Pioneer

Arthur Henderson Touts for Lloyd George. < SEE PAGE 4 SEE PAGE 4

Heavy Fine for Tal Mainwaring. SEQUEL TO PORT TALBOT MEETING. Considerable interest was taken at Port Tal- bob on Thursday, June 8, in a series of cases against local Socialists, who were charged with making statements and distributing circulars likely to prejudice recruiting and to caus'e dis- affection to the training and discipline of His Majesty's Forces. Councillor Taliesyn Main- waring. Port Talbot. was charged with making certain statements in Bethany Square. Port TJalbot. on Sunday, May 7. Daniel Morris, Secretary of the Cwmavon LLP., Jenkin and William Williams- brothers, and both members of the Cwmavon I.L P, were charged with dis- tributing circulars in Cwmavon on May 10. Mr Edward Powell, Neath, appeared for the prosecution, and Mr Llewelyn Williams, K.C, M.P. was for the defence. Mr Powell, in opening, said that Mainwaring had tried to hammer it in the minds of his hearers that the Compulsion Bill was introd- uced for the conscription of labour. Com- menting on this. Mr Powell exclaimed, This is one of the most monstrous lies that has been told by any working man in the history of the country!" "Here you have a Councillor, a man. holding a responsible position, saving these things; I say it is monstrous!" These exclamation drew considerable laughter from the court, and gave Mr Williams ample scope- for satire m his summing np. The first- witness. Mr Yapp, said he had taken a shorthand report of the meeting. Mr Powell What date was the meeting?— Witness: Sunday, the 7th of May. Mr Powell: Who was the chairman?—Wit- ness James Price. Mr Powell: Were there any other speakers:a Witness: Harry Davies. Taibach and Hy. Da vies. Cwmavon. Mr Yapp. cross-examined by Mr Williams, stated that he had not taken a full report of the meeting, 0' ? Mr Williams: Was there a large crowd there.a -—Witness: About- 400 people. Mr, Williams Do vou know of anyone who has been prevented from joining the triiiy ? Witness: No, sir.. ."7'11' Inspector Rees, in replying to Å ll I 1 lams, said he had warned the speakers oefore the .meeting.. ill, ,e i. nr W'?! —h«t iigut 'aad to warn th -V 'I lmd, ;vb," "'?? these men not al- Mr N V ii l iiiiir- lowed to ?p*lk? !)ui vOU have 111 -volir mind that they were gomg to say something illegal? -1 'a, very good idea. (Laughter.) Mr Williams: Do you know that the present Home Secretary—your official' superior — has publiciv declared that it is right to seek the repeal of the Military Service Acts? Sunt: Ben Evans. Neath, stated that he had also warned the speakers before the meeting. Mr Williams: Do you know defendant ?-Yes Mr Williams: Is he a well-known nan ?-.Yes, & very well-known man. ? very 'Vmi,ms: Do you suggest, because you know the views of these men, they were going to say something illegal?—We had a very good idea. (Laughter.) Mr Willi ams: That before these men opened their mouths, you had a general idea. they were going to say something illegal?—Yes. Mr Williams: What right had you to prev- ent these men from speaking?—The right of the Defence "of the Realm Act. Mr Williams then quoted Section 27 of the Defence of the Realm Act, and pointed out the police had no authority to prevent the men from speaking under that section. Mr Powell: The police are given the right in Section 72 of the Highway Act. Mr Williams: Thti only legal power to pre- vent this meeting was under the Highway Act and not under Section. 