Pioneer

Abercanaid Notes. I Success. I We learn that Mr. William John (late of Ai?ercanaid? the I?ondon Chamber Abercanaid), has obtained the London C h amber of Commerce Senior Certificate for Political Economy and Commercial History and GeQ- graphy," in an examination held at Ruhleben Internment CnlUp. Several other papers were suhmit. ted for evaniin ition by the above Examjnn.tion Board, the Society of Arts, and Messrs. Sir Isaac Pitman and Sons, but owing to Germany's Censorship these have not been permitted to collie through, thus making those efforts abortive. Mr. John has been interned since the commence of the war.

Briton Ferry Notes I I.L.P. Activities. I I The I.L.P. held another open-air demonstra- tion at the Crown Park on Sunday last when a good crowd gathered to listen to Mr. H. S. Ba tey, Taibach. Mr. Ivor H. Thomas presided. Collection £1 1,4. Literature sales 10 odd.

Rhymney Valley Notes I PontJottyn Bathing Fatality. A bathing fatality occurred at Pontlottyn on Saturday afternoon. Clecil Henry Tozer (17), son of Mrs. Tozci-, of the Pontlottyn Pose Office, accompanied by companions, went to bathe in the Penybryn Pond, and swam out some dis- tance. Apparently he was seized with cramp, got into difficulties, and was drowned. His friends called for help, and some men dived into the water, apd afwr an hour's search the body was recovered.

Pontypridd Notes. I I.L.P. Meeting. I Jack Hughes failed to turn up at the I.L.P. Hall on Sunday last, and as there was a few things outstanding with the branch work it was decided to turn the meeting into a business meeting, but it is to be hoped that this is not going to be the practice whenever a speaker fails to turn up. Labour Party. I A meeting to form a local Labour Party for the Pontypridd Branch is to be held in the Y.M.C.A. to-day (Saturday), and from what one hears things will be rather warm for the ambitions of quite a number who would like M.P. behind their names. However, whoever is selected to carry the Labour Party banner at the next election in the Pontypridd Division let us all tackle the task of returning him, remem- bering only the cause, and forgetting petty am- bitions. Navy League Propaganda. The Navy League has been particularly active in Pontypridd of late, but so far they have not made much impression, nor do their specious ar- guments offer any dangers of converting the town to the Blue Water school of politics. Education. I When is the District Educational Committee going to meet Hain Should it not be borne in mind that the period of inactivity during the summer is the time to prepare the machinery for the winter session ? Moreover, the Com- mittee has been empowered by the district meet- ing to engage speakers to put the educational side of the movement before the people. FRANCISE BILL. I T. I. Mardv Jones (Parliamentarv Agent, S.W.M.F.) gave his lucid explanation of the Franchise Bill before the last meeting of the Trades and Labour Council. Griff Maddocks was in the chair. N.C.F. Social. I The N.C.F. are Inning a social and tea at the I.L.P. Hall on Saturday, J-une 15th: tea to continence at p.m. It is to be the treat of the seasotf su citf committee informs me.

I Theatre Royal Although there is an entire distinction be- tween the plays that Mr. W. Y. Garrod's clever company is presenting at the Theatre Royal this week, from the work that was undertaken by the Armitage and Leigh Company last week, I cannot help but feel that the run of drama for so many weeks without a. break has somewhat detracted from the appreciation which would have been extended to the company on visit this week, had there been a musical comedy or vaudeville break. So far as the plays and play- ing is concerned one can only say 'that Mr. Gar- rod has been lucky in securing two outstanding numbers of their type. and fortunate indeed in these days in staffing them with a company that brings out the last ounce of sensationalism in admittedly sensational dramas. "The Heart of a Thief" that opened the week was a crook story that was made oetter by the introduction of a heart interest, while the changed pro- gramme on Thursday gave us The Million- aire and the Woman," a story of a man's mar- riage to an Austrian adventuress that is topical insofar as it deals with the now popular spy plot. For next week Mr. Dry has been lucky enough to secure a return to the town of The Dream Girl," which, if I remember aright, introduced Mandy from Tonypandy to Merthyr audi- ences, and which generally passed the censor- ship of the critical Merthyr people with a first- class certificate of satisfaction. Daisy Squelch and her Big Brass Six is still with the merry little combination, and that pretty little artiste Margery Moore is responsible for the speciality dances. The comedy is light and in good taste, and there is a chorus capable of doiilg the work in hand well. PLAYGOER. I —V

