Pioneer

Merthyr Notes. I Bankruptcy Annulled. At Merthyr Bankruptcy Court on Wednesday, before Mr. Registrar Kenshole, the bankruptcy ef Nathaniel 1-t. Thomas, a Cefn Coed coal miner and claimant to the Drymma and Brith- dir Estates, was annulled on the application of Mr. D. W. Jones, solicitor, the creditors having been paid 20s. in the £ on the debts. The Late Mr. Jno. Williams. I A vote of condolence with the family of the late Mr. John Williams, agent to the Merthyr District of Miners, was passed at a war aims meeting at Cefn Coed on Thursday on the motion of Mr. Joseph Price, J.P. (chairman) se- conded by Mr. Sidney Robinson, M.P., Measles at Cefn. Owing to the prevalence of measles in the vil- lage, Cefn Coed Infants' School has been closed down temporarily. Amenities of Marriage. Summoning her husband, Harold Avley, at Merthyr, om Friday, for alleged desertion, Elizabeth Avley, a young woman, formerly resi- dent in Aberfan, said that he had sent her home to her mother and gone off to lodgings in Caer- philly. Defendant complained of an unhappy married life due to "nagging," and alleged his wife had threatened to kill him. The Woman: I did threaten him, sir, but I didn-It mean it. Defendant: I am willing to take my crippled boy. I think I can claim him. Mr. R. A. Grif- fith (stipendiary): I don't think so. I will see you given custody of the child and an order for 30s. a week was made. Bowls Club Presentation. On occasion of his "joining up," Mr.W. Her- bert, captain of the Cyfarthfa Bowls Club, Mer- thyr, was presented by the members on Thurs- day with a wristlet watch in, recognition of his services to the club, of which he has been a member since its formation four years ago, cap- taining it for three seasons and being vice-cap- tain for the other year. An Ingenious Preventative. I When a small collier lad was summoned at Merthyr on Friday for having a match in his possession at the Fochriw Pit, he assured the Stipendiary (Mr. Griffith) he could not under- stand how it got into his vest pocket. I have sewn up my pockets now," he added, so that nothing can get in again. (Laughter.) He was let off with a fine of 6s. Memorial Unveiled. The Mayor (Mr. N. F. Hankey, J.P.) un- veiled at the Queen's Road Boys' Schools, Mer- thyr, on Thursday a memorial portrait to a former assistant master, the late Lieut. G. W. Jones, South Wales Borderers, who died of wounds received in France. Coal Prices. The question of fixing the retail coal price6 for the borough has been referred by a confer- ence of the Merthyr Corporation Coal Com- mittee and representatives of the local coal dealers to the Coal Controller. Sheep Killing Allegation Fails. I Judgment for defendants was awarded at the Merthyr County-court on Thursday in an action brought by Richard Williams, Penylan, and his sisters, Rebecca and Catherine Williams, Glynmil Farm, against a Merthyr miner, James Pro&ser, for t36 in respect of 18 sheep alleged to have been killed by one of defendant's dogs. Naval Lieutenant's Fate. Engineer-Lieut. F. Percy Jones, R.N., son of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Jones, John-street, Mer- thyr, is reported missing and believed killed. Presentation. On .Friday evening last (Oct. 12th), a presenta- tion meeting was held at the Dowlais offices of Messrs. Guest, Keen and Nettlefolds, Ltd., in honour of Pte. Dd. Mathias of the Royal Fusi- leers, who answered the call of duty by joining the forces in Nov., 1915, and going out to France on active service some months later. When in active service some months later. When out in France he was attached to the Naval Division, and he was in action with that Division at the battle of Beaumont Hamel. He is now on the clerical staff of the Royal Engineers at. the base. Prior to his enlistment Pte. Mathias was on the clerical staff of the above firm. The meeting was composed entirely of the male and female clerks of the Dowlais Office staff. Mr. Evan J. Price occupied the chair, and Mr. D. B. Wil- liams, on behalf of the staff, presented a gold watch to Pte. Mathias. Monday's Tribunal. I At the Merthyr Tribunal on Monday, anum-I ber of cases came under review. A Treharris grocer, who is doing a large business, pleaded that he had only four young lady assistants and one discharged soldier to help him. Major F. T. James (military representative) offered no ob- jection to conditional exemption, and the appel- lant undertook to join the Volunteer forces.