Pioneer

Trade Union and Output. At Stockton-on-Tees Munition Tribunal last Thursday Fred Lewis, shop steward of the Ironfounders' Society, was fined 20s for approa- ching another mian with a view to reducing output. It was stated that defendant reported a moulder to the society lodge for doing in 5i hours what was considered a 9t houxsl job, and the man was fined Ll. Another moulder failed to complete a similar job in the same time Inter; and when asked the reason replied, "I don't want to be fined a quid." The defence was that the man was not fined for excessive Output, but for accepting changed conditions without notifying the society.

Abertillery Trades and Labour Council I The usual fortnightly meeting was held on Tuesday evening week, when Mr J. Kingston Presided over a good attendance of members. After the reading and adopting of the Bwuites of previous meetings the Secretary (Mr William Bowen) gave a report of an interview he had had with the local Superintendent of Police, when he had asked him to meet a deputa tion from the Council who had been selected to put the case for less restriction of light in the district before him. The Superintendent had stated that he did not see that any purpose ?tild be served by his meeting the deputation. If the Council would let him have in writing ?h?pe they wanted lighting improved he would see what could be done in the matter. Mr E. W. Perry said he regretted the at- titude of the Superintendent. He (Mr Perry) wu not a miner, so that his eyes were not effected to the degree that many men's were, "Ut he had made it his business to see what the conditions when men were leaving the collieries in the night time, and he found they were placed in terrible difficulties owing to the absence of light. As a member of the deputation, he thought that if the Superintend- ent had met them. they would have made him l the position. He thought the Urban district Counoil ought to do something. They ^ere the authorities for the district, and could they not do something? What was wanted was not total restriction of lights, but subdued "ghts by shading methods. County Councillor Rogers also regretted that the deputation had not been met. He felt Mule thvt the Superintendent had the power to do something to remedy the complaints. He also referred to other places, of greater im- portance than Abertillery, where far more light was shown in the nights. Mr W. Davies agreed, and said it was really i serious business, especially for miners. The local authorities should move, unless they thought it wise economy to have no lights shown. But no considerations 9f economy should allow life to be endangered, and it was certain, if the present things continued, life would be lost. He explained what could be done at the Miners' Conference, and said the trade unionists had the power to get something done if they took the matter up. After Messrs. H. Phinnimore and H. Gibbs had spoken, a motion was moved by Mr A. Sale that a town's meeting be arranged, so Qg to get general influence behind the move- Il1t&nt. Mr W. Davies seconded, and this was re- $olved on, the meeting being arranged for Wedne&dy next. Wednesdy 'Wheeler reported what had been done Mr C. ? connection with the tipping nuisance at Six Bells. In the absence of the Sanitary Inspector the Surveyor had been seen. The Secretary put up a strong case to him, which deceived' a sympathetic hearing. The Surveyor agreed that a very bad state of affairs existed, and that the District Council were to blame for it. The measures taken to abate the Nuisance were then stated; also that the Sur Veyor said, in reply to a query, that the posi- tion of the people w hose houses were suffering from the effects of the filth would be placed before the Council. Next a report was given by Mr H. w, oos, from the Pontypool Board of Guardians. Their institution was now taken over for use as a military hospital, and 100 wounded soldiers were already installed. For some time the Labour members had been agitating for a better scale of -payments in oases for outdoor relief and he was pleased to report that they had now succeeded in that object. The figures for the various classes were then given all being advanced to a better figure than they Vrere. The Labour members must see to it that the families needing relief were generously treated. On their Board they were only four Labour members and they had had to work diplomatically. A lot of their fellow members Were farmers. They had just had a good harvest, and the opportunity was seized upon. lie then referred