Welsh Newspapers
Search 15 million Welsh newspaper articles
8 articles on this Page
Advertising
7-45 Sav THEATRE ROYAL and EMPIRE, MERTHYR. 7-45 momtlv GENERAL MANAGER VAL STEVENS. MONDAY, November 24th, for 6 NIGHTS BOOK EARLY For this Great Attraction MATINEE THURSDAY 2-45. For thill Great Attraction! MATINEE 'iS?<???????? PERCY HUTCHINSON'S Actual London Company in the Great Success, MATINEE  MATINEE ifc BREWSTER'S MLIIMS •—• 2-45. B? Winchell SmHb and Byron ORg?. Produced by PERCY HUTCHINSON. Adapted from t e Novel by 6eo. Barr McCutcheon. 2-45. 2-45. "ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL AND MARVELLOUS DISPLAYS wi^amKmm 'r OF STAGE MECHANISM EVER PRESENTED TO AN AUDIENCE." 2S.6d. ~Daily ntwaph. !Si) 2s. 2S.6d. Exclusive of Tax. Early Doors MONTY BREWSTER." "II Box Office open 10-,3t) to 4-30. Box as Box Office open 10-30 to 4-30. NEXT WEEK (TWICE NIGHTLY): FLORENCE SMITHSOIN, The Welsh Nightingale. Cinderella in England's Greatest Pantomine at Drury Lane Theatre, London, This Year.
Merthyr Notes ,I
Merthyr Notes Congratulations. Our heartiest congratulations and good wishes to our Comrades Mr. and Mrs. Dai Davies, of 21 .Tudor Street, Merthyr, who this week celebrate the silver anniversary of their marriage. Twenty- five years of double-harness 'has only developed the affection and regard that first attraction fos- tered. May they jog as happily through still more precious anniversaries to whatever follows the diamond anniversary. Rating. There is no limit to the desire of the members of the Merthyr I.L.P. to more thoroughly equip themselves intellectually for their task of propa- gating their good gospel of, Socialism both theoretically and practically. Our latest teacher is our Comrade Tom Price, of the Rating Department of the Corporation, liq, opened what it is hoped 'will prove a course of lectures on the history of local rating, and its local incidence and anomalies. At first the intention was to oover the course in two lectures—general prin- ciples and history and local rating, but the inter- est displayed on Tuesday night in the isomewhat abstruse technical subject of principles and his- tory looks like making more detailed treatment inevitable. Mr. Price informed his hearers that when the Poor Law was first established by Elizabeth's last Parliament in 1601 the basis of taxation for Poor Law purposes laid down was that of ability to pay. The assessments was on this ability —a basis that had since been lost. Since the Act of 1840 personal private pro- perty was expressly excluded from assessment for rating purposes. An interesting historical sidelight on the first law was mentioned in the orgaA of the authorities on the subject cited for the assessment of the stock-in-trade and busi- ness of the cotton a.nd woollen weavers of the South and West was the cause of the withdrawal of those industries to the North where assess- ment was not made on that basis. Another in- teresfing point that was brought out was that property in the occupation or possession of the Crown was not liable for taxation unless speci- fically mentioned in the statutes—and no specific mention was made in the Poor Law and rating Acts. Consequently, Royal palaces, gaols, bar- racks. post offices and the like were exempt, a position not occupied by telegraph stations which were unique in that they were assessable, but there was no means of enforcing payment. The unsatisfactory nature of the law of rating, and the urgent need for clear legislation was dwelt upon, and some idea of the complexity of the task of the assessors was gathered from the brief outline of the steps that had to be taken in ar- riving at the valuation of say a tramway, water, electricity or gas undertaking for rating pur- poses. There were many questions, all of which were ably handled. Steel-Makers' New Chairman. Mr. HoweM R. Jones, general manage for Me ssrs. Guest, K<??n and NettIefoMs (Ltd.) at Dowlais, has been appointed fha?'man of the South Wales and Monmouthshire Iron and Steel- Makers' Association in place of Mr. Fred MiHs, Ebbw Vale, who