Pioneer

) THEATRE ROYAL & EMPIRE PALACE, Merthyr I RESIDENT MANAGERESS-MRS. G. D. REA. I I 6.45 TWICE NIGHTLY. 8.45 1 N Week commencing MONDAY, DEC. 3rd, 1917. B 1 PUBLIC OPINION:—"THE BEST COMPANY IN WALES." | 2 I EXTRAORDINARY ATTRACTION. BY SPECIAL REQUEST. |1 W A GREAT LIFE STORY ENTITLED— g !THE OLD HOME | Seats may now be Booked. Telephone NO. 2. pW Circle, 1/ Stalls, 9d. Pit, 6d. Gallery, 3d. It II II_I PLUS NEW TAX. II "11_ It II It It It It, (Merthyr Electric Theatre I I. Week commencing Monday, December 3rd. g CONTINUOUS PERFORMANCE FROM 2.30 TILL 10.30 P.M. DAILY. 1- Monday Tuesday, and Wednesday- 1 j Coming Thro' The Rye, I J Harma & Co. Is PEARL OF THE ARMY—Episode 8. HIS LITTLE ROOM-MATE-A Gaumont Comedy. < BAIRNSFATHER'S CARTOONS-Second Series. I 1- Pathe's Gazette, &c. w Thursday, Friday, and Saturday- B BOHEMIA, I ifox Drama. ft I LOVE AND BLAZES-A Comedy. JUDEX-Episode 5. 1 j LOVE AND BULLETS—Nightingale Comedy. Pathe's Gazette, &c. 2 I ADMISSION 3d.-Tax, !d.; 6d.-Tax, 2d.; ?-.—Tax, 3d. I 5 Children's Matinee on Saturday at 10-15-1d. only. L. II II II It II .i Great Bargains for Xmas Season ALL KINDS OF JEWELLERY TO BE SOLD AT PRE-WAR PRICES. Fully illuminated Gents. Lever Watches from 8/6. Handsome Wrist Watches from 7/6 (warranred for three years). Gold Brooches from 3/6. Handsome Dinner Cruets from 12/6. Purchasers of Hamilton's lucky engage- ment and wedding rings will receive a present of the value of 18/6. All purchasers of El and over will receive hand- some Christmas Presents. Lose no time in inspecting the windows of— H. HAMILTON & SON where all goods Me marked in plain figures. ONLY ADDRESS-47 NORTH ST., DOWLAIS WORKERS! ORGANISE! YES! Burt are the old methods and outlook of Trade Unionism sufficient? READ "INDUSTRIAL UNIONISM" (What it is, and what it isn't). AND JUDGE FOR YOURSELVES. As a brightly written appeal to the ordinary Trade Unionist, it is very good."—" Plebs." "We commend it to our readers' notice."— The Herald." "A readaMe pamphlet." —"The S-ooiaiist. 16 pages, price 2|d. post free; 3/6 per quire of 36 copies, or 15/- per gross. Just the panaphlet for all progressive Trade Union Branches. Send your orders at once to J. Hamilton, B.W.I.U. Social Cldb, 10 Mill Lane, Islington, Liverpool, or to W. Burrows, The Cabin," 13, Bradea. Street, Shirland Road, Paddington, London, W. 9. THERE 18 ONLY ONE OINTMENT THAT CURES And this is supplied by Chemists and the MANNINA OINTMENT CO., FISHGUARD. And is sold in Three Strengths—1, 2 & 3. 'Phone 597. 'Phone 597. WILLIAM TRESEDER, Ltd. THE NURSERIES, CARDIFF. WREATHS, CROSSES, CUT- FLOWERS, &c. FRUIT TREES — Apples, Pears, Goose- berries, Currants. &c. ROSES-List on Application. Tels: "TRESEDEK, FLORIST, CARDIFF." BLANCHARD'S PILLS Are unrivalled for all Irregularities, etc., they speedily afford relief and never fail to alleviate all suffering. They supersede Peniyroyal, Pill Cochia, Bitter, Apple, &c. Blanchard's are the best of all Pills for Women. Sold in boxes, 1 /1 J, by BOOTS' Branches, and all Chemists, or post free, same price, from Leslie Martin, L td, Chemists, 34 Dalston Lane, London Samples & valuable booklet sent free, Id. stamp. SOCIALISTS WANTED. SOCIALISTS desirous of joining the Aber- bargoed Branch I.L.P. are asked to com- municate with T. J. JENKINS, Secretary, 10 Chapel Street, Aberbargoed, Monmouth. BW* MERTHYR I.L.P. MR, J. R. MACDONALD, M.P. WILL MEET THE COMRADES OF THE I.L.P. BRANCHES IN THE MERTHYR BOROUGH AT BENTLEY'S HALL, OfSl SUNDAY NEXT (December 2) AT ONE O'CLOCK. ALL MEMBERS MUST PRODUCE CLEAR MEMBERSHIP CARDS.

