Pioneer

Avan Valley Notes. I (By DEMOCRITUS). I The Brace Breeze. A very interesting passage of arms took place between Mr. Brace and his hecklers at Cwm- avon on Sunday last. The Press, as usual, gave a one-sided report of the meeting, and con- veniently omitted to record the interruptions which discomfited the speaker. Mr. Brace care- fully avoided the subject upon which he was an- nounced to speak, but told his audience a lot about the: necessity of crushing German mili- tarism. At question time he was extraordina.rily weak with an "I don't know" as a reply to nearly every query. Boomerang Hooliganism. Some of the men who snarled at the hecklers last Sunday were themselves parties to the im- moral hooliganism at Penuel a few months back, when the Rev. J. Morgan Jones spoke there. But, oh! they feel hurt at a policy of en revanche—they froth when the boomerang they hurl at others is deflected upon themselves. And their method of disrupting a meeting is not by heckling, or interjecting humourous asides, but by a display of ruffianism and yahorism that would disgrace their palaeolithic ancestors. "Patriots, Join Up!" I It is so easy to sneer at the conscientious ob- jector and it is so popular to shout with the war, but when it comes to make the sacrifice, there are far less shirkers among the C.O.'s than among the men who support the war by lip ser- vice. Now, you, who were so zealous over Mr. Brace's meeting, who subscribed to all the ut- terances of the speaker, answer the question: Why don't you join up? AVere you employed at a non-essential trade with no strong trade union ■ to defend you, you would to-day either be in the army or in gaol. You stand by and allow men who have been thrice wounded, who have suffered years of trench warfare, to go bacK to hell, aye, you not only acquiesce in their re- turn, but help to force them back, whereas if you yourself volunteered these poor fellows might be spared further agony. But, you evince no signs or going, and yet you have the brazon, effrontery to jibe at the man who, believing the war to be wrong, suffers the penalty of his re- fusal. Ah! yes, you're a glorious patriot when you organise a concert or give a recitation at a convivial gathering for the benefit of a wounded soldier. How you swagger, and swell, and feel brave on these occasions; how eager you are to be in the limelight, and all the time what a miserable, cowardly hound you are. Tinplaiers' Award. Our friends the tinplaters are incensed at the 5/- a week advance awarded them by the Com- mittee on Produdion.. It appears that the award works out at a percentage lower than tha,t which was offered by the. employers at the Conciliation Board, consequently, they have re- fused the offer of 5/- advance. It is to be hoped that the grievance will be amicably settled, otherwise, should the men come out on strike, the South Wales press will be hard pressed for a supply of adjectives to bombard the Pacifists. Regular Work for Miners. Our agent, Mr. William Jenkins, has been active lately with the authorities trying to get more regular employment for the miners of the Avon Valley. Well done, thou good and faith- ful servant. Some Exaggeration. All friends and acquaintances of Comrade Tal | Mairiwaring will rejoice to hear that the rumour of his death was "slightly exaggerated," and that he is now testified to be out of danger, with an increasing vitality that will wreck havoc, shortly, in the dove-cols of reaction.

I Bargoed Notes. Whist Drive. A successful whist drive was held at the I.L.P. Rooms, Bargoed, on Tuesday under the auspices of the Women's Peace Crusade. Mr. E. James carried off the gentlemen's prize and Miss G. Matthews the lady's. The two booby awards were given Mr. Wallace and Mrs. Mor- gan. Milk. Bargoed milk has been reduced from seven- I13,ence to sixpence per quart. I Billiards. The following are the scores 1* the Bargoed billiards match played at Bargoed Workmen's Institute in connection with the Rhymney and Aber Valleys League (Junior Division) between Bargoed and New Tredegar, the former combi- nation winning by 159 points. Soores-Bar- goed: 1, D. Harrington, 100; 2, C. Matthews, 100: 3, T. Picket, 100; 4, 1. James, 66; 5, Len Willis, 100; 6, E. Holifiekl, 100; 7, H. Grin-ted, 100; 8, I). Williams, 100; total, 766. New Tredegar: 1, T. Lewis, 65; 2, P. Griffiths, 77; 3, E. Pugh, 97; 4, A. Clapp, 100; 5, F. Elms; 6, L. Pugh, 61; 7, C. Jones, 74; 8, E. Jones, 78; total, 607.