30/- for 54 Hours. I AGRICULTURAL WAGE BOARD'S MINIMUM I FOR BRECON AND RADNOR. At a meeting of the Agricultural Wages Board held in London it was decided to issue formal notices of the Board's proposal to fix minimum rates of wages for male workers of 18 years of age and over for Brecon and Radnor. The rates to be proposed are on the basis of a six- day working week of 54 hours in the eight sum- mer months from March to October inclusive, and of a six-day working week of 48 hours in the four winter months from November to Feb- ruary inclusive. The weekly wages for the num- ber of hours specified are 30s.

Iron-Miners' Strike. I CALLING UP YOUNG MEN. I The iron-ore miners in Cumberland have struck work in consequence of the calling up for military service of those of their numbere who have reached the age of nineteen. It is un- derstood that the justification offered for the strike is that these young men are exempted from recruitment by an agreement come to in April, 1917. Such exemptions, however, were withdrawn after the amendment of the Military Service Act, and due notice was given of this fact. f

Mr. Clynes and The Future I PARTY PREJUDICES AND ATTACHMENTS I GOING. WORKSHOP CONTROL, BUT NO MANU- I FACTURED RULES. Speaking at an organisation conference of the National Labour Partv at Manchester last week- end Mr. J. R. Clynes, M.P., thought that the experiences through which we had passed dur- ing the last four years would make it impossible for the masses of the people to return to the old party politics and attachments. We should have men and women freed very largely from the old party prejudices and restraints, and that would be a great advantage to the Labour Party. Ho saw signs that the mind of the people was open- ing to the reception of the principles of the La- bour Party's programme, and he urged upon all supporters of the party the duty of preparation for electoral work. He welcomed the desire of the work-people to have a share in the manage- ment of industry, but he had read with mis- givings the circulars issued by the Admiralty to the various Government yards lading down ex- actly the constitution and functions of the work- men's committees and imposing limitations upon them. The rules and regulations for anything like workshop control must be a matter of joint arrangement between the employees and the em- ployed. It would not do, either, for a Govern- ment or a private fiim to throw rules at the head of tT,e men and say, We have laid down these regulations, which you must follow." That was not the spirit out of which anything like mutual good would grow up in tliQ management of industry in this country. Mr. Sidney Webb gave an adress, which was ihnited to practical points of organisation and electioneering.

