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I The Prelude to Adult Suffrage. SEE PAGE 4 ¡
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Outlines of | I Industrial i e j | History iii??'L?j!? I SEE PAGE 3 
I Labour and Capitalism. !…
I Labour and Capitalism. I a. our an apIta Ism. '———— I I THE MASTG- POLICY, I :1 THE MAESTEG POLICY. I A REPLY TO VERNON HARTSHORN. -1 BY RICHARD BENNETTA. ?Qder the above heading, Mr. Hartshorn, inl the last ;ue of the Pioneer, contributed a S"hy article which dealt, partly with proposals ^tainod in the Maesteg resolution for the es- ?"shing of a National Wages Board, and PanI, with a policy—or suggestion—for the ?p?'aj annihilation of aspiring "Rip-van- fo ^e's ofhe South Wales coalfield. He in- f0 /i?8 Us that it contained a reply to my c:ontn-I b«on of the previous week—and the informa- ? Wa.s aosolutely necessary. Otherwise one J /■ ?Uid not have known. In his opening remarks, f ex??p?? he states that: The resolution passed by the Macs teg district calling for the ] j0?jnati°n of a National Wages Board, which was (j? before the last annual conference of the "-M.F., was criticised by the writer of that it-icle." In the first place, although I intend ^o offer a few observations upon that resolution -'? I beg to remind Mr. Hartshorn that I did iOt attempt to do so in my last. I dealt with *? principle of conciliation generally, and merely ,pirated an extension of that principle with t example of the Macs teg resolution." And t hat Was done on the authority of Mr. Hartshorn ?O?elf. (We shall deal with that statement ?ter.) His opening statement arises, naturally, ( thl'ouh misunderstandings created by rhetori- criticisms which arise through lack of com- P?hension of what is actually proposed, and ell hare no substance in chem when applied 0 practical situation.' (1 must get that statement off" by heart. It musr surely create OiUid upon round of applause when delivered froin a platform.) In the second place I cannot > fatbeai, to iqi(,ii.tion that, in my wildest flights of -e.gotism,or during moments of my most blatant °utburst,s of rhetoric, I never anticipated that any effort of mine could possibly be the means of practically revolutionising the outlook of a an of such unquestionable ability as Mr. Hart- Yet, apparently, such is actually the Thus when the Maesteg resolution was lotted out in March of last year Mr. Hartshorn Qse in conference to move it. And in doing 6? he said Many were opposed to the resolu- •> tion because they 'imagined that it was not in accord with the present method of dealing with tBhe coalownera through the Conciliation Board. ut there was reallv Vo ground for such an Ilion. He held furthev Thai J.. failure of the present board was due to its sectional «, aranter. What the Maesteg resolution pro- posed therefore, was the abolition of this section- alism by the formation of a a National Board." Il\ then went on to deal with the proviso re- jecting the independent chairman. (I wish it to be understood that the a bove quotation is from Memory. Therefore, while 1 can vouch for the I)oillt of view I- (to not do so for the actual wording.) Xow, however, Mr. Hartshorn's point of view concerni. the resolution has become practically 1ev0lutionised. He now tells us that "The Na- ttOMal Wages Board which it proposes differs jifldamentallj from the Conciliation Boards of th, past. It is, in face, a revolutionary modifi- cation of the conciliation methods which we llive found to be disadvantageous to the miners ill the past, and which may now be regarded as waving been, definitely and finally repudiate-d by the S.W.M..F. It cannot by any logical sketch of "he imagination be termed an "extension" of the principle of conciliation." This change in Mr. Hartshorn's outlook I welcome as a sign that he is not absolutely "impossible." But, alas, while the outlook has changed the proposal for a National Wages Board remains the same. Consequently the two have become incompatible. The resolution—or rather that portion of the resolution which Mr. Hartshorn did not quote. 