Rhymney Valley Notes. Miners. Rhymney Valley miners at a meatdng held at Bargoed on Saturday passed a resolution calling upon the Executive Council of the. S. W .M.F. to oonvene a conference of the coalfield on the questions of income-tax and the high cost of living, and further to bring the matters before the M.F.G.B. for national action. Food Prices at Bedwellty. Bedwellty Food Control Committee decided to publish all amended orders in the press and to print the various orders in pamphlet form. C.O.'s. Rhymney Valley miners on Saturday passed a I-ersolli-tion of protest against the disenfran- chisement of C.O.'s. Trades Council. Aberbargoed Trades and Labour Council are in favour of municipalization of food-stuffs. Eisteddfod. Awards made in the Pengam Garden Village eisteddfod were: Girls' solo, Emily E. Jones, Llanbradach; boys' solo, Merlin Davies, Aber- tYSbiWg; children's pianoforte solo, Ernest Hares, Brithdir: contralto, Ceridwen Jones, Griffithstown; soprano, Madame Cutter, Ebbw Vale; -mezzo-soprano, Madame Gladys Arthur, Beaufort;, pianoforte (open), Ernest Hares, Brithdir; tenor (divided), J. L. Bebb and R. Griffiths, Newrbridge; bass, W. R. Bowen, Bar- goed; baritone, W. E. Llewellyn, Maes teg; re- citation, E. Rogers, Cardiff; violin solo, T. J. Danields, Pengam; chief choral, New Tredegar (conductor, Mr. Aeron Parry); male voice, Pen- gam (conductor, Mr. Edwin Jones); prize bags, Miss Edith Evans, Pengam. "Not to be Extinguished." Mr. T. James, Caerphilly, presided at a con- ference of the Rhymney Valley Food Control Committees at Caerphilly on Monday. Mr. Davies-Jones (Bedwas and Machen < Council) re- ferred to the proposal to group several comm t- tees. Delegates said they had already replied to the Commissioners' inquiries on this point, but they disagreed with, the suggestion implied in some quarters that it was the intention of the Ministry of Food Control to "snuff out" any authority which at present held autonomous powers. A resolution was adopted that as the conference would meet from time to time to fix uniform prices no authority should he extin- guished. Discussion took place as to whether a food control committee bad the power to de- mand from the wholesale butchers a return s h ow i ng 'the qualit,- showing the quality, quantity, and prices of meat sold to retailers in the district. On the motion of Mr. Sidney Jones (Geiligaer), the clerk (Mr. W. Spickett) was asked to seek infor- mation on this point from the Ministry of Food.

Socialist To Fight Aberdare UNANIMOUS DECISION OF I. L. P I At a fully attended meeting of the Aoerdare I.L.P. on the 28th inst., it was uaaiaimously de- cided to contest the new Aberdtare Division at the next election. A "good deal of enthusiasm was shown by the members, and it was agreed to adjourn the meeting to select a candidate.

Briton Ferry Notes. Militant Pacifists. I Under the auspices of Jerusalem Baptist Church two great public peace meetings were held on Wednesday and Thursday, November 21 and 22. The speaker at the former was the Rev. Donald Fraser, Liverpool, and at the latter the Rev. George Neighbour, Mountain Ash. There were remarkable attendances at both meetings, and the speakers were never in better form, Mr. Fraser released" startling truths and used rath&r bold language. We were reminded of statements made by Smurts and Tirpitz that "the war is won." Then why "—was the pertinent query-" does the war go on." He referred to Lloyd George as one ha.ving foresworn his high ideals for the company of oads," etc. Referring to Ger- man gold he said he could do with a bit, and would make better use of it than the Kaiser, m not buying ships and shells, but tea, sugar and butter. He imagined Carson on his knees, and referring to Northcliffe asked what is his game? Not money, but ambition. He wants all in his claws. will not be contented until he has the other. Mr. Neighbour, in a vigorous onslaught, de- scribed Patriotism as Pocketism." The I.L.P. The local I.L.P. having no hall for public meetings have commenced a winter session of lectures by comrades in the town and district, and they are proving very successful. Drawn Bayonets at a Funeral. The ghastliness of war was revealed on Thurs- day last in the burial of a German soldier from the Internment Camp at Port Talbot. A party of his own comrades attended the funeral, ac- companied by an escort with drawn bayonets.

