Pioneer

Punishing the Profiteer. 'THB whole of the Labour forces in South Wales will, we know, join with us in acclaiming the decisions in our courts of summary jurisdiction recently, inflicting; fines on food profiteers likely to act as deterrents wherever their fellows exist in our areas; and where, too, stipendiary magis- trates sit. Nay, not alone the forces of Labour as we interpret the term, as a title of conscious industrial and political Democracy, will return thanks, but every housewife in the South Walian vallies- will rejoice that a start has been made to teach selfish individuals that com- munal interests transcend the swollen money- bags of a handful of men who do not hesitate to take illicit advantage of a nations travail. But we started to write this not with the inten- tion of gloating over the deserved downfall of a handful of individuals who while practicing the cult of their class were unlucky enough to get caught, but to demonstrate that of their very nature these puny capitalists could scarcely act contrary to the way in which they did. Primarily we see no moral difference between this filching of farthings directly from the purses of the poor, and the indirect robbery of the thou- sands of pounds that has characterised the acti- vities of shipping rings, and productive oom- ibines during the period of the war. Capitalism has one message to the business man, whether he be small or "fat," the message "get all you can, while you can and when you can. The ethics of the business world are the ethics of the thieves' kitchen, with this difference, that to make the analogy complete it would be neces- sary to imagine the big thieves controlling Par- liament and the lesser thieves packing the ma- jority of the magisterial benches of the lower courts. Capitalism in its entirety is founded upon the desire for profits; and it is by the rate of return that capitalism is justified. Pro- fits are, always have been, and always will be, the expropriated labour power of "the creators of all wealth—the workers. With a system found- ed thus on the taking from a person of the greater portion of what he creates, how are we to expect a concern for the results of the" busi- ness fleecing of the very victims upon which the whole superstructure depends? New rules in the game do not alter the psychology of the players, and all that the food profiteer has done is to follow out his practices of the past forget- ful of the irritating restriction of his free- dom to exploit, just as the house-owner has shown a sheer incapacity to grasp the fact that he cannot now do as he did a few short years ago—take advantage- of his tenants' misfortunes to squeeze still more into his glutonous bank- balances. Everyone of the parasites have followed the ordinary rules of business, and these lesser ones are being punished because they are not powerful enough to control, as do their bigger brothers, the State and its machinery. It i 's foolish to execrate the few as wicked exceptions. They have acted naturally—and got caught. What all must learn to execrate is the system of which they are such conscientious representa- tives. To see that what the corner shop-grocer is now being penalised for doing, he has all along been doing. It is the times and not his practices that have changed, for those very prac- tices have always hitherto found apologists in the very highest economic authorities, and the most distinguished occupants of Chairs of Moral Philosophy. Let us hope that now the eyes of the masses are open to the truth of the Social- ist criticism that they will remain wide awake to the fact that these practices are not isolated but are the fundamental principles upon which Capitalist Society, has been builded.

Mr. Dick Wallhead Summoned TO APPEAR AT NEATH FOR ALLEGED D.O.R.A. OFFENCES. COMMITTED IN SPEECHES AT MAESTEG AND BRITON FERRY. There was a surprise packet waiting for our Comrade Dick Wallhead at Gorseinon on Tues- day night. He was then and there summoned to appear before the Neath magistrates on Dec- ember 14th (.Friday next) to answer charges of having contravened the Defence of the Realm Regulations in his recent speeches at Briton, Ferry and Maesteg on September 12th and i 16 th. This is all the information we have to hand, but even had we more definite information it would 'be impossible to publish any comment pending the hearing of the cases. There is one thing certain, however, and that is that our Dick will go to Neath with the sym- pathy and well wishes, not alone of every Socialist in the kingdom, but of everyone of the thousands in South Wales who have beea at- tracted by his fearless, fine oratory, and have progressed from admiration to real friendship, as further acquaintance has taught them what a fine personality, and what true manliness went I to the making of the character of the Socialist- Labour candidate for Ooventæy-" Our Dick."