to the hardship that would be caused by any reduction in the allowances "Of Guardians' expenses. Mr Gibbs then read all appeal that had been issued round Ponty- Pool appealing for various comforts and little luxuries for wounded soldiers now stationed at the hospital, now arranged out of the former Workhouse, He explained how the soldiers there had to be maintained on certain allow- ances, which did not allow for all these little Extras, which were now being appealed for. He deprecated this charitable business, saying he thought everything necessary should be found Oy the military authorities. The report was duly accepted, and thanks Were given Mr Gibbs for the work the Labour Members had done in pressing for the very Necessary increases in the scale of outdoor relief required. Mr Robert Collier w.as then asked to give a Report from the Bedwellty Board of Guardians. In speaking of the work done by the Abertillery Relief Committee of the Guardians. he said they were the pioneers in dealing with outdoor relier. He mentioned cases from other places where there were not so man- Labour members 011. the committee. He sometimes went TO see What was being done. One such committee he attended were going to pay 8s. a week to a Woman, with a baby at the breast, whose rent 'Woln?an, with a b a' ?171 y H tl?e,7' ? p ?n t --? d out the amounted to 5s weekly. He there pointed out the Probable consequences of such insufficient relief and obtained a <rise of 2s. a week. As a Board they had now appointed a committee who have to go before all the different relief committees to, hold an inquiry into their different methods Their scale as a whole was much better than the Pontypool Guardians, but. of course, they had a majority of Labour members. Mr T. H. Mytton supplemented the report. He thought the Abertillery Committee was the Pioneer in giving adequate outdoor relief. There were six committees under the Guardians, and each could do what they liked regarding pay- ments. Abertillery was far above the others. lie was on the committee of investigation, and he feared there was no proportion in the Payments given in the different districts. He thought they had equal responsibility to look after the cases from every place. It was as ttlueh his ckity to try to see that Tredegar cases had proper relief, for instance, as to see that Abertillery cases were properly attended to. They had just had a unique case at the Workhouse. In the case of an old man and wife coming to the workhouse, he had never before met any who wanted to live there together. It seemed they had always had enough of each other before coming to the 'Workhouse, but now they had the only case he had met. They were a cowple of old people of about 80, both of the best of characters in every way all their lives. It was an accident to the old lady which had led to them being in the House, and they had expressed their desire to live together. Everything possible was being done so that they could live comfortably to- gether. The best room there is set apart for their use, and the best of all necessary atten- tion is available for them. A very hard prob- lem being dealt with is lie question of assess- ments. They were up against a stone wall in connection with the assessments of licensed victuallers, who are all appealing against the present rate throughout the area. They say the present loss of trade through the pre- sent restrictions have made them do so. Anyhow they had decided that every individual oase would have to be examined, and they could imagine what work that entailed. In conclusion, Mr Mytton pointed out the serious position that would happen if any ban was placed upon Labour members by with- drawal of expenses allowed. It was not possi- ble for any working man to attend, and lose his wages through loss of work. and they could see what would happen if they could not Attend. The concluding business was a statement by Mr E. W. Perry of the Railwaymen's B.C., of the position in South Wales regarding their claim. for an advance in wages. He said the conditions in the railway world were disgrace- ful, and beraing this out gave illustrations of the wages workmen are now in war time re- ceiving; showing (as he said) a deplorable state of affairs. Men doing responsible work, and married with families to maintain, receiving 30s. a week wages. They had not yet had any reply to their demands, from either the railway companies or from the Government, but he thought they could depend upon support in their fight to improve the present poverty- stricken conditions.

