The Rhondda Leader

Editorial Notes. The New Year has started on its jour- ney. The outlook in trade is promising of a flourishing period for the workers. It is to be hoped that thrift and prudence in the disposition of the fruits of the coming prosperity will come with it. We have experienced fat years in the past, and painfully observed in them that im- provident regard for the inevitable lean years which have as unerringly followed as those in the long past history of Egyptian records. We are, however, not pessimistic, because we have not been without observing the gradual rising of a higher and nobler standard of life and living among the toilers of our well-known Valleys. There is less drunkenness and less extravagance of speech and conduct; the gradual falling away of the credit system, and a more serious conception of the function of life, all point to the fact that the people are getting to live more rationally and more naturally. Educa- tion, if slow, is surely a permeating in- fluence. The generation of to-day has a smaller number of ne'er-do-wells than the preceding ones. Crime is less, and the revenue of the Police Courts of the county, upon the best authority from this source, is declining. The Drinking Clubs of the Rhondda, it is true, still exist; but those that patronise them, display less effron- tery than in the earlier years of their establishment, and bounce less about it. The Drunkards Act, no doubt, can account for the suppression of much of the public demonstration of the inebriate. He sneaks homeward to-day, and vocalises less upon the public streets. However, we have to confess that the police record for vigilance is not clean, and that there is a seeming oversight at times. A little rigour could be shown in this respect. If people will not conduct themselves from impulses of pure liking for decent behaviour, they must be made to respect their neighbours' sense of orderliness by the discipline of the law. People can be made better by Act of Parliament. The temperance habits of the nation can be cultivated by the absence of facilities. Old topers may revolt, and continue, temporarily, incorrigible; but the younger folks grow up by the very absence of lead into temptation" facilities into cleaner and more sober folks. Man is' a bundle of habits, and the nature of the being can be decided in youth to a very large and effective extent. We are glad, therefore, for this, that the new Street Betting Law came into force with the New Year. The new Act is not a long one, but it is long enough to make it clear that a street bookmaker, wherever he plies his unholy business, can be taken up by any constable without warrant, to be punished to the extent of £20 on second conviction. If he is proved to have a betting transaction with a per- son under 16 years of age, he makes him- self liable, on conviction on indictment, to a fine not exceeding JE50, or to im- prisonment, with or without hard labour, for a term not exceeding six months, without the option of a fine. We are glad to find that in its code of penalties for offences against youth, the new Act is particularly severe. This principle in the Act recognises the permanency of moral injury to the young, and indeed legislation generally dealing with the protection of young people emphasises the importance of the sacredness of juvenile life, and its right development. We must train citizens if we hope to make better the future. Early in January we were faced with a General Election. Every section of Labour took deep interest in this elec- tion, probably more than in any previous election. We had had five years of Taff Valeism, in addition to other pin-pricks administered by employers and others, and occasionally it appeared as though with the encouragement of the late Government. Labour, to use a meta- phorical term, pulled its coat off," with a view, if possible, of improving matters. When the result was known there were 50 Labour members in the House, mem- bers who were there pledged to Labour's particular interest, not pledged merely by the signing of a paper constitution, or the guarantee of a yearly income, but by a life's work in Labour's interest. We had also a Government to a. very large extent that had won the election and obtained a record majority in the House of ommollls who were pledged to certain Labour reofrms. These pledges to a very large extent have been carried out. The shackles have been struck off the Trade Unions, and we have now got the Trade Disputes Bill on the Statute Book. We have got an amended Compensation Act, which has met with the approval of all sections of the Labour Party in the House, a Bill that includes at least 6,000,000 workers that have been excluded from compensation for injuries received in the past. It has also stepped out in a new direction-important from the work- men's point of view-and included indus- trial diseases. Seamen are now included in the Act, and the objectionable 30-foot limit on buildings has been cleared away. A very thoughtful provision has been made for youths who may be unfortu- nately injured while in their minority and in receipt of low wages. We have also got a Bill for the Feeding of School Children, ensuring the feeding of the young without pauperising the parents. No attempt has been made to deal with that very important and difficult problem of the unemployed except in the shape of a grant of money from the national funds. This is a mere palliative, and does not deal with the question in a permanent way. However, on the whole we may say that during the year 1906 Labour and Trade Unions have got more legislation dealing directly with them than they have had for the past 20 years. Some long- standing grievances have been cleared out of the way, and" new machinery set up which will undoubtedly prove beneficial and advantageous in the future. The news that the Bute Pits at Tre- herbert will be re-opened for work, is really a. good budget for the Upper Rhondda. Twenty-five years ago, the Bute Colliery was the basis of the com- mercial vitality of Treherbert, and it is remarkable how this has been well sue- tained, despite this shutting down. Blaenycwm has remained. It is true that Fernhui and Ynysfeio have developed, and the latter promises very great expansion. With these facts in front of us, the salu- tation, Blwyddyn newydd dda," is no mere lip pronouncement. Bute Pit has the antiquity of pioneering steam coal enterprise in the Rhondda, and that it is to-day again still ready to unburden its black diamonds proves absolutely that the Rhondda is veritably inexhaustible in its wealth of coal. The triumph of Cardiff footballers against the Springboks has restored to Wales its great prestige in the Rugby game. We are naturally pleased. How- ever, the South Africans have not come here in vain. If they have proved how consistently invincible they can be in the field, in the sphere of combining football with a healthy moral and Christian tone, they have done infinitely more than by any record of goal and tries. There would have been less objection to football from the dear old saints of the country if foot- ballers had shown that the game was made temperately subordinate to good conduct and character. The best men in the Welsh football circles have always shown this good example, but there have been too many of the wild and wayward sort. The South African Captain was indeed a grand fellow. He has left us a sterling example that a man can be an exemplary professing Christian and be a hero in playing the game. Speaking at Pontypridd, he preached on Watch, pray and wait." In the address he boldly asserted that players could take Christ with them to the football field. Where, he said, could they get a grander oppor- tunity to be a testimony for Him than in front of thousands of spectators. They could not all as Christians be parsons, but they could all preach by their words and actions, and they could preach, yea, as much, if not more, on the football field than in their everyday walks of life, because their actions were seen by the thousands, and if those actions were good they would appeal to the crowd. He did not mean that a person on the football field could not do an unworthy act, as in everyday life—they would not be perfect until they reached the better life-but their failures, if taken in the right light, should be stepping stones to higher and better things. Miners' Eight Hours will come. The present Government is inspired by Labour aspirations, and, therefore, we trust that miners will consider, and consider well, words of counsel given by Mr. Watts Morgan on the question of stop-days. Mr. Morgan said that it was time for the workmen to put their house in order in this connection. They had been agitating and spending hundreds of pounds in main- taining that they were entitled to a reduction of working hours. He could cite cases where accidents were directly attributable to the excessive overtime which the men worked. They had had a definite and sincere pledge from the Government that they would include in their programme of legislation for next session an Eight Hours Bill for those employed in the mining industry, and if the men allowed themselves to work excessive overtime, thus cheapening their labour, it would make it more difficult for them to obtain a living wage after the passing of the Eight Hours Bill. He, therefore, would make a strong appeal to the men not to work on stop-days due to shortage of wagons, &c., except in cases of emergency.