C.L.C. and I.L.P. Rapprochment. I TO THE EDITOR. Deai- it poaslbit:, to ,et an under- standing between C.L.C. men and the I.L.P. for mutual assistance against the common enemy ? What ground is common on which we may ignite to attack Capitalism ? It is' necessary all for ces making for real progress should co- operate against the formidable capitalist or- ganisation which has been strengthened by the war and its inevitable developments. THE OPPOSITION. I To the C.L.C. man political action is useless. The I.L.P. stands for political action, but not that alone. It is a propaganda and educational body see-king to convert people to Socialism. It supports trade union action and more effective industrial organisation. Many of its members are active trade union officials and form the most virile and aggressive section of organised labour. It is alive to the dangers of State SocialiStn and the servile state. The I.L.P. is not hide hound or doctrinaire. It is modifying its attitude on the question of methods of ap- plying Socialist principles to industrial prob- lems. In its ranks are many Guild Socialists and not a few industrial unionists., though it has little in common with'the Syndicalist view. THE I.L.P. OUTLOOK. I The I.L.P. is broad aud Catholic in its sym- paMlies and methods, and eminently fitted to unite all Socialists who are desirous to make real progress.. Its strict neutrality on reli- gious matters is correct; it rightly enlists the support of people of varying temperaments and outlook so long as they help towards the over- throw of the present system of society. The I.L.P. has always insisted on the Capitalist re- sponsibility for this war, and strenuously opposes the growing militarism and tyranny of the gov- erning class. For these reasons the I.L.P. should have the wholehearted support of C.L.C. men who are practical and are not the slaves of for- mulas. Those who wish to develop on industrial or on political lines should be able to work to- gether as each is the complement of the other. Why should we not push forward on all lines which awaken the mass of workers and give them more power. Would industrial unionists acquiesce in the disfranchisement of the workers? If not, it is illogical to oppose the use of the vote or the election of Socialists. This assumes the political education of the workers. Political and industrial action can be made to co-ordinate and mutually support each other. COMMUNITY OF DISGUST. I The C.L.C. man objects to the flabby sort of labour man selected in some constituencies who are not social ists, and whose main end seems to be office and honour." The I.L.P. is equally disgusted with such, but recognizes they are a reflex of the ignorance of the rank and file. A Socialist, C.L.C., or any other, cannot be ex- pected to support Labour candidates who are after personal ends, and fail to represent the real working-class cause. Industrial action alone or politics alone may fail to advance Socialism—a combination is more likely to be successful, and we are not sufficiently on the road to split on. points of ultimate application. Above all, is the 'need for education on which we are all agreed. THE IMPONDERABLES OF PROGRESS. I The I.L.P. man may porfitably turn more at- tention to economic study and the C.L.C. man makes a great mistake if he limits himself to economic investigations. He will lind the greater part of life is not explained under this category. Sentiment, the emotional subcons- cious racial traits all play a pan in human ac- tion and modify economic laws. In fact, man may make his own, economic conditions, the human will is king, and those imponderable fac- tors of religion, ideals, principles are dynamic powers making for progress. I use the word religion in a broad, Not an orthodox sense. The severely logical economic student may ridicule all this as nonsense. He is more foolish to be dogmatic and narrow-, to try to define and de- termine life on any one scientific theory. It is bigger than the broadest .philosophy. A little knowledge is dangerous, let us be modest and open-minded to truth from any source. This will not prevent us being lieeii and revolution- ary fighters against Capitalism and all its works. It is said that some C.L.C. men hate the I.L.P. more than the Capitalist System. If this were true, it would only prove the futility and error of such men. All sensible people will support the idea of unity and tolerance in our ranks, that we dwell more on the points of agreement than disagreement. By approaching the I.L.P. halfway the C.L.C. man succeeds in drawing the I.L.P. a little bis way and finally, the complete campaign will find profitable work for each section.—Yours, etc., HY. BROCKHOUSE. I

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Soermns to Stay. W. C. ANDERSON'S ACTION IN THE HOUSE DUE TO "PIONEER" RPORT, 7, Mecklenburgh Square. London, W.C.I, TO THE EDITOR. Dear, Siiy—Arising out of a paragraph in the Merthyr PIONEER, I asked a question in Parlia- ment about the Russian violinist. You will be interested to see ttio reply and glad to note that tho,oi-dei, for deportation has for the present been cancelled. Yours faithfully, W. C. ANDERSON. IN THE HOUSE. Mit. ANDERSON asked for what reason Edvard Scermus, the Russian violinist, has been ordered to return to Russia, seeing that he has taken no part in political propaganda and has been re- jected for military service both in Russia and this country: whether he is aware that this musician was ordered to return within a week to Russia at a. time when his wife was lying ill and unable to travel with him; and whether he is aware that such actions on the part of the British authorities are deeply affecting the minds of the Russian people and will adversely affect the future relations of the two countries. including the trading and commercial relations? MH. SNOWDEN asked if a deportation order has been made against Mr. Edvard Soermus, and, if so, on what grounds; if this order has been carried into effect; and, if not, will lie, in view of the fact that Mr. Soermus is an Fthon- ian subject, reconsider the matter? Sin G. CAVE I understand that, as this man was engaged in revolutionary propaganda in this country he was warned by the police that an application would probably be made for his deportation; but that in the present circum- stances and particularly in view of his wife's state of health it is not intended to press the application at the present time. No deportation order has in fact been made. MR. SNOWDEN Will the right hon. gentleman state what the nature of the seditious pro- paganda was in which he was engaged ? Siii G. CAVE Xo, Sir. The matter has not yet come before me. If it should come before me I shall require to be informed as to the nature of the propaganda.