Maesteg Notes. I.L.P. Activities. The illaeiteg I.L.P. branch held the first of the Winter Campaign meeting at the Coopera- tive Lecture Hail, on Monday, when Comrade George Neighbour (Mountain Ash) spoke on Industrial and Social Unrest." Referring to the educative work of the I.L.P. he said that 20 years ago our late chief, Mr. James Keir Hardie, had tried to get the country to taive up national graaaries, afforestation, and land re- clamation schemes, but the country turned them .down. Yet what a boon it would be to the country to-day were these- suggestions then adopted. Touching upon profiteering, he said that it was no new thing for the capitalist sys- tem was based upon profiteering. It was run for profit and not for use. The war, however, bad given the capitalists their chance, and they had taken it. The I.L.P. would have nothing to unsay or explain away for what they had said or done respecting the, war for the the last 3, years. The only other sections who had been consistent were the profiteers and the C.O.'s. The first because they continued to make more profits, and the O.O.;s because they in time of peace were opposed to war, and now they re- fused to take part in the war or to assist in amy way its prosecution. Miss A. Hughes (Abercy- non) divisional orgamising secretary of the N.C.F., appealed for funds1 for the dependants of C.O.'s, and a retiring collection realised 11/1. A new member was enrolled for the I.L.P., and another for the N.C.F. Will all please rally te those meetings to keep the "flag" flying? Kneelaw and Wallhead are coming- in the first two weeks of December. Comrade A. G. Jones presddefl.

Pontypridd Notes. I.L.P. Meeting. On Sunday afternoon, November 18th, Leonard Broad lectured on "Progress of the Workers," Pryce Vaughan presiding. In the evening comrade J. Williams (TYeherbert) de- livered an able address on "Patriotism," his argument being largely based on the evolution- ary principle. Oliver Jenkins presided over a good attendance, and Pioneers 'were sold out. On 8¡ln(la;)' øYelinp¡, November 25th, Comrade J. Sparkes, BecHmog, was the speaker. His subject, ? Con?ien'tious Objectors veT?us Con- scientious Shirkers," sparkled with wit and hu-j mour. Comrade Jov%iah Jones chaired, and Comrades Tom Rowlands, Humphreys, Andrews, Hughes, Vaughan and Ivor Morgan also spoke. Willing to Argue. rn r< At the laat meeting or the iracies council, Comrade J. Baker in the chair, arising out of a recent lecture and discussion op Land Reform, the Local I.L.P. intimated its willingness to de- bate the feiibj ect that" Taxation of Land Values will not benefit the working-classes" The pro- posed increase in workmen's fares war. referred back to lodges for discussion. New I. L.P. Branch. A branch of the I.L.P. branch has been formed at Taffs Wells, and Comrade Owen Hughes recently lectured there on "Socialism in Britain," arrangements being made for a return visit. A C.L.C. class, conducted by J. Cook, is also held here on Thursday evenings. 1

What, Oh What! Here is a specimen of what the Government does not raid or suppress. From John Bull," 24/11/17. "How long, how long?—How musch longer is the Government going to hesitate be- fore they put the Macdonaldbacker-Schnowden- stein gang against a wall and shoot ? What do they intend to do about the meeting at Essex Hall, announced for November 24th, when it is stated that these pernicious pro-Germhun paci- fists will propose a resolution, "That this annual conference of the Loadon Labour Party calls on the British Government to bring this country's part in the war to an immediate conclusion. What the Government ought to do is to bring Macdonaldbacker and Co. to an immediate con- clusion." And this has a certified circulation of nearly a million and three-quarters claims, not without, at least, a, show of reason, to dic- tate the policy of the Government, and claims to be the first-favourite of the soldiers in the trenches. And it is exported unhindered, to re- present us to the rest of the world. What must it make the rest of the world think of us, mind, maimers, and morale alike?

THE "PLEBS" MAGAZINE. Geo. Barker, W. H. Mainwaring, Walton New- bold, and John S. Clarke are among the contri- butors to the December Plebs," which also contains a directory of C.L.C.-Plebs Classes. Mark Starr's book, "A Worker Looks at His- tory (being the Outlines of Industrial His- tory which he contributed to these columns) is announced as nearly ready for publication (1/3 post paid). It is also stated that Ablett is busy revising and re-writing his Easy Outlines of Economics," for issue in book form shortly. (Magazine amd other publications from Secre- tary, Plebs League, 127 Hamlet Gardens, Ra- vensoorrurt Park, London,, W. 6).