retired from active connection with tihe association on his appointment as chair- man of the Ebbw Vale Steel, Iron and Coat Co. Mayor's Sunday. The mayor (Mr. F. Pedlar) will attend divine service on Sunday at Salem Chapel, Heolgerrag. The civic, procession will proceed there from the Town Hall, Merthyr. Lady Doctor Fined. I Dr. Marjcflrie Harcourt, an assistant medical ofifcer to the Merthyr Corporation, was fined 10/- and costs by the Merthyr magistrates on Tuesday for using abusive and insulting language wards a policeman. It was stated that a dis- turbance was created in Lower Thomas-street following upon the refusal of a Mrs. Farrell, who had been paid £2 l()s. in advance for rooms by Mrs. Harcourt, to allow the lady doctor to gain admission to the house. 'Hie woman, Mis. Far- rell, returned the money through the police. When Police-constable Pugh arrived on the scene there was (lie said) a crowd of 40 or 50 people around a<nd when he asked Mrs. Harcourt to leave with her lielongings, mliich were in the street, she was alleged to have replied, I am not going for you, you low, contemptible gutter- snipe." Dr. Harcourt denied using the words and gave the expression she used to the oon- stable, who (she stated) had pushed her about, as being, "Your conduct .reminds me of some- thing in the gutter." The lady doctor conducted her own case and was frequently pulled up by the Bench for bringing in matter irrelevant to .the subject of the summons.
Llantfisant and District Notes.
Llantfisant and District Notes. Three Years in Prison. I On Friday last, November 14th, Mr. Emrys Hughes delivered a lecture for the Llantrisant I.L.P., at tlhe Church Hall, entitled "Three Years in Prison." Mr. Idwal Williams presided, and in introducing the lecturer, stated tpat he knew the 'lecturer well and warned the audience not to expect any overdrawn picture of prison life. In fact, the chairman anticipated a lecture which would be under-drawing the picture rather than anything else, because 'he had been with Emrys in prison and knew him to be rather in- clined to treat any suffering inflicted upon him- self, rather lightly and of no consequence, yet having served three dreary long years in prison, the lecturer was exceptionally well qualified to give Llantrisant people that glimpse of prison life which it was hoped would contribute to the reform of our prison system. The chairman also reminded the audience that many soldiers were still suffering imprisonment for offences which in civil life would be regarded as trivial and of no account. Cont-inentai countries had declared amnesties, and it was high time an amnesty was declared and the men released in this coun- try. He advised ex-service men bo press for tJlw nleruse of their comrades upon all government speakers who visited Llantrisant. Emrys Hughes. I The lecturer reminded his audience that he had not come there to give reasons for the ter- rible crime which landed him in prison. He had stood for principles which the ruling classes did not Like. Socrates taught principles condemned by the ruling classes of his time. He wafls accused of corrupting the youth of his city, was tried, found guilty and drank the hemlock. Christ was similarly accused, was tried, found guilty and crucified between two thieves, yet his last words were words of comfort and consolation to the thief on the cross with him. He reminded his audience of John Ball and the persecution of the early trade unionists, and that He Is a slave who would not be in the right with two or three." Arrest, Trial and Prison. I The lecturer then described his arrest while I on the way to the Police Court for the "Pioneer." Two lads ei-led out Hey, boys, look! two coppers have got our teacher!" Re- leased on bail of £10 he appeared next morning before Lord Abeidare at the Police Court, was fined 40/- and costs- and handed over to the military authorities. After five weeks in the Guard Room at Cardiff Barracks, lie was court- martialled and sentenced to nine months' deten- tion and shortly after in company with the chair- man