Llais Llafur

THE NEW REFORM ACT. The new Reform Bill has at last be- come the law of the land. In other days the passing of this democratic measure would have aroused tremen- dous excitement throughout the coun- try but the experiences of the world- war has accustomed us to great challgAS-and what was once regarded as being only possible after long and bitter struggles, now slips into prac- tice with little more than a passing comment from the great public. It is most unfortunate for the pro- gressive forces of the country that the « alternative vote was taken from the Bill by the action of the House of Lords, supported at the last by the Unionists members of the House of Commons. This will mean that in single member constituencies, where three-cornered contests take place— and these contests will be far more numerous in the future than ever bo- fore—the member returned may well be representative of a minority of tho electors. The outstanding features of the Act are, the enfranchisement of women to the number of about six millions, the limit of age being fixed at 30 for un- married women, while married women of any age will be entitled to the vote. The age limit for males is 21, hut soldiers and sailors of 19 will receive the vote, and facilities for voting by post will be given to soldiers and sailors absent from the country on service. It is estimated that the total electorate will be increased from 8,500,000 in 1916 to a b out 16.500.000. The work of preparing the lists of voters wiilt now be proceeded with im'raediately throughout the country, and in all probability th^re will be an election some time in the summer.

YSTALYFENA PIT FATALI- TY YOUND LAD KILLED BY FALL (,)F STONE. "Whilst following his employment at the Pwilhach Colliery on Tues«La»v morning, oldann of Mr. and Airs. R. B. Grif- fiths, Ponbrynmolyu, Rlwwfawr, vv,,tv instantaneously killed bv a fall of which struck him on the head. A -Ytd feature of t,ii,, vaw -s that deceased was working with Mr. Elias Jones, Ys- taljfera, father Was reoently killed nt n neighbouring colliery. At the inquest, cond ucted by Mr. J. Rour (;n Thun,d:IY, it, wa stat- ed that the ntof had examr-ned prior to the accident, and foumid to He in a safe condition. A verdict of "Acoi- dental death" was returned.

SPECIAL THIS WEEK. Three Items Only. Don't Forget the Sports on Easter Monday. Buy National War Bonds. Go to J. T-, the Swansea Valley Draper. Last Few Days of Sale. iNote tiie Addresc- J. T. OWEN, U< 1< U WW JLJiS? YSTALYFERA I