27 of the Defence of the Realm Act, The case took an interesting turn when it was pleaded for the defence that the summons was issued before the authorisation of the Competent Military Authority (Col. Edwards Van glum had issued an authorisation for the institution of proceedings in a Court of Sum- mary Jurisdiction. In his address to the Bench. Mr Williams said —"It is no small thing far a public man, a councillor In this district, to be willing to find himself in the dock CIIn a criminal charge. I am entitled to urge upon -your worships the extreme responsibility which touches all of you when I say, for the first time in the history of the country, you are invested with these extraordinary powers. I ask you to consider the matter very carefully; I have no doubt that there are expressions of opinton in this speech with which you disagree, but I say there is not a single expression which is prejudicial to the success of our cause. Mr Mainwaring is op- posed to the Military Service Act, is opposed to any extension of it, and he has the right to ad- vocate the repeal of it bv Act- of Parliament, However foolish or distorted. this man's views may be, they are not against the interests of the country. I think we fear nothing as long as men have the right to expound their opin- ionss. In a powerful attack on shipowners and food contractors, Mr Williams proceeded In the words of the soldiers there is discipline, but it is among the newspaper men, food contract- ors and politicians that discipline is needed. It is these who are inhuman it is these men who are Prussianising the country. It is these dodr dering idiots who try to do 'aWa\7 with the free- I dom of the OUlltl J nd., let me tell you, that the vs?ue of a sovereign is down to 11 The Bench found defendant guilty, and ini- posed a fine of £ 25 and t,5 costs, or in default of payment three months' imprisonment. Daniel Morris was charged under the same section with delivering leaflets in Cwmavon on the morning of May 9. The leaflets were made into bundles, each containing "Repeal the Act" "Jingo Views," "Everett," "Old Men and Young," "Maximilian, "Dr Clifford's Speech" and "The Tribunal."—Superintendent Ben Ev- ans gave evidence on the authority for the present proceedings. Mr Pewell: Were yon at Cwmavon some- where about the 13th of May?—Supeirntendent Evans: Yes, I was at the I.L.P. Centre, Cross-examined by Mr Wilhams. the Superin- tendent said he saw defendant at the centre. Mr W illiams What time was it ?—It was be- tween 10 and 12 noon on the 13th of May. Mr Williams: Was there anyone else pres- elit I remember seeing more people there Mr Williams Was there anything said by defendant?—We had a conversation. Mr Williams: Please remigmber you are in the witness box under oath, because I "have a shorthand note of the conversation here. Did you not ask defendant, "Who is the postman here ?"Yes. Mr Williams: And did you not suggest to defendant that he had delivered t hese leaflets i during his hours of dutyp And did not defen- dant reply, "It IS a lie, and I know who your informer is"?—Yes, something to that effect. Lena Corcoran, a young girl, gave evidence to the effect that the leaflets were thrown in the passage on the date in question. Mr Williams: How old are you?—18. Mr Williams: Where do you lIye ?-7 Church Square. Owmavon. Mr Williams: Have you seen any of these circulars hefore Pc-Yes, sir. Mr Williams: Where did you get them from? -I n the passage. Mr Williams: What was ne doing?—He threw the papers in the passage. Mr Williams: Was there anyone else in the da-sage ?—N o, sir. f Mr Williams: Did you ask him to hand over the papers?—N o, sir. Mr Williams. Weie t here any more papers under his arm?—Yes, sir. Itr Williams: What time did you see him ?- Becweerv 10 and 11 in the n-c" -riing Another witness. Mr B. A. Grimths an eld- erly man, said that he had received the bundle cn-ouiare ? the morning in question.  