Pioneer

Stanton Heroics at Bargoed. I "LET US HAVE IT OUT HERE!" I Mr. Stanton as one of the "star" perform- ers of the Munitions Parliamentary Committee who are visiting the South Wales coal valleys, and speaking at pit-head meetings. was the attraction in Bargoed on Tuesday. Mr. Stanton was in great vein, and after as- suring his hearers that the deputation was not there to smash the Eight Hours Act, or break some Federation resolution, he went on to say: Unfortunately there were some who would stop the collieries and make the Navy so much scrap iron for the Germans to pot shot at. Such people were absolute and complete traitors, and underhand dogs. He appealed to them in the name of the Government and Minister of Mu- nitions to work and assist umtil they had driven the Germans to Hell—where tiaey were long overdue, and to show the pro-Germans, the pacifists and the dirty skunks who tried to make the voluntary system a non-success, who would not fight themselves and who opposed Conscription, that this was no country for them. Let them join the Hunnish crowd to which they belonged. If there were any such people preesnt, Stanton was there to answer them Let them have it out there." Mr H. E. Pratten. Sydney. Australia, and Wakefield, also a?- cl- Mr A. H. Marshall. M.P., Wakefield, also ad- dressed the meeting, and a resolution was una- nimously passed pledging the meeting to sup- port the Government.

YSTRADGYNLAIS I GRAND CONCEKT.—A very suecessrul concert was held at Sarfilis Chapel last Saturday even- ing. The large crowd present. t1 oroughly en- joyed themselves as both choir and artistes were in excellent form. Madame Jennie rlllis (Swansea) sang well, and so did Mr. Ben Dav- ies (Skewen), tenor; but the "star" turn was undoubtedly Mr. Gwilym Jones, baritone (trea- surer of the Ystradgynlais I.L.P.). whose ren- dering of "The Toilers" brought down the honse. Mr Edgar Hughson, A.R.C.O., accompa- nied and Mr Tom Williams conducted. It is to be hoped that the funds of the chapel received the expected augmentation. FTJNEBAIJ. Mr. Thomas John Davies, of Cwmtawe Road, passed away last week, at the earL, age of 17 years. He was buried on Tuesday last at the Parish Church. The Rev. D. J. Da- vies Ainon. officiated at the house, and the Rector at the graveside. Much sympathy, which we share, is felt for the bereaved family. COLLIE, PY STOPPAGES.—Three local collieries were on stop last week through lack of trucks. These were Gurnos, Ystradfawr, and Ynisced- wvn, It is many a long dav since "stop wag- ons" prevented the continuity of work at the local pits. FOREIGN LABOUR.—It seems that the Spanish Colony at Abercrave is gradually breaking up. Several Spaniards started work this week at, Ystradfawr Colliery. Are the management going to take steps to print the Mines Act in Spanish to enable the migrants to understand its clauses? LOCAL SUCCESS—Mr. Edgar Hughson visited London a week ago in order to sit for an exa- mination in organ playing. He succeeded iom. obtaining his A.R.C.O. A complimentary con- cert was held on Wednesday night at the Church Schoolroom to celebrate the event. Mr. Hughson is the organist at the Parish Church, and is a most successful teacher of music. Con- grats! "CHANGE."—Mr. J. O. Francis' great drama, "Change." attracted large crowds to the Cine- ma Theatre on Tuesday and Wednesday. The JIb", was produced by the Gwernydd Morgan Company, of Pontardawe. The acting was mast- erly, and the producers deserve great credit for their work. "CASEY" AND "DOLLY."—A most successful meeting was held at the I.L.P. Hall on Mon- day evening. The hall was filled to overflowing —many having to be turned away. The article of appreciation in last week's "Pioneer" was justified entirely by Casey's and Dolly's perfor- mance at Ystradgynlais. Musical critics present —and they were not a few—voted the playing of both artistes perfect, while the patter of Casey was both humorous and educative. Com- rade Gwilym Jones sang "The Toilers" with great effect. Certain remarks of a disparaging nature regarding our good friend Oasey, which recently appeared in the erstwhile Democratic Socialist weekly, "The Labour Voice," were shown to our comrade, and a reply to them, through the medium of the Labour Leader," is expected soon. I.L.P. NOTES .-Me,-tb, and Briton Ferry will soon have t8 look to thefr laurels as the premier Welsh branches, for Ystradgynlais I.L.P. is making rapid and lengthy strides. Seven new members were enrolled last week at the usual branch meeting. More have signified their intention of joining this week. Nearly a hundred new members have been added to the roll since the outbreak of war.- At Sunday eve- ning's gathering, a report of the Swansea Val- ley Socialist League meeting was given by Mr. Llw. E. Morgan, and it was worthy of note that the "Pioneer" was discussed by the Lea, gue delegates, who were instructed to get their branches interested in the welfare of the paper, and to report at the next League meeting as to the possibility of forming local committees to increase its circulation. —Evening classes in Mathematics and in Industrial History are about to be formed, and Mr. Nun Nicholas, of Pontardawe, has been approached regarding the conductorship of the latter. Intending students are asked to hand their names to MT. Frank Evans. Twenty-eight have already signified their intention of joining.