YSTALYFERA NOTES. The work of distributing the appli- cation forms for ration cards is pro- ceeding apace, and some of the dis- tricts have already been canvassed. The public have been anxious to ren- der every assistance, but in some cases tho forms have not been completed in time. Any persons who have not had forms, or whose forms have not been collected, should call to have the mat- ter remedied at the old recruiting office over the Capital and .Counties Bank, Ystalyfera. This office will be open every evening up to next Tuesday from 7 to 9 o'clock. It must be borne in mind that anyone who neglects to fill in the forms will find it impossible to get food later on. A social evening was held at Jerusa- lem Vestry on Thursday for the pur- pose of presenting Pte. Dd. Owen, of the Army Service Corps (who previous to enlistment was employed by Mr. D. Llew. Thomas, grocer), and of welcom- ing Messrs. Elvct Morgan and Evan Jones, who have both been discharged from the army. Mr. D. W. Jeffreys presided, and refreshments were pro- vided by the lady members and a mis- cellaneous programme given. A piano- forte solo by Miss Ceinwen Lloyd opened the programme, after which Master Cyril Gapo gave a violin solo. The programme proceeded as follows: Solos, Mr. Rd. Williams, Miss May Williams, and Mr. Idris Jones recited a story, for which he was awarded a prize. Mr. Abraham Phillips was given a prize for penillion rendering, after which the refreshments were partaken of, and Pte. Owen presented by Mr. Dd. Davies. The Rev. I). W. Stephens and Messrs. H. J. Powell, J.P., and G. Griffiths spoke, and the following items given Pianofortc duet, Messrs. Glyn Williams and Handel Griffiths; penillion, Mr. Idris Jones (Eos Griig), and Mr. Handel Griffiths (Eos Wesley), solo, Mr. Ehvyn Davies (Eos Nythafa), general knowledge competition, Mr. W. Jno. Hopkin; penillion singing, Miss Myra Morris; solo, Mr. G. E. Davies; and solo, Miss May Williams, who sang "Hen Wlad fy Nhadau." The Rev. D. W. Stephens proved an able adjudica- tor, and the arrangements were in the capable hands of Mr. B. M. Powell. NW,mwtzuLmjwALI% z, I œU.vr:J!rMr. A pretty wedding took plaoe at Trinity Chapel, Swansea, Saturday bt, when Gunner Emrys Williams, ;<osi of Mi;, and "Mrs. T. G. Williams, Osborne Villa, MHborough-road, and M iss An nie Morgan, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Evan Morgan, formerly of TaBvbryn Villas, IJI" Cwmtwrch, were united, in the Vends of UKitrimnny. The tier. 11. G. James, formerly of tho English Congregational Church, was the officiating minister. Mr. E. Brin- ley WiHams (manager to Mr. Spencer Jones, tlothier)' was the. best man, nnd Misses Bedd.ee, Llansamlet, and little Misfl Aiiii Eltin-,4 Williams, were bridesmaid ;wul flower girl respectively. After the ceremony a reception was held at the bride's home. Gunner Williams, who has been wounded in Franco, a»d Mrs. Williams, have the best wishes of their many friends. Mr. John Parry, formerly of 58, Wern-road, superintendent to the Liverpool and Victoria Assurance Co., I has left for Pembroke Dock to take up a similar position. He has the best wishes of a host of friends, aad will be presented by his old staff in the I Swansea. Valley at an early age. At the Worn Chapel on Sunday last Mr. Wm. J. Jones (Gwilym Bedw), of Birchgrove, preached a powerful ser- mon. Gwilym Bedw is a bard of atain- ments, and is treasurer to the Western District Association of Miners. A lecture of considerable interest was delivered at the Coliseum on Monday evening by Mr. B. L. Wolf, of the Board of Agriculture, on the subject of potato culture and spraying. The lecture was illustrated by some splendid slides, which, by means of the fine lantern at the Coliseum, were brought out in excellent detail, and thus helped to emphasise and illus- trate the lecture. Mr. Wolf spoke m his usually effective way, the occa- sional touches of dry humour adding to the enjoyment of the large and ap- preciative audience. At the close of tho lecture a hearty vote of thanks was passed to the lecturer, and the hope expressed that he should "come again." Mr. Watson, Ynismeudwy, re- presentative of the county council, has promised to give an illustrated lecture at the same place in the near future on fruit culture and fruit trees. This will undoubtedly be a very delightful lecture, and we hope Mr. Watson will "hurry up." Tho death took place at Pontardawo on Tuesday of Mr. Rhys Llewelyn, formerly of Clifton-hill, Pantteg. De- ceased, who was over 70 years of age, was staying with his daughter at the time of his death. The local soldiers and sailors society are busy arranging the sports to take place in aid of the funds on Easter Tuesday. Owing to the cymanfaoedd and other Easter attractions the sports have been postponed from Monday to Tuesday. Prize drawings will also be held at the sports for which excellent prizes are being offered, including a load of coal, given by Mr. D. W. Davies, and a £ 1 parcel of drapery by Mr. J. T. Owen. On Saturday evening the competi- tive concert in aid of the