d are yo?ii? At e you no. aJn V'n!ifT: How old You? Are you <hd Age Pensioner? These leaflets did not prevent you from enlisting? (LaughtBr.) —? '!tILSS 1 ephed Lwt he was an Old Age pen- I <;]ÓHer, Mi Williams Did yon read all of them? — No. I on]y read on, o'f them. Uhams: What did you do after you ] a read it^Well. I put them on the mantel- pIece to make spills to light my pipe, (Re- newed laughter.) newed A iihams T suppose you had read m njrer re, ding one of them P—Yes. Mr W'11 lams: Wf"'t did you read? — Some- ,'id you read? Soirie- -5 T't r. •> ?. r >Y:¡ln". j)j ?u? ..?.jeu. [o liberty of con- seienre ?cIt does not strike me much (laughter) Mr W_dham.s: Are -von a member of the T IrT -.P^ r—No, 1 am not. Mr Williams: Do you object to the I.L.P? And have you always been opposed to the par- ty?-No, I have got nothm? against it. Mr ty ?— NWo,d? Hams: Did you count the number of Circulars you had? Do you say on oath a num- bei, of circulars were handed to you by Daniel Morris?—Yes, I received all of them. Defendant, in reply to Mr Williams, said he was a postman at Cwmavon. Mr Williams: How oM are you?—26. Mr W illiams: Were you delivering leaflets on the morning of the 9th of May?—Yes. Mr Williams: Did vo i deliver a. bundle at Lena Corcoran's house? — I put them in the passage. Mt Williams: Did you see Mr Griffiths? I did not. Mr Williams: To whom did you give the circular P—To the landlady's son. Mr Williams: Were \on on duty at the time ^—I was not. Defendant proceeded to explain that he was off duty at 9 o'clock on the morning in ques- tion. -1 reached home a little after 9 and changed my clothes I was neither on duty nor wearmg uniferm at the time I delivered the iM.ncts. Mr Powell: T do not press the point: it is on ly terof identification, M. a T^1 fhvamVntimafed be would prefer StT8 a ^?eoh ^ter rhe other cases had been tKh judgJent. ??- ?'? rerarved theIr judgiiieit. ?? ?? Wmiam Wil- li^miwaf Jenkin and William Wil- 5eS delivered leaflets between the hours oo? f 6 and 7 in the evening of May 10. Two witnesss gave evidence for the prosecu- tion-Tom Bright, the first witness, said that he had revived a bundle of leaflets between h or 7  the ei,n.in of the date in qutJstion rrom W? ?S?' '? ? ™ ?-?  iir pJams: What aTe you?-A carpenter. .Aft, voil a member of the I.L, P P —I am glad to say I am not. Mr Williams: What are you?-—A carpenter. (Laughter.) Mr Williams: Did you take the leaflets to did take them to the police on the following day. Mr Williams: Did you speak to defendants ? -Ye, sir. Evan Williams, insurance agent, gave evid- ence that he found the leaflets in the house. M- WilHa.ms: Did you see Thomas Bright talking to defendants?—Yes, sir. w WUKams: Did you speak to William \YiHiams ?-Yes-sir Mr Williams: Did vou see anybody in vour M" Williams:Didyoli see anybody ii?i you William Williams said he was a collier resM- ing at 12 Gower Street, and that his brother- called to see himahout 7 p.m., and did not leave until 9-30.— Mrs Williams, wife of defendant and Benjainnri James, brother-in- law, corroborated this statement. Jenkin Williams, in reply to Mr Williams, said he was a collier dt the Cynon Colliery. Mr Williams: Were you working at the Cynon. Colliery on Wedne,,qda..y ?-Yes. Mr W illiams: What time did you come home?—About 4 p.m. Mr Williams: Did you go out at all?--ye, I went- out about 6 p.m. Mr Williams: Did anybody come to see you ? —A friend of mine came t-o ask me if I would come to the sea-side. Mr Williams: Did you see Thomas Bright on that night?--No, sir. Mr Williams Did you put a bundle of leaflets in Thomas Bright"s house?—No, sir. Mr Williams: Have you any reason to give HUM 11 Ml IIIIUII lilkJ to tile Bench why Mr Evan Williams or Mr Thomas Bright reported you?—No, sir. :vir Williams: Do you swear that on the 10th of May you were npt delivering leaflets?—Yes, Mr Hurry Thomas stated that he had not seen defendant delivering leaflets, and that he was in his company at 7 p. m. at Mr Tom Bv- nns' house at Gower Street.—Miss Polly Evans corroborated these statements. The three cietetmaiits were fined £ 10 and £1 costs each, or two months' imprisonment. They were given fourteen days to pay.

