Llais Llafur

I CORRESPONDENCE. HOUSING REFORM IN THE SWANSEA VALLEY. I To the Editor of Llais LlaJur." Sir.—Every housing reformer in the Swansea Valley must feel grateful to Colonel Gough for hJ; speech at Godre- 'rgraig on Thursday last. The Squire of Ynisceidwyn House told the as&e^Lhled Councillors how anxious he was that the development of Godre'rgraig should be on most modern Town Planning lines, and condemned the ugly massing together of long streets. This attitude of Colonel Gough represents a real ad vance, and the Pontardawe District Councillors ought immediately to take the Colonel at hia word and proceed to the mapping of all available building land in accord- ance with the provisions of the Act. There is another landlord in the Valley who has shown practical interest in housing reform on modern lines. I refer to Mr. H. N. Miers, of Clydach. Col. Gough and Mr. Miers, with the co-opera- tion of the District Council, could initiate a movement in housing which would con- stitute a real reform, and be a working example for landlords of other districts to emulate. Trusting that something practical and immediate may be the outcome of Colonel Gough's most promising speech. I am, yours, etc., HOUSING REFORMER. Ystalyfera.

REPORTED HOME RULE 1. SETTLEMENT. Bill to be Passed, but Modifications Later. The Central News says an agreement has teen reached in regard to the Home Rule Bill. The arrangement was arrived at on Sunday morning after communica- tions had passed between all the mem- bers of the recent conference. It is agreed that the Home Rule Bill shall re- ceive the Royal Assent, and that amend- ments shall be introduced at some future date. The coming into operation of the Bill will be deferred as long as possible in order to permit further consultations to take place. The Press Association says that Mr. John Redmond was congratulated in the Parliamentary Lobby by several Union- ists after the speech in which he declared that the Government might safely with- draw every soldier from Ireland. There was also significant fraternisation during the evening between Nationalist members and English Unionists. There is reason to believe another step has been taken towards a settlement of the Ulster ques- tion. The Russian Ambassador, the Spanish Ambassador, the Belgian Minis- ter, the Greek Minister, and the Swedish Minister sat in the Ambassadors' Gallery during Sir Edward Grey's speech in the House of Commons. ————— -—————

CUT OFF HIS FINGER. I SWANSEA FOREIGNER WHO WILL NOT FIGHT. A foreigner residing in Swansea is re- ported to have deliberately cut off one of his fingers to prevent his being re- quisitioned for military service for his country. The reason he gives is that, he will not fight against the British, whom he has lived amongst for some years. -40

GERMANS LEAVING SWANSEA. I The German Consul at Swansea. (Mr. Dahne) on Tuesday received the first no- tice from his Government re the German Army reservists in the town, and many assembled for departure at once. About 200 are affected in the ditrict. Amongst those going back to Germany are the two eons of Mr. Roeder, manager of the Mannesmann Tube Works, Landore.

HOUSING CONDITIONS IN WALES. Gorseinon Accidents and Compensation. MR. JOHN WILLIAMS QUESTIONS MINISTERS. In the House of Commons on Thursday, Mr. John Williams (Labour, Gower) asked the President of the Local Govern- ment Board whether he had received from the Pontypool Trades and Labour Council an application for an inspection by a representative of the board of hous- ing conditions in the Abersychan urban area; whether he proposed to comply with that request, and, if not, would he ex- plain Why that was not to be done. Mr. Samuel replied to the first part of the question in the affirmative. He had received from the district council a state- ment of the action now being taken by them, and he had sent copy of that i statement to the Trades and Labour Council for their consideration. The urban council had almost completed the erection of 36 houses, and they were acquiring twelve acres of land for the erection of additional houses. Under the circumstances he did not consider it ne- cessary to have an inspection of the dis- trict made. Mr. John Williams asked the President of the Local Government Board if he would give a list of local authorities in- Wales and Monmouthshire that had not yet adopted codes of street and building bye-laws or were known to be about to do so. Mr. Samuel said he would send the hon. member a list of the authorities re- ferred to. Mr. John Willia.ms asked the Home Secretary whether he would make in- quiries into the working of the Work- men's Compensation Act in West Wales generally and the town of Gorseinon in particular, and whether he would ask for a return of the Occidents that had oc- curred at the Swansea Navigation Com- pany's collieries thereat for the last two years, and the number of compensation cases arising tlierl-from the amounts claimed, the amounts paid, and the num- ber of cases suspended, the periods of such suspension, and the present number of disabled persons who were not in re- ceipt of compensation who were claiming the same. Mr. McKenna I have no evidence be- fore me pointing to the need of a special inquiry in West Wales, but a general in- quiry into the working of the Act is to be instituted very shortly, and the Com- mittee which will be appointed for the purpose will have full power to go into any questions that may have arisen in this district. I do not think I have any power to call for such a return as that suggested in the question.

