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Social Democratic Philosophy. I OBSERVATIONS ON PRESENT CIRCUMSTANCES. I By SYD JONES. Just at the present moment, when parlia- mentarianism is in the melting pot and the twin brothers, imagination and patriotism, breath- lessly struggle to justify their past, it is inter- esting to observe the activities of industrial de- mocracy. Never before in the history of Trade Unionism has the worker been compelled to come to grips with cause and effect. Never be- fore has the parliamentarian exhibited his re- moteness from economic realities. Compare, as an example of these divergen- cies, the activities of our Trade Union branches, Trades Councils, Independent Labour groups with that of the "pure" politician. In almost every walk of Labour activity the process of un- doing is going on, the undoing of the knot by which Labour has been tied and "done." La- bour. being at the base of all political achieve- ment, has allowed tho administration from above to fetter the purpose of the organisation from below. The effect is seen. An excellent example of this contradictory policy was men- tioned in the news columns of the PIONEER last week. The chairman of a certain propaganda meeting eulogised the abilities of the prospec- tive Labour candidate in a certain area as the man to look after the wages of workers! Shades of capitalism! Did we ever have any to look afterP The truth is that the "pure" politi- cians have no conception of the wages system. As if wages were the first consideration in capi- talistic economy It is very evident that demo- cracy needs turn down its ideals. We have or- ganised from above in contradiction to the his- torical development of Labour, and thereby given over to capitalism, politically and indus- trially, educationally and socially, Labour's pur- pose and destiny. "All things are relative" should be the primary expression of thoughtful democracy. Thought being a necessary process like every other process, it is relative to things. The absence of this way of thinking accounts for the so-called "nistakes" of history. It re- quired the growth of i-ea-I social democracy to present the reality of existence. This is the positive outcome of philosophical thought. The real danger and menace to the Labour move- ment lies in. its dependence upon men men who have gained their political power by economic strength. The workers have follow-ed in their wake, and looked at life and the conditions of life through capitalistic spectacles. Here we see the need for independence in Labour politics and education. The independent character of educa- tion and politics would produce the idea of a monopoly of Labour. It would also teach the method of organisation by which such monopoly of labour can lie brought about. Principles un- ite, interests divide." The principles of Labour are in direct antagonism to the principles of Capitalism, which are the principles of ex- ploitation. The interests of all workers are the same, and co-operation is the method by which alone those interests may be advocated. Official education separates into water-tight compartments the na- tional institutions of learning—industry, polit- ics and religion. It ignores the unity of the world. TIlLe social institutions reared upon the economic foundasfcrons of society are the super- structure through which the opposing move- ments struggle for survival. Social Democracy need gird up its loins. Herein the rank and file have their duty to perfo^n TEL the progress of the world. Official Labour may easily be- come the catspaws of governments. It lives in a mental world where administration of capitalist- ic law is necessary to the maintenance of the existing order. When peace again Gomes--&s we hope it soon will—an internaiioira, l proletar- iat will desire and proclaim the unity of work- er's in all lands,, and will consider the world as Its country. A consciousness of this unity is what this sad world needs. Not till then will the militarism of any oountry be crushed. When industry do- minates, guided by the co-operative thought of Organised Labour, then all things shall be put under the feet of Social Democracy. The experi- ence of the pi-esent time will undoubtedly teach the absurdity of human antagonisms. The flowers in the form of hufmia-R intellect and physique should not be the target of machine guns The wealth of the world has been realised by man's supremacy over nature and the strug- gle to survive. Rational beings may well re- gard as preposterous the waste of labour in forming weapons for destruction. Where wealth is sufficient and each has property en, ough, what need is there for national barriers and racial wars? We cannot but believe that there is at least an adumbration of the answer to this query in the rank and file of our move- ment. Independence of thought and action is desired. Conservatism would maintain the law and the existing order through its paid officials. What is good has no need for de- fence. What is superfluous will be brushed aside. Freedom to develop is the goal of the progressive intellect born out of the struggle in the conditions of the time -_+_+_ -n_ -n_