Go-operators and Trade Unionists NEEDED RESOLUTION FROM PLYMOUTH. Among several matters of special interest to trade uniociists at the forthcoming quarterly meetings of the Co-operative Wholesale Society is a resolution frani Plymouth Society to the effect that every employee of the C. W .S. shall be a. member of a trade union which is affiliated or eligible for affiliation to the Trade Union Congress. C.W.S. employees number 30,000. Of these 5,130 are serving with H.M. Forces, and £ 404,000 has been paid to them in allow- ances SlilictL, the war began. The Directors' l'e- port recommends that P.500 ber grand to the central fund for co-operative parliamentary candidates. The C.W.S. sales for the past quarter realised £ 12,939,438, an increase of £ 1,124,283. Sup- plies from its own factories amounted to £ 3,924,085. In the Banking Department 474 trade unions and friendly societies have current accounts, beside 276 clubs and mutual organi- sations. In addition there are 143 deposit ac- counts of trade unions and friendly -3ociertiog which have no current accounts. The bank turnover for the thirteen weeks was £ 75,182,236> an increase of £ 12,154,303.

Motoring to a Fair. IMPORTANT MERTHYR JUDGMENT. Still another prosecution under the Motor Spirit Order, No. 2, 1917, was dealt with ,at Mertkyr on .Friday, the alleged infringment arisiHg out of the hiring-by five butchers of & motor-car tIO take them to Brecon Fail'. The defendants were George Dennis, Merthyr (the owner and driver of the car), Leslie Thomas, AlJkert Ball, Robert Oakley, John Williams (Merthyr), and Edwin Phillips (Pontypridd)- Mr. Stanley JoTies (Pontypridd) was the solicitor for defendant Phillips, and Mr. Griffit-ffih Llew- ellyn (of Messrs. Gwilym James, Charles, an d Davies, Merthyr) appeared for the others. Mr. R. A. Griffith (the stipendiary) held that there was justification for the journey, which was being made to transact important business at the fair, inasmuch ai,, it could not have been reasonably and convenientlly accomplished by any other nienno6 in time for the private treaty sale. It must be distinctly understood he said, that lie was deciding that upon the particular facts of the case. In future he would require to be satisfied, not only that inquiries as to rail- way facilities ha.d been made, but also attempts to procure horse carriages. The summonses were accordingly dismissed with the exceptioaa of that against Oakley, whose non-appearance resulted in a fine of 10s. being imposed upon him.

The Electric Theatre. Merthyr Electric Theatre patrons are assured of splendid shows again next week. Further in- cidents in, the trench-life of "Bill" and "Alf," the immortal creations of Captain Bruce Bairns- father, will be submitted on Monday, when Coming thro' the Rye/' a pictiirisation of the song, will be the big feature film. The bill also includes a, thrilling episode of the serial Pearl of the Army," a screamingly funny Gaumont comedy "His Little Room Mate, and the Pathe Gazette. Theda Bara stars in a William Fox prûdudioù, Bohemia," which tops the bill for Thursday onwards, and gives a vivid portrayal of an ar- tist's model who by the commercialisation of her personality finds happiness gone and wrecks the lives of her three admirers. A story of love and ambition, "Bohemia" is a superb pro- duction dramatically and cinema'tographiaally' Then, too, will be shown two further parts of the serial that has certainly "eaugh j on," and perhaps one of the greatest of the many serial successes of this popular "movie" house- The comic relief will be found to be well inter- spersed in the programme of dramatic features- "Love and Blazes" and Love and Bullets" are the acme of screen-comedy excellence. Also the latest events in current picture news will be presented in the edition of Pathe's Gazette. In addition there is the usual array of secondary films- secondary, of course, only in comparison with the star produci-tiolis--but winners every one Of the show for the latter half of this week we spoke in our last issue. "The Scarlet Letter" is one of the biggest successes ever scored by the Fox Company—masters in the fast advancing art of moving photography. It is a thing- of beauty in conception, with an extraordinarily gripping plot, retaining rapt attention of the audiences from the first reel to the last. The Gaumont comedy people are delightfully amusing in Tom's Tramping Troupe." As the name suggests, it is written around theatrical life, which always "gets" a public to whom the glamour of the footlights or the romance of the tan and spangles for ever prove an irre- sistable attraction. Matthe.son Lang by his interpretation of the lead in the famous Ware Case," included in the show for the first half of this week, en- hanced his already high reputation as a film actor. Comedies, drama, travel and educational features which completed the programme were indisputably good.

W HELP THOSE WHO HELP YOUR'PAPER!