—A blacksmith, for whom Mr. W. W. Meredith ap- peared, had lost all his men with the exception of an elderly man of 60, and he did not feel that heoould find time for drill. It was furthermore suggested that this condition had not been stipu- lated in regard to one or two other blacksmiths. Exemption was granted, subject to applicant joining the Volunteers.—An Aberfan collier, ori- ginally a quarry™an from North Wales, asked by Mr. J. E. Biddle for his medical card, 'said he had not been before the medical board. He was sent for examination to the Medical Board at Cardiff.—Humphrey Humphreys, insurance agent, 34, Class C., married, with three chil- dren, was stated by Mr. W. Rees Edmunds, his advocate, to be in poor health, as shown by a medical certificate. If he was sent to the army the probability was that he would be sent back again. In his spare time he rendered needed as- sistance to Miss Rees, who was carrying on the grocery business of her brother, Pte. A. J. Rees, who had joined the army. Mr. Biddle read a letter from Pte. Rees, now in hospital, who made a strong appeal for aplicant to be permitted to remain in order to assist his sister. He had al- ready closed his Merthyr branch, and if Hum- phreys went, the Aberfan business would also have to be closed down. In reply to the chair- man (Mr. John Griffiths), applicant said he was apprenticed to the grocery trade, and he had received further instructions in it from M. Rees before he joined up. Three months' exemption, with right of appeal. Chamber of Trade. j Merthyr Chamber of Trade on Tuesday elected Mr. E. J. ^Richards their president for the en- suing year and Mr. W. Francis, vice-president. Ministry of Health. Merthyr Insurance Committee on Tuesday adopted the suggestion of the Executive Com- mittee of the Association that they should press for the creation of a ministry of health at the .earlie-s, possible date.

> Maesteg Notes. Mining Offences. 'I Three cases of alleged infringement of mines regulations came up at Bridgend Police Court on Saturday. For not attending at his post during his shift, t-hws omitting to do alil act necessary to the safety of the persons employed at the Caerau Colliery, Harry Welsh, banks- man, North-street, Caerau, Maesteg, was fined £ 2 at Bridgend on Saturday. Arthur Jordan, haulier, Rose Villa, Margam-street, Caerau, Maesteg, was nned jE3 for sleeping in the Coegnant Colliery. Emlyn Rattery, haulier, High-street, Ogmore Vale, was fined £ 1 for having a cigarette in his possession in the Rhondda Main Colliery. 11 My Visit to France." The above was the title and subject of the lecture delivered by Comrade J. Evans (Nanty- ffyllon) at the Progressive Free Church, held at tiie Co-op. Buildings on Sunday evening last. Councillor Evans gave a very vivid account of what he, saw during his visit to France, and stated that there were only two ways of ending the war. One was to smash through to the Rhine the, wai- One w?is to sTyiasli t h rouf-l:?ars' fighting, which would mean a few more years' fighting, with all it entails in expenditure of human life and money, and lie did not know that even then victory, if secured, would be of any value to us. Certainly to the workers it would not. The other way was for the democracies of the belligerent countries to go behind the backs of the Kings, Kaisers, Emperors, and their satellites and make a people's peace by negotiations. He approved of the latter, and he thought that we in this country, where we have more freedom than other countries, should take the initiative. South Wales might well be destined to be the dynamic for such a nvovement, at all events that was the impression left on him by the Miners' Confer- ence in Cardiff the previous Monday. There was then that mark of dogged determination which is exhibited at conference when the miners have set their mind on getting ssmethittg. Keir Hardie Memorial Meeting. On Saturday last at the Co-op. Lecture Hall, Maesteg, under the a.uspices of the local I.L.P. branch, a meeting to commemorate the second anniversary of the death of the late James Keir Hardie was held, when the speakers were Mr. John Connelly (Abergwynfi) and Councillor John Evans (Nantyffyllon). The chairman in his opening remarks drew