Ystalyfera Town Hand will be held at the Central Hall. There- is little room for doubt that this concert will be one of the best of its kind yet held in the valley. The prize for the champion solomis a good one, being no less than 95 5s. There, are over 70 entries, and twelve parties have entered in the quartette competition alone. It L,to be hoped that the event will have the patron- age it deserves. An interesting programme was pre- sented" at the English Cong. Church on Tuesday evening when the Rev. Rd. C. Williams, Swansea, presided over a meeting of the Young People's Guild. The programme was of a miscellaneous character, and was opened by a well rendered pianoforte solo by Miss Elvira Evans. Master Cyril Gape gave a violin solo, and the following also ac- quitted themselves well: Recitation, Master Howell Jackett; solo, Miss May Williams; solo, Miss Johanna Jackett; solos, Mr. Rd. Williams, Miss Gladys Davies. Miss M. Richards, Miss Myf- anwy Evans; recitation, Miss Johanna Jackett; solos, R-ov. Rd. C. Williams. A iery enjoyable evening was spent. Those who have been privileged to see the Gurnos Dramatic Society re- hearsing "Rhys Lewis," are emphatic in the opinion that the performance will bo a great success. The society is certain to enhance the good reputation it has earned in the past, and there is not a dull moment in the whole of the play. After over a week's idleness the Ystalyfera. works re-commences next week. At Zoar Chapel on Thursday even- ing last, the cantata, Gwaredwr y Plant," was performed by the Band of Hope children, under the conductor- ship of Mr D. J. Williams. The child- ren acquitted themselves very well, and refle-ctcd credit upon their con- ductor. The artistes were Miss E. A. Joshua, Gcdre'rgraig, and Madame A. B. Williams, whilst Miss Gwendoline Thomas also sang two solws. Madame Jennie James was the accompanist, and the Rev. William Jones occupied the chair. On Tuesday evenin g at the Zoar On Tuesday evening a the Zoar Mutual Imp?oreme?2t SODiety, Mr Fedenek Rees presided, when Miss A. W dliatns read an excellent paper on "Onnr Khaya-m," and Air. Willie Chatham read a paper on "Llywod- raeth Crist ar y byd drwy ei Eglwys." Both papers were thoroughly enjoyed and evoked interesting discussion in which tite following took part: Rev. W. Jones, and M3rs. C. T. Evajis, F,vaek J. livan, letixn Evans, Joseph Evans, D. Glyn Evans and Eiwyn Evans. A quartette was g iveti by the I following: Mrs. W. B. Morgan, Miss I Gwendoline Thomas and Messrs. J. D. I Williams aaid J. Handel Evans. I At the Guild of the Red Dragon on A t the Guild of the Red Dragon on Wednesday evening, Mr D. Arthen Thomas, of Barry, read a paper en- titled 'Agor Hen Lythyrau." In the alxsence of Mr Ben T. Jones, M.A., Mr Frederick Rees occupied il\e chair. The speaker dealt in an able maimer with letters written by Goronwy Owen to the Morris family, and at the end was oeoorded^a hearty rote of thanks on the motion of Mr Rees Hopkins, seconded by Mr D. R. Williams. The wedding t ok place at Pontar- dawe on Saturday h"t of Mr Daniel Davies, CwmphJ, Lower Cwmtwrch, and Miss Annie Maud Jones, daughter of Mr and Mr?. David Jones, Graigy- merched. The brido was dressed Jn 'a grey costume-with grey hat to matcn, and was attended bv Mi"i Esthe!- Jones. She was given away by her cousin, Mr David Davies. The bride- groom was attended by his brother, and after the ceremony a reception was held at the bride's home. The Rev. Arthur T. Mad docks, ,n of Mr and Mrs. Jolm Maddooks, baeh, has accepteà a call to the im iis- try of Melksham Baptist dmrch, Wilts. Mr. Maddocks, who was edu- cated at Carmarthen Preparatory School ,and then at Cardiff Baptist College, is now at Woodoh ester i near Stroud. We join in wishing hiiin every success. The death took place on Wednesday of John, the eighteen year old son of Mrs. Elizabeth Williams, Gough road. Deceased had been under treatment at the Swansea sanatorium, but was brought home over the week end and died as stated on Wednesday. Much sympathy i: felt with his mother in her sad loss. At the English Congregational Chureh last Su-nday, an e lection of deacons took place, when the follow- ing were appointed: Messrs. J. Boll, William Thomas (Gurnos villa) AY Taylor, Jennings and J. Martin.  C.o?M;.i.llor J?. Thomas, c h ?- k- "'f',ihlát Tarreni. has ('eiHrJ an in- teresting letter from Pioneer W. Ben- lIett and W. Key, now in France with tfhe S.W.B. These men stated they are in good health. They say that they have heard that the boys at homo want to go on strike, and they, the writers, says they will gladly change places with themH and then they would not want to strike- They say thoy are out doing their duty whilst those at hotmo have good beds to go tn. They end with best wishes tu their old frrendy at Ystalyfera, Next week at the Coliseum, one of the finest of dotectivc rhotJo plays will be projected, when "Through the Wa.ll," a thrilling six reel drsma will lie shown. "Patria." the snppr serial wil also be screened, when an episode pregnant with inters will be filmed-