was removed in handcuffs to the military < prison at Devizes. Life in this prison was de- scribed—the violence, the forcing of the C.O.I., into khaki, t'he disobedience, the reports, ap- pearances before the Captain Commandant, the l bread and water treatment, solitary confinement and all the rest of it. The effect of the behaviour of the C.O.'s upon the other soldier prisoners was told and how 'at last a major-general ex- claimed If we keep them here there'll be a mutiny," so the C.O.'s were again court-mar- tialled and sent to a civil prison- The lecturer also stated how he had seen men, 'wounded in France, limping around the prison yard, and in one case a soldier, blinded, feeling his way along the prison wall. He described the good relation- ship which had existed throughout between the soldiers who had roughed it and the C.O.'s, and made an eHoquent appeal for the release of the soldiers still in prison. Civil Prisons. I He next described the tomb-like silence of the civil prison, its sileUtt officers, halls and cells, where everything wa,s done by motions and signals. Cells and furniture and punishment cells without furniture of any kind were pictured for the audience. The lecturer had a copy of the regulations which are to be found in every pri- soner's cell, and various rules were read out as samples of the. many contained on the card. 111- stances of kindnesses by w aiders were given and warders described as more humane than the system they were called upon to administer. Ex- ceptionally good was the description of Divine Service at the prison chapel of Shepton Mallet, and then followed an indictment of ottit- social and industrial system as the cause of crime. The lecturer described life at Mr. Lloyd George's little prison at Carnarvon and at Northallerton. While lat Carnarvon he lost two stone in weight through scientific starvation methods of dietary adopted by the authorities. In turn the audience were told of the month's solitary confinement which each prisoner has to undergo, of the rules under which he is allowed to receive books, let- ten's amd visits and the telephone-cell-like accom- modation for visitors with its dose wire gauze and listening warder. We were told of the man- ner in whieh the lecturer managed to obtain The South Wales Daily News in Cardiff Prison for three months and how he was ultimately caught, and of the astonishment of a Hindu pri- soner who, when asked by Emrys what he was in for, replied: "Stabbing, trying to kill a man." What are you in for? Refusing to kill," replied Emrys, whereupon the Hindu exclaimed This England is a funny place." Right Hon. Wm. Brace and Flogging. I The lecturer emphasised the utter helplessness of the man behind prison walls, how the word of Prison offierials is .always accepted against any evidence a, prisoner might have. One day while at Northallerton they heard screams and the sound of blows in the prison. Flogging' except for very serious offences with the consent of the visiting magistrate, is illegal. Afterwards they heard that a prisoner had been flogged. He, the lie,t.r d thl.t lecturer, wished to tender evidence and raised the matter with the visiting justice, but was told to mind his own business. He next petitioned I the Home Office, but was told in reply that only a petition on a personal maltter could be con- sidered. He again petitioned the home Office and I requested that his petition should be considered as a personal matter. After some time he re- ceived a reply to the effect that the" Under Secretary of State for the Home Department, after serious consideration of his petition, could do nothing in the matter. The Under Secretary of that date was the Right Hon. Wn-t. Bracc-! ex- claimed Emrvs. Questions upon prison life amd prison administration were put and answered. We recommend branches wishing to put in a plea for prison reform, to book the lecturer. Rev. George Neighbour. I On Friday, November 28th, 1919, the Rev. George Neighbour, Mountain Ash will lecture at the Church Hall, at 7 p.m., on Socialism and the Churches."