Maesteg Notes. Milk Venders' Alleged Overcharge. At a meeting of the Maesteg Trades Oouncill on Wednesday it was stated that some of the milk-vendors were contravening the Order by selling milk at 8d. per quart instead of the sti- pulated price of 7d. A resolution was passed instructing Labour members of the committee to investigate the charge and to press for prosecu- tions if the allegations were true. 1 Meat. I Maesteg Trades and Labour Council adopted a resolution calling upon Lord Rhondda to issue an order that all cattle for slaughter should be sold by "live weight" to prevent any exploita- tion. They also decided to request the local food committee to make it compulsory upon but- chers to isaue receipts in all sales, giving the weight and price. Lecture. Mr. D. J. Morgan, the Swansea blind orator, spoke a;t the Co-operative Lecture Hall, Maes- teg, on Sunday, on the Rise of Democracy." Dealing with the Whitley Heport, he said that the idea of Oapial co-operating with Labour was like a tiger going to a dentist to get his teeth extracted—an unthinkable occurrence. If a tiger visited a dentist at all it would be to ex,ti-act him. (Laughter.) If Labour ac- cepted the Whitley Report they would only forge shackles more securely on themselves. Mr. James Web-r) presided.

Theatre Royal. Now that the Morton Powell Repertory Com- pany have gauged the tastes of the Merthyr playgoers the Theatre Royal has become the home of a sure evening's untrammelled delight in the artificial, but for the time being very real world, beyond the footlights. Personally, I re- gret that they did not get into their real stride the first week they were here, for those early weeks did not make half the appeal to me that the past three programmes have. Taken as a rule I get very tired indeed of long visits by individual companies, and I must say that to my mind the finest tribute I can pay to Miss Nina Blake-Adams and her splendid histrionic colleagues, is this, that they are weekly impress- ing me more and more with their protean ability as artistes, their stage personality., and their power to give life.and power to melodrama. This last is perhaps the most difficult task that is im- posed upon the player, and it is because the per- centage who successfully undertook it has been so small that the melodrama fell into disfavour. We all remember the strutting assinities of the old actor" whose declamation was so thun- derously unsatisfactory; whose English was not above cavil, and whose presence on the stagel was a monumen t to bumptious egoism we all know, even to-day, the horrors of the iiavished heroine who sets our teeth on edge with her piteous appeal, U My chee-ild; and it is so re- freshing to find a company that can exercise artistic repression, articulate as artistes should, and shade the characterisations as is absolutely necessary if the author of a work is to be pre- served from the madhouse because of his inabil- ity to commit "justifiable" murder, and if the best is to be given to us, that I feel that I ought to, ask for a page to dreal with each artiste as I could wish bo. That is, alas, impossible, but I have said enough to show that the good people, of Gloucester were only recognising true merit when they made such a loving demonstra- tion towards this company on its leaving that town. .For next week the company has decided to present two programmes, and I for one have al- ready booked two nights for the Royal. For the first half an excellent choice has been made in "Brought to Ruin," a play so well known, and so highly praised alike for its melo-dramatic intensity, and its utility as a deterrent to those innocent individuals who have a tendency to run loose, that it is unnecessary to enlarge on it here. For the second half a still greater favour- ite has been booked in Ouida's great story of Algerian 1 adventu re Under Two Flage." This play is unrivalled in its evergreen power over the great piaygoing public, and its performance by a company so capable of handling it as this I should pack the Theatre every house next week- end. PLAYGOER.