"PROPAGANDA, NOT PROFIT," is the motto of the Pioneer Press." If you are aiive to the tremendous social improve- ments that the Pa.rty the Pioneer represents Stands for. th<?n it is your duty to all that all your Trades Union, Co-operative, and QeTieral Printing comes to Williams' Square Merthyr the Home of the Pioneer." SMALL PREPAID ADVERTISEMENTS. One In- Three In- Six In- sertion. sertions. sertions. s. d. s. d. s. d. 20 words. 0 6 1 0 1 9 cO words 0 9 1 6 2 9 JO words 1 (j 2 0 3 6 4L) ivords 1 3 2 6 4 6 6C words 1 6 3 0 5 6 In all c ses the Name and Address are counted as part of the Advertisement. These prices apply only to Advertisements ordered for consecutive insertions and which are prepaid. Trade Advertisements are inserted under the Heading Personal at 9d. per line. All Advertisements should be posted to the, v Office on or before Monday. Medical. £ \,i -PAGE BOOK ABOUT HERBS AND U^l- HOW TO LSE THEM, po&t free. Send for one. TRIMNELL, THE HERBALIST, 144 RICHMOND ROAD, CARDIFF. Established 1879. Literary. tTNITARIAN PAMPHLETS on "The Bible," ?— "Heaven," and Hell," given post free.—Miss BARMBY, Mount Pleasant, Sidmouth It N Educative Percentage Book for Miners .1. and Colliery Clerks, post free 5d. — E. EVANS. 38 Church Street, Penydarren, Merthyr. Misce'lanen«s STROLOGY. Life events, changes, for- A. tunate days, business success, matri- mony; two years' future added; send birth date, 1/- P.O. PROF. GOULD, "The Nook," Heathfield Road, Cardiff. "THE SPUR." Because the Workers need a Spur. Edited by GUY A. ALDRED. Kartooned by KRITIKOS." The Enemy of every God. the Foe of every King, Flies only the Red Flag. Single copies-Post free, 1 £ d. annual subscrip- tion, Is. Gd. APRIL JSSUE NOW ON SALE. Special No-Conscription and Anti-Tribunalitis Number. Together with Miscellaneous Collection Aldred's Literature, worth 3s. ()d. post free. Is. 6d, Published at 17 Richmond Gardens, Shepherd's Bush. London, W. Send a Donation to the Special Easter Fund of the WORKERS' SUFFRAGE FEDERATION Head Office: 400 Old Ford Road, Bow, E. Hon. Secretary Miss Sylvia Pankhurst. Hon. Treasurer Dr. Barbara Tchaykovsky. MEMBERSHIP Id. entrance fee Id. a month afterwards. Open to all men and women. Junior Associates, 14 to IS years. Works to secure Human Suffrage, namely, a votecor every man and woman over 21 years. The Woman's Dreadnought. lzd. weekly. Published at 4co Old Ford Road, Bow, E. T_he Mother's Arms" Day Nursery and Mother and Infant Clinic, 438 Oid Ford Road, Bow, E. Cost Price Rest an rant, 400 Old Ford Road, Bow, E. Poplar Clinic and Cost Price Restaurant, 20 Railway Street, Poplar. Bremley Clinic, 53 St. Leonard Street, Bromley. South-West Mam Clinic, 55 Fife Road. Our clinics are costly because we realise that a bottle of milk is often better than a bottle of medicine, a good meal may be more useful than a tonic. Co-operative Toy Factory, 43 Norman Road, Bow. Send us as much as you can. Hell) the Women to help them- selves and the Children.