OLYMPIA RINK MERTHYR. MERTHYR PEACE COUNCIL. Monday Next, June 19th, 1916. SPEAKER: Mr. CHAS. TREVELYAN, M.P CHAIRMAN MR, DAVID DAVIES. Doors open at 7. Chair at 7.30 p.m. Sunday, June 25th. SPEAKERS: Mr. PHILIP SNOWDEN, M.P. Mrs. Ethel Snowden. CHAIRMAN MR. EDWARD ROBERTS Doors open at; Chair at 2.30 p.m. Admission Free. Collection

The Case of the Light Employment Men. I  By 'jOH;- HAWKINS. Although judges may not go deliberately ag- Although judges may not go deliber,a,ely ag- ainst the workmen, being brought up under a diifetTent environment, they consequently de- cide from the viewpoint of another class. They may be partial uiiknowingly and unwittingly, "to the powers that be, and thereby act against the interest of those who have v been smashed up. It is difficult ior a man to un- derstand the position of a person if he has not gone through the same experience himself. Ap- art from this, to act rightb- a man must be imbued with noble ideals )and a, desire to put those ideals mto practice. Humanitarian prfcveipless would make a person mostly lean towards the individual who is almost crushed. Persons of this kind vary rarely occupy the seat of judgment, because law is expected to be ad- ministered in accordance with the views of those who hold the money-bags. Hence the difficulty of getting what is right, fair and just, from this quarter. What makes it so discouraging is the fact that the workers as a whole do not see the point. They have the idea that a sectional organisation can work wond- ers. They forget that capitalism rules on the political field, and must. of necessity, predomi- nate in the admInIstration of whatever becomes law. The leading lights of the workers draw up proposals, ventilate their opinions, and sub- mit them to Parliament. Parliament has been useful in the past, and the present, for the one purpose of preventing that which the people are mostly in need of. Useful to the capitalist and other persons interested in the perpetua- tion of the competitive system, amid all of which we hear so much, there is not a word about imrxmvmg the lot of the cripple. So far as influential organisations are con- cerned, he is left to the mercy of scheming politicians. Is it possible that any benefit will come from that quarter, without the unit- ed strength of the workers being behind the de- mands? The larger percentage of Members of Parliament have come from tlle upper class, Md we are in a hopeless condition if we expect this class to legislate against themselves. There- fore, it is not wise to expect anything from the legislative assembly until the workers are masters of it. When that day comes, I hope that they wall see that the political machinery is used in accordance with their wishes. Not for a moment do I wish to infer that that body has never done any good. The Compensa- tion Act came. from the ",a,itgust assembly." And while admitting the nobility of soul pos- sessed by certain men of another class to my now, I must in the main state that the bulk of the ruling class fought those men right and left So what has been done in the politi- cal field cannot be claimed in its entirety by members of an industrial organisation. Coming back to the Nottingham Conference, the resolution passed there does, not meet the need of the disabled miner. What is wanted is the Compensation Act of 1906 amended. Talie whatever steps you like to amend it, but am- ended it should be, and on the following lines: When the injured workman has recovered suf- noiently to perform suitable work, he should be I paid the standard rate for his grade of work- ?plus the prevailing percentages. This does not mean, in the case of a collier, that the wage when he met with his accident being P,2, should be L2 when he recovers and does light work. From the time that he was injured, and when he ha.s returned, wages may have increas- ed; in the event of this being the case, the man is at a loss. So what I mean is that lie should be paid the average standard wage for his former grade of work, pltfe the prevailing percentage; and Ul the event of the standard wage and percent- age being £ 6, whereas formerly he earned d63, :£3 I expect him to be paid. In this case no injustice would be done to the injured person, and no one could grumble about paying any increased contribution te an organisation. But now things are not like that, and there is much room to complain. The resolution passed by the delegates at. Nottingham, which they de- sired to have submitted to Parliament, was an offort that will go in the direction of many "thers--the waste paper basket. Members of Parliament are hot moved by resolutions, with- I out strength behind Idiom, but only when there is a threatened stoppage of industries. Our governors don't trouble about windbags, but their knees shake before workmen who know how to act. Talk is cheap action hits. There- fore i?he best way to amend anything, if you are governed by another class, is to be united on the industrial field and to be determined to take extreme action (down tools policy) unless your political demand is granted. Not that the rulers won't hit out, that is very likely; but cverrn hit brings nearer their doom. Stretching the