so inti- by long years of close association as your- It vitl7 the electwate of this Borough they -t appear strange. In the first place, you know that the miners are the determining factors in all elections Parliament and mu. nicipal in tl^is borough- -and as one of them, I shall endeavour to enlighten you as to the cause of the "marvellous result." Now, I voted for both Mr. J Keir Hardie and Mr. Edgar R. Jones, and shall deal with the rea- son why I voted for Mr. Keir Hardie first. When at the booth voting for Mr. Hardie the ct that he called himself a Socialist was a ">.»tter of utter indifference to me. I voted for :a person whom I thought would endeavour to •iiloviate the drudgery and lesson the dangers appertaining to my calling, which men of my class have to face daily in order to obtain the wherewithal to exisi That Mr. Keir Hardie called himself a Socialist, was called Scotchman, etc., appeared to me as mere childishness, PlQa an attempt to prejudice my unfortunate cla-s-i-unfortunate both as regards education and opportunities. But I am glad the old cry e* '"wolf" has oeased to frighten •ja Tbe eW.ti.oo has shown that names have z:ct the si^iitf c-^aoe they once had, and that po- litics with ua, as a class, is not followed as ¡:ot the si^iitf c-^aoe they once had, and that po- litics with ii i, as a class, is not followed as i a hobby to while away an idle hour, or satisfy <■>:■ ere personal ambition. We realise we must j be up and doing. "Deffro, matn Dydd" should bo flfe motto of every man of my class, making it j mpossiblo for any person, shouting with ul- terior motives, "Socialist, Infidel, etc." Pre- judice is tho first born of ignorance, and we should safeguard ourselves, not against any- one, but fo 1 ourselves. As may be seen by cny who may read this, I am a Welshman. Why I should be praised1 for that passes my understanding, though; true, it is. I am so, by the same process that entitles a Lord to sit in the House of Lords. Now the appeal to vote for Mr. E. R. Jones wis particularly emphasised because he was a Welshman and a Liberal. Did I vote forhirn. because he is a. Welshman? No. nid I vote for him because he is a Liberal? No. Did I do so because he is entitled to tag on an M.A. to his name? Not at all. I voted for him who framed a Budget that would make no man's lot harder, no cupboard barer. Mr. E. R. Jones was to me only a means of conveying that vote; it was all I could do to appreciate the efforts of Mr. Lloyd George, who modestly calls him- self a Liberal. You state that the figures jus- tify two Liberals being returned, and are dumb- founded at the rejection of your protege, Mr. Pritchard Morgan. Why you should: so espouse a man who struck such a paralysing blow at Liberalism when he first came to the constitu- ency is beyond my feeble grasp. I say with great- er justice the figures justify two Labour members though I, 'personally, would not favour the pro- ject let us be as fair all round as we possibly can. I have before me as I write an election card of Mr. D. A. Thomae, appealing to the electorate of Cardiff. Experience! local know- ledge! business abilityl Such as he pithly puts it are the reasons why he should be re- turned, coupled, of course, with the fact that he is the Liberal candidate. For twenty long years he "sat" and "stood" for this constitu- enoy, and I voted for him. If any ask me why, they would find me without a valid reason for having done so. He may have represented the borough, and suitably answered many deserving appeals, but he never really represented the bulk of its inhabitants. It was indeed a diplo- matic move to forsake Merthyr, and offer his "experience" to his true love, Dame Cardiff, seeing he could not very well represent us miners in London, and sit with the opposition at Cardiff. Let me assure you the term "So- cialist" conveys no meaning whatever, and that Mr. Keir Hardie standing and relying solely as a Socialist without a strenuous career as a friend, or advocate, of the claims of labour to back it up, woul&tc-and no more chance than did Mr. Morgan, who called himself a Liberal. Yours sincerely, LEWIS JONES. 9, Ynysfach, Merthyr.