AInrican MarM Wern Road, YSTALYFERA J.G. EVANS (late Manager of the YoWyfora Co- operative Society) and Co., Beg to announce that they have opened the above premises with a large stock of Groceries & Provisions I Of the Highest Possible Quality at the Lowest Prices. I tinrnimimiM M l ill WlfWlPB—tWM—W IAESYDDEEWEN COUNTY SCHOOL. YSTRADGYNLAIS School will re-open for the next term Tuesday, 15th September, 1914. Intending new pupils are advised to apply at once (there are now only a few vacancies) to the Headmaster for admission forms, as new entrants will be admitted strictly in order of appli- cation. Fees, £ 1 10s. Od. per term. B. L. THOMAS, Clerk to the Governors, Ystradgynlais. Welsh Flannel and Wool Stores LONGTON HOUSE, Herbert St., Pontardawe. STOCKINGS RE FOOTED ON THE SHORTEST NOTICE. lOd. PER PAIR. POST FREE. Send for patterns and price liete for all kinds of Wool and Flannel. Note Address— J. W. MORGAN, Pontardawe & Seven Sisters W. A. WILLIAMS, Phrenologist, can Qe consulted daily at Vhe Victoria Arcadn (near the Market), Swansea Sensational Bargains in Smart Ready-to-Wear Garments -AT- aaa?M?? ? ? A SM? iBB???w?  SU Sill FB raerD■ ■ WSV B ARnS' SUMMER ■■■n *iw o? um mf.0 ul- a s LE V MrW H I tUO — It has become imperative that we clear the remainder of our Fine Stock of Summer Garments, and we are doing so at every cost. We are making Special Window Displays of Effective Garments, eminently suitable for seaside and Holiday Wear, and although they are worth to-day the full ordinary figure- 25/- to 45/6, they are offered at One Price, 10/6 each. Do iiot confuse these offerings with the rubbish general'y offered at" orie price Sales. We cannot mislead you because the Bargains speak for themselves. You can examine them in our windows, and you can see that they are what we represent them to be —absolutely New Goods priced at much less than the cost of production. 10 SPECIAL OPPORTUNITIES ? Pretty Crepe Cloth Dresses, Black and White Check, Very Effective White Robes, made of real French Em- m I Coatee effect, skirt all white, collar trimmed with broiderv, design exclusive to us. Season's Price 45/6 S chene ribbon with sash ronnd waist. Worth 35/6. Sale, Half a Guinca. Clearing at Half a Guinea. j h Black and White Check Sports Coat, 29/11. Number a 8 Smart Poplin Cloth Costumes, tussore sh1 ades, with Black and White Check Sports Cbat, 29 1 r. Number | pearl buttons. Now Offered at Half a Guinea. B 25/11 worth for Half a Guinea. v. | j Lined Costume, Saxe-blue w:th white spots, coat j Effective Saxe Blue Cashmere Dresses, Collar edged •> effect, with band round hips. Usual Price, 26/11. j I with Paris Lace. t Clearing at Half a Guinea. | 8 27/11 Garment for Half a Guinea. *1 -———————— Useful Dresses in Fancy Crepe Cloth, pretty shade of I Smart White Voile Dresses, embroidered bodice and light Saxe-blue, trimmed fancv buttons, black silk 1 | 1 skirt, collar edged lace frill, with low neck and rose' ? collar with black bow, Season's Price 25/ I I. | I colour sash, ribbon round waist. Ordinary price2g/ll Now Half a Guinea. U| I Offered at Half a Guinea. ———————— -—————————————— "— Very pretty Cashmere Dresses, trimmed with fancy 1 Real French White Embroidered Robes, all most buttons down side of front, collar embroidered good I elective designs. 30/11 through season. shades, fancy sash round waist. I To-day Half a Guinea. 23/11 Garment for Half a Guinea. To-day Half a Guinea. 23/11 Garment for Half a Guinea. .r. "ZTI AA JpOLnJLJO JI9 DRAPERY; LGijrtaens d in DWARD STORES ci~ RJbbollB Glovœ I Oxford Street of Sllks and t V&terlM Street IlliTflllCAQ ?" H?- I ?? an4 Pak Street ?j? wanseand Drew 4 ♦ I BM? Comer Shop. M I ?  j ♦ T ? Castle and Temple Streets, ? SWANSEA I Í D. THOMAS i 1 Jeweller, I + Has REMOVED to temporary premises at T f 26a Castle Street i + ♦ ♦ t i T + Absolute Clearance of all Stock t I Great Reductions in every ? t Department I t j¡ ? Gymry, Cofiwch am y Cymro. f ? + .+.+.+. Summer Sale In full Progress at Wm. Davies & Co. Victoria Buildings, FONTARDA VTE We have made startling price-reductions in our Stocks for our Sale, and, note also, that our offers include the NEWEST, FRESHEST, MOST CHARMING goods produced for Summer. A Few of our Sale Values Ladies 8/11 Sports Coats. During the Sale at 3/11 2/11 Costume Skirts in the new Black and White Checks. During the Sale 1/111 ijub Corsets in good strong Coutil. During the Sale 10d. 200 Blouses. Usual price i/ni. Sale Price 1/01 Children's 2/11 Cream and Coloured Hats. Sale Price 1/3i- Ladies' 1/11 Trimmed Straw Hats, ready to wear. During Sale 1(0! I I Men's if 11 Straw Boaters. During Sale t Ol. Boy's 2/11 Cotton Tunic Suits. I Reduced to ./6k II Scores of other Splendid Bargains See our Display at Sale Prices t——■1—1 Mil iiwii iiiii warNHfy-noMwyirmTa—————■^ FOR. Pleasant asl Mortale Motor Trips Tbrnuyh ijt-iiutifsil Welsh Scenery, Ring up the Gurnos Motor Garage Proprietor: "W. J. Jones. Telephone: 3 Yftedyfewu Postal Address: € Brits, Lower CwnUwrcli. —.— ——— Tours airanged to all pars of the Ceialrj at Mod or. to