Rtioadda Tribunal Discussion. I EX-SOLDIER SOCIALIST AND A POLICE I WARRANT. The above body met at the Porth Police Court TOU Tuesday. April 11, when, among others, an Interesting duiogue ensued between a Conscien- tious Objector and the Chairman and Military Representative. Air. G. M. Bodey, a postman, applied for ab- solute exf3tm.pt.ion on conscientious grounds. Applicant stated at the outset that he wished •to protest against the action of the Military Authorities, who, since his last appearance, had sent him two moblisation papers, also issued a wai-rant for his arrest. This is in negation of the Act of Parliament. Chairman: There has been a mistake, Military Representative: It was a mistake, I expect. Applicant A wilful mistake. Chairman: You are not to challenge my sttttefments. Applicant: I am not going to allow you to ttiake a statement you cannot prove. Applicant (to Military Representative): I received a mobilisation paper; then the police carne with a warrant for my arrest. I ex- Plained to them the facts; these were com- -niunciatedito the proper quarters, and in spite "-of this I i-eceived another mobilisation paper calling me to the colours to-morrow. Chairman: New we understand one another, "We will proceed with the case. Applicant: I may say at the outset that 1 ^an promise to be candid, but not impartial, ha- ving been in the army and having been through the South African War and knowing a soldier's life from "a" to "z"; and within 12 months of the close of that campaign I purchased my discharge, and I decided to never again, directly or indirectly, engage in military mat- tars. and I joined the ever-growing party. The Illorld is my country and mankind my brethren; to do the best I can under all circumstances Rs my religion. Chairman: Now the only thing we can do Ivit,h you is to compel you to do some work •of national importance. Applicant: I will decide that. and not you. Military Representative What religious or 3101itical party do you belong to? Applicant: What has that to do with the case? Military Representative: Nothing. Applicant: Then what do you want to know But seeing you are so anxious to know, I WIE tell you: 1 am a Trades Unionist first ynd foremost; I belong to the Socialist Party. The Tribunal retired, and discovered that ap- plicant had not a. genuine conscientious objection within the meaning of the Act. Applicant: I thank you for your kind generos- ity I shall appeal against your decision. Mr. Bodey has been for yeai's an avowed ■Socialist, arid a most active worker in the move- ment.

Another Letter to the Hon. Wm. Brace, M.F. Dear Sir,-In a letter to you on April 1, 1916, I directed yottr attention to my own case a Conscientious Objector to Military Service. ^though there are quite a. number of cases in district of injustice at the hands of the ,.Q('al tribunal, I wish, owing to the except- 01'al Ti-l b ,unti I wis h f !°nai. features of the case, to call your atten- 1;011 to the application for absolute exemption [ "OQ Conscientintis Grounds to the Local Tribunal f' ior this district of ALFRED WAKBURTON, aged 20 f -Yea.rs, 6 Lewis Street, Pontyclun, Glain. This young man applied on Christian grounds, ? ?id the evidence before the Local Tribunal on AtiM-ch 17 when his case was heard, was that he ?d been a member of the English Baptist at Pontyclun since childhood; that lie active in the work of the church, and was ip Sandyy School teacher. V Jn 1914. this young man's mother ,'Ie; So intense was her horroi of war that called her son to her on her death bed and h, III to vow that he would never take a. ••jTi>art in the war. This vow he took. Although in this case the Local Tribunal had i: !)er..1 t them a religious objection to taking part li the war, an objection which was immense- k strengthened by a vow given by a young '1 aa during the most impressionable years of I fe, and at the most solemn moment of his >ife-—at the deathbed of his mother. It f ?Cl the Local Tribunal the usua l time to "consider" and dismiss the application. The {visual time in these cases is about ten seconds, pre-arrangement Before the Appeal Tribunal on March 30, the Evidence given before the Local Tribunal was J^peated, and corroborated by. letter; from the Orfel Jenkins. Baptist Minister, Pontyol-un the Secretary of the Church. The lwv, Orfel said he knew the young man intimate- ( i |ir; that his was a genuine case, and that he Ww of the vow to the dying mother. The fppeal Tribunal gave the young man non-com- > < ^tant service, which he says he cannot accept, tf In not one instance has the Local Tribunal ? ?? this district given absolute exemption to a ? Conscientious Objector. I hasten to inform you ??hat this does not mean that there are no !■ doling men who hold Christian ideals in this dis- .< 'i ?'ict; nor does it mean that there are no others  ?ho have moral convictions which forbid parti- b '?Pation in the war. All it means is that the ? ?or-al Tribunal is patriotic, and their patriotism f ?oes not indude tolerance of men who hold ?-?ch Christian ideals and moral convictions.  I beg to request answer to the question whe- m, this young man and other young men in his district are to be persecuted not because 4(lv may break the law by not responding to ?'?? notices which may be sent them by the Mili- \ry Authorities, but because the Government ,j) ? which you are a member has failed to secure J ? honest and impartial administration of the military Service Act. Thanking you for a reply to this question.-I .t t ?. Yours sincerelv. u j IDWAL WILLIAMS. 1 '5,1'; Swa? Street. Hantrisant, ? ApnJ1419i6.