THE GENERAL ELECTION AND ITS LESSONS. Sir,—Now that the excitement of the election is over, and party feeling has resumed its nor- mal temperature we are able to survey the election with its methods and results in a more calm and unprejudiced spirit. If it is true that men will reveal what they think and feel in their inmost nature, more when they are in a stae of intoxication than when they are in a sober state, then this election has reminded us that politics means class hatred. Class hatred is as deep and strong to-day as ever it was. The late election was a cattle between the rich and the poor; between democracy and aristocracy Toryism stands for the monopolies and priveleges of the wealthy at the expense of the assertion of the rights of the poor. This funda- mental antagonism broke through all restraints and conventionalities by which it was varnished over so long as the poor submitted to the yoke of the rich. By saying this I do not mean that there are no nch persons in the Liberal ranks, and that there are no poor persons in the Tory ranks. I am simply explaining the meaning of Toryism and Liberalism. The power of the dukes and the lords to overawe the people is becoming less every day. They are no more demigods. Their vulgarity and lack of culture are now notorious. Their appear- ance upon the public platform has been a fail- ure and a source of gaeity to the nation. One important lesson which has been driven home by the election is that the Tories have realised that the "Tariff Reform" pill is too bitter to be swallowed by the electors without being mixed with plenty of German jam, and washed down with oceans of beer. Tariff Reform is too weak to stand upon its own legs. I am certain that the British electors will never accept it in a calm and sober state of mind. It is to the Tory interest to worki the people into a state of panic and excitement in order to blind their eyes to the real issues. Consid- ering the tremendous issues at stake at the election and what it meant to the workers, it is a pity that the people did not keep them- selves in a more calm and serious spirit. If this bad been done there is no doubt that the majority would have been greater. As it is, with all the intimidation and falsehoods re- sorted to by the Tories, the British electors have with no uncertain voice condemned' Tar- iff Reform. All the great industrial centres have voted against it. The result is exhilarat- ing when we remember that the industrial phaje has been the most prominent before the country. Certainly the cathedral cities and feudal England even if in a. majority could not force Tariff Reform upon the great industrial centres. What success they have attained is due to the indefatigable energy and persever- ence of Tariff Reformers since the election of 1906 in distributing literature in all parts of the country, in season and out of reason, and in spouting at the corners of streets and in pubIic-houee3 and in all places where men could be gathered together. What have the Liberals been doing between the two elections? We thought that we had given the death blow to Tariff Reform in 1906. The truth is, while we have been sleeping the enemy has been sowing the tares. The Tories a,re far more diligent, subtle, and unscrupulous than we are, and, they do not rest upon their lau- rels. This being so it will be to our advantage to imitate their diligence and perseverence, and leave their tricks alone. In saying this we are well aware that Wales and Monmouthshire have aquitted themselves magnificently. Although I do not. deprecate public meetings yet the election has taught us that a few hours' sys- tematic canvassing is of more value on the day of election than a hundred public meetings. The Tories know this. As a rule the majority of those who attend public meetings are not voters. Personally, I should welcome a Bill brought in by Parliament prohibiting door to door canvassing, and also to enforce that all elections should take place on the same day. I But the law being what it is, it is our ctuty j to utilise ell the legitimate facilities in our power in crder to secure our legitimate ends. 1 to to fa& pmwqe j elections for reasons which space will not per- mit me to give. There is no doubt that the Tories gained thousands of votes by sheer hard work, mixed with some amount of intimidation and falsehood. Here again the Tories beat us. Many of them, like Mr. Balfour, believe that & laudable end justifies the most questionable means to attain it. We do not. Liberalism, standing as it does for freedom and truth, depends more upon hard work and reasoned argument than Toryism and less upon the art of deception and simulation. Toryism, being based upon a. falsehood, can afford to wink at the voice of conscience, and adopt any method and language which do not come under the ban of the law of the country. There is no doubt that the Tories conquered in the country and rural districts by canvassing. Many voted against their conscience, because of a lack of organisation among themselves. But the great army of organised workers, as represented by the unanimous verdict of the great industrial centres, were not taken in by the falsehoods and terroism of employers. Ag- ricultural labourers sadly stand in need of a leader and of organisation. They are all units, standing upon isolated and unprotected ground. We must not be hard upon them if principles succumb to bread and cheese. After all, voting for the Budget reduces itself to voting for bread and cheese. I would prefer to see the Liberal Government in a minority if they had the support of the soldiers of industry rather than see them in a majority made up of the votes of cathedral cities and the towns and villages of feudal England. It would be a sign that they are on the side of those who are, with all their shortcomings, the glory of Great Britain. They are stronger thaft ever they were; not in numbers, but in the consci- ousness that they have won without resorting to base and ignoble methods, and without stoop- ing to appeal to the worst and most degrading instincts of human nature. If "righteousness exalteth a nation" then the Liberal Government can boast that they have and will exalt the na- tion.—Yours truly, EVAN MORGAN. 71, Queen-street, Tredegar.