I ABERCRAVE IMPORTANT APPOINTMENT.—County Councillor Idris Davies, Chairman of the Abercrave I.L.P., deserves our congratulations on being appointed .a member of the Commission to inquire into the working of the Insurance Act. He shares with a lady from North Wales the distinction of heing the only representatives from Wales serving on this Commission;,

I CWMTWRCH II TIRBACH FTRE.-The iamproom at Tirbach Col- liery was gutted by fire on Sunday night, and about 300 safety lamps were destroyed. Work was suspended until these were replaced. PUBLIC LECTURE.—At Bethel, on Tuesday evening, MT. Chas. Edwards. Headmaster of Gurnos School, gave a lantern lecture to the Welsh Society on "The Antiquities of Ystradgyn lais and Neighbourhood." The lecture was thoroughly enjoyed, and so were the pictures. The slides were specially made by Mr. Lle-w. E. Morgan, of Gurnos School,

Theatre Royal. Before speaking of the show at the Royal this week I should like to settle one little point that has been causing some little disquiet amongst theatre-goers since the licensing magis- trates on Monday intimated their willingness to fall in with the Chief Constable's request and limit music and dancing licences locally to 10 p.m. Fear has been expressed that the re- striction applied to Mr. Norcliffe's house, and it is with real pleasure that I am able to tell my readers that this is not so. The Theatre Royal works under the dramatic licence, and this is unaffected by the magisterial decision. Everyone who has been to the Theatre this week will feel thankful with me that this serious restriction is not to operate there. For the bill this week is unusually good, and one remark- able feature of it has been the unanimity with which the Merthyr play-going public has recog- nised the undoubted genius of Matilda and El- vira the charming Spanish dancers, who have easily won first place in the affection of the peo- ple. though comparatively small lines on the day bill. One does not expect great things from stage dancers these days a few graceful steps, a pleasing way of idling away a few min- utes, a tolerant round of applause, and one usually settles down more firmly in the stalls for the next turn. Not so with Matilde and Elvira. They started with the prejudice their forerunners had left for them, but by their art -a most rare difficult and refined one-they awoke the whole house. The terpischorean spirit ran like electric fluid through the audi- ence and the house was stirred out of tolerance into enthusiasm. It has been a great triumph for the two ladies, and a greater one for the art of which they are two such charming and viva- cious exponents. Fred Ciayden has, with happy felicity, com- bined a good sketch and a great illusion into a novel and pleasing entertainment with his Mystery Gun." The plot is easy and more natural than most plots, and the acting is great, especally that of Miss Erica O'Foyle as the plucky sweetheart of the inventor, of the gun. One finds it difficult to say whether one ad- mired the sketch more than its sensational de- nouement. or the illusion more than the sketch. At any rate, it is good, clearly done, and well received. Jock Mills improves every time one hears him. His humour is as breezy as the heather-tinged wind from the H-Aelands, and he has all the music of his race. I aim inclined to agree with a friend of mine who always places Jock a little a-head of Lauder. The Robbins and Collier Trio are adding considerably to their al- ready distinguished reputation in "Miss Bacon's Easter Egg," a comedy turn that is real com- edy all the way. Harry Moore, the paper tear- er, is better than ever, and everyone is enjoying is 6 Tl joyi'lg his unique show. The Randys, those popular French eccenttrics, are more than usually fun- ny, and Harold Baker is rocking the house with laughter. Next week is to be a red-letter week, for we are to recieve a visit from Carl Hertz, the popu- lar mystery mercbannt. who lives in mv mind as the onlv conjurer who can vanish a living canary and cage from under the very nose of a, member of the audience, and in full view of the house. Many people have the idea that Hertz is a German. Nothing of the kind. He ==;c CAltli HERTZ. I was born in that most salubrious point on the American coast commonly known as San Frnn- cisco so well known to English tourists. Them fore, there is no tittle of Germanosity in the gentleman. For the last 30 years he has been mystifying the public with his gigantic illu- sions. He is one of the finest entertainexs that one could wish to see, and wherever he has been his efforts have always been appreciated. On this oocasion he will introduce the War Map, an intensifying illusion dealing with the present crisis. Assisting Carl Hertz will be Miss Emilie D' Alton, who is known as the beau- tiful vaudeville lady. She will present six of the latest Pairisian dresses, which for the first time will be worn in Merthyr. It is said of Carl Hertz that he is the only living variety illusionist who annually plays extended engagements at the leading West End London Halls such as the Empire, Alhaanibra. Palace, Hippodrome, etc. And when we take into consideration the heavy call at these establishments for continual chan- ges, it is not surprising that Hertz's press al- bum contains the most flattering testimony to his versatility, and that the London Press have unanimously dubbed Carl as the master of his art. Mr. Norcliffe must be congratula- ted on securing such an aHaracn for his pat- rons and he strongly advises the booking of seats well in advance. Thefre is also a strong variety bill supportirg Carl Hertz.