COLISEUM   <ia Next Week:  B?'& Thro' the Wail. (6 PARTS) .&c:. +: G .(f:.(:G. Q .(£ .(: .Ç. NO RATIONING I o Nor Restrictions at our g :< v w I SALE    ? r?. g o ? -? — -——————?-?.? ??? ..?-??.??— —?  f e ? ? With only a few days to run, + we still have a Large Stock of S ? ?  ? MILLINERY, '?  e "l' I D-'R-' d CHILDREN? =:: J ,< l.l an 1: ,.t .t' J.i b ❖ Underwear and Clothing £ e ?? e t which Must be Cleared to make | room for Spring G-oods. + ? e § ONLY A FEW DAYS in which to secure § ? these BAGAINS. |  ? ————————————————————  f J. T. OWE! i o.   »; I Q [' L\I! "fi-  'tt c     + .1(1 .;6i! e) + + | Compton House, ♦ ^1 E;JtLT"P:E]R, ♦5» ? ? .(: S <'? ?'?? < ?'? ?? ?*> 3' ? ? ?? ??"' <- "!<

iI LOCAL MUSICAL SUCCESSES. I At the last examination of the As- I sociated BovUtd of the Royal Academy, a.d the Royal College of Music, tho following were sucossful:— Division II.—Mr Richard Williams, Wenallt, Aborcrave. D i vision III.—Mr Milton Davies. Manchester House, Ystalyfera, 95 I marks out of 99. Higher Division, in pianoforte plav- I iog, Miss Ray Rees, Glanyronen, Ys- I talyfera. The above an pupils of Mr D. H. Jones, F.T.S.C., Abercrave.

BABY'S HAKD COUGH. COULD HARDLY GET HIS BREATH SOMETIMES, BUT SOON QUITE CrUED BY VEXO'S. Mrs. Moyle. 5o, Beaufort-road, St. Thomas', Exeter, says:—"Baby was born with a delicate chest and every week or so would have bad attacks of coughing and wheezing. Often ho could hardly get his breath. I tried all sorts of things without benefit, but at last I got Veno's Lightning Cough Cure, and it was marvellous how beby re- covered. He has never had a cough sinco." Trust always to Veno's Lightning Cough Cure for Influenza and Nasal Catarrh, for Coughs and Colds, Lung Troubles, Asthma, Bronchitis, Difficult Breathing, Hoarseness, and for Whoop- ing Cough and other Bronchial Troubles in Children. Prices llAd., Is. 3d.. and 3s., from Chemists and Stores everywhere. Veno's Lightning Cough Cure Is guaranteed free from opium and every narootle. It is THE REMEDY FOR OLD AND YOUXG.

U.S. TRANSPORT TORPEDOED. I Tho Admiralty announces that the- Anchor liner Tusc-ania (Capt. J. L. Henderson) was torpedoed at night on February 5i!h off the Irish Coast while carrying United States troops. 21C' lives wero lost. Tho tital number saved was 2,187.

II I Hf?!PI T H. J. ram Is now showing a LflJrge Range OF Winter Clothing-, Men's, Y ouths* and Boys Smart Overcoats in the Latest Styles & Colours Wern, Ystalyfera*