THE VOICE OF THE INDUSTRIAL CENTRES. In your issue of the 29th ult., M.r Stevens says he cannot understand why his fellow-work- men voted in favour of Free Imports, but that in spite of the result here, Tariff Reform is coming. Maybe he is by now of a different opinion, when ho sees that all the industrial centres have by their votes given the death blow to Tariff Reform. England, on the whole, can once again recall to mind the words of Disraeli with regard to Protection. I wonder, as your correspondent &tated in a previous issue, is he democratic anough now to fall in with the majority. He bas aU along descanted I upon the cheapness of food in Protectionist countries, has ignored the privations caused by the tariffs such countries as America, { France, Spain, etc., to which wit- i nesses have testified. He has not ■expiaine^ why Germans, Spaniards, and other fore;g.r>fir. flock from their so-called Protectionist paradi.^ to our land, but now denounces his fellow j workers in a miid way as being unpatrlot'c by their refusal to listen to an appeal for pr^t'^r- 1 ence, which they know full well would, m first instant, wreck the bulk of c-export trade. Mr. Stevens says that party I support has not proposed any practical remedy for un- employment. I beg to differ with him on that point. If he had followed up tbeir legislation, he also would have known different. I still hold that no protective country has, even with the aid cf bounces, eo Sarge an amount of shipping and shipbuilding as Eng- land. Thus free trading encourages the home industries for which a country and its people are best fitted; it enables them to get by ex- change ail they want on the bsst terms, and they do not pay with money but with their labour in goods or services. Ajiy restraint or artificial direction by tariffs does not increase employment, but on the contrary reduces it by diverting it to less productive industries. I may state also that the imports and exports with each country do not bgJauiX* taken ) separately; the wants cf c-vi~:rie,- certainiv vary; and then they are sailed- indirectly. • For instance, England buy? w'ls.v*. from United States which is paid for ivojreeily by the from India and, say, wine Fra.rtco. Eng- land sends ootton and o.i,b(\r fnoc-s to those countries in return. All are pwd, all f-'s-t- what they require, and greater -etSctetvey swfi wealth follow. The complexity of the exxhzr.&'C* ob- scures the actual balancing of at-nounta, but it lS, nevertheless, accomplished. Tic- -.Xfi-raH of free trading tends to cheapness, &bi'««iance, Mid variety, the satisfaction of roj..7 wants. rhus, no matter what vw oifcer »."ountriea liold or follow, free trading cltoot cease to be advantageous because it z not universal, ("hanking you in anticipation,—Yours truly, MROFER FFIRAT.

