Pioneer

P f is Pacifism Constructive? A great deal is being made in some quarters- and in many crises by men who ought to know better—that, the Pacifist is an invertebrate nin-j compoop who from an intellectual aversion to noise, prefers a sterile, inconclusive peace to war. Pacifism is, we are told, purely Ilegauive; it has no policy of construction; and the pacifist is a mere obstructionist whig. Such a charge coming from the ✓prata-gonists of a system that at the moment is entirely and blatantly destructive, would be laughable were it not that it is bol- stered up by a short-sighted but vociferous press that dictates the opinions to the great masses ef the intellectual sheep who read it, and so be- comes current as tabloid wisdom because com- mitted to print. Did the public, the reading public, pause to think for five minutes no paper would dare to uublish such nonsense, but since the public prefers its thinking to be done for it and at a cost of a halfpenny per day per head-- i an exaggeration, by the way, of the use value of such thinking—it is just a& necessary to de- vote time and coMsideration to these foolish ut- terances, as to serious attempts to rebut the pacl-j fist or Socialist opinion from a more reasoned basis. Is Pacifism merely obstructionist? Has Pacifism no constructive programme ? This ques- tion, for in essence the two are one, must not be answered with a Socialist programme of re-/ construction of home and international indus- tries and policies. Indeed, Pacinsm itself must be lifted out of the sphere of Labour-Socialist policy or principles, and be considered as a separ- ate entity if we are to escape a charge of dodging the issue. And, as a matter of fact, there is no occasion to go beyond the policy of Pacifism itself to completely expose the fallacy of the fictionists who have set this idea loose. What does pacifism nroposeF Surely, if it is obstructionist, and anti-constructienal it pro- poses nothing beyond the cessation of the war under' any and every condition. If it has one proposal for the re-arrangement of international relationships after the war, as well as during the progress of the war. then to the extent of the practicability of that one proposal is it construc- tional. Has it one ? The veriest tyro. in these matters knows that Pacinsm has as a great bed- rock the proposal to bring about a new spirit in international relationship; is aware that the I fundamental precept of Pacifism is that a grand court of the nations of the earth, with its policing system, and all the corallaries of prac- ticability, shall be set up; and knows, too, that' oar late Foreign Secretary and the Chancellor of the German Empire, as well as the President of the United States have coquetted with the idea; nay, have declared themselves as desirous of see- ing such a system established. Is this not con- structional? Are these men, slaves of the pre-, sent, as they are, so impracticable as to coquette with an idea that belongs to mere obstructionist whigs? It has been suggested that such a sys- tem is Utopian, cannot be attained until just one nation has been exterminated, but the per- son who makes such an assertion is ignorant of the international governmental schemes already working, and working smoothly. Such argu- ments were probably used against the extension of communal life into inter-communal life; such arguments are as valid in the abstract against the possibility of town and city civic life and safety. Like the argument that Socialism neces- sitates a complete change in human character, they are chimeaa. The steps that brought city and city into amicable relationship were longer than those which will have to be taken to ext-end that amity to international relationships; and for this reason, that whereas in the days of the autonomous town the psychology ef the people was entirely antagonistic to external relation- ship with other towns; to-day the psychology of the crowd the world over it in the direction of greater unity, concord and amity. Upon this one basis of mutual consent is a war-free future possible; and this basis is the great first prin- ciple of Pacifism. But it does not. constitute the whole of the constructional policy of Pacifism. That basis will not be established without effort, and Pacifism has seen the economic causes of frictien that have militated against the establish- ment of this basis, as well as the diplomatic errors, and the flaws in the political machine tnat have operated against the realisation of the age-old novelty of a warless world. And to deal with all these things it has outlined a plat- form of constructional reform. It would, for in- stance, nationalise and internationalise the pro- duction of armaments and munitions as establish- ing a better control than the present competitive system; it would popularise open diplomacy and periodically revise treaties and engagements so that the people would know their commitments and not be compelled to take up the sword in defence, of the promises of their great grand- fathers 'of which they had no knowledge until compelled to redeem them it would make the referendum an effective part of the political machinery of the great states, and allocate ques- tions of territorial squabbles to the residents in the territories concerned so far as is possible. All these things, and they are but the obvious and w?Il advertised aims of Pacinsn? constitute greater constructional efforts in the direction of international relationships than have yet been made. It is not the Pacifist who is an idealistic nincompoop but the frenzied poltroon who would attain the Pacific end, by the time-old expedient of crushing; a poltroon because the lesson of the past that revenge has played in the history of war and peace is lost on him. To crush is t. sow the seeds of future war; to be just is to strike a blow against militarism the world over; to agree internationally is to give Christianity a chance in the domain of world polities. To the Socialist these are but expedienta towards the establishment of a greater and juster construc- tion beyoad. To the Capitalist they are the ginning ef the end which he knows is nigh.