Seven Merthyr "Specials" Resign. I SEQUEL TO V.T.C. PROSECUTION. I I EIGHTEEN OTHERS PUT ON AT ONCE. 1 Seven special constables were reported to the Merthyr Wiatch Committee on Friday to have resigned. They were Messrs. John Craig, J. C. Freedman, Matt Delacey, J. H. Sweet, J. A. Mulvey, David Jones (all of Dowlais), and Mr F. C. Childs (Merthyr). Mr C. Fenwick: Is there any reason that these men have resigned? Mr J. A. Wilson (Chief Constable) replied that a letter was sent by these "specials" to the Chairman of the Watch Committee (Mr D. W. Jones), who handed the letter to the Chief Constable, and it read: We, the undersigned members of your Special Constabulary, and also members of the 2nd Battalion Glamorgan Volunteer Re- giment, hereby tender our resignations with our respective badges, as we consider that according to the prosecution by your Chief Constable and also the finding of the Sti- pendiary (Mr Griffith), we are acoessors to contravening the Defence, of the Realm Act, (Liquor Control), on July 27, on the occasion of a recruiting march to Treharris. Note then the men were halted outside a Merthyr Vale hottel iand treated to refreshments after being taken in in batches.) Therefore we feel it would be derogatory to your committee if weoontinlued our services in face of the above faets. Mr William Lewis (Penydarren) It is a protest against the persecution. The Chief Constable's report was that he had accepted the resignations subject to the confir- mation of the Committee, and had tendered his thanks for their past services. Mr T. Williams: I move the adoption of the paragraph. The report was accordingly adopted. On the recommendation of the Chief Con- stable 18 other specials were appointed. I Discharged Soldier Unfit for Police Work. I Ex-Police Constable William Woozley was stated to have been discharged from the army because of heart trouble. The Chief Constable reported that the Medical Officer of Health was not prepared to certify the man's fitness for police duty. Woozley was discharged from the army about a month ago. Mr William Lewis (Penydarren): Then he's been in the afrmiy nearly 18 months. Chief Constable: About that sir. I think men who volunteered to go are worthy of our consideration. Chief Constable: If this man had been certi- fied fit, sir I should recommend him for re- instatement? Mr H. M. Lloyd: Physical unfitness is the barrier ? Chief Constable: Yes, sir. Mr W. Lewis I don't think this man should be allowed to starve. Chief Constable: He is not starving, sir; he is working with Messrs. Guest, Keen and Nettlefolds, and has been since he left the service. Eventually the committee decided to inform the man they regretted they could not, on account of his physical defect, reinstate him. Police Fund Grants. I It was agreed to grant to the dependents of two constables killed in aeti-on-P.C.'s Stubbs and Morgan —the whole of their respective contributions to the police fund. The Chief Constable said the amounts would be roughly t30. each. I A Record. I In the return the number of constables from the Merthyr Force in the Army was given as I 36.

I -RHEU MATISM- KIDNEY TROUBLE. I Rheumatism is due to uric acid crystals in the joints and muscles, the result of excessive uric acid in the system that the kidneys failed to re- move as nature intended, and this acid is to a great extent the cause of backache, lumbago, sciatica, gout, urinary trouble, stone, gravel. dropsy. The success of Estora Tablets for the treat- ment of rheumatism and other farms of kidney trouble is due to the fact that they restore the kidneys to healthy action and thereby remove the cause of the trouble, and have cured num- berless cases after the failure of other remedies, which accounts for them superseding out-of-date medicines that are sold, at a price beyond all but the wealthy. Women frequently suffer from ills, aches and pains under the impression that they are victims of ailments common to their sex, but more of- ten than not it is due to the kidneys, and in such cases Estora Tablets will set them right! The test is at least worth making, as woman's happiness and success in life depends oh her health. Estora Tablets fully warrant their description -an honest remedy at an honest price, 1/3 per box of 40 tablets or 6 for 6/9. All Chemists or postage free from Estora Co., 132 Charing Cross Road, London W.C. Bargoed and Aberfoargoed Agen-t-W. PARRY WILLIAMS, M.P.8.