1'eads as follows: "That on the expiration of existing general wage agreements in the respec- t ttve coalfields no furt her district general wage ,,t.t- i c t (,-) :ep.ei-a l N,a(ye ? ?recment shall be entered into. Instead of dis- trict wage agreements the Federation shall es- r t)]ish a. National Wage-, Board on the follow- Ing A 1918 standard shall be es- tablished by adding the then existing percentage to. the prevailing .standards in the respective dis- trIcts, (2) that all applications for alterations of Wage" above the 1918 Standard shall he dealt with by a National Board consisting of an equal number of workmen's representatives and col- owners, and an independent chairman who shall only be called tn by mutual agrmentof both parties." Now, regarding the first portion of the resolution it. is obvious that it contains ■■ nothing beyond an extension of the present district boards. It: implies nothing beyond the substitution of a "National Board" for the pre- sent district boards. It has become an axiom that, in order to win out their emancipation, corkers must continually extend and solidify their organisations. But there is organisation and organisation. While it is necessary, in the interest of the m iners, to abolish their still remaining sectional method of dealing ?tb wage questions, and to establish a ?tional. policy, |ts not necessary for ) t ?inerR to take upon themselves t. ?? ?f organising the coal-owners on a n?- • tJortal basis, and linking themselves up with -tiotial as sa n(I liiik-II)gs iij) with J ta.)!)sn a board ropr?sentativc equally of coal- owneis and nainens implies that both parties stand on an nq? footing and have a common interest. But the reverse is actually the case. Employers and workers stand upon a very un- equal footing while their interests are diametri- cally opposed. Take, for example. Air. Hart- ..1 i al-t shorn's argument supporting such a Na- tional Board, The National Board proposed by tht. Maesteg district would give us a united National movement on the general wage ques- tions, and that united movement would have its 'ndu.strial power unfettered. If an occasion aruse in which, in the judgment of our move- ment as a whole, any particular point could be safely left to the adjudication of the indepen- dent chairman, we cmild give our consent to ilis being called in. If we thought,, however, tefc. ■ that the point involved was of such importance that we could not trust a decision to anyone outside our movement, and that it was necessary to use the whole of our industrial power to win that point, we could, by the mere fact of with- holding our consent, prevent the independent chairman from being called in, and we should be at Ilbei,t& to use our industrial power to its fullest extent. The above is taken at length because it covers in a concise form practically all that can be said in support of the National Board. Like a child's balloon will explode with a slight touch with a sharp object. So this ar- gument will explode without taxing our common- sense very greatly. Simply keep in mind the fact that the proposed National Board would be equally representative of the coalowners asso- ciation with the miners: call yourself a coal- owner and apply Mr. Hartshorn's argument in full—but apply ? as referring to the Coalownera' Association instead of the Miners' Federation. Quite simple. And will be found to apply with equal force from the view-point of the Coal owners' Association. Rhetoric? What ( And this kind of proposal the miners are expected to look forward to as a means to bring about their emancipation To look upon with awe and won- der as a "revolutionary," "all-embracing," "national policy"—carefully ouilt up by the practical labour-leaders of the S.W.M.F. while the, -p-van-W'aikles of the coalfield are fast asleep! Clause (1) of the resolution, I consider, is a sound proposal. And a credit to the Maesteg district, when taken simply as it stands-and not as a basis for the suggested National Board. Say that a demand for that clause was put for- ward. It is obvious, from past lessons, that if achieved, it would be done only by a struggle between the Coalowners' Association, .and the Minors'' or granted to avoid such a struggle. Where is the National Board during that process? Or, for that matter, where the present district boards? Only after the fight has been waged and the victory won can the National Board be built upon that basis. And then with the struggle fresh in mind those responsible for the National Board will have the effrontery, as they hayloI done in the past concerning district boards, to say that the National Board was re- sponsible for the victory—quite ignoring the preceding struggle. Clause (2) is taken up in Mr. Hartshorn's general argument. And ap- plies with equal force to both sides of the board. It is the one single point of difference (apart from the national character of the board) be- tween the old Conciliation Boards and the new National Board. But this difference, we are in- formed, is "revolutionary" and "fundamental." But, alas, here is in the greater portion of Mr. Hartshorn's contribution, the wish is parent to the thought. On examination it will be seen to contain no point of consequence what- ever. It is superficial and childish in the ex- treme. The evil of the existing Conciliation Boards is not, fundamentally, the independent chairman. Their futility is the result of com- bining on an equal footing and with a common interest two classes of the community—or rather two sections of those classes—whose standing is very unequal and whose interests are opposed. The independent chairman is nothing more than a figurehead, a reflection of this mode of organi- sation. If he were abolished entirely the evil would still remain. But Mr. Hartshorn does not propose anything so revolutionary as the abolition of the chairman. He simply wishes to place him more in the background. Suppose the National Board to be established and a point arises upon which the two sides of the board can- not agree as they will arise continually where the interest of both sides are opposed. Assume further, that the workmen have got a sound, clear case—one which they think would influence the decision of the independent chairman. Of coursc the workmen's representatives would then be willing to call in the chairman. But, under those circumstances, the coalowners' re- presentatives would not be willing. The chair- man could not then lie called in. Inversely, if the coalowners had a sound, clear case, they would be willing to call in the chairman. But then the workmens' representatives would not be willing. Therefore, the chairman could not be called in. The farce of a moveable chairman would thus be exploded. On the other hand, if a difference arose, the merit of, which was doubt- ful from both points of view, both parties may then be prepared to take the risk of calling in the chair man. We should then be at the luercv of the class decisions of the independent chair- man "—a contingency which Mr. Hartshorn is so anxious to avoid. And this is the revolu- tionary and fundadmentai change in the old methods of conciliation I repeat b that the proposed National Board is a mere extension of the existing Conciliation Boards. The exist- ing boards are a, dismal failure, and consequent- ly, a useless programme for the miners—as Mr. Hartshorn freely acknowledges. The proposed National Board is a proposed extension of those evils—no matter how much the intentions of its originator may be onoosed to such a conse- quence. If the board were established we should have to depend upon the merit of that board. The good intentions of its- originator would count for nought. In my last contribution I rose several points against the principle of concilia- tion. They apply equally to the proposed Na- tional Board: Instead of repeating them here, I recommend Mr. Hartshorn to re-read them at this juncture. In his contribution lie did not even pretend to touch upon a single point con- tained therein. He contuses demands with "policy. The "demand" in clause (1) is a sound demand. But the policy to enforce it is putrid. 1 did not, in my la.>L, set out to for- mulate demands. -1 suggested that we get. to- gether through our lodges, districts, and confer- ence, to draw up a set of demands. My main purpose was (1) to discredit a useless poiicy for enforcing our demands, and (?) to apply a policy, not half so high-sounding or academic as a Con- ciliation Board—district or national—but much more capable of enforcing any demand when that demand is agreed upon.' And, if Mr. Hartshorn's reply can be taken as a fair sample of the op- position that can be raised against that policy, then my purpose has been accomplished with far greater sueoess than my wildest hopes would al- low me to expect. In stating that organisation should be based upon industry I was speaking generally and not of the mining industry in par
- --u THi BIRTH OF A mAYiQNJ''''
u THi BIRTH OF A mAYiQNJ' A Scene from the Great Spectacular Production appearing at the Theatre Royal, Merthyr, I next week.