The Electric Theatre The Electric Theatre's principle attraction "these last three days is the visit of the Tank Julian" to the town. The photography is wonderfully clear, and much interest is being displayed in picking out acquaintances, rela- tions and oneself moving freely over the silvern screen. It is the local atmosphere that has given this film its importance; for just the same en- terprise that brought the cinema camera to Mer- thyr last Monday is observable in the whole of the programme. The Flashlight Mystery, the wonderful drama that heads the list, is one of the finest pieces of work that the sensational side of the cinema has given us. It grips and enthrals by reason of a capital plot, thoroughly I well played by a star company, including that picture-world favourite, Dorothy Phillips. There )8, too, a funnier-than-ever Billy West. The Chief Cook" and an extremely interesting in- stalment of the "Ited Ace" serial. Still, as' I have said before, it is the Tank picture that has caught the popular fancy most. Next week's opening programme, includes a I real Arabian night five-reeler, from the J. D. Walker studio. The principal part in -this Hawaiian fairy story of the wishing battle is Sessua Hayakawa, a name new to inie, but guar- anteed by the Walker imprimature. The title of this fantastic love story is "The Bottle Imp." By the way, it includes a big fight scene, and there is a volcanic eruption that is wonderfully realistic. In addition there is a Triangle comedy of the ever popular manicurist type. This one is called "TJle Iceman's Bride," and its com- plex absurdities are excruciatingly funny. "The Phantom's Secret" is the big feature from Wednesday on. It is a drama of unex- pected developments and surging thrills. There are some fine comedies, and an unusual chapter of the Red Ace." PT/AYOOEH J w J

LABOUR AND THE NEXT ELECTION. TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—The last paragraph of Mr. Sylvester'* letter practically wipes out all that he says in the first two paragraphs 'in so far as he com- plains of my point of view. He writes: "I agree with Mr. Woolf that it is most important that Labour should force the capitalist class to terminal*' the war on a bagis of the principles of freedom and democracy, and I further agree that a majority of the workers are so sick of the war that they would hack up such a policy. If he had written "at the moment all-impor- tant instead of the words "most important lie would have simply condensed in a sentence the gist of my article. "To terminate the war on a basis of the principles of freedom and de mocracy is, in my opinion, practically the only poll tical (?n d wiicti a, political end which a reasonable human being, should FOR THE MOMENT consider. The return of Mr. George to power will defeat that end. and all that I wished to urge was that Labour should take certain steps to defeat Mr. George I never said nor did I imply that in nr, opinion there is a pin's difference from the point of view of Labour and Capitalism between the liberal Asquith and the radical Lloyd; George. But that does not alter the fact thar the present attitude of political Labour ma\ lead to the return of Mr. Gecrne to power, an- other two years of war, and a bad capitalist peace at the end of it. If Mr. Sylvester can contemplare that pI'OSP(>.(.t with equanimity, t cannot. LEONARD W OOLF.

C.O. Fined at Rhyl. At IthyI last Friday Leonard Simpson, cle. scribed as a warehouseman, of Higher Green, Astley (Lancashire) was fined £ 2 and handed over to a military escort as an absentee under the Military Service Acts. It was stated that he was posted to the antiy on January 13tli, 1917, but nothing more wast seen or heard of him until he was handed over to the civil police at Kinmel Camp on Thurs- day. He said he had a conscientious objectioa to combatant service, but had several times offered himself for R.A.M.C. work. He dftlined, to state where he had been since January of last year.