RHEUMATISM- 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 remove as nature intended, and this acid is to a great extent the cause of backache, lum- bago, sciatica, gout, urinary trouble, stone, gravel and dropsy. The success of Estora Tablets for the treat- ment of rheumatism and other forms 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 often than not it is due to the kitaeys, and in such cases Estora Tablets will set them right! The test is at least worth making, as woman's happi- ness and success in life depends on her health. Estora Tablets fully warrant their description —an honest remedy at an honest price, 1/3 per box of 40 tablets, or six for 6/9. All Chemists or, postage free, from Estora Co., 132, Charing Cross Road, London, W.C. Bargoed and Abarbargoed Agent-W. PARRY WILLIAMS, 31 P.S.

Women Workers' oS. absurd, Els ie., m I said, "to scamp your breakfast as you do. t Why, it's the longest spell without food' in the whole twenty-four hours, and what will really I do you good is a great big cup of Rowntree's I H Cocoa. It's just delicious these cold mornings ■ -and cold nights, too I a aAOs W I I ø lJiM::uit intb- ø PlfId'

Railwaymen and Leicester POST-WAR PROGRAMME TO BE CON- SIDERED. BIG DEMANDS BY N.U.R. I BY T. C. MORRIS, E.C. I SHORTER WORKING DAY. I Following upon Control of Railways must come a demand for a shorter working day. This, so far as railwaymen are concerned, is a long overdue reform when viewed in the light of the responsibility of the railway working. The de- velopment of mechanical appliances ov the con- struction of bigger engines, frhe control system, general speeding up, and also the extension of an eight-hour day to contemporary industries, has contributed to the demand. The long hours worked upon railways have been the subject of many Commissions of inquiry and questions in Parliament. Returns have to be made out each day by the railway companies of every man working over twelve hours. Whilst here and there the eight-hour day has been conceded to drivers, signalmen, shunters, and guards, it is still surprising that the vast majority of rail- waymen are yet working ten and twelve hours per day and over. The conceding of an eight- hour day has been proved to be a practical pro- posal by Lord Leverhulme, and this, coming from one of the Capitalist class, is not without some meaning to us. The demand for a shorter hour day is based upon humanitarian grounds, which will ensure gieature leisure and freedom to the worker. It has been proved that where a shorter working day is in operation, the stan- dard of physical development and human condi- tions generally has been higher. As a result of the intensification of industry during the war machinery has come into existence, which is taking the place of a large amount of human labour. Instead of allowing the worker to be the slave of the machine we should control ic and make it subservient to our will for easing labour instead of throwing labour upon the em- ployment market and creating large profits The development of machinery will make it pos- sible for us not only to ask for eight or six hours but even four hours. Why not? Rail- waymen and other workers should awake up to the fact that we should cease to be merely hewers of wood and drawers of water, J he apathetic slaves of an industrial system. Rather should we become men and women, erect and free, yes, the rulers of our own destiny. Whether the Leicester Conference asks for an eight-hour or six-hour day, there can be no compromise upon this matter. Demobilisation will set us all thinking. FUTURE OF WOMEN LABOUR. The employment of large numbers of women on railways in place .of men released for the army will raise the question of the future of women employment. Under present conditions they are temporarily employed, hut changes have taken place that must mean that women have come to stay. Once having tasted economic freedom, is it reasonable to assume that women are going back to their former condition? I think not, and I am of the opinion that it would be a fatal policy to create a spirit of an- tagonism on this matter. The retention of women must be only upon grounds that they are not being used as a competitive factor to depress wages. Their presence must assist us in so re-adjusting hours of duty that shall bring about the shorter working day. INCREASE IN WAGES. There was a time when a demand was: An eight-hour day, eight bob a day, and six days a week," was an ideal which we should strive for. We have not as yet approached that condition of things on the railways. Still, we are hoping to. Since we made our pre-war demand for a 5/- per week advance, we have had an increase of 15/ and we are making a further demand. Much will depend upon the conditions surround- ing the cost of commodities. We would he justi- fied now. in asking for an increase of £ 1 per day, when considering that £ 1. to-day is scarcely worth 8/- pre-war rate, which means that a man iece-iving El per day will be, but receiving jE2 8s. pre-war rate per week. We have been advised by the Prime Minister to be audacious in dealing with after-war problems, then I should say that a programme that would include a six- hour day, five days per week, and 21 per day would not be a, very modest one. Muoh will de- pend upon the will and determination behind the programme. It can be proved that industry can bear the burden. At the prsn t time half the population are enga.?ed on non-productive- 1 work, leaving the other half to produce enough .1 to feed, clothe, and hours all, and yet provide I seven to eightt millions a day to carry on the I. war and create further millions for the few. i| OVERTIME. It Overtime is an evil which has unfortunately been nursed by us. Our efforts should be con- centrated upon the 'abolishing of overtime by placing a prohibitive rate of pay upon it. This- E, has contributed to the cause of unemployment Hi as well as assisted in lowering general wage con- f ditions and kept back shorter hours. Night work must be paid at a rate that shall consider- ably reduce it. The ho?rs of duty of railway- t? men are a scandal, men being called out at every :t hour of the day and night. By a process of re- adjustment this could be altered, and could he* made to conform to reasonable human condi- tions. Night-work, with its increased responsi-' f bility through working in the dark, should carry with it as a sort of recompense, apart from the j unnatural feature of night-work, payment ar double rates. CONCLUSION. I The Conference will also consider the general question of Industry after the war as well as. the question of taxation. In common with the other works these are questions that affect us and will require consideration at our hands. The' question of Transport is also a matter that must affect us as railwaymen when we consider the re- volution that has taken place in transport, also under the impetus of war conditions. Every form of transport is being utilised to assist is the prosecution -of the war. In fact, where firing were getting their stuff by railways they are now using motor-lorries. In case of a strike all the railways, the use of motors, canals, etc.. could be utilised to defeat us. This has compelled the transport unions to seriously consider the maHer. It has therefore been arranged that JJ j meeting shall be called to consider the whole question of transportation as one of the matters- that must effect post-war conditions. This, amongst other questions, is, now enoa(rincr the < attention of the various unions. Let Leicester then give the lead. .— ——————————————— I