Labour Conference in Mon- mouthshire. IMPORTANT GATHERINGS AT NEWPORT I MONMOUTHSHIRE LABOUR PARTY TO' BE STRENGTHENED. Last Saturday Labour held a field day at Newport, two very important conferences being held there. The first was the conference con- vened by the Monmouthshire Miners' Organiser to deal with the political organisation in South Mon. Councillor Charles Edwards, the Trede- gar Valley Miners' Agent, presided, and there was a very good attendance. It is now four years since a conference was held for this con- stituency, but the enormous development of the industrial portion of the area makes it a very desirable constituency for organising with a view of having a Labour candidate in the field as early as possible. Councillor Edwards emphasised this in refer- ring to the prospects held out to the workers if there were no Labour candidate; they would have to choose between the representatives of two great territorial families—the one being Liberal (Sir Ivor Herbert of Llanover), and the other the Tredegar Tory Family represented by Mr Forestier-Wialker, a cousin of the present Lord Tredegar. The Chairman pointed out the immense issues that would have to be dealt with in the immediate future, questions that were vital to the workers, and only by direct representation could they secure that these questions would be dealt with on right lines. Mr Harris (the Organiser), in referring to the local organisations, welcomed the representat- ives of three Trade Union Branches from Chepstow, who for the first time were represen- ted at a political conference in Monmouthshire under Labour auspices. He felt sure that he could, on behalf of the conference, tender them the assurance of the active support of their fellow Trade Unionists in any difficulties that may arise in the course of the pending develop- ments in connection with the new shipyard at Chepstow. Mr Harris stated that the district had so developed that they now had on the existing register 18,000 electors in the indust- rial portion of South Mon. against 4,000 in the agricultural and rural portion. With a new Registration Law, extending the basis of the Franchise, the proportion in the industrial part of the constituency would be again increased at a greater ratio. In any scheme of redistribu- tion of seats, Monmouthshire must stand to gain one or more seats, and it would be neces- sary to watch very carefully to see that in the drafting of the new boundaries that the other parties did not obtain an undue advantage. When the Chairman asked the conference whether they were desirous of the South Mon. Labour Party being -continued. Coun. Powell, of Risca at once moved that they do continue; and he thought that the workers of the con- stituency were ripe for the movement; and Councillor H. Richards, of Bedwas Secretary of the East Glamorgan Miners, seconded. Both the mover and seconder are recognised as being "moderate" Labour men; neither have ever been associated with the I.L.P. gang but both were very emphatic as to Labour contesting the seat, and there was so much unanimity with regard to the "matter, that there was no need of a long discussion, and it was unanimously agreed that the South Mon. Labour Party resume its activity, There Was considerable discussion as to how to build up the organisation so as to make it effective, and the Organiser, who had reported having established four Trades Councils in the consti- tuency, suggested that the Labour Members on the various local authorities could render very great assistance if they would make use of the Trades Councils more than they do. Mr Sweeney, of Pontymister, agreed with Mr Harris, and instanced the position with regard to the Risca Trades Council. It was, however, agreed that the matter be relegated to the E.C. to report to another con- ference, and a very strong E.G. was selected, which not only represented various localities, but was also very representative of the various trades represented also. The officers elected or re-elected were as follows: —President, Coun. Charles Edwards, J.P Blackwood; vice- presidents, Councillors Powell (Cross Keys) and Richards (Bedwas); treasurer (with money in hand), Councillor Tom Jones (Machen); and secretary (Mr W. Gooding, cheokweigher, Cwm- felynfach). Monmouthshire now stands un- doubtedly in the forefront as to Labour organi- sations, as not only has Mr Harris organised the three constituencies of West, South and North Mon. but the Monmouth Boroughs has also its L.R.C., and so Labour has its organisation in every one of the constituencies in the county. It should be added that the South Mon. Con- ference agreed to be represented at the South Wales Conference of L.R.C.'s on the 16th instant, and the President and Secretary were appointed delegates. Immediately following the South Mon. Con- ference, another conference of representatives of Trades Councils were meeting in the same room. This was convened by Mr Harris, the Organiser, as a result of an interview that representatives of some of the Trades Councils had with Mr W. Brace, M.P., Under Secretary of the Home Officoo, in connection with certain matters arising out of police court proceedings in connection with the Rents Act. Councillor W. L. Cook, Blaenavon (sub agent Eastern Valley Miners) was