Cefn Coed Cell Discovery.…
Cefn Coed Cell Discovery. SOLDIER'S ATTEMPTED SUICIDE. A sapper in the Royal Engineers named Rich- ard Pugh, and living in Penydarren, was charged at Cefn Coed Police-court on Monday with at- tempted suicide and also with being an absentee from his unit. Police-sergeant T. Evans said that on Saturday night Pugh was discovered ill in High-street, Cefn Coed. Telephoning to the Merthyr Police Station so that the man's relations could be com- municated with, witness was told that Pugh was wanted as an absentee. Consequently he was detained in custody. Whereupon the man became violent and threat- ened to "do somethmg" to himself, adding that he would be a corpse before morning. He was put in the cells and everything which he might use to carry out his threat taken away. Half-an-hour later, however, lie was found ly- ing on the floor with a pair of braces tied tightly twice around his throat.. Ten minutes passed before the soldier regained consciousness. Undoubtedly," concluded the officer, in a few minutes lie would have been a dead man, had he not been discovered." Col. J. J. Jones (chairman of the magistrates) WiR you promise not to attempt anything of the kind again. Prisoner: Yes, sir. I didn't know anything about it until the sergeant told me. Cel. Jones: Keep that promise. You have done your duty to your country by going to the front and I hope you will continue, to do your duty. We arc proud of our soldiers. Prisouer said^he had been twice out in .France and whilst on his way from a convalescent camp to his unit at Devonport he became ill and came home instead of going to the journey's end. The charge of attempted suicide was with- drawn, and Pugh was ordered to be handed over to a. military Escort as an absentee.
--'-_-u.._-.- I ! Maesteg…
-u. Maesteg Notes. I Maesteg Co-Operative Women's Guild Social. "I I I "I A grand social and entertainment was neid under the auspices of the above Guild on Wed- nesday, January 17th, at the Maesteg Co-opera- tive Buildings. The tea was.partaken of in the 8-nild 1100n1 and the musical entertainment in the Lecture Hall. There was a grand assortment of appetising things to satisfy the inner man, of which about 150 persons partook. The mem- bers of the Guild assisted in the cutting up and waiting at tables, etc., they worked in real co- operation with one another under the presidency of Mrs. Morgans, the secretary, and Mrs. Strad- ling. All soldiers' wives who wished to avail themselves of the opportunity were invited free. After the tea was over all present took their seats in the Lecture Hall for the musical part of the programme, which the Guild had been able to provide for them in obtaining the services of the Llvnfi Glee Singers, who provided all the items, the soloists and duetists being drawn from their ranks, which goes to prove the talent that is in the choir. On opening the entertainment, the Chairman, Mr. T. T. Millman, said that he would reserve his chairman's address until later in the, evening and called upon the Llvnfi Glee Singers, under the conductorship of Mr. Llewellyn Morris, to commence with the well-known male voice piece, The Crusaders," which they rendered very nicely, the rest of the programme was as follows solo, Mr. J. Morgans; solo, Mr. W. J. Roberts; solo, Mr. R. Richards; choir, "Martyrs of the Arena"; duet, Mr. D. Morris and friend; choir, "Away to the Forest"; followed by the Chairman's address. He said that the Co-operative Women's Guild was a movement that worked for the uplifting of the human race and was composed of working class women who were the wives and daughters of Co-operators, some themselves yere direct members of the stores, and one of their main objects was education and especially that of the young people; they had done a great deal in this line and had drawn up a programme for the future, which on examination would show that they knew what was needed to make this coun- try a great one, and if it was adopted generally would place us in the van of education of the world. He was proud of the choir, who, he said, he was still prouder to think that the majority of them were sons of Co-operators or were them- selves members of the stores, and he hoped that those who were not would soon join. He was glad to think that they used their talent in the way they did, instead of throwing it away in singing in tap-rooms of public-houses. He wished them every success and a long career. The second part of the programme proceeded as follows:- Choir, Roman War Song solo, Mr. Dd. Mor- ris; solo, Mr. W. J. Roberts; choir, Pussy's in the Well" and "The Sailor's Chorus"; hu- morous song, Mr. J. Jarrett; solo, Mr. G. Rees; duet, "Excelsior," Mr. J. Morgan and friend; choir, "Halliluliah Chorus." Mrs. Morgans, president of the Guild, spoke a few words. The usual vote of thanks to the choir was moved by Mrs. Rees and seconded by Mr. Ridhardson and carried with acclamation. The Choir then sany Hen Wlad >Fv Nhaddau," the audience joining in the chorus; thus ended a most enjoyable even- ing. Mr. R. Millar was the accompanist.