YOUR. PANIC WILL COST YOU MORE. We have kept our heads pretty well so far. In fact, we have already reason to congratulate ourselves on our British steadiness of nerves. If we will only preserve this admirable temper we shall have reason to congratulate ourselves on avoiding many of the hardships that fol- low in the train of war. Let us realise that Great Britain is in an exceptional position; that of all the countries of Europe she stands the least risk of invasion; that our trade and food supplies stand the best chance of any in Europe of remaining normal. Whether Great Britain preserves this advantage or not depends solely on ourselves. Let us consider in the first place em- ployment. This is bound to suffer to a oertain degree from the cessation of our export trade. But this less will be miti- gated by the hundreds of thousands of men who will be called to the colours, and with our paramount Navy a fair proportion of our export trade should be preserved to us. Patriotic employers, also, by refraining from sudden closing down of works, may help; better put your men on short time than dismiss them or part of them, com- pletely, is what we should say to them. But upon every man, woman, and child A certain measure of responsibility rests. COOL HEADS THE BEST. I Don't rush in a panic to buy large stores of food, it is quite unnecessary, And will only result in raising prices, to the profit of traders, and the hardship of the poor. There is enough wheat in the country to last for four months. The capacity, of other stocks of food is not so accurately known hut our supplies of all sorts of food from overseas are by no means cut off. The arrangement by which British mer- chant me n may be registered under the American flag guarantees a large propor- tion of our supplies. But at a rate above our normal con- sumption is the only reason wny, for the present at any rate, food prices should be forced up. The money question is unduly agitating many people's minds. Don't go about collecting sovereigns and half-sovereigns from shops and banks with the idea of hoarding them. To hoard gold at the present time is selfish, unpatriotic, and extremely foolish. There is gold enough in the country to serve every legitimate need of business. If the 10 per cent. Bank rate is not ef- fectual in preventing the demand for gold for abroad, the Government will place an embargo upon foreign gold exports so as to conserve the supply for home use. 10s. NOTES. I The Bank of England may consider it necessary to issue £1 or even 10s. notes. These should be cashed without any dif- ficulty, as, of course, should j35 notes. • i _1 t. x L ouch promises lo pay are maue oy wita Government, and, whatever happens, the promises will be kept to the letter. Payment by cheque in business trans- actions should be continued as hereto- fore. The only danger to the credit of the country is that which will follow the foolish hording of gold in the home and in the pocket. In our daily life it is the duty of every- bodybody to proceed about his or her business in the ordinary way, without excitement or nervousness. The man who mafficks is probably the same man who withdraws his money from the bank and fills his house with provisions. He is a coward and a blusterer. In general, let our attitude in the face of this crisis be one of gravity and calm. If circumstances make it necessary that Great Britain should fight, we shall fight the better for not having lost our heads. It behoves us in this crisis to sink party, class, and political feeling before the common danger. Let the rich refrain from taking such advantage of opportuni- ties accorded to them by their wealth as may result in corresponding hardship to the poor. Let everyone be determined to bear cheerfully his sharj of any incon- venience or hardship which may come to the oommunity in the future. -00 N. B. I