I ABERCYNON. BTLLIA-.RDS.-Abercynon v. Merthyr. Scor.,e,,s Abercynon- W. H. Rockey 150; E. Davies 74; James Williams 85; T. Roberts 150; Alf Pellard 150; Richard Moses 106; T. Harrison 150; W. Garbett 150-1,015. Merthyr—Dick Donovan 100; Percy Jacobs 150; Jack Richards 150: T. Harris 137- J. Evans 85; L. Davies 150; Tom Saunders 72; W. Thomas 101-945. Abercynon won by 70 points. A QUIET WEDDING took place on Saturday last the interested partie's being Miss Gwladys Lewis (daughter of Mr. R. Lewis, of 49 Herbert St., Abercynon) and Mr. Joseph Nuttall, of Aber- cynon. The bride, who was dressed in a navy blue costume with a black velvet hat, was given away by her father. The best man was Mr. E. J. Lewis, brother of the bride, and Miss May Nuttall (sister of the bridegroom) act- ed as bridesmaid. The happy couple, who were the recipients of many presents, were married at Pemiel Chapel, Pontypridd.

Trade Union Notes. I By TRADE UNIONIST. I may be excused for referring to the new loan scheme which has been recommended to the Government by the Committee appointed to consider the best means of obtaining contri- butions to the War Loans from the small in- vestor, and which has been accepted. The matter, properly speaking, is not a Trade Union one at all, but the scheme has been submitted to many Trade Union Officials, and has received their blessing, with a promise of assistance in bringing the advantages of the proposals before their members. The principal points of the scheme are as follows: -"LIve,ry deposit of 15/6 or accumula- tion of savings to reach that sum shall entitle the subscriber to receive Cl, five years from the date of the deposit. Agencies are to be approv- ed to act as collectors after the style of the large insurance companies." Recently the Com- mittee recommended "the removal, for the pe- riod of the war and six months thereafter, of the restrictions on the amount deposited by any one depositor in the Savings Banks and the issue of Exchequer Bonds in denominations of C5, £ 20 and R 50, and the provision of facili- ties for the registration of such bonds at post offices." These suggestions were at once adopted by the Treasury, and the Exchequer Bonds of small denominations have been extensively ta- ken up. The Committee now further recom- mend Organisation on extensive scale of voluntary saving associations. Issue to such associations only of Treasury Bills in smaller denominations than £1,000. Adoption of an instalment scheme. The appointment of committees to deal with methods of propagan da. The instalment scheme referred to is in de- tail as follows: — Each deposit would entitle the subscriber to receive 61 on the fifth anniversary of the date of deposit. The amount of each deposit would be 15/6. that i, near enough, the present value of £1 five years hence at 5 per cent. com- pound interest. -Facilities will be given for the accumulation of instalments until they reach 15/6, either through the ordinary machinery of the Savings Bank, or by means of the issue of cards with spaces for 31 sixpenny stamps. The deposits would be re-payable at any time at the end of any period less than a year from the date of deposits, at 15/6, without addition, upon the completion of one year at 15/9, and thereafter, with the addition of Id. for each complete month in excess of 12 since the date of issue. The accumulated interest would be free of income tax, but deposits would be receivable from persons whose total income for all sources does not exceed 23CK) a yeir. One paragraph in the report is of unusual significance, inasmuch as it has been accepted by the Government, Here it is We think that little useful purpose will be served by our recommendations unless other methods are taken to ensure this end (saving) by drastic taxation calculated to curtail all un- necessary expenditure. We are of opinion that a much greater proportion of the cost of the war should be raised by additional taxation more particularly of the WEALTHIER, portion of the community. A number of men working at Cilfynydd Col- liery refused, some time ago, to go down the pit on a Sunday night. The employer prosecu- ted, and as a result the men were fined. Now, what is the position with regard to this matter under the new agreement? The work- men considered, and I think the Government also expressed the view, that from it was not compulsory on the part