WHY SHOULD A MAN VOTE? Sir,—Under the beading of "Penpoints" in ] pour issue for last week are the following. J words: "A man who deliberately neglects to j utilise his vote does not deserve to have one." As one who did npt vote, I may say that I believe that all reforms that are needed can be obtained without sending repreesntatiwes to the House of Commons. It was not the Gov- srnment that settled the Scottish miners' dis- pute, but the direct action of the miners of Great Britain. If the workers were' to realise the power of direct action, they would eecure It larger proportion of reforms for themselves, and immediately they decide to "act" instead of "vote," neither the Commons nor the lords will be able to refuse their demands. We see how much trouble is caused by the legal Eight Hours Day. The men are threaten- ed with a orisis that may mean a strike. We are led to believe that Parliamentary action was to end strikes, but if we have to go through these struggles to m&ke our position sure, of what use is Parliament to us? Instead of the Labour leaders spending time and money in associating with men with whom, apparently, they profess to be at variance, let them stay at home and utilise their energy in getting the workers federated; then they will find out that there is mora power in Trades Unionism to bring about the reforms they used than in all the Bills formed by lawyers for the benefit of lawyers.—I remain, yours truly, FREEDOM.

EBBW VALE COUNCILLORS DEFENDED. Sir,—Blindly permit me to have a word with your correspondent who, fortunately for us at Ebbw Vale, has condescended to correct the "bad manners" of a section of the representa- tives on the Ebbw Vale District Council. Sapere Ande" must be a very wise and cour- ageous person, especially seeing he is capable of putting words into the mouths of other peo- ple, and then holding them up to public ridi- cule, while he himself hides behind the old familiar barricade of a nom-de-plume. Up to the present he has shown a disregard of facts obvious to the man in the street, and although there are eighteen members ou the District Council, he pays absolutely no attention to the majority of that body, but spends his time and énergy in having "a fling" at two or three mem- bers who are styled Labour. Now, if "Sapere Ande" is particularly anxious to do a public service in criticizing the work of this body, or even an individual of its number, let him do so fairly, and not, as we have seen in the past, take every opportunity to sneer at men be- cause they labour under the disadvantage of ba.ving been drawn from the ranks of the ) working classes. I would inform "Sapero Ande" that the time is slowly but surely coming when'the labouring classes will come into their j awn, when his little "quips" and "eallips" will I n*} longer serve to influence and prejudice the j ininds of the working claqpes against tl^OM of j ;heir own kith and kin. j .œ@ 1 tha; Mr George Davies had objected to Mr. Cameron raising the question of the Catholic School at his political meetings. Nothing of the kind has ever taken place, but seeing thaf Mr. Cameron had dealt with the subject, lr. George Davies took the opportunity of ex- plaining the whole matter to a meeting of miners. Apparently, "Sapere Ande" dislikes the truth to come out on this question, because, with all his enlightenment on public questions, he, too, believes that public money should go to institutions over which they have no con- trol. There are many of the same ingenious and^ calculating mind as himself in the district of Ebbw Vale. The other day I came across an old man whose piind had been poisoned against the present Council on the question of co-opt- ing a member of the Friendly Societies on the Old Age Pension Committee. He had been thoroughly persuaded the members of the pre- sent Council were against pensioners of Friend- ly Societies receiving the Government's Old Age Pension. That, as everyone must know, is a "frigid and calculated lie." These things, 1 suppose, will continue while there are ambi- tious men in the world, and the only pity of it is that men will stoop to substitute this kind of propaganda for honest endeavour to represent and rise above their fellows. The primary duty of a newspaper critic should be to ascertain the truth of every rumour he might have heard, then if he agrees or disagrees with a statement or sentiment of any public man, let him can- didly say so, and advance arguments for or against the culprit as he thinks proper. In the present case, however, "Sapere Ande" winds up his satirical reference to this epi- sode in the significant words, "More power to his elbow." Let us examine what lie really sug- gests. More power! Ominous words. Mr. Cameron, of course, may be trusted with it, but the electors of West Monmouthshire are anxious to see a little more of him before they a.re quite