The Rhondda Nonconformist League. The delegates from each Ward autho- rised to be appointed by the Noncon- formist League Conference held at Porth before Christmas, will meet on Wednes- day next at Porth Welsh Congregational Vestry, to draft out the objects and rules of the organisation. It is to be hoped that there will be a full and representa- tive gathering. The political barometer, through the failure of Parliament to pass the Education Bill, indicates clearer than ever the necessity of tight cohesion on the part of Nonconformists. The Passive Resisters' organisation in England has been re-animated for a vigorous cam- paign, and the friends of religious liberty and equality in schools and churches must be prepared for a stiff contest with the well-organised forces of clericalism in the country. Everything points to a veritable Waterloo," and Nonconformists must wake up in readiness for a great crisis. lue delegates that have been selected should, therefore, set everything aside in order to make good the representation which they have undertaken. We are too prone to accept honours and let the work be done by a few. We want in these days the spirit of the Ironsides of old, and the fathers in the strife of the Puritan reformations. A full list of the delegates has been sent to the general secretary from the Ward secretaries, and we are confident that, this time, the Rhondda will play its part honestly and courageously.

Caersalem (P.W.B.) Church, Llwynypia. On New Year's Eve, the children and young people of the above church were entertained to a splendid spread at the Llwynypia Schools. The female members presided over the tables, which were tastefully decorated for the occasion. The onerous duties attending such treats were easily coped with by the ready and willing assistance rendered by a large number of young ladies. After clearing the tables, a very successful entertainment was held, under the presidency of Mr. A. Meredith (deacon), in which the children to,IK the chief part in singing and reciting suitable items, assisted by several adults, while Mr. T. L. Old (junr.) acted as accom- panist. It is gratifying that, although about four hundred sat at the tables, not only were the whole of the expenses defrayed-which meant no small sacrifice at this expensive season—but a substan- tial surplus was realised for the Sunday School fund. It is worthy of note that, as is her regular custom in children's treats, Mrs. Williams, White Hall, pro- vided the children with a large hamper of oranges, and all returned home having fully enjoyed both tea and entertainment.