Merthyr Notes I Journey Riding. I Cecil Henry, an Aberfan collier, was fined 10/- I (<)j- seven days) at Merthyr on Friday for riding I a journey of trams on his way out of the Mer- thyr Vale colliery. Personal. I Mr. H. M. Lloyd, Merthyr, has been ap- pointed a vice-chairman of the South Wales and Monmouthshire .Federation of Chemists' Asso- ci itions. Miner in Trouble. I •John Da vies, a miner of Newcastle-street, Merthyr. was fined on Friday £1 for travelling on the T.V.R. from Pentrebach to Abercvnon without a ticket, and a similar amount for giving a false address. Merthyr V.C. Lionised.. I Sert. John Collins, Merthyr's Y.C., was in- vested with the decoration by the King at Buck- ingham Palace on Saturday, and on Monday was presented with war-bonds amounting to £750, subscribed as follows: Townspeople, £ 300; Mr. Arthur Keen, of Messrs. Guest, Keen and Net- tlefolds (Ltd.), Sergt. Collins' employers when he was a collier at Lord Rhondda, £ 100; Mr. H. Seymour Berry, £ 50, find "twenty professional and business men of the town. tlO each. The presentations were made on the top of the tank, Julian, in the town qn 11 war-investments campaign, by the Mayoress (Mrs. X. F. Hankey) and Sergt. Collins was aUto pre-ented with an address from the Corpor- ation. Sir Edgar Jones, M.P., and Reconstruction. I Speaking at Merthyr on Saturday Sir Edgar Jones. M.P., said if the Government were ar- ranging a federal scheme in connection with the Home Rule settlement he would like to see set up in Wales and Scotland Parliaments that could get to work at once in thrashing out local legislation, instead of leaving the re-construction question to committees in London, and thus allow the Imperial Parliament freely to deal with matters affecting the war. Babe in Public House. I James Blatchford, licensee of the Carpenter's Arms Inn. Quakers' Yard, was fined 40/- (or 11 days) at Merthyr on Tuesday for allowing a two-year-old child to be in the smoke-room of the house and Mrs. Fitzgerald, the mother of the ba.by. was litieci 10/- (or seven days.) for taking it there. House Struck by Lightning. During a thunderstorm on Monday night a house tenanted by Thomas Vale, at South-view. Mount Pleasant, Merthyr Vale, was struck by lightning. The Qiaitiaze was considerable, but I fortunately none of the occupants were injured. Julian's Visit. I Julian." the war-savings tank, has spent three days in Merthyr this week, and has raised a total of • £ 1,026.660 in investments, to which n further sum of C10,000 is expected to be added from other parts of the borough. This result is almost entirely due to the indefatigable efforts of Mr. Seymour Berry, than whom a more ardent or able Director of Ceremonies could not have been chosen.

Brynmawr Notes. I Brynmawr Forging Ahead. I On Tuesday, May 28th, the Welsh Divisional Council arranged t conference for the Bryn- mawr Federation, for organising purposes. Mr. Brockhouse, the National Organiser, thought that we did plenty of propaganda work, but we weakened our effectiveness by failing to create enough interest in our branch activities. Plans and schemes for better organisation were sub- mitted and discussed, and met with the ap- proval of all delegates. Every branch in the Federation rtas represented, and everyone was interestedly seeking informatlion how to improve their branch and create keener inteiest. Study Classes were recommended, Executives to do branch work, and many other things. Bryn- mawr blanch started light away with a study class." On Sunday afternoon we met in the beautiful sunshine discussing Mark Starr's book A Worker Looks at History." The officials of the branch were surprised to see the large num- bers that attended, and each student was de- lighted, and desired to continue the work. Ar- rangement- are to he made by the Secretary to hold meetings in case of bad weather indoors. Will all I.L.P.ers in the district rally to unfurl the banner of freedom in the cause of Socialism and Internationalism. Be up and doing.

Miners' Wages. I ANOTHER ADVANCE DEMANDED. I At a meeting in London, on Wednesday, the Miners' Federation of Great Britain unanimous- ly decided that a request be made for a further increase of the war wage of Is. g(L and 9d. for men and youths respectively. The question was ??()Illliiittcp to press referred to the Executive Committee to press forward as expeditiously as possible. It was reported to thè: conference that an order had been issued by the Government under which young men between the ages of 20 and 23 were not allowed to appeal for exemption from military service except in the case of a last sur- viving son in the war. The conference ex- pressed indignation, and instructed the Com- mittee to meet representatives of the Govern- ment and to press for the withdrawal of the order and the return of any such men who had been taken into the forces and who had been denied the right of appeal. The modification of the Eight Hours Bill was discussed, and it was agreed-that the necessity had not arisen for any modification.

A DISCLAIMER. TO THE BDITOK. Sir.- Am I intruding much in asking a little- space in your journal to bring before the readers who aie members of the Dowlais District oil Miners, also those who were not present at the- niass meeting held on Sunday, May 5th. at the Victoria Cinema, Dowlais. a matter concerning the Dowlais miners. Notwithstanding the adoption of my report without one dissentient anent the trans-action for ray 1st instead of another holiday, some persons persist in disseminating virulently the- falsehood that the writer was responsible for the notices placed at the pit-heads on April 30: urging the men to work the following day. Again I disclaim the charge and solicit the coun ten a nee of the lovers of truth and justice to track the intriguers. Thanking you In anticipa- tion.—Yours, etc.. EVAN EVA vs. Dowlais. Deputy Agent.,