Merthyr Sensation.I
Merthyr Sensation. HAULIER AND EMPLOYER CHARGED I WITH THEFT. Henry Lee (46), a haulier, employed by the marine-store dealer, William Brown, who was discovered with his throat cut in a cell at Mer- thyr Police Station, was charged at Merthyr Police Court an Friday with stealing and re- ceiving a quantity of brass. Mr. J. A. Wilson (chief-constable) said that a. similar charge was being preferred against Brown, who was now in the Merthyr Infirmary in consequence of his wound, which was self- inflicted, and he asked for a remand pending Brown's recovery. Inspector A. Phillips said that the brass was discovered hidden in bales of rags put into trucks in the Taff Vale Railway goods-yard for despatch. Lee and Brown were arrested on Wednesday evening at the marine stores and taken to the police-station. When charged each man replied, "1 have nothing to say at pre- sent. Lee told the magistrates he only took the bundles to the station. "I am oill-v ,?, servant," he added. I received nothing." Lee was remanded for a week in custody.
 -__-__j 1 fades Council…
 1 fades Council and Sunday F fading. APPEAL RESULTS IN TOWN COUNCIL ADJOURNMENT. WHOLE MATTER TO BE DISCUSSED MONTH HENCE. The question of Sundav Trading which was to h. are occupied the attention of the Merthyr Town Council at its monthly meeting on Tuesday wa? at the last moment deferred as the reslt of & Iel,ter from the local Trades Council asking that the Council should come to no decision on the j matter until the workers had expressed their ¡ V.18WS, through the Trades Council. A deputa- tion h:om the Merthyr and District Free Church I Council which was present, under the circum- stances, postponed the statement of its views until the next meeting. 43efore the routine business of the Corporation commenced the Mayor (Councillor Hankey) re- ferred to the loss which the town had sustained by the recent deaths of Alderman D. Thomas and Mr. J. M. Berry, and votes of condolence were passed by the Council (all standing) with both families. The Mayor's remarks were Since our last meeting we have lost two of our prominent citi- zens by the hand of death. On Saturday last we paid our last tribute of respect to the late Ald. Dan Thomas, who for many years had served the community well and faithfully in many and varied ways. Although a little hasty in his judgments at times, he was possessed of a sturdy spirit of independence, that we could ill afford to lose. I am sure that we should all desire our clerk to write to Mrs. Thomas expressing our regret at her husband's death and our deep sympathy with the family in the bereavement which has come upon them. On Saturday before last we also paid our last token of respect to the late Mr. J. M. Berry, He, too, had served the community well and faithfully in many and various capacities. His striking personality, I am sure, we shall all miss. In this case it is not necessary for us to instruct our clerk to write a letter of sympathy; since it has been done at a meeting of the Health Committee. Later a letter of thanks for their last cocimtt- nication was read from Mr. Seymour Berry, act- ing on behalf of his mother. On the motion of Councillor Edwards plenary powers were given to the Allotments Committee to acquire lands and deal with applications for I I %X When the minutes of the Parks and Cemeteries Committee came forward for confirmation the chairman, Mr. D. W. Jones suggested that they too should be given plenary powers to deal with garden allotments and the cultivation of plots suggested. This would do away with the delay of a month which must otherwise occur if they had to wait for the confirmation of the Corpora- tion. Alderman Griffiths questioned whether two committees dealing with the same subject would not result in overlapping. The Mayor The Parks Committee will only deal with its own lands. Councillor D. W. Jones, in reply, did not think that there would be any overlapping. He had never heard it suggested that the committee's were working against each other, he thought they were both most anxious to do the best in the public interests. If it was suggested that the two committees should amalgamate for this pur- pose he had not the least objection. The Parks Committee had really done its work, and had appointed a sub-committee which had met and had practically formed their programme for the coming year. Moreover, the Parks Committee had offered the services of their superintendent to the Allotments Committee, and it would itself be pleased to work hand i-n hand with that com- mi ttee. Councillor Pedlar moved the amalgamation of the two committees for the reason that it would mean an economy of time for the two committees. Councillor