imagination for a moment, and assuming that the Nottingham resolution was accepted as an amendment in the Com- pensation Act, what is the situation? The stan- dard we will assume of a collier is 8/- per day, and when he met with an injury there was 10 per cent on that standard. Between the time that he has received the injury and has par- tially recovered, percentages may have gone up to 40 above the standard. Hence the person in- jured. according to the Nottingham resolution, would only receive 8/- standard plus 10 per cent, which comes to approximately per day; and, mark vou, this at a time when the percentage may have risen up to 40. So that what it means is: whatever the st andard and percentage were at the time of injury, that amount must ? person receive when he returns to light work. Now, under my suggested re- form if the percentage was 40 when he returns to light work, his wage would be 11/2.4 per day; no one, I hope, will contend that this is not his due ? He should receive the average wage earned at the class of work, which he was performing, when part of him was chewed up. The point is to get it. Many may think that it can't be got. Well, if we all think that way we will not get it, but if we agree thai it could be got, and are possessed of the knowledge how to get it. then it is ours. The difficulty is to get those who take a leading part in the organisa,tio,n to see the wisdom of such a policy. Education is needed badly by them, and a clearing of the dust out of their eyes. Recently 15 per cent was won, not be- cause the employers or representatives of Par- liament love tts, but because the threat to strike came at a time when the commodity that we produce was vital 1:0 the national interest. Strange how some people who looked down upon the workman before, look up to him now! At least they appear to, but it may be only with the lip, and may not honestly be believed in at all. What strikes me as strange is that if the workman is so valuable —which I don't dispute-and work is so honourable, how is it those people don't turn round and do a little them selves ? Would work hurt them ? Or are they so made that it is in the national interest that they should remain idle? It all depends on how you look at things, and what atti- tude and action you are prepared to adopt. Regarding the suggested reform. I believe we could win it, if we set about it in the right wax- and with determination. Moreover, the proposal is not only for those who are injured, but also for those who in future may be struck down in the mad rush for profits. No one knows what the day may bring forth. He may leave his home in the morning, merry, without thought or dread, and before the day is over be brought home a mangled corpse, or partially disabled for life. Last year, 1915, there was nearly an average of eight persons killed per week in the mines of South Wales alone. No record of the injured, in that year was kept, owing to the war." Such an excuse seems satisfactory to the people, otherwise we should hear something about them protesting. In the year 1914 there were no less than 160,486 per- sons injured, which resulted in their being home for more than 7 days. If it were possible to ascertain the number of partially perman- ently injured men out of the total, I have no doubt that it would be astounding. Judging from the records, it can be seen that the light employment men's case is becoming very seri- ous. Most of us get a tap now and then, and the percentage of us who are permanently dis- abled is on the increase. Talk about individu- als being mangled during war, why, there is always war in the industries of the country, where the workers are torn fimo from limb. And so it has become necessar*- for every labour organisation to see to the interests of its weaker members. The first duty of men who combine for mutual advantages should be, to be as one unit in trying to lift up„ those who need our support. Another ooint is. that a Trades Union ought to do its, uttermost in trying to destroy the system that destroys the 1ivesand iambs of so many human beings. Tlh e system that does not value human lives before profits is barbarous. But we shall have to weed out the hypocrites among us before this can be done. No one, I hope, will say that the system which allows those who don't work to live in luxury at the expense of those who labour is satisfactory? Therefore, comrades, I want you to understand' that I am not out to disorganise forces, but to biriiag the light em- ployment men's case to the front, so that the large percentage of workmen-in whom I have faith—will see justice done. [THE END.J