attention to the fact that two roars to the day of the death of our late comrade the principles of the Right to Work Bill, which he championed so well during "his life, were conceeded in an agreement between the Coal Controller and the M.F.G.B. Mr. Con- nelly said that although he never had the pri- velege of meeting Hardie or of hearing him speak, lie tried to read up all his speeches and followed his work keenly, and he proved in his address to have been a very keen and successful student of the life of our late chief. He likened Hardie to Isaiah, as one who spoke out to the ruling class in his time and told them what he thought of them, and endeavoured to lead the peoples not only of Britain, but the whole world to emancipation. He referred to Hardie's great heart going out to the children. Dealing with Hardie as an Internationalist, he said that Hardie had succeeded in picking up the threads of the democracies of the different countries throughout the world, and so success- fully commenced to weave the fabric of Interna- tional Democratic Brotherhood amongst the workers of the world that the ruling classes had become alarmed lest the day of privelege was to end, and sought for some way to stave off that day, and so had engineered this great war. Councillor John Evans, on rising to speak, said that he did not intend to speak for more than a few minutes. He had only, just- left a meeting of clerks and colli&ry officials, who were considering the formation of a trade union, and he had been addressing them on that matter. It was very pleasing to him to see that the spirit of Hardie was moving in that quarter. Coun. Evans dealt with the life of Hardie, commencing with Hardie as a boy of seven years finding em- ployment as a messenger boy, and at eight years of age working in the mine and educating himself with what assistance his mother could give him; of his activities in forming the Miners', Union in his native district, the fight for better conditions as a result of which the mine-owners victimised him, and, hardest of all things, that those for whom he was fighting seemed, at times, to turn against him as if they thought that he was one of those men who had a "aee in his bonnet," and of how he firmly kept his hand to the plough until he came ot the end of the furrow through war. "Hardie," said Evans, "was the Moses of the Labour Party. He came, to lead Labour out of bond- age into the promised land." Merthyr Tydfil, as Hardie's constituency, will always have a warm spot in his heart for finding a seat for Hardie when everywhere else seemed to be closed against him, and retaining him a their Member until he died. The Labour Movement had suffered an irreparable blow by losing Hardie at a time we could least afford to lose him. The meeting was the most successful that has been held in Maesteg for years. The Hall was simply crowded out, extra, chairs having to be obtained and, afterwards, there were several standing. Not another person could have been admitted, and several were turned away. Comrade A. G. Jones presided.

Hirwain Notes. War Aims." I At a. War Aims meeting at the English Wes- leyan Chapel, Hirwain, the speakers were Messrs. W. Brace, M.P., Sidney Robinson, M.P., and Mr. B. O'Donnell, London. The War Aims" of Mr. Robinson were a restatement of the crimes of Germany during the war, which we used for the purpose of arousing- the audience against a peace by negotiation. Mr. Brace was no better, he simply tried to win the audience by sneering answers which he gave to the C.O.'s and local I.L.P.ers who were the only questioners. On the whole they were given a "warm time. 11. L. P. On Wednesday week Comrade Owen Hughes (Pontypridd) addressed an I.L.P. branch meet- ing on "The Restoration of our Civil Liberty and Freedom of Thought." Covering a great length of history he dealt with our ancient fighters of liberty. On Monday, the Rev. J. M. Jones, M.A., Merthyr, and the Rev. George Neighbour, Mountain Ash, addressed a Hardie memorial meeting at Zion English Baptist Chapel. There was present a fine, eager, and intelligent audience, who appreciated the fine tribute that both the speakers paid to our de- parted leader. Any local friends desirous of helping in the good work on behalf of humanity should give their names to the branch secretary, T. Thomas, 10 Manchester Place, Hirwain.