of the men to work the Sunday night shift, the full week was to be constituted of 5 shifts of 8 hours each, com- mencing on Monday night and terminating on Saturday morning, and for which they were to be paid 6 shifts. If a Sunday night was worked, it was to be at the option of the men them- selves, and was to be a shift of 6 hours. The Executive of the S.W.M.F. have had the matter under consideration, and they take so serious a view of it that they decided, should the em- ployers "continue to contravene the new ag- reement," to convene a special conference to decide upon the future course of action. Another matter of considerable interest, and one which is bound to be tested, is the refusal of the employers to pay the bonus turn to piece workers, ie, colliers on night work working on tonnage rates, 'or repairers, rippers, etc., working by the yard. They persist in saying that the payment of the bonus turn only applies to wagemen. It is difficult to conceive how they wriggle out of it, inasmuch as Clause 13 of the New Agreement distinctly says that- "All workmen on night and intermediate shifts" shall be paid the bonus turn. This question has also been referred to the Executive, and the probability is that cases will be tested in court. The application of the South Wales miners for an advance of 5 per cent. has been met by the employers with a demand for a reduction of 3f per cent. How can these things bO;) ? The joint audit established by the new agreement provides the data for both applications. How comes it that the workmen contend that the audit justifies an advance of 5 per cent., while the employers contend that the same audit justifies a reduction of 3£ per cent. ? By the way, who is going to decide this question? Lord St. Aldwyn having resigned, there is no Independent Chairman of the Conciliation Board at present. Lord Reading, as Lord Chief Justice, has been asked to make the appoint- ment, but so far he has not done so. The tramway employees of South Wales have just held a conference, at which it was decided to make a joint application for an advance in wages to all the managements of tramway un- dertakings. Jn addition to the unrest with re- gard to wages, there seems to be no general understanding among the employees as to hours of labour—a day's work being differently un- derstood in different towns. Now an attempt is to be made to come to some definite under- standing regarding this matter, in order to applv the same conditions all round. I do not know how well organised the tramwaymen now are; some years ago they were but indiffer- ently organised. They will need to be strongly knit together in their Trade Union if thev are to succeed in this agitation. What adds to their diiffculties just now is the fact that many girl drivers and conductors are taking the places of the men. One of the speakers at the Conference, the Chairman of the Associa- tion, had some very strong things to say. He said that girl conductors in Sheffield were wor- king at a rate 50 per cent. higher than that paid to men conductors in Cardiff. "The Car- diff rate." he went on to say, "does not reflect any credit upon those who are content to worlt under such conditions. When the girls started on the cars at Sheffield, the men consented to ■ the innovation only on condition that they should be paid the same rates as the men." I JP| am afraid this is another instance of men al- lowing themselves to become the prey of .1 their employers rather than combine to secure ? their own interests. | I stated last week that the bakers" rate locally was 32/6 a week; I find that I was in P error—it is 38/- a week. The increase now de- o manded is 6/- per week. The Industrial Commissioners' Department 1 of- the Board of Trade has agreed to arbitrate It upon the merits of the demand of men em- ployed at the Irish ports and at Fishguard. Men employed at these ports are paid on a lower j, scale than that, existing at the Bristol Channel and North-Eastern poirts. Sailings between Fishguard and Rosslare and AVaterford and Fishguard have been suspended for the present S owing to a strike of firemen and sailors for in-- creased wages. Since writing the above, the information is § to hand that Lord Reading, the Lord Chief n Justice, has appointed Lord Muir Maelienzie, 1 G.C.B., to be Independent Chairman for the South Wales Conciliation Board. — ? — J