elected chairman, and there were representatives present forom the following Trades Counoils: --Bl.aenavon; Pontypool; Blackwood; Mynyddislwyn; Ebbw Vale; Blaina; Rhymney; New Tredegar and Pengam; Bedwas and Machen; Abertillery; and also Abercam area. The Blaenavon miners, and also lodges in the Rhymney Valley, sent additional representatives. The chief point of the conference was to consider the suggestion made by Mr Brace as to sending a deputation to Mr Walter Long with reference to the Rents Act, and to ask for its amendment. When the Rents Act was passed it was thought that the Act gave security of tenure to the tenant if the rent was paid, but it is found in practice that this is not so. Mr Harris, in his letter to the "Pioneer" last week, has explained the point, and also as to how the present non-representative character of the bench oper- ates in favour of the landlord. The report of the deputation was given by Mr George Jones, checkweigher, Blackwood, and Messrs. A. Jen- kins and A. Gay (of the Pontypool Council). It was confirmed by the Chairman, and ul- timately the conference decided to recommend to the various organisations represented as follows:-That ;a deputation to Af-t Walter Long, President of the Local Government Board, be arranged; that the Trades Councils of the county agree to send a limited deputar- tion. the cost of which shall be borne in pro- portion to membership by the whole Councils; that the miners" districts be invitejl to co- operate by selecting a representative on the deputation, as has already been done by the Eastern Valleys miners; that the conference be adjourned for two weeks in order to place the recommendations before the Councils. The position of the magisterial bench was diaonss?d at length, and it was reported that although %a e County Advisory Committee had sent in recommendations to the Lord Lieutenant nothing had been done, and it was agreed that a deputation wait upon the County Advisory Committee as soon as such can be arranged Councillor Cook to bring the matter before the Labour Group on the Monmouthshire County Council. Mr Harris submitted a copy of the return he had prepared as to the political character of the bench, a summary of which is as follows: Conservatives 137, Liberals 75, Independents 17 and Labour 14. Actually there are only 9 Labour, as several of the others are active Liberals, but as they are working men they are classed with Labour. In a letter that the Or- ganiser read from the Secretary of the Labour Party, it was stated that a deputation repre- senting the Parliamentary Committee of the Trade Union Congiress and of the Executive of the Labour Party were about to meet the Lord Chancellor with a view of dealing with this matter, and the Labour Party reports that they have not had reported to them difficulties of the character mentioned in Monmouthshire. However, Monmouthshire are not taking it quietly.

I Tonyrefail Notes. I Allotments-Do They Pay? I Every man who takes up a hobby, whether it be gardening, poultry keeping, pig breeding or pigeon flying, is always desirous of making it pay and if, at the end of a season, he reckons up his expenditure and receipts, and finds he has made a little profit out of his hobby, it is a great stimulus for greater effort for the ensuing season. If, on the other hand, he finds he has been working at a loss, he will be displeased and dissatisfied with that particular hobby, and he will probably turn his back on it and seek another field for his energy, which will be more lucra tive. Gardening as a hobby is all right, but there is a large amount of manual labour attached to it, and a man is perfectly justified in askimg the question "Does it Pay" ? In considering the question we must make a list of all expenses—for seeds, plants, manure, etc. —estimate the value of the labour done during the year, and the rent, rates and general expenses of fencing and road making, and the cost of tools necessary for the work. Dealing with this question before taking the allotment, we can only estimate some of the expenses, and all of the products, but we can certainly estim- ate near enough to know for certain before hand whether, under ordinary conditions and fair weather, the allotment can be made to pay The first thing we want is the allotment which, according to the Act, must be let at a reason- able rent, which we should estimate at 3d. a perch, or 5s. per year for the allotment, includ- ing all cost of fencing and road making. The next thing is the labour expended in the garden vduring the year, and an estimate of six hours a week at lOd. an hour will be rather less than the average ga-rdener works on his allotment. This would amount in the year to £ 13 for cost of labour. The next thing would be the cost of seed and plants for the year. We will suppose, for example, that we are going to plant our allotment with potatoes for the summer season, and cabbage for the winter season. Five cwt. of seed potatoes at 8s. will be 22, and 1,000 assorted plants will at an average cost 7/6; four loads of manure will not be too much for the year, and at 4s. a load will amount to 16s., and 2/6 for tools per year will certainly be a small estimate of general expenses. Now, then, what is our es- timate of expenses for the