Llais Llafur

POHTARCAWt COUKCtl Only six councillor* wen1 present on Thursday when the l'oijtardawe Coun- cil (;L Councillor D. 'J;1 Jones, J.P., presided. He was supported by Messrs J. Morgan (surveyor), A. E. Edmunds (sanitary inspector), Wyndham Lewis (clerk), and Noah Li (rDiivies (deputy- clerk). ■ I- G.C.G. WATER SUPPLY. In reply to Mr. David I/ewis (Gwaun- ,,eiv i s ( G waun- caegurwen), it, was pointed out that it was extremely improbable,that the bor- ing at the Gwauncaegmpven Common for water would be allowed at present. ENGINEER'S REPORT. Improvement of Roii,ds.Mr. Mor- gan (surveyor) reported that he had re- ceived a communication from the county surveyor stating that the Road Board would be prepared to receive applications for advances in the shape of grants or loans towards the. improve- ment of road crusts to he carried out during the financial year, 1918-19. The board stated that the grants or loans would be confined mainly to expendi- ture on important tar-treated roads. Roads which had been already surface- tsirred not the expense of the highway authority should not be included in the application. It was pointed out that in framing proposals it was dc- j sirable to bear in mind the possible difficulties during the coming season in obtaining sufficient labour and materials, and prepare such proposal 'to include such work as could be con- fidently completed during the season. Mr. Morgan also suggested that the Council should consider the advisabili- ty of purchasing a tar-spraying equip- ment, so that the work could be done earlier in the eason, and to enable bet- ter work to be performed by their own men. Damage at Ystalyfera.—The County Surveyor had called attention to the diversion of a water course in the neighbourhood of Graigymerched, Ys- talyfera, through the adjoining gar- dens into the main road, causing there- by considerable damage. Mr. Morgan said he submitted to the county council that they could not be held responsible for the diversion, which was caused by the occupiers of houses in that locality depositing refuse in the said course, thus impeding the natural flow of the water, and suggested that the com- plaint should be made to the owner of the property. This had been done, but Mr. J. P. Lee, Col. Gough's agent, disclaimed responsibility, and it was resolved that the local members and surveyor and sanitary inspector visit the spot. Allotmeiits.- A revised schedule of land for garden allotments at Pontar- dawe, Alltwen, Trebanos, Ynismeu- dwy, Godre'rgraig, Ystalyfera, Bryn- amman, Gwauncaegurwen and CWm- gorse, was submitted, and in the case of the application of the Alltwen School, it was agreed to let the land provided the County Council paid all out-going expenses. Mr. D. T. Jones, J.P., suggested that they should try and get old col- liery ropes for fencing. Mr. Dd. Jenkins said they were very enthusiastic at Clydach, and he hoped the Council would not impede the work. Mr. Joseph Thomas reported on the raising of the entrance to Gnoll-road Godre'rgraig. Jby order of the County Council, and the Engineer was asked j to report. FINANCE COMMITTEE AND THOSE IN ARREARS. The Financial Committee met on the 25th ult., when Mr. L. W. Francis presided. The list of persons in ar- rears in their contributions under the Small Dwellings Act wts- considered, and the committee asked the clerk to communicato with those who were still in default to make an effort to pay up ill I sums due by the end of the half-year. If this was not done the committee would feel compelled to re- commend the Council to take imme- diate action to enter into possession of the dwelling-houses, and to dispose of the same. The committee trusted that this warning would have the de- sired effect.

JOHNSTON For NEW VEGETABLE AND FLOWEB SEEDS FLORAL DESIGNS AND EVERYTHING FOR THE GARDEN. ALEX A tfDER JOHNSTON, 227 OXFORD ST, SWANSEA Telephone: 667 Central. BEFORE YOU FURNISH ——— VISIT ,II '1> AL .11J, ^.FURNITURE DEPARTMENT. i The latest designs and the most modern ideas in Artistic House Furnishing, and a Splendid Selection or Specimens of the best modern and also repro- ductions of Antique Furniture will be found on Show. "While many different styles of Furniture are represented they are all of refined design and excellent workmanship, and the Price of every Article is not merely competitive, but without exception the lowest in the Principality, Huge Stock of Carpets. Rugs, Linoleums, Curt-ins, Linens, Bedding- Bedsteads, etc., and Everything necessary for Furnishiug throughout in good style ——at Moderate Cost. ~i at -Moderate o s t. Kna^irles Respeptlully Invited Edwards' OXFORD STREET WATERLOO STREET PARK STREET Swansea.