 Labour and Northclll?. J Jt'l J. H. THOMAS' STRAIGHT HITS AT I! LEICESTER. I "TIME LABOUR STOOD FOUR-SQUARE.' 2. Mr. J. H. Thomas, M.P., made an otitspoleo I criticism of Lord Northcliffe in his speech ¡¡,t, Leicester on Sunday; a criticism which, we be- lieve, accurately reflects the attitude of Lahollf towards the dictator of the Press. Dealing wiitl1 the political situation that had arisen, Mr- Thomas said: — It was rather significant that some of the difficulties which must be faced coincided with the retuTn of Lord Northcliffe from America? and, judging from his letter to the Prime ):fiw J ister, it was a repetition of some of the unfor- J tunate incidents which had driven some of our best men into retirement. (Hear, hear.) A FEW QUERIES. k '"What I want to know," Mr. Thomas pr°'' f ceeded, '?s whether this is the kind of tal? which is likely to help the moral of our troops facing the horrors of a winter oanl.pa1gn. Is thlS' the kind of comfort to be given to those f have lost their sons and husbands? Is this tb? kind of information that is to be used by Gef' I many to cause suspicion and ftiistrust in oUí Allies, and bring comfort to our enemies? say delioeraitely that if we are going to have afi*" i other press dictatorship controlled by one vv?,, I refuses to accept responsibility, and merely looM I- upon his mission as that of the unmaker 0 Governments and Ministers, then it is time tb? Labour stood four-square to defeat it. (C!hee NOTHING SHORT OF TREACHERY. j He sa,id there was talk of a general elec-tiol" This was the bogey-man at every political But what really disturbed him was the dange of setting up a cry of the Army versus tbØ People. He opposed any such issue being raised in peace-time, bebausû it was fatial to the inter- estis of the country. At a time like the present I when millions of our men were under arms, t'f raise such an issnewon ld be nothing short 0 f treachery." (Cheers.) Printed and published by the National Labout Press, Ltd., at the Labour Pioneer Pressr Williams Square, Merthyr Tydfil, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 84th, 1917. i x I