prepared to hand it over to him. Even the Irishman knows what he is about in his selection of a member of Parliament. The Irishman could not trust Mr. Cameron with much "power" in this direction, and it may be we shall hear a little less in these latter days of injustice to Catholic teachers. But what does this "power" mean that "Sapere Ande" is so willing to hand over to Mr. Cameron? What is to be the basis of this "religious edu cation 7" Is it to teach the children that "all men are equal before God?" And will those to whom "Sa.pere Ande" gives more power teach the children that "the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof?" Will they teach the children the Brotherhood of man, and couple with it tho "Fatherhood of God?" The teach- ing they are anxious to impart is that the children should look upon their state in life as the ordered course of a.beneficent Creator. They must be made to understand that it is quite in keeping with the revealed "will of tod" that some should wallow in misery, while others are surfeited with luxuries. If they hap pened to have been born in a one-room tene TOert, nothing can hurt so long as the landlord jets his rent. Christ, we must nemember, was born in a manger, and we should always count i*- «ign of God's favour if there is no break ''PR;, to have before going to school. In what- <\V9t' -tate of life it hath pleased God to call ir wc must learn to be content. That is the foundation of the faith our children must be taught if these people can have their way, and that is the foundation I shall do my little to destroy. It is blasphemy to teach the children such absolute contradictions. A child knows that a kind man would have better ordered the world and would crush under his foot such an "ulcerous ant-hill" of inequalities that he sees around him. If "Sapere Ande" is right in handing over the purse to the Catholics, why do we not do the same thing with the Baptists, the Independ- ents, and all the other denominations. If these people thought they could secure "rate-aid" some of them would start schools to-morrow. No, a thousand times no! we cannot be parties to such a policy, and if your correspondent is anxious in future to bolster up such a cause, let him come out in the open field.—I am, youfs, etc., etc., EVAN DAVIZO- 47, Beaufort Hill, Beaufort.

IRELAND AND HOME RULE. Sir,—Aliow me to protest against some of the statements made by your correspondent, "A Police Constable." He says that "Every re- form that the Irish obtained wa3 wrung from John Bull at the point of the bayonet. The shooting of the tithe collectors led to Disestab- lishment," and that "Land reform was gained by the Irish farmers turning landlords and their agents into targets." Supposing this-were true of the Irish, is it becoming of an Irishman to raise the curtain so to expose such a hor- rible picture? Surely your correspondent has hoard of the police system in Ireland, known as "Sheridanism." Its victims are to be found in all parts of the country. It is evident that "A Police Constable" is of the old school of thought. He cannot write of Ireland without bringing in the Roman Catholic Church and the so-called bravery of the Irish in English bat- tles. The red-eoat to the Irish is the symbol of the plunder of the sacred birthright of liberty, so that there is no respect for an English sol- dier no matter what his nationality may be. Ireland could not gain anything by the bayonet; her only hope is in having her just claims heard. Justice will some day be done to her much.,wronged people.-—Yours, etc., A SOCIALIST.

WORK OF CLERKS. Sir,—Your correspondent "Quill," in his letter under the above heading in your last issue, touches upon a subject tha.t sorely needs discussion. The instance he gives of the long hours which clerks are compelled to work is but a somewhat common example of the con- ditions to which commercial clerks in Merthyr and the surrounding district have to submit. And it should be borne in mind that in most of theso cases clerks are not paid a single half- penny for any overtime they may have to work. It is sureJy time for clerical workers to realize that if they wish to remedy the present state of affairs—the low wages paid and long hours worked—they must learp to unite and organize themselves as other trades and pro- fessions have done. Then, and only then, will they be able to effectively demand for themselves proper conditions of work, reasonable hours, and a living wage- I understand that a move- ment is at present on foot to form a local branch of the only Trades Union that caters exclusively (and therefore effectively) for cler- ical Workers. It is to be hoped that all em- ployees in the various offices of Merthyr and district will fall into line with the national movement, and thus help to benefit themselves and their fellow-workers throughout the coun. try QUILLDRIVER.