Constitution of Labour New Scheme Adopted by the Party. I.L.P. Proposals Swamped by Miners. The National Conference of the Lab- our Party, which liad been adjourned from Nottingham, was held at the Central Hall, Westminster, on Tues- day, to consider the various amend- ments to the proposed new constitu- tion. Mr W. F. Purdy presided, and there were same 800 delegates present from all parts of the country. Mr. Purdy announced that the motions standing in the name of the I.L.P., opposing the new constitution, had been withdrawn. Describing the conference, the cor- respondent of the "Dailv News" says: There was much less "effervescence than characterised the sittings at Nottingham. Ma.ny of the more mercurial spirits who were bubbling over at the January Conference were missing, and the orators of the party found no peg for their eloquence. Mr Philip Snowden and Mr W. C. Anderson did mot speak at all, Mr Henderson was as restrained as the chairman, of a railway company de- claring a divdend, and Mr Ramsay Macdonald only spoke for three minutes. The Conference perhaps felt its en- viron moat to be &> shade more chilly than in the hosiery metropolis. There were no crowded galleries, filled with enthusiasts ready to sing "The Red "Flag" on the smallest provocation, and to cheer the most revolutionary orators. The galleries were empty, and the Conference was able to de- vote itself to the business of discuss- i'ng its new constitution. A "CENTRE PARTY." I The constitution was adopted iii spite of all comers. The Conference has developed a "centre party"—if we may use, without being misunderstood, the terminology of the group system abroad. There in a solid bloc of which the Miners' Fedel-atitcyn form the heart, which is determined to trans- form the party from a trade union federation into an organised political party. It had to meet the extremist's on bath wing,-—Mr Walkden, of the Railway Clerks, who wanted to stand by the old constitution, and warned the Conference of the suspicions of the trade uirioniists, and the I.L.P., who want to go on wagging the dog. as they have done p,-> often in the past. Both these tendencies were decieivelv routed. The I.L.P. suffered a tre- mendous rebuff. It had put down a string of amendments, the first of which availed the new constitution, horse, foot, and artillery. It de- nounced the constitution as "compli- cated and inconsistent," and charged it with perpetuating the anomalies of plural voting. I.L.P. AMENDMENT WITHDRAWN I On Monday afternoon the Miners Federation delegates met ins,&eret cau- cus and decided to support the new constitution. The result was that on Tuesdlay the great I.L.P. amendment was withdrawn without a word of ex- planation of excuse. It simply col- lapsed. Twice the I.L.P. delegates chal- lenged the vote of the Conference, and tivice they were heavily defeated. The first occasion related to a, proposal for allowing min-ori-ties in the affiliated organisations to send representatives, or t' oast votes, in proportion to their numbers. The Miners' Federation "block vote," which swamps all minorities, was denounced bv one of the I.L. P. speakers with a sure in- stinct, for yt soon -descended on the amendment, which was rejected by 1,600,000 votes to 757,000. t The I.L.P. made another attempt to assert itself by seeking to revert to the old system under which the Social ist societies were separately repre- sented on the Executive, voting direct, ly for two members. In spirte of the support of .Mr John Saurr and Mr Bruce Glasier, this was voted down by 1,839,000 against 345,000. ENLARGED EXECUTIVE. I The Conference promptly accepted the Executive's revised .proposal that the National Executive shall consist in future of 22 members instead of 21, the two additions being made to the 11 representing affiliated societies. In future, therefore, the Conference will have to elect 13 members representing the affiliated Societies, but jit will rest with the mass vote of the Conference whether any, and how many, shall be I.L.P. members and how many trade union representatives. The remainder of the Executive will consist of five elected to represent the local Labour Parties, four for the woanen, and fin- ally the treasurer. The Conference treated Mr Walk- den's amendment—which rather ap- pealed to the "high and dry" trade unionist vote suspicious of midd e- I flass "outsiders" and adventures— f with equal lack of ceremony. It was I d-efea;ted bv an overwhelming majority, j There were a ,number of amend- ments down to the rules for local- Labour Parties, but Mr Henderson got the Conference very adroitly out of that di-nal voyage wrth the "sea- lawvers" bv proposing a clause which gave the local Labour Parties free- dom of action subject to consultation with the Executive. It was agreed that the annual conference should not be held at Wbitsutide in order to avoid cku--h?ng with the Co-operative Congress, and after a few more draft- ing amendments the constitution was adopted aod the the delegates went home.