PW —-——— = Loss to Troedyrhiw. I ftEV ROWLAND JONES ACCEPTS NEW- I PORT PASTORATE. t It is with profound regret we announce that V Rev. Rowland Jones, B.A.. has tendered his ■Signation to the Tabernacle Baptist Church, ? -,3 hi IWdyrhiw, and has accepted the pastorate of 'I'.l.aindy Baptist Church, Newport, Since the advent of Mr J ones to the above iii,ch. it has become a deeply religious and hleational centre for the district. The influence f his ministry will be missed by all who came oon tacrt with it. It We wish Tabernacle Church eiery-success in 'iifiir endeavour to find a worthy successor to litini-te the good, noble and inspiring work 0118 by Mr. Jones.

Enforcing the Act in Moun- tain Ash. SEVEN CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTORS HAN. DED OVER TO MILITARY. EMRYS HUGHES ARRESTED. 1 On Tuesday morning seven of the Mountain Ash Conscripts—C. H. Tucker, J. J. Becker- legge, J. G. Neighbour, Henry Powell, Walter Rees. Stanley Minor, and T. Grif- fiths were arrested as absentees un- der the Military Service Act, and were taken to the Police Station where, after being formally charged, they were a led out to appear before the Stipendiary on Wednesday. On appearing on Wednesday. Sergt.-Major John, recruiting officer, proved the notices call- ing up the defendants, and testified that they did not appear. The Rev. George Neighbour, Mountain Ash, N l,r. Ro b erts, handed the Bench a letter from a Mr. Roberts, solicitor, who had been engaged for the defence, but who had not arrived. The Stipendiary: We cannot listen to this letter. The case of Griffiths was taken first, and he said he was still a conscientious objecto^.—The Stipendiary: We have nothing whatever to do with that. The fine will be 40/ the minimum under the Act, and an. order that defendant be handed over to the military authorities. Defendant Tucker said that "Mr. Walter Long had promised to consider their cases." Beckerlegge said he had appealed to the Tri- bunal as a conscientious objector, and aJso on the ground that the work he was engaged in as a teacher was of national importance. The stipendiary You did not obtain exemp- tiön ?-N o. sir.—A fine of 40/- with an order to be handed over to the military authorities was made in rpspeet of each defendant. Emrys Hughes Arrested. Emrys Hughes was on his way to the court to watch the trial on our behalf, and whenit on Abercynon platform he was tapped on the shonlcler by Inspector Toye, and a plain clothes constable, by whom he was removed to the local police station and formerly charged as an ab- sentee from H.M. Forces, and for failing to report himself for military service. At the police station difficulty seemed to arise over allowing him out on bail, and it was not until three hours after his arrest that he was finally allowed to leave the cell, and was given his liberty sub- ject to reporting hismelf to take his trial to- day (Thursday). Percy Kendall. Gwilvm Smith, and.B. Morgan were also a<rreste"d. and subse- quently let out on bail along with Emrys. All seven Mountain Ash "boys" were taken down to Cardiff under escort and in a locked compartment later in the day.