Compensation to be Paid. THE CLOSING OF MERTHYR PUBLIC HOUSES. LORD CHIEF JUSTICE AND COUNTY COUNCIL'S STRANGE ATTITUDE. In the King's Bench, last Friday, before the Lord Chief Justice and Justice Phjllimore and Bucknill, a. case came on for hearing on a rule nisi calling upon the Commissioners of Inland Revenue to show cause why a writ of manda- mus should not issue, directed to them com- manding them to hand over in accordance with the Licensing Act, 1904, and the rules made thereunder, the sum of P3,000, being part of the levy made by the Glamorganshire .Compensa- tion Authority, under Section 3 of the Act. There were other rules upon the Justices of Glamorganshire to show cause why a man- damus should not issue ordering them to pay or cause to be paid to Elizabeth Ann Davies, being a person along with others entitled to compensation upon the refusal to renew the li- cence of the King's Head Inn in the borougvof Merthyr, the sum of 70 10s., her share, as ascertained by the compensation authority, of the money agreed upon and approved as com- EBnsation payable on the refusal to renew such cence; also to show cause why sums should not be paid to Charles Russell James, Thomas Johnes Llewellin, and Gwilym Christy James, as trustees of the freehold estate of John George Llewellyn, deceased1, upon the refusal to renew the licences of the Hog and Castle Inn, Dowlais, and the Black Cock, the sums of J6214 and £ 13, respectively; also why they should not pay to David Evan Jones the sum of 2478, in respect of the refusal to renew the licence of the Castle Inn, Dowlais; also why they should not pay to Andrew Buchan £ 769 in respect of compensation for refusal to renew the licence of the Balance Inn, Mertbyr. The Attorney General and Mr. W. Fin lay appeared on behalf of the Inland Revenue to show cause against the first rule, which was supported by Mr. Danckwerts, K.C., Mr. Vaughan Williams, and Mr. E. B. Herbert, Mr. B. Francis Williams, K.C. (with him Mr. Pease), also appeared in this rule for the county borough of Merthyr. Mr. Danckwerts, K.C. (with him Mr. Vaughan Williams and Mr. Her- bert), showed cause against the rules directed to the Justices of Glamorgaushire, and the-rules wer", supported by Mr. Eldon Bankes, E.C., and Mr. W. Mackenzie. The Solicitor-General said there "were other cases indirectly connected with tl- one. The- point that arose was whether or not the Com-' missioners of Inla.Ad Revenue should pay to the Glamorgan County Council a sum of £ 3,000 raised as compensation levy in respect of cer- tain licensed houses in the county borough of Merthyr. At the time of the levy Merthyr was part of the administrative county of Glamor- gan, but subsequently it was constituted a separate borough, becoming a oounty bor- ough. The Lord Chief Justice, in giving judgment,' said that in regard to the first rule, Mr. Danck- werts for the Glamorgan Quarter Sessions said the money ought not to be paid to Merthyr because the Glamorgan Quarter Sessions fixed the scale and it should be paid to them. He (the Lord Chief Justice) confessed he was un- able to follow the sequence of that argument. Had things remained as they were the money would have been paid to Glamorgan, not be- cause they had fixed' the levy, but because they were the proper authority, but now the county of Merthyr had succeeded them as the autho- rity, and the properly constituted authority to make the levy and receive the money. The rule, therefore, must be discharged. Respecting the other rulA, the Lord Chief Justice said if the Glamorgan County Council were not in a position to pay the money awarded they could not get relief there. There must be a return made and a special case stat- ed. But by affidavit and correspondence there was abundant evidence that the compensation authority (the Glamorgan County Council) after accounts were due and after the rules were obtained had money enough to pay the compensation to the 1907 licenoes, including the Merthyr houses, but they had only excluded Merthyr from payment because of the pending dispute. There was not sufficient evidence for the court to say the mandamus must not issue, and the application must be granted. Justice Philimore and Bucknill concurred. An order was made that the compensation be paid within six weeks, including the statics of the licensing officials.

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