Merthyr Notes, | Tuhereuiosis. i Twelve cas-es, of tuberculosis were reported at I I Merthyr last month. Coa! Pilfering. A labourer, William Lewis, was fined 6s. at Merthyr on Tuesday for stealing ceal off a track, t i,- ,tt the Dowiais Works. I Closing Cinemas. An amendment that cinemas should close af ii-iine was ruled out of order at Merthyr Council.  Slop-Water Throwing. A woman being reported for throwing slop- water into the roadway, the Merthyr Health Committee are taking' proceedings against her. ] Building after the War. r With regard to the proposed erection of a Children's Hospital consideration on the matter has been deferred for the present by the Merthyr Board of Guardians. j Single Men First. Merthyr Guardians on Saturday adopted a --I soh?tion that single men in controlled establish- 1 ments should ? cs,Hed up for military service in preference to married men. I War Bonus. The Merthyr Guardians on Saturday increased the war-bonus to persons in receipt of out-door relief from 30 per cent. on. the pre-war basis al- iready granted to 40 per cent. Excessive Potatoe Quotation. The only tender submitted for the supply of potatoes to the Cottage Homes being excessive the Merthyr Guardians decided on Saturday to allow the Superintendent to purchase them) when- j ever necessary at market prices.. Coal Relief. Notice of motion was given at Saturday's meeting of the ,MHrthyr Board of Guardians by Mr. James Davies, that the Is. (?d. a week extra relief granted in respect of coal be varied in cases of persons receiving coal at a cheap rate. Guardians and Holidays. James Davies moved at Saturday's meet- Mro. f' the Merthyr Board of Guardians that all ing of the ]3oaj? d of Guai- d ?'Lil,, that a, l hohdays to tbeir employees except Bank Hoh- I days, should be suspended next year. Ko one seconded, and the motion consequently fell through. Lord Rhcndda. Merthyr Town Council are sending a iGfter of congratulation to Lord Khondda, the only living freeman of the bonmgh," on his elevation to Cabinet rank. Mr. H. M. Uoyd (chairman) moved it at Wednesday's meeting of the Mer- thyr Health Committee, and Mr. F. A. Phillips seconded. I Lighting Offence.. When Evan Thomas, Cliveplace, Merthyr Vale, wassummoled at Merthyr on Tuesday with a breach of the Lighting Order, his wife pleaded that having been busy attending to her little son, who had been knocked down by a motor- car, she forgot to pull down the blinds. The summons was accordingly dismissed. Colliery Accident. Accidental death was the verdict at an in- quest held it Merthyr on Satuiday on Aievoi Morgan, ?ed 21 years, Iountstnct" who was killed by '{: fall at the South Pit, Aberc&naid. It was stated that a stone about 5 ewt. in weight fell from the roof, crushing deceased, and whilst aid to ektrica-to him was being fetched two more stones fell on him. He die. after being brought to the surface. Assessment Valuations. The Merthyr Guardians on Saturday agreed to engage the services of Mr. Illtyd Thomas, Car- diff, to value the following properties for the as- sessment committee —Station Hotel, Merthyr Vale lioyal Hotel, Treharris; and Garfield Inn, Troedyrhiw. Mr. E. T. James (clerk) was also instructed to prepare a return of fees paid for valuations during the past three years. "A Mean Theft." f'L.H"œ A? the Glamorgan Q?rt?r Sessions M uaxuiir on Tuesday, John Emlyn Macey (2o), la?urer f pleaded guilty to obtaming food, lodging, cloth- ?g, and other articles by false pretences from v?ous persons m the RbondJa VaUey. Mr. Hugh Jones presecuted. Ch?f Constable J. A. Wilson, of Merthyr, said the defendant was a Wi l son, of 's-al mean and despicable, thief, who rebbed widows and other people taking m lodgers. Two years hard labour. N.S.P.C.C. and Chilci-Neglect. The National Society tor tiie Prevention of Cruelty to Children investigated 3,853 complaints of neglect ani cruelty in England, Wales and Ireland during the month of November. Of the 3 782 completed cases, 3,695 were found true, a f- fecting the welfare of 11,653 children and in- volving 4,693 offenders. Warnings were issued in 3,369 cases; 