I Briton Ferry Notes I
I Briton Ferry Notes I Whipping Up the Assistants. I On Tuesday last at Tucker's Restaurant a meeting was held under the auspices of the Na- tional Amalgamaited Union of Life Assurance Workers. The meeting was addressed by Mr. George Thomas (South Wales Organiser) and presided over by Mr. John Rees (president of the local branch). Delegates ,attended from Neatih and Aberavon. Great progress was re- ported. The nett increase for South Wales for the last quarter was 500.. Clem on Culliver. I On Sunday, November 16tli, the I.L.P. meet- ing at Liberty Hall was addressed bv Mr. Clem. Bundock. He took for liis subject "Gulliver and the Lilliputians." Gulliver represented La- bour who slept, while the Lilliputians were the small men—the 6/inch men in mental calibre —who bound him while lie slept. He explained that Gulliver" if he chose could crush these pigmies, but he was so contented while they fed him that if lie stirred, it was simply to tiu-it over on the other side and sleep again. He also im- peached "John Barleycorn" as being respon- sible for muddled brains. The days we live in require cleal" thinking, and that was impossible when woi-siii,ppin(r,a,,t tli(- Q, of Bacchus. Mr A. Armstrong presided. Obituary. I An old veteran in the religious life of the town (Mr. J. ReveH) has just paS/sed away at the ripe age of 80. He was associated with the Wesleyan body and had been a local preacher for a great number of years, Actually preachinjj his last sermon at 80 .years of age. His ailing widow- survives him.
WALLHEAD OUT FOR CITY HONOUR.…
WALLHEAD OUT FOR CITY HONOUR. I Our Comrade R. C. Wallhead has been ngijjjjn- ated to fight in Labour's interests the vacancy that has arisen in tlie representation of Ardwick Ward on the Manchester City Council. His op- ponent will ho Mr. J. E. Chapman, who before November 1st had represented the Ward in the Conservative interests for 10 years. Wo wish Dick luck.
Swansea Valley Notes. I
Swansea Valley Notes. I J. R. Macdonald's Visit. One of the biggest and most enthusiastic- meet- ings ever held in the Swansea VaHey was the one addressed by Mr. Ramsay Macdonald at the Public Hall, Pontardawe, on Monday of last week. Long before commencing, the Hall was packed with men and women from various parts of the valley, who lustily cheered our good com- rade. For the first time. in tlhis spacious Hall the Red Flag was sung, a fact which caused some comments in the local press. Mr. D. S. Williams, Ystralvfera, chairman of the I.L.P. Federation (-under whose auspices the meeting was held) very ably presided. Ex-Gunner Gwiaym Davies, M.M. (secretary, Seven Sisters Branch, I.L.P.) moved a resolution protesting against the British policy in regard to the blockade, Rus- sia, India, Ireland and Egypt. In a brief and lucid speech, he said that as one who had active- ly participated in war for four years, he was now firmly of the belief that there was a hetterand a surer way of bringing about peace than by war, and the I.L.P. policy provided that way. Comrade Jack Thomas, B.A., seconded. Mr. R. Macdonald had a great reception when Ie rose to speak. He gave a splendid address on The Policy of the I.L.P. and referred at length to the question of Russian Intervention. His criticism of the financial policy of the Gov- ernment wafe very effective. We were very thankful to Macdonald for fulfilling his engage- ment, although those of us who spoke to him realized that he was far from being fit to he ad- dressing meetings. Colonel Wedgwood. ( Colonel Josiah Wedgwood, M.P., was the speaker at a meeting held at the Globe Cinema, Clvdadh, last Sunday afternoon. The Cinema was well-filled, and the audience frequently ap- plauded the Shavian wit of our new LL.P. re- cruit. The chairman was Mr. Nun Nicholas.