The New Censorship Order FUOM the way the straws are blowing at the moment it is appewent that the Government has succeeded in its Northcliffian new Censor- ship Order in arousing an opposition in Parlia- mentary Press and liberal-minded circles the whole country over, that premises to effectively remove the many objectionable features of this latest dictatorial tinkering with the constitu- tional and political rights of the British public. And whilst some of us, remembering that it was a Liberal Government that firgt began the in- vasion of those rights, may smile at the Liberal pan calling the Georgian kettle black, it is still our duty to range ourselves strongly by the side of the Opposition, in this struggle, for this latest infringement carries the abuse of bureaucratic control far beyond those s-paoy confines that "moderate" men are inclined to set in times such as the present war has found us. in. Hitherto the whole weight of Munitions Acts, and the evergrowing bulk of the Defence of the Realm Regulations, with their vague termin- ology, have operated against the Democrat pub- licist but, were he convinced enough to brave the dangers that these enactments exposed him to, he was still able to promulgate his ideas and ideals in pamphlet or book. Certainly, the dan- gers were manifold, and called for a moderation and suppression that did place him at a disad- vantage. in his appeal to the populace. Now he is not to have this little latitude. Not only is he compelled to attach his name and that of his printer to his literary worli-,a p,,i-,ovrion to which no one will take exception—but before he can even send his matter through the press he must submit his work to the sub-editorial care of a Government department. Put bluntly it means that the GovernAient have vetoed the ex- pression of any opinion not palatable to itself. No criticism of Governmental action; no exami- nation of the International situation unfavour- able to the present regime would, if the Cen- sorship as proposed decided against it, be al- lowed to appear before the people for their judgment. The new censorship would constitute a trap through which the tame pamphleteers of the Government would scamper unharmed; but which would close with deadly silencing power upon the handful of writers who happen to be ll tl-ie Government," and all that the Gov- ernment stands for. And this would extend to every department of real life; and in particular to every phase of industrial propaganda, for it is utterly impossible to isolate the consideration of any important present or future problem from the war. A trade union manifesto; a La- bour Party circular, would come just as much within the scope of the new Order as a new pamphlet by Macdonald, Ponaonby or Morel; and in so far as it dared to state a position true to the conditionr. of industrial and political proletarian life of to-day it would stand about as much chance of coming through the tral), as would the pamphlets of that small body of sin- cere pacifists whose names are so often execrated by the Westminster mandarins and Fleet Street pooh-bahs, and whose arguments are so con- veniently left unanswered. It is impossible to adequately present the dangers to which this order would expose Democracy, by handing it over bound hand and foot for spoon-feeding by the official opinion manufacturers .of the Georgian bureaucracy. We have had far too much of that already; what is the most essen- tial need of the time is not a further restriction of the freedom of expression, but an extension of this elementary condition of a democratic state. And it is in that direction that it is imperative that such progressive areas as South Wales should turn its immediate attention. By all means let us take advantage of the valuable assistance that the front Oppositional benches so adventitiously offers us at this juncture; but let it be not an absolute reliance upon, but a co-operation with those forces. Let us always and ever remember that in our united strength, however feebly articulated, resides more power than in the silvern throats of a hundred Asquithian orators; and that even when we have learned to be geese enough to hiss together we shall but have to raise our heads to prevent such measures as is this from proceeding beyond the realm of desire on the part of the reaction- aries who would thus strangle discussion by the power of the State.

I Kenfig Hill Notes. I I. L.P. Twenty-nine more members have joined the local branch of the I.L.P., making the present membership 89. It is hoped that no effort will be spared to keep the organisation thoroughly alive to the possibilities that can be obtained by a vigorous campaign of propaganda. Neighbour's Visit. I The first of a series of propaganefea meetings took place on Friday at the Workmen's Insti- tute, when the Rev. G. Neighbour addressed a fairly big audience, to whom he drummed home the true position of the working-class in the Jll- dustrial world at the present, robbed of tools— the means of lyi-odlicition nd exploited for the purpose of creating surplus-value. Did they realise that they were greater than the wtelth they produced? that they were entitled to a much larger share of that wealth than went to Labour in the name of wages, and that it rested with themselves alone how lomg this state of affairs should last? Mr. Neighbour also has a humourous side to his speeches, and many were the jokes that he turned to excellent account a* illustrations of grimmer happenings. A Comrade's Death. We regret to announce that we have lost one of our comrades, W. F. Thoimas, who was one of the victims of an unfortunate accident at Ty- Tahvyn Colliery, a wall falling on him and causing such injuries that he succumbed two d3,yS later. He was an accomplished musician a.nd would have been a great asset to the branch. Much sympathy is felt for the widow and three children.