year? Rent 5s. labour tl3 seed £2; plants 7/6; manure 16s.; tools 2/6; total expenses for the year— £ 16 11s. Now to estimate the value of the products of the allotment. Taking it for granted that we have good soil, good seed, fair weather and a good gardener, we might estimate the yield to be at the rabe of 8 to 1, or 8cwt. of potatoes for each lewt. of seed. At the same value this would amount to 2 tons of potatoes, which at market price would be worth £ 15. Our cabbage would be worth at the outside about L4, making a total income of £ 19— thereby realising a profit of £2 9s. for the year. This would be satisfactory to most of us, no doubt; but we must remember we have taken a lot for granted in the matter of rent, seed, wea- ther conditions, immunity from disease, etc. If we had to pay Is. a perch— or 21 a year- for rent, with an additional 10s. for fencing; or if through bad weather, poor soil or disease, our crop failed, it is easy to see we should be, working against a loss. We cannot guard against the weather, etc, but it is laid down in the Act that the Council letting the allotment must do so at a reasonable rent, and we think a reasonable rent would be one which, with average conditions, would allow us to make a profit. I Education in Co-operation. I We are given to understand that the Educa- tional Committee of the Co-operative Society are going to commence a class for the purpose of educating the community in Co-operative matters. We hope that the public will take a keen interest in this important move. Now is the chance to make staunch Co-operators of the young generation. Parents should avail them salves of the opportunity of advising their chil- ren to attend these classes, which will bound to be of a, lasting benefit for them and the community. We congratulate the committee on their strong start in the right direction. Al- ready they have started lectures, and all mem- bers should rally to the support of these meet- ings to make them a success. There is plenty of scope in this direction to foister lectures, en- tertainments and social gatherings in addition to the classes, which will have a good effect in the, cultivation of the social element am- ongst its members. Education of the community is the first great work to be done before great things can be accomplished. Already the move- ment locally stimulates one's imagination to the day when "e society can run its own local paper, own its houses, provide its own allotments, build its own entertainment halls with an adjoining park for thebenefit of its members. With education and Co-operation the possiblities are infinite, and we should not lag behind in pressing the forward movement. The workers must see to their own welfare. We ought to know by now that our employers and private traders who govern our local ad- ministration will not undertake to promote the workers' interest: they have centred all their energy to their own welfare. Let the workers do likewise, and join the Co-operative Society, which promotes the general welfare of the masses. Funeral. Last Saturday the village paid the last, tribute to the late Mr Holman, Trevethen, Mill Street, Tonyref,ail, who was buried in the new cemetery. He was much loved and respected by all who knew him. He had resided in Tonyrefail for many years, and was one of the few pioneers of the South Wales Miners' .Federation in the locality. He had been ill for a long period, and had auffered much these last years. Oar sympathy goes out for those who have been deprived of their only parent. W. H. Mainwaring's Visit. Look out for W. H. Mainwaring, who will speak at Glyn Davies' Shop, Pretoria Road, on Saturday, September 23. at 5.30 p.m. All who are interested axe invited to attend. The meet- ing will be open for the public. Green-buns. The local police have had a busy time of it this last week or so in canvassing the village to acquaint the people with the pro visions of the Subdued Light Act. There is a strangeness in the appearance of some of the streets with all green blinds in the windows. It seems quite consistent with the intentions of the Govern- ment to put green in our eyes, which means, in a Yankee sense, we can be easily persuaded to do anything at their bidding, however absurd the thing is. Green has for its complimentary red. Most people know what it means to see red in these babarous days. These green blinds are already reflecting their com-ptliment- ary effects on the private traders, who seize the opportunity to charge extortionate prices for the more or less compulsory article. The Water Supply. Great numbers of the local people are con- fused and embarrssed about the water supply. It is evident that they have their suspicions on the wholesomeness of the water, because it is common to see large numbers carrying spring water for drinking purposes, etc. We think that there ought to be some explanations given to the public to dispel all apprehension in such matters of importance. There are rumours ab- ro,ad-and, some attribute it to the condition of the filter beds at the local waterworks and they complain that already the health of the community is affected. Thus the reason for all the carrying of the water supply. If the water is wholesome, there is no need for all this unnecessary labour.