— In the evening Colonel Wedgwood spoke in the Cinema, Ystradgynlais, under the auspices of the Independent Labour Party. The subject was "Current Politics," and Colonel Wedgwood in a. most scholarly and masterly style gave to a. large audience an intellectual treat. After a preliminary review of the political affa-irs which led to his change from the Liberal to the Labour Party, lie exposed the barrier which has been set up between Labour and the raw material which Labour needs. This barrier, which he picturesquely descri bed by reference to Tolstoi's Parable, is Private Property. This cam only be removed by collective ownership, for which the I.L.P. stands. He then proceeded to ex- pound the educational system of to-day with its caste and class bias. He enraptured the audi- ence with his powerful description of what educa- tion might be under Socialism. He wound up with a critical analysis of unemployment and t'he solution offered by So-cialism of this menace of unemployment, which is one of the pillars of the present day capitalist w age-system. Words fail to convey the appreciation shown by the audience during and after the address, and also during question time. Mr. John Thomas, B.A., who occupied the chair, expressed in English and in Welsih the appreciation-of the I.L.P. for the signal service to the cause rendered by Colonel Wedgwood in coming to address the comrades at Ystradgynlais. The neighbourhood is still discussing this masterpiece of eloquence and logic presented on Sunday evening and are look- ing forward to another visit. After an appeal from tihe chair a retiring collection was taken on1 behalf of the N.C.F. Shop Assistants. There has been a distinct revival amongst shopassiSltallts in West Wales of late. Our comrade John Vodden, of Cardiff, has been or- ganising the district. A District Office lias been opened at 277, Oxford-street, Swansea. After much patient effort, things are moving, and Swansea Branch is growing from day to day. Mudl has already been done in reducing hours and increasing wages. At Ammanford, Pontar- dawe, Port Talbot, Taibach and Corseinon there has been some activity, and last week the General Secretary* of the Shop Assistants* Fltion (Mr. John Turner), supported hy Mr. E. G, Hughes (organiser) and Comrade Vodtion held a series of meetings in the district—at Port Talbot on November lltli, Llanelly on November 12th, and Swansea, on November 13th. Much good has already resulted from these meetings, and shop assistants have been stimulated to press forward for their very reasonable demands.
,CORRESPONDENCE
CORRESPONDENCE BRIDGEND FIRMS LETTER TO UNION. TO THE EDITOR. November 10th, 1919. Dear Sir,—The enclosed is a copy of a letter: received by Mr. E. Deere, branch secretary of the Masons' Union, Bridgend, from Messrs. F. T- Mossford and Co., and placed by him before the above Council.' After some comments, it was de- cided to ask you to kindly insert the following copy in your valuable paper, and so make public the attitude displayed by Messrs. F. T. Moss- ford and Co., Ltd., towards trades unionists.- Thanking you in anticipation, yours respectfully- WILLIAM KEEN. COPY OF ORICINAL LETTER. Lhe Newport Moniimenta Works, Cardiff, BmT' and Bridgend, »3| F. T. Mossford and Co., Ltd., November 4th, 1919 3  Dear Sir -1 ini informed that you are in th6" habit of visiting my works at Bridgend, first cajoling, then intimidating and sending threaten- ing letters to my men. I give you clear warning that if you are found upon my premises in any capacity whatever, I shall take steps to have you immediately removed and prosecuted for tres- pass. This not only applies to you personally, but to any member of your union who oomes there distributing propaganda, verbally or literally. Yours sinoerelv, I Mr. Deere. F. T. MOSS FORD.
Advertising
Drill Hall, Merthyr-Tydfil. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2nd, 1919. SIR A. Conan Doyle M,D., LLD., Will Lecture on "EVIDENCES OF IMMORTALITY." Including the rosulfs of his researches up-to-date Tickets 3/ 2/ 1/ Doors Open at 6.45 p.m. Chair to be taken a,t 7.15 p.m. Trains to suit visitors from the lower end of the Valley. HOPE CHAPEL, MERTHYR. SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 23rd, 1919. PREACHER: Rev. J. Morgan Jones, M.A. SUBJECT-" REVOLUTION." ZION CHAPEL, TWYNYRODYN. THURSDAY, DECEMBER lltli, 1919. WILLIE IVOR JONES The Merthyr Boy Organist. PRELIMINARY BENEFIT CONCERT. CYMRU AM BYTH. ARE WE DOING YOUR PRINTING ? We have the most modern equipment, and good work is quickly turned out by Trade Unionists at reasonable rates. NOTE THE ADDRIiSS THE LABOUR PIONEER PRESS Printed and Published by the National Labour Press, Ltd., at the Labour Pioneer Press, Williams' Square, Merthyr Tydfil. i