The New County School Scheme. Is the Rhondda to Suffer P A joint meeting of the local County School Governors and County Councillors was held at the Lecture Room of the Porth County Police Station on Wednes- day evening. It was convened by Mr. Tom John, M.A., ex-president of the N. D.T., on behalf of the Governors of the Porth County School, and was called for the purpose of considering certain obser- vations on the proposed administration of the Glamorgan Intermediate and Tech- nical Fund. Councillor Daniel Thomas, irealaw, presided, and amongst others present were Alderman Morgan Williams, Porth; County Councillor D. Watts Mor- gan, Mr. Tom John, M.A., Councillor Enoch Davies, Dr. T. H. Morris (chair- man, Glamorgan Education Committee), and Mr. E. Samuel, M.A. (headmaster Porth County Schools). Mr. Tom John explained that tb Governors of the County School were dis satisfied with the new scheme propounded by the Glamorgan County Sub-Committee, and were anxious that the views held by them should have the support of the County Councillors from the Rhondda, with a view of giving effect to their wishes in regard to the scheme, which had been submitted to them for observation and comment; hence the meeting that evening. This course had been adopted because it was felt that, under the terms of this new scheme, the Rhondda would be sufferers, and they thought that the only remedy was to get the County Coun- cillors to move in the matter. As an instance under the original scheme, with an accommodation of 180 the Rhondda was entitled to a t5 grant per member, but under the new scheme they would only get 92 Ils. and he felt, therefore, that on the question of the distribution of the annual grants the Rhondda would lose. Mr. John then quoted figures show- ing the enormous increase in the average attendance in the County Schools, and submitted that in view of this they should have a brighter and more generous out- look with regard to the future. Then again, there was the question of inequality which presented itself under the new scheme. Penarth, for instance, with an accommodation for 160, would still get ESOO. Gowerton, with its accommodation for 120, would still get £ 600; Merthyr, with 180, would get £ 900; whilst Ponty- pridd (two schools) would still retain its E5 per head. He could not, therefore, understand why the Rhondda got only £ 900 for 350, or an average of only E2 lls. per head. Another department which would suffer under the new scheme was the scholarships and bursaries, and to those who were interested in the welfare of the children of the poorer classes this was an important item. At present, they were entitled to one-fifth of the increment ot the schools for these purposes. But even this would be changed under the new scheme; it may reach one-fourth, or even one-sixth, which meant that it would be reduced to 3s. 4d. They were all pos- sessed of a democratic spirit, and what they desired was that the child of the poor yet aspiring working man should be placed on as sound a footing as possible in this respect. The question of fees was also one of paramount importance. He would remind them that the working man of the Rhondda would be very much hampered if fees were raised higher than they are at present, and he would like to see a resolution passed to the effect that fees should be made uniform throughout the country. The question was a vital one to the working classes, who had the cause of education at heart. Alderman Morgan Williams and County Councillor D. Watts Morgan both exh- pressed themselves as being in full accord with the sentiments expressed by Mr. Tom John, and stated that as the proposed scheme had a detrimental effect upon the schools and the children of the working men, every possible endeavour should be utilised towards combatting the proposed alterations. Eventually, after further discussion, the following were appointed to act as a deputation to lay their grievances before the Finance Committee of the schools Councillors D. Watts Morgan, Thomas Jones (Treorchy), Enoch Davies (Treher- bert), Daniel Thomas (Trealaw), and Mr. Tom John. Mr. W. T. Davies, solicitor, and clerk to the Governors, was unfortunately un- able to be present, in consequence of an attack of influenza, and he was deputised by his chief clerk, Mr. Evans.

Death of a Dinas Nonagenarian. On Monday last, the remains of Mr. Thomas James, familiarly known as Twin Siams Bach," of Rhys Street, Trealaw, were committed to rest. Deceased, who was born at Dinas in 1813, was the oldest inhabitant in the locality, and a marvel to all who knew him, being quite vigorous and strong until a fortnight ago and succumbed to an attack of bronchitis. About 65 years ago, he was landlord of the old Butcher's Arms, Penygraig, and subsequently kept the Cross Keys Hotel, Tonypandy. The sparse population of this district at that time was not conducive to fortune-making in that line of busi- ness--a hard day's work being much more lucrative-and the deceased decided to give up the business. It is a remarkable fact in his long career that he was 60 years of age before he tried to save money. Previously, he had no care for money, except for the natural pleasures it com- manded. At the age of sixty he pledged himself to a companion to abstain for three months from touching intoxicants. It proved a hard and a difficult task for him, but he found himself gradually get- ting richer, and at the expiration of the first three months again pledged himself for a further term, and yet another, and so on until as the result of a few years' saving he built a few dwelling-houses at Penygraig, which afforded him a comfort- able retirement for many years past. In his old age he made his own old-ace pension, and lived long and well to enjoy it. Marw pawb, marw pob oed, Marw hynaf a'r ieuengaf erioed."

Ferndale Harmonic Society. The above choir has just been formed under the conductorship of Mr. T. R. Davies, the organist of the Welsh Wes- leyan Chapel. It is intended to perform shortly that well-known opera, Mari- tana" (in character). Mr. J. R. Lewis (Alaw Rhondda) is to be the accompanist. The choir consists of the chief voices of the locality, Mr. E. H. Williams acting as secretary.

ROME CURIOUS LAWS. The old Blue Laws of Connecticut are not generally known to the American public, far lees to English people. Here are a few interest- wi? £ Pf?Vm€T: any person turns Quaker be Bhall be banished, and not suffered to re- turn upon the pain of death"; No one shall run on the Sabbath Day or walk in his garden or elsewhere except reverently to and from meeting "If any man shall kiss his wife or wife kiss her husband on the Lord's Day the party in fault shall be punished at the discretion of the court of magistrates"; "A debtor in prison swearing he has no estate olum be led ed tad sold to make satialaei