I Swansea Valley Notes. I I A Query. I  With regard to the G.C.G." strike will Mrs. -I)rtiiiiiilond revisit Gwauncaegurwen to repri-  mand the owners, now that the award has so completely justified the men's action. Welsh Drama. At the Public Hall, Pontardawe, on Saturday a performance was given by the Rhos Drama Company of the Welsh drama "Beddau'r Pro- phwydu," by Mr. W. J. Gruffydd. Patriotic Stunt at Clydach. Another exciting "patriotic" meeting was held in the Valley this week. This time the scene of hostilities was the Public Hall, Clydach. The meeting was convened by the British Workers' League, and the speakers announced were, Mr. C. B. Stanton, M.P., Mr. J. Seddon and Mr. Brownrigg. The two former failed to attend, but were deputised by Mr. Havelock Wilson and Mi-. Terret. The chairman was Councillor Lloyd, a get-on-with-the-war member of the local Tribunal. The hall was crowded, and it was apparent throughout that there were two extreme factions present. Mr. Wilson was given a very patient hearing, during the first half of his speech, which was devoted to reciting his own .¡C great achievements in the Trades Union world. But when he commenced attacking conscientious objectors the antagonist element asserted itself. The remainder of his speech was continually interrupted, and each time he mentioned conscientious objectors, or Macdonald or Snowden, there were loud bursts of applause. Immediately he finished he com- mence d to walk off the platform, and on being called upon to answer questions, he apologised, stating he had to.go to catch a train, but pro- mised to visit Clydach again. The next speaker was Mr. Terret. He, too, began by telling the audience how splendidly he had fought in the Socialist Movement. When he began attacking Snowden, the advanced section of the audience shouted him down. Several times he attempted to go on, but each time he was met with howls and booing. One of the audience rose and asked to be allowed to defend Snowden in the particular case the speakei- was referring to. On an understanding this concession would be granted he was allowed to continue, but not without continual interruptions. Mr. Terret con- cluded with an appeal to all patriots to join the British Workers' League, which (he said) aimed at the conciliation of Capital and Labour! After a short speech by Mr. Brownrigg (who confined his remarks to the aims and objects of the League, and was granted a fair hearing) the chairman took a vote for the support of the League. About half the audience voted for, and the chairman declared it carried, refusing to ask for a show of hands against. Then began the really exciting time. Questions were invited, and immediately they were forthcoming. The first questioner began to defend Sijowden against the malicious accusation made against him, but to his surprise, the chairman and Terret were unwilling. He tried to go on, but the "pairriots" in the audience and on the platform prevented him. Then," lie said, "if you are afraid of allowing me to defend Snowden, I'll ask a ques- tion of the two." -For an hour and a quarter Mr. Terret was bombarded with questions. The subject of most of these were Terret's conten- tion that a better and more conciliatory spirit existed amongst the Capitalists. This, need- less to say, was smashed to smithereens, by the students of the local economics class. But in fairness to Terret, it should be said that he put up a very game fight, although he displayed a very poor and superficial knowledge of industrial circumstances and of the industrial struggle. The meeting closed by the simultaneous singing of the national anthem and the Red Flag." Miss Pallister's Visit. Miss Pallister, of Brvnmawr, will again visit this district next week. On Friday night, Oct. 26th, at 7.30 p.m., she will be speaking at the I.L.P. Hall, Ystradgynlais. On Saturday even- ing she will be at Ammanford, and on Sunday afternoon (Oct. 28th) she will speak at Ystaly- fera. Church and War. The notes on Principles and Circumstances in this month's issue of "Y Deyrnas contains an article on "The Soldier's Conscience," giving a copy of an ofifcer's letter, which is a glaring exposure of militarism and the method of war in settling international disputes. One extract may suffice: One thing that pains me nyire than anything is that the Christian Church is sup- porting the war so strongly. It says to its boys, even to those who are chosen to spread the Gos- pel of Peace on Earth: "Go, serve the god of war, and the god of fear; announce to the world, 'For he so loved the world that he killed nine millions of its people.' God help us! Is there no other way to settle international quar- rels?