MINERS' NEW WAGE I RATE. The quarterly nieetiiz of. the Coal Ccn- ciliation Board for the federated mining districts in England and North Wales was held in London. Mr. F. J. Jones, Yorkshire, chairman, presided, and, Mr. Stephen Walsh, M.P., was in the vice- .chair. The Chairman stated that the "coaIOowners would be prepared to give .careful consideration to the new wage proposals made to them by the repre- sentatives of the men, and then meet the men's section of the Board for the full discussion, together with any counter pro- posals prepared ty the coalowners* side of the. Board. The proceedings were ex- ceedingly brief, occupying legs than a quarter of an hour. The parties in- formed us that it is likely to be some time before the new agreement is finally completed. The men's proposals have hrst to be considered by the coalowners in the various districts, and they will formulate any amendments which they may consider necessary. Then they have to be discussed by the parties in the 'Conciliation Board. The main proposals submitted by the men as the basis of a new agreement for a further epriod of three years provide for a new wage standard of 50 per cent. above the present wage standard of 1888, and a higher maximum wage. At the present moment wages in the English federated area stand at the maximum of 65 per oent. on the 1888 standard

Statue of the late Mr. W. E. Harvey, M. P. The Derbyshire miners have decided to erect a statute in memory of their late leader, Mr. W. E. Harvey, M.P., similar to the one to be provided in memory of the late Mr. J. Haslam, J.P. At a meet- ing of tho Council at Chesterfield, an Saturdav, it was decided that the memorial o tMr. Haslam should not be -erooted until the for the second are complete so that the two, which will be placed in front of the of- fices in Saltergate, may be unveiled at the same time. -tr In view of the recent Yorkshire in- -quiTY the Council passe d a resolution asking the Federation to take action m regard to the prohibition of electricity for driving coal-butters inmineo where safety lamps are in nse.