Merthyr Trades & Labour Council. SUCCESSFUL ANTI-RENT RAISING ACTIVITIES. A BAD CASE FROM iREHARRIS. The monthly meeting of the Merthyr Trades and Labour Council was held on Thursday last, but owing to the Peace Meeting in the Rink, the attendance was not quite up to the usual standard. A lot of important business was transacted. It was decided to ask the National War Workers' Emergency Committee to convene a conference of the whole Labour movement as soon as possible in order to tho- roughly discuss the position of Labour in its eca- nomic, social and political phases after the war. It was decided to sign the memorial to Mr. Bonar Law asking for an enquiry into the Riots at Ceylon, and also into the causes of the proclamation of martial law. and into the man- ner in which the same was administered in that island. A i-epoilt was given by a deputation to the Watch Committee re Child Labour, and the delegates were pleased o-hnd that the Watch Committee means business. It was very possible that a special meeting will be held shortly to discuss the proposed Eco- nomic War against Germany, and that Mr. Pon- sonby, M.P., will appear as a delegation. The Secretary (Mr. W. Harris) gave a short report on the Rents Committee work, in the course of which he dealt with the actions taken successfully in three or four cases. New cases were reported in writing by two delegates—two being flagrant cases from Treharris and one from Bedlniog. It is more than ever necessary to impress on tenants not to pay increased rents; and they should also deduct any increased rents they' have paid, unless such are legal ac- cording to the Act. It is more than probable that two of these cases will ajppear in the local courts, and the Secretary was confident that both cases would be won in favour of the ten- ants. For example, the rent had been increased on a tenant who had lived 35 years in the house, during which time not a pennv in the way- of repairs. had been expended by the land- lord. This is a Treharris case.

"No Politics Here." I COMMENT IN ABERDARE TRIBUNAL I CASE. The Glaon organ County Appeal Tribunal at Pontypridd on Saturday dealt with cases from the Aberdare, Rhondda and Pontypridd dist- ricts. Alderman W. R. Davies presided. An Aberdare conscielitio,us objector offered to join the Friends' Ambulance Unit, and Mr. Roberts (his solicitor) put in a letter from Mr. Edgar Jones, M.P., stating that if exempted he was prepared to find him work of national importance. A Member: No politics, please. Mr. Roberts: I don't think there are any politicians now. The Chairman: You would not be here if there were not. (Laughter.) The appeal was dismissed.

MOUNTAIN ASH. I A BANKRUPT'S OFFENCE.—At Mountain Ash last Thursday Robert Broadbent, formerly in business locally as a fruiterer and fishmonger, wa,s charged with having obtained, while an un- discharged bankrupt, credit from three differ- ent firms exceeding the sum of LIO, without ha- ving disclosed that he was an undischarged, bankrupt.—Mr. Ellis Owen (Official Receiver) prosecuted, and Mr. William Thomas, Aberdare, defended.—The Official Receiver explained that defendant was first adjudged bankrupt at Aber- dare in October, 1906, and again in November last. If the court was satisfied that he had proved the first charge, he was prepared to withdraw the other two charges—The Stipendi- arv (Mr Griffith), in passing sentence of one month's imprisonment in the second division, said the Official Receiver had placed the matter before the court very fairly. The offence was a very serious one, for which there was no excuse.,

Pioneer Shilling Fund Comrades,—I have to thank many friends for assistance during the past weel, or two, and in particular, two of the Dowlais Miners' Lodges and the Merthyr Trades Council, for handsome donations; but at the same time I admit to a feeling of disappointment that individual read- ers have not seen their way clear to come for- ward in greater numbers. I am grateful for what has been done, but as I pointed out in my appeal eome weeks ago, the need is great, nay is vital at this, the most important stage of our evolution. Every week our circulation increases, ever week new districts break open to us, new adherents flock to our standard, but war prices are ruling, and the need to throw off the burdens of the past that have been the inevitable outcome of gross under-capitali- sation. I have always accounted as mean the man or movement that begged to add to a store, and I assure you, my fi-iends, that I would not ask for your assistance were such as- sistance not a prime need of the hour. We must carry on it is a duty we owe to huma- nity and to posterity to hold the barque of South Wales Democracy as near to the course of sanity as we can. You will have to aid; I ask it not as a favour, but as a part, an im- portant part, of your task as units in the great army that marches under the Red Banner of Freedom .—Yours, THE EDITOR. Share Capital. £ s. d. John Davies, Dowlais .1 0 0 Herbert Davies 0 10 0 £ 1 10 0 Shilling Fund. s. d. Aberfan 2 0 Mr. John Twomey, Swansea. 1 0 3 0 —