Ystradgynlais and War Savings. IMPORTANT MEETING HELD. In the unavoidable absence of Mr L. Thomas, J.P., ehairman of the Dis- trict Council a meeting called at the Ymseedwyn Schools, Ystradgynlais, to form a local War Savings Association, was presided over by Mr Ben Wil- liams, Cwmtwrch. Miss Ash ton Jones in a very clear and convincing address emphasised oll -,bould strive to save as much -is possible, and in particular to pur- chase War Savings Certificate. By investing in War Savings Cert,ificates it was pointed out that this country secured the interest for itself which would otherwlise be paid to some other country. It should be made known as widely a's possible said the speaker that certificates might be cashed at the Post Office anv time during the first year for their face value, and subsequently for that and the accrued interest. It A-.ts alfo stated that members were enabled to purchase certificates by small instalment^ and were saved tha trouble of goiNg to the Post Office to buy certificates which could be obtaaxued at any ordinary meeting of their industrial, social, or religious society, as the case antay be. Members derived the benefit of co-opera,tion in purchasing certificates by obtaining certificates of an earlier date, and their securing a greater rate of in- tBrest-the interest in this case being Ia over 6 per cent. The need for a local War Savings Committee to undertake the organisa. tion of War Savings Association and active propaganda work was urged, and special emphasis was laid on the fact that "Che committee should re- present every phase of public life. Aldarmaii M. W. Morgan, Aber- crave, High Sheriff of Brecon,shire, proposed, and the Rev. J. Jones, rec- tor of Ystradgynlais seconded :— "That this meeting having heard the statements made on behalf of the National War Savings Committee de- cides to form ia Representative Local Committee for Ystradgynlais to en- courage saving during the war, and to promote the formation of War Savings Associations wherever possible in the District. This proposition was earned unani- mously, and. the .meeting .proceeded, to discuss the formation of a comniitee, and decided to form themselves into a committee to initiate the work with power to add to their number. The following officers were appointed: Chairman, Alderman M. W. Morgan, Brvntawe, Abewrave; treasurer. Mr G Roberts, London City and Midland Bank; secretary, Mr C. Edwards, Glarnor, Council School. A hearty vote of thanks was ac- corded Miss Asihtn Jones for her very able ad-dress, and to Mr Williams OwHitWTch, the chairman, who de- votes 'so much time and labour to local public dfuties, and whose services were very highly (appreciated. Tb4. next meeting was not definitely fixed, but will be in the course of the next fort- night. It is anticipated that the work of the local committee will be a great success.

AMMANFORD. There need be no shortage of allot- ments in the distriot this season. The Llandilo Rural Council are asking the Board of Agriculture" for powers to enclose 20 acres on the Bettws Moun- tain. Representations on the matter were made to the Council by Mr. J. L. Williams.. Ammanford is taking up the matter of forming a choir to compete in this year's National at Neath, and a public meeting will be held, with a view of taking definite steps, on Thursday night, March 7, in the Council Schools. The meeting is called by Mr. J. C. Shaw, J.P., the chairman of the Ammanford Council. It is expected that the matter will be taken up with enthusiasm.

During the last six months the sales of the Wholesale Co-operative Society totalled over £ 28,000,000. Mr. Ben Tillett, M.P., has urged that the Prince of Wales's Fund should at once be allocated for the re- lief of civil distress caused by the death or disablement of soldiers and the in- creased cost of living. Arrangements have been made by the Board of Agriculture for the dis- tribution of sittings of eggs of selected breeds of utility poultry through ap- proved etationholders in many of the counties of England and Wales. ywwwa—«aariM»gi «*wr N FRIPPS 1 fjoi/et Soap bœ1Usthe awn= of dD. Old