Gorseinon Notes. The Hungry Monster. It is some time since the military driaen came prowling round our peaceful streets,, seeking whom it might devour. We were rather startled at its voraciousness—rfor it took on that occa- sion no less than five of the few intellectuals of the village. But no sooner were these taken than others stepped into the ranks. filling the gaps well. Last week, hunger and lust for destruction drove the monster out again, to take Comrade Abram Rees on the Wednesday, and Comrades Martin and Lewis on the Saturday. We are not in the least disheartened, for these men go to swell the ever increasing army of men who will bear testimony against the power of brute force to settle national disputes—in the very near future. Of course,, Justice was not at home to the boys on Saturday. Her ladyship has had many vacations during the last three years, and her entertainers will have to give full account of themselves. The description of our men was most flatter- ing. Martin was the ring-leader of a gang of men who if gloried in carrying on unpatriotic work—which work was most injurious to the interests of the nation. The nation, in sooth! Who and what is the nation P If the nation consist of a few men whose desire is to promote misunderstanding, hatred, and fear amongst peoples, and the engineering of the consequent wars, well, of course it is wrong to disturb the minds of the exploited by means of Tribunals, Pioneers," and "Labour Leaders. And since true patriotism knows no age limit nor geogra- phical boundaries, these documents will be distributed until all nations learn that it is to their interests to dwell in peace with their neighbours. Of that fact the exploiters may be sure. Martin's statement was quite simple, and he scored on each point- brought against .him by the patriots. i It was true that he was a tailor by trade— but owing to wax conditions he had been obliged to abandon his work and seek employment else- where. He could not consistently enter a muni- tion works—and eventually became employed at a colliery, not, as it was stated, to avoid mili- tary service, but because it was imperative that he should support his family by some honest work, which he was not ashamed to do. He was not a conscientious objector since the beginning of this war only, but had become one when he heard the present Prime Minister denounce the Boer War. He admitted having endeavoured to convince the people as well as to the futility of war, and had organised an anti-militarist demon- stration before the outbreak of the present war, while acting as secretary to the I.L.P. For his consistency he was fined L5 and handed over." Albert Lewis came next-a perfect example of manliness which can only be obtained by clean, regular habits of life. It may be for the good of some of the inhabitants of our hamlet that Albert is a pacifist! He will be sorely missed by his comrades of Gorseinon Band, for he was a beautiful euphonium player. He will be still more missed in the I.L.P., for he was one of its steadiest workers. When arrested, he said: "I have to say the same old tale—I am a C.O." In his statement he said he was proud of the same old tale—one which had been told by many before him, and which would be repeated by many after him. He had tried to make his actions consistent with his beliefs, and had done his best to distribute and sell litera- ture amongst the people. He asked the Court if they expected the editor of the "Regiment" to advocate Pacifism. He could not serve a, Government he had denounced all along the line. He again was fined £ 5 and handed over. Both comrades, after a hearty send-off in High- street, were taken to Cardiff, where we hope they have met Comrade Abram Rees. War Aims. A War Aims meeting is announced for Oct. 18 at Moriah Chapel, Loughor. There and then the people of the surrounding hamlets will be told exactly what their soldier and sailor rela- tives are really fighting for. It will be worth while making the journey even though the rea- sons are given 38 months AFTER the commence- ment of hostilities. We tfish the authorities had been so concerned about informing the nation 38 hours BEFORE war was declared. It is good to know that the Governmjyit has found out the purpose of this war at W, t, and, maybe, some will be present who will be perfectly satisfied that the wasting of millions of good, useful lives was necessary to obtain that which we declared we didn't want at first, which we 'want now, but which we axe. not very likely to get. Long live the International!

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Pontypridd Notes. I.L.P. Activities. Comrade H. Hiles (president, Cardiff Tr Council) spoke at the I.L.P. Hall, E. J. »> hams presiding, on "'Evils of CommercialisI*5. Comrades John Barker, Andrews, Owen Hu and Jenkins also spoke. Last Sunday eve]??. with J. A. Cox in the chair, Comrade ?'f Thomas, Clydach Vale, lectured on Labo ProMems atfter the War."   Mr. Walton ?ewbold on his first visit to J town delivered a splendid opening to his seri?6'5Of four lectures on Britain the Workshop o?tbe World." The address wa.s a masterly exposi^ of the industrial development in South Wales ™ tween 1750 and 1850. Mrs. Drummond Again. Mrs. Drummond, "patriotism" P?'o? <.f talked to the miners at the Hafod Pit, :ø Pontypridd, on Tuesday, and question-?? ? coming along, after an address well in.-ber,Pel. se by back-chat interludes, Mr. A. Cook, a  known Socialist, got on a bank close by alld YbO' gan a meeting of his own. A battle royal lowed between him and the lady in hoIdmS the attention of the crowd. Mrs. Drummond I'?beo she eventually left promised to come back ??.??

gar 'lP THOSE WHO HELP VOUR PAPER' Printed and published by the National L.. Press, Ltd., at the .Labow Pioneer ?.g?' Williams Square, erthyr Tydfil, I SATURDAY, OCTOBER 20th, 1917.