Tonyrefail Notes. I Patience is a virtue, but its almost beyond &IF 1 endurance when you hear some of the labouring class applauding their rulers and exploiters. when abusing labour organisations, not because they wish to improve such, but because they de- If sire the destruction of swell. From Labour's point of view even to support them in any way ■ is presumptuous. Just imagine a workman a having the audacity to consider himself having ■ fellowship with an aristrocratic landlord, or B even participating in friendship with a Mt capitalist or industrial lord! Absurd!! It seems in these degenerate days even the aristo- ] erat and the capitalist have lost self-respect, or they would kick him out. Each to his own Bn class. Then there would be some,, hope for a,. fi' pure class—not hybrid. There are rumours abroad that all miners who have attested need not pay any more con- a tributions towards the Federation. Such ru- mours are pernicious to the Federation, and should at once be combated and refuted by lodge officials. It may be noted that only those I who are clear in their payments at the time when undertaking military service will be ex- « empt from payment during active service. J Some local lodges have reason during this last year to boast about the success of their lodges, but if they do not be careful they will have i1, cause to regret if such rumours are allowed free play. f Saint David's Day is approaching. It will f soon be time for the Tonyrefail W orkmen's Club to prepare their annual balance sheet. There are many members who hold opinions f? that they should forego this year's feast, and If give the expenses of such to the Sailors' and li Soldiers' dependants. Such a course of action It would earn the gratitude of most peop)e. To w- be a source of comfort for little children is ifi preferable to a spread which will only end WJk| in smoke. Modern Religious Innovation In these days one marvels not at anything 1ft that happens to come under one's notice. In S New York, at the Church of the Holy Re- ji deemer, one Sunday evening, to thp .surprise y of the congregation, a kinenia screen had been 1 erected in the Church instead of the customany 1 evening service, a motion picture entitled "Des- J tiny, or the Soul of a Woman," was presented to their attention. Keen interest is taken by | a local church in modern innovations. During last week they experimented on similar lines. | To the surprise of the audience, who thought they were going to pay a religious tribute to the curate about to leave the locality discovered J; that a puerilish and irreligious entertainment U had been provided for them. Environment has a strange effect on some people. p Endless Chain of Prayer. 'g With a threat of misfortune, with a denial of W joy, and a request not to "break the endless- chain of Prayer, the following is sent forth on Bg behalf of the soldiers and sailors — K 0 God, we implore Thee to bless our sold- M- (or-, and sailors; keep them in the hollow of Thy hands, and keep us from all harm. Amen. J A Complimentary. r 0 God. we implore Thee to have mercy upon all humanity at the present. Clear our vision. j expel all our. ignorance, and make manifest Thy Vj love to all souls who find themselves in the fetters of hatred, fury and malice. We desire not the misfortune of any one not even our 4 moral enemies—much less many an innocent one who happens not to believe in witchcraft. We fly desire not to be protected from any harm which Thou might deem it just for our eternal K salvatIon; keep us' not from harm-but rather ?j from doing harm. And may Thy peace and ^B goodwill be established among men. Amen. J? Social. A social was held at the Bethel Vestry on |H January 31, when a well provided meal and a fjfJflH musical treat were given in honour of the boys of the Church who were about to leave- jfl under the Derby Scheme. Muscat Concert. ?M Last week, at a musical concert in connec- 9 tion with Saint David's Church, great s!atisfao- 9 tion was expressed at the able way in wHch 9 Mr. Lewis conducted Maunder's "Olivet to Oal- 9 vary." The grand rendering of the cboiF ? was assisted by an augmented orchestra.

I MOUNTAIN ASH, t THEFTS FTTOM T.V.R.—At Mountain Ash last RTN hursday Walter John Knapton and Thomas m Thomas, youths in the emplov of the T.V.R. M Company at Penrhiwceiber, were charged with stealing gloves and other articles, value in all 1 t3 1.7s 6d, during the last six months. It was J stated in court that the goods were missed from hampers consigned from Ynyshir to Pen- rihwceiber. A quantity of these were recovered i from the homes of the accused. Kna-pton was fined £ 5 or 28 days, and Thomas was bound over. The Stipendiary (Mr. R. A. Griffith) said' t that Thomas had admitted his guilt, and that jr was the first step towards repentance. J PLEASE MENTION THE PIONEER £1 WHEN ANSWERING ADVERTS.  Printed and nbli8ed by the Labour Pioneer Press, Limited, William' Square, Gle'bela?d? Street, Merthyr Tydfil, February 12, 1916. j "oo!