166 were dealt with by transfer or in other ways. From its, foundation in 1884 the Society has dealt with 934,850 complaints involving 2,624,552 children. In the Merthyr branch during the saIlle morith 19 cases were dealt with, affecting 67 children. New Year's Celebration., I A one-legged man, John Williams xxaiii&un, who said he was an ambulance man at a South Wales munition works, was oharged. on Tuesday at Merthyr with being drunk. Police-constable Pugh found defendant in a helpless condition in High-street, Merthyr, on Monday, and said that although Harrison appeared to have been drink- ing he seemed as if suffering from ague. Defendant told the magistrates that he had been seeing his son-who was on a draft for the front—off as far as Merthyr. Of course, being New Year," added Harrison, I had a little rum on top of some beer. It will never occur again if you look over it this time." Mr. R. A. Griffiths (stipendiary): Very well, we will let you off this time. Defendant: Thank you, sir. Municipal Employees. I. I A letter was read at Tuesday s meeting of the Merthyr Public Works Committee from Mr. Llewellyn, of the Municipal Employee's Associa- tion asking, on behalf of the men, that the same bonus or war wages should be paid to single men as to married men. They also considered that the bonus should have been made retrospec- tive. Councillor Jones declared that the Merthyr authority had treated its employees as well as any other authority; and a single man who re- ceived half the increase granted to married men in war-time ought to be satisfied. The Chairman (Councillor Marsh) pointed out that the principle of differentiation applied to all the staffs on bonus. No motion being forth- coming the letter was allowed to lay on table. i. United Irish League (Rcbert Emmet Branch), j The usual fortnightly meeting of the abov branch was held on Sunday, the President, F¿; Michael O'Shea, in the chair. Minutes of last meeting were read and confirmed. Cbrrespofly ence was read from the organiser re proposets visit of two M.P.'s. Preliminary arrangenieD were made for St. Patrick's Day eeleroratlo and other business of a routine nature was sacted. It was unanimously decided to fcu'wa^ ?10 to the Executive, London, as a first in?t'l?l' ment for 1917 and as a proof that the irisb people of Merthyr are determined to support t? Irish Parliamentary Party financially and other- wise ujatil Home Rule is an established fact- r resolution was passed congratulating "q"j?r 1 Willie Redmond, brother of the Leader, on ? < speech in Parliament when on a visit from ld l trenches last week, and trusting sme wollid have the effect of welding together the Irisb? of North and South who, we hope, will -5 0011,, meet together in a national Parliament to n? and administer Laws for the government of t»e,r country, and thereby bring about a pire. A vote of thanks was passed to W' | Israel Price, Temperance Hall, for lending sce? and the local I.L.P. for lending curtains for 1 Jij jcorations for our concert. God save Ireland. \\¡'

Home Food Plots. j. I Home ood Plots. ACTION TAKEN IN MERTHYR. I Merthyr Small Holdings and Allotments COO- mittee on Tuesday discussed the acquiring al1. the cultivation of land for food production cording to the Board of Agriculture scheme uJl der the Defence of the Realm Act. Mr. T. A. Rees (Town Cler? replying to ^r" A. Wilson said there wa.s a great deal of uD?" cupied land in. Heolgerrig and some near  General Hospital. Mr. Wm. Jones mentioied the Treharris Ceme- tery. There, he, said, M as considerable land IY ing idle which could be put tmder cult?atioc- Mr. E. Edwards (chairman): Who are the °c' cupiers now ? -Mr. A. Phillips: The dea(J. (Laughter-) j- 'T. Nl-.ai'sh said there were a of fields in the Cyfarthfa Park which might W j used. The Clerk: That is going to be dealt with by the Parks Committee. Mr. Wilson said plots taken under the DefoBjp6 of the Realm Act would only be held for ? duration I duration of the war. What was wante d was [ man en t small holdings. Mr. Jones: You have power to give a wan jj compensation if he has to give his plot up in tWO or three years. Mr. Henry Owen: I take it every bit of land we can get in Merthyr bÐ- cause people are prepared to take it up. It was stated that there were about 70 apP??" j tions for allotments from Merthyr and abou |; 50 from Dowlais and Treharris. The Town Clerk and the Surveyor were ?" structed to report on land available in the Bor- ough for home food plots under the Befence of the Realm Act and Small Holdings and All0^ ment Act, and applicatioBs will be solicited fr01 1| the puNic.. )