More About Emrys Hughes HOW HE IS FARING AT DEVIZES. The readers of the "Pioneer" will be glad to hear news of Emrys and his fellow-prisoners. On Wednesday morning, May 31, they left Cardiff Barracks at /-30 to meet the 8-40 train at the Great Western Railway Station for Devizes. It is probable that they were taken to thp Station so long before the arrival of the train to avoid the Cardiff sympathisers from seeing how the Conscientious Objectors were treated in liberty-loving England. They were escorted by seven soldiers and were handcuffed in twos five soldiers '.arrying the kit, which the boys had refused to touch. Judging from the biscuit which I received as a souvenir, their breakfast had been anything but appeti- sing. How ludicrous t seems that so many soldiers were required to accompany five Con- scientious Objectors, well handcuffed, on their railway journey, especially as at the court- martial they had been described as "courteous and educated'' men! It may be interesting to know how many soldiers in Great Britain are re- quired to look after the Conscientious Object- ors. Possibly Mr Winston Churchill will not object to putting this question to the House of Commons. For a whole week we received no news what- ever, the boys having been deprived of all means of communication. After reading the accounts in the Labour Leader of the brutality which had been inflicted upon the Conscientious Objectors all over the country. I made up my mind at all risks to go to Devizes to find out- what was happening there. Thursday morning, June 7, I found myself outside tke grim and formidable looking portal of the Devizes Military Prison. After much pleading, I was allowed special permission to see my brother. I could easily see by the change in his physical condition that all the ?toneis we hear of Conscientious Objectors are not exaggerated. He was looking haggard and thin-—the inevitable results of living not on the luxuries enjoyed by the military officers, but for the most part on a bread and water diet, and not much of that. He said that they had all been treated in a similar manner, and had received a very bad time. Khaki had been forced on him six times-after this forcing his hands had been handcuffed to prevent him from removing it. Altogether there are 20 Consci- entious Objectors there—several of them on hunger strike. I should dearly love to give you a full account of all that I heard, saw, and guessed at Devizes: but I fear I must wait until the liberty of the press has been rQ- stored to us—the "Pioneer" being too useful to be suppressed. Despite the severe treatment, Emrys did not complain in the least, but de- clared his determination to adhere to his Con- scientious convictions..The "boys" knew from the start of the treatment they were likely to be subjected to, and were prepared to suffer; but we outside who also hold dear the principles for which they are fighting, are not prepared to rein#ain silently inactive. The facts must be known. The time has come when the women must speak and act, even if by doing so they, too find themselves 1*1 ged in prison cells and on bread and water diet. The Government has recognised Conscience. Why, then. does thts per, secution continue? AGNES HUGHES. It is not generally known as vet that the sentences on the whole :five Abercynon Con- scientious Objectors have been reduced to 112 days' detention, the second charge against Em- rys being withdrawn.

The Editor's Appeal. By the Rev. W. REES. Llechryd. "A Further Appeal from the Editor," and How to set the PIONEER on a Sound Finan- cial footing," deserve to be earnestly con- sidered by the readers who believe in the glori- ous object of the" Pioneer." I do not person- ally know the Editor nor Mr .Frankford, but through their writings I know their spirit, and instinctively perceive their eminent qualities as leaders of thought and as prophets of Inter- national Socialism and Universal Peace. How forcible are right words, their right words aae symbols and portents of the approaching doom of capitalism, of militarism, and of the press and pulpit under their rigorous control. I am loyally attached to the Editor of the "Pioneer," and I am anxious that we should support and encourage him in his great and most important work. There is no other Editor in Wales that could fill his place, and fight the battle of the people as he does against such stupendous odds. He has made the voice of the Pioneer" to resound far and wide. The times have need of the "Pioneer." which every week contains the hard thinking and the deep feelings of pure, clean and superior minds, wkose attitude towards life, and its pro- blems, and whose loving sympathy with Con- scientious Objectors may truly be dominated genuine Christianity. The teaching of the Pioneer is in harmony with that of Jesus Christ, who is the word in the flesh, the sup- reme symbol and the supreme fact of the Div- ine order incarnate in man. Compare, or rather contra.st, the "Pioneer"' with the prevalent press, which is glaringly un- faithful to the principles of justice and hum- anity, and cringing to the ascendancy of Jin- goism, leaving domestic politics in a state of stagnation, and hostile to the progress, the happiness, the liberty, and even the Conscience of man. In the "Pioneer," man is the lord of creation, and the basis of the right of prop- erty, the right to live in freedom, and the right to enj oy all the means and blessings of life. The c; Ptoneer" supremely deserves our sup- port and help in liberal and ample contributions to set it on a, sound financial footing, which I believe would be a most welcome memorial to our Master Keir Hardie, who, among the cloud of witnesses compassed about us, is more inte- rested than ever in the object and success of the "Pioneer."