Glamorgan Appeal Tribunal I BARGOED I.L.PEER BEFORE CARDIFF BODY. Amongst the appeals that came before the Glamorgan. Appeal Tribunal at Cardiff last when the decisions of the local Tri- bunals were almost always upheld, wer those of some local Bargoed, Merthyr. and Dowlais applicants. A Bargoed teacher, I.L.P. member and official of the No-Conscription Fellowship, said he had preached against war" for the last ten years. Mr. Hubert Jenkins: Has it ever occurred to you that if we had not taken part in the war the Germans might be here to-day Applicant replied that he had not considered the matter from that point of view, but there could be no end to war until people refused to participate in it. Mr. D. W. Jones: Having entered into war, do you wish us to put down arms?—I say now we should enter into'peace negotiations. in this ease, as well as in other cases where somewhat similar agreements were put forward, the decisions of the Local Tribunals were upheld. The owner and licensee of an hotel at Dow- lais, who was granted a month's extension, said. when asked if he could not let his busin- ess, that there were lots of cases at Merthyr and Dowlaiis where the tenants of public-houses were allowed to live rent free just to preserve the licence. A Merthyr school teacher was exempted so long as lie personally looked after his mother, who. he said, suffered from paralysis and adiposity," being about 16 stone in weight, and unable to move without assistance. Exemption until the end of June was granted to a solicitor's aft-tided clerk in order that he might sit in that month for his final examina- tion. for which he stated he had "digested over 40 volumes of law.

Bigamist Divorced. I ABERDARE- WOMAN OBTAINS DECREE. I Air Justice Bargrave Deane again had before him in the Divorce Court on Monday the peti- tion of Mrs. Eliza Davies, of Aberdare, asking for the dissolution of the marriage with her husband, Thomas Davies, because of his alleged desertion and bigamy. The case was heard on January 28 last, and adjourned for further evidence of identification. Counsel (Mr. Cecil Hayes) produced evidence by affidavit of Daniel Charles Edwards, in the Carmarthen Registry Office, saying that the husband, in the name of Daniel Da.vies, went through the form of marriage with AriJl Reece on August 22, 1903. Witness also said that petitioner had identified, her husband's signature in the marriage register. A decree nisi, with costs, was granted.

Steelworkers' Wages. DOWLAIS NOTICES MOTION REJECTED. A meeting of the Executive Committee of the South Wales and Mon. Steel & Iron Workers1 Sliding Scale Committee was held at Cardiff on Saturday to consider a motion by the Dowlais Steelworkers asking that 6 months' notice should be tendered on July 1 at the varipts works at which sliding scales are in operation to terminate the scle consequent upon the failure of the workmen's representative* to obtain the abolition of the maximum under the scale. At present the maximum stands at 45 per cent. on the selling price of steel rails' etc.. over antt above L4 5s. but it was contended that the work men were entitled to a bigger share in the pro.. fits. which had very materiallv increased as the result of the war. The Committee on Pro- duction had refused to interfere with the maxi- mum. and had granted a war bonus to which the men were not aareeable. By a large majority- tbe executive decided against, the tendering of notices, and expressed the hope that they would be able to meet the employers at san early date with a view to having some of the restrictions, relating to the war bonus abolished. It was further point- ed out that as the reptresentatives of the work- men on the Sliding Scale Committees had Sail- ed to achieve their objective, the Trade Union, leaders shoud take the matter in hand.

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