> Absent Jurymen. :t MERTHYR RECORDER'S WARNING. "f There were a number of jurymen absent ffoln the Quarter Sessions at Merthyr on Wednes- B day. Mr. Albert Parsons, K.C. (Recorder), r"" marked that he understood a considerable anaotin |Il; of trouble had been caused at these sessions and other previous occasions by failure of persons liable to serve on the grand and petty juries to 1 attend, and to-day a number of gentlemen hold 1 stayed away without any explanation. I would take an opportunity of making public t 1 fact that some gentlemen treated the mattei much too lightly. In this respect the recol-der || had certain powers and it might be (although h& | hoped not) necessary to use them in a manner that would surprise these people. I

The Theatre Royal..1 _— j At this period of the year more than at a.? t other does home and the sentiment of domesti- I, city kold sway ever the minds and hearts of rae? and /wfimie* too. The fact that A Pitiaia Daughters," at the Theatre Royal this week, IS woven around homes, just similar to ours, dls with people just like ourselves, and conditions I with which we are all acquainted is probably the reason for the tremendous success with which it has met here. I should not like this t-o be inter- preted as derogatory of the play itself. At any time it would be successful, and the season hO merely intensined that success story IS cleverly written around the unfolding lives of a pitman's lassies; and portrays with a large amount of fidelity the nobleness of the pitman's life, and also his hardness in certain directions. It may have idealised the pitman, but it has not lost its relationship with life in the doing of it-- The book is good, and the playing is quite worthy of the book. I have always said that if I were an artiste I should prefer to play the noble lof'P to a mixed middle-class and working-class audi- ence; and the working-man to an arigtocrati" 1 crowd than vice versa. To play one of yoar-, 1 selves to any house is to submit oneself to 8 1 Z?ry_ real criticism indeed. That is what Mr. w. Uarrod and his company have done this 1 week, and the houses have been attested to I their success more graphically than any honeyed words could have done. All the work is good from the work of W. V. Garrod and Bertha. Kingston to the least part in the caste, and as my spafieit too limited to allow of an individual. ising such as is merited, I will caitelude by elf- pressing my own thanks for an enjoyable even- ing to the entire company, whose experienee8 during the year they haveso well opened here, I trust will be amongst their happiest. To 3J]I- Rea and his ever cheerful staff, before, behind and immediately under the footlights I wish all that is best during 1917; and I feel sure that they will agree with me that one of the happiest events of the year will be the continued po, larisation of the cosiest and best theatre in the town—The Rayol. For next week Mr. Rea has been extremely fortunate in securing that great success of tIaO Moss Empires tour, "Don't Crush, which liaS been pronounced by Newport audiences this week the best revue ever toured." The great di4i- culty just new is to secure properly staffed ooJllY panies, how successfully Don't Crush '•' has overcome this diSiculty is apparent from tl'O follow n selections from the caste—Jack 4961-; lagher, Ken Barton, John Goodier, Sid Norman Carn, Betty Stay, Lily Ansell a? .Fannie Wallace. The Mayfair Troupe of 1?? Dancers will be responsible for speciality num- bers .and there is an extraordinary good chog" j under Clarence O. Com. PLA YGOBIt. J