Owen pointed out that there was a difficulty in that, since the Parks Committee had already concluded ite work and mapped out ite programme They could not go back on the work done. Moreover, since the same persons, with three exceptions, composed the personnel of the two committees there was little danger of overlapping or confusion. To his mind the proposal of Councillor Jones was the only prac- tical one. Councillor D. W. Jones now thought on re- flection that. no good purpose would be served by amalgamation; which might create confusion. The Parks Committee dealt only with Corpora- tion owned land, whilst the AllotmentB Com mittee would deal exclusively with strangers' land. Councillor Redlar withdrew his motion, and the requisite powers were given to the Parks Committee. The question of Sunday Trading was now intro- duced by the reading of the letter from the Merthyr Boroagh Trades and Labour Council in which Mr. W. Harris, the secretary, said he had understood from Press reports that the Council intended coming to a decision that night with regard to the putting into force of a 300-years'- ld Aet 011 Sunday Trading. Seeing that a new poilit-aror,e from the- impossibility of closing licensed refreshment houses, he asked that the Council should adjourn its decision for a month so that the Trades Council might have the workers views on the question. He was sure the Trades Council would be pleased to place before the Council those views at the next monthly meeting. Councillor Owen moved tbat. the. decision 8e adjourned for a month. This was seconded, and was decided after the Free Church Council deputation had expressed a preference of laying its views before the Coun- cil at the next monthly meeting. On the mowion of Alderman Lewis (Treharris) it was decided to appoint a sub-committee to go into the question of meetings to see if it was not possible to re-arrange the meetings in view of the restricted travel facilities, and advanced farces.
I Labour and Capitalism. !…
ticular. The triple ailianc- I held no, in my contribution which appeared the "Pioneer", of December 16th, as a stai.-dard bv which to apply the linking-up process. The policy of iu- dustrial iii.)ioji upon industry instead of craft-—is not at .11 new in the Miners' Federation. It is nat new to Mr. Hartshorn. But the method of "applying" that form of organisation to gain the best re- sults—while it is not new to a large minor- ity of the miners, it is quite new to Mr. Hart- shorn. He continues to apply the old method of conciliation in an extended form. The increased wages which the miners now enjoy, although only nominal, could not have been obtained by any method of conciliation. They are the result of the struggle of 1915. A struggle in which, if I remember rightly, Mr. Hartshorn opposed the miners. -Now, however, he assumes his share of credit with that brazen effrontery which has been largely responsible for i-endering him the distinguished" personage he has become in the Labour moveipent. Too much space is already I taken up to argue upon, the merits of the new policy, or suggested demands.. They must sim- ply and i-.aj /vted on a- subse- quent occasion. The basis of both policy and de- mands is the recognition that we can only obtain what our organisation is strong enougli to en- force, and only retain what we can hold by the strength of the organisation. First, a national programme on the following basis (1) The aboli- tion of any form of alliance with the Coalowners' Association—thus automatically abolishing an independent chairman and the identity of inter- ests fallacy; (2) a deputation representing the M.F.G.B. to lay demands (which have been mu- tually agreed upon) before the coal owners, with power to explain same but- no authority to ne- gotiate upon them with a view to their modifica- tion. And to report to national conference; (3) no agreement to heelltered into ranging over any definite period. Thus leaving the organisa- tion free to enforce further demands whenever, in the opinion of the members, conditions war- rant it. Secondly, the demands, having regard to a bove reason, and also the recognition that we can oriug about our emancipation only by slow, almost imperceptible stages, the suggested demands must necessarily be moderate and in accord with what the organisation, as it stands, would be likely to accept. (1) Clause (1) of the Maesteg resolution. (2) Five days weekly to be recognised as a. working week, with six turns for live daymen and six far four nights and after- noons worked—overtime which can be proved es- sential—double-time payment. (3) Six hours a, day to be a recognised day's work. (4) Four week's holidays per annum with full pay.