1 Workmen's Hospital I Merthyr Miners Take A Lead I Guardians Withdraw Subscription to General Hospital The dictatorial attitude of the controlling body of the Merthyr General Hospital regarding workmen's representation in the management of the institution has resulted in an unexpected financial set-back emanating from the Board of Guardians, in addition to a firm stand being taken by the workers themselves. At Saturday's meeting of the Guardians, Mr. John Prowle moved the withdrawal of the an- nual subscription to the general hospital owing to the lack of facilities there for the admission of patients, numbers of whom were consequently being treated at the workhouse infirmary at the expense of the ratepayers. Continuing the sub- scription under these circumstances (he said) was not fair to the public, and it was a blot on the history of Merthyr that such a state of afrairs as were now existing in connection with the hospital, had been allowed to arise, and by voting for the continuance of this monetary aid the board would only be assisting in keeping on the present conditions. He was of the opinion that it was deplorable that injured colliers had of a neceasity to be brought to the workhouse infirmary for treatment. Mr. S. Bolwell seconded. The Rev. Llew. M. Williams (Rector of Dow- lais) moving an amendment that the subscrip- tion should be continued, did not consider it politic that the board by withdrawing their quota of financial assistance enter in the con- troversy between the hospital governing authori- ties and the workmen of the borough, but should look upon the position from a humanitarian and philanthropic standpoint. Although the useful- ness of the hospital was somewhat limited to-day still it met as far as possible the very urgent demands of the district. Mr. Bohvell: We are spending a lot of rate- payer's money by treating hospital cases which will be never recoverable. Mr. Henry Owen seconded the amendment. Mr. Harry Evans thought that by ceasing their subscription the Guardians would be taking sides and only adding to the difficul- ties and hardships already existing. As a public body they should remain neutral, Mr. Meth Davies pointed out that workmen contributing to the General Hospital were com- pelled to come to the Workhouse Infirmary, and thus be pauperised. Aberdare workmen had a hospital themselves and why should they have to pay through rates to help to maintain the Merthyr General Hospital ? Why, too, should the Gelligaer ratepayers, who were not served by the hospital at Merthyr contribute towards the institution ? Mr. F. T. James: People from the Bedlinog and Fochriw areas of Gelligaer came down to the Merthyr General Hospital. On a division the motion was .adopted by 18 votes to 10. I" A HUMILIATING POSITION." I A mass meeting of the Merthyr district of miners on Sunday decided unanimously not to pay any further subscriptions towards the hos- pital until the Executive Board agreed to call a special court of governors for the purpose of de- leting the recently adopted rule limiting the re- presentation for a contribution of £100 per an- num to five governors and t200 or more to eight, whereas in the latter instance according to the previous regulations the workmen would be entitled to 15 governors. It was also- agreed to initiate a hospital fund by levying a weekly contribution of Id. per man, three-fourths of which would be allocated to the establishing of a workmen's hospital in the town, the remaining one-fourth, in the event of the rescinding of the rule objected to, to be contributed to the main- tenance of the General Hospital. These decisions were embodied in recommenda- tions from resolutions drawn up and adopted by a special conference of the representatives of the workmen on the Board of Governors of the hos- pital and will be submitted to mass meetings of the various sections of the local workers. "I Mr. John Williams, the mover of the resolu- tion, after drawing attention to the fact that the workmen's demands were half-representation for three-fourths maintenance grants, said he bluntly advocated the acceptance of the chal- lenge made at the court of governors, where these proposals and the workers were turned down, to build a hospital purely and solely for and controlled by the working-class. The incon- venience with respect to hospital accommodation for the injured had been experienced often be- fore to-day—people had had to be taken to the workhouse infirmary when things were in full blast" because the genei-al hospital had not de- veloped to the extent required to meet the de- mands of the distriit. Mr. T. J. Evans, seconding, remarked that all the guinea subscribers had been apparently raked up to defeat the workmen's demands, and the adoption of the rule decreasing the workers representation when advanced representation was requested was an insult added to injury. It was impossible for a self respecting body of workmen to put up with such a humiliating position. In March Merthyr miners in all probability would fall in with the Merthyr miners' scheme for a workers' hospital. No one voted against the motion.

I Labour Party for Brecon I SPLENDID INAUGURAL MEETING. I At a meeting held at Brecon on Wednesday, under the presidency of County Councillor Idris Da-vies (Abercrave) it was decided to form a Labour Party for the county, and the following officers were elected: Chairman, councillor Idris Davies, Abercrave; vice-chairman, Mr. James Howells, Brynmawr; treasurer, Mr. W. J. Bevan, Brecon; secretary, Mr. Llewelyn E. Mor- gan, Ystradgynlais. A resolution was passed that the secretary communicate with the Labour organisations in Radnorshire with a view to organising the La- bour forces in that county, also that he be authorised to communicate with Mr. Walker, the organiser of the Agriculturer Labourers' Union. By united action of the industrial districts, Labour can be represented better on the County Council, and the time has come, when some of the young men should move and show that they are alive and demand a fair representation on all local bodies. Mr. Meth Jones, organiser under the South Wales Miners' Federation, will visit Cefn Coed shortly to organise the different grades of work- men to form a Labour Party, also with a little propaganda work and that to be done thorough- ly throughout the village, success will follow.

Kenfig Hill Notes. I I.L.P. and War Aims Debate. As already reported in these columns, we were expecting a debate to come off on December 14 between Messrs. Hart, of the War Aims, and Wallhead. We have received a letter from Mr. Hart explaining that it will cost him about 50/- to pay a visit to Kenfig Hill, which he goes on to say will make it prohibitive for him to fulfil his promise. We are naturally disappointed, but a number of the m ambers were very pessimistic from the start; they felt that the War Aims would not allow Hart to meet an opponent of the class of R. C. Wallhead. But we feel com- pensa,ted to this extent, we will be able to listen to Wallhead "all the time, them we shall have some instruction of how to "aim" om-selves, to some tangible end. Income Tax. A meeting was held on Sunday last, of the Aberbaiden workmen, to discuss the position with regard to the Income Tax on wages. While agreeing that direct taxation is the fair- est method from a democratic point of view, we are faced with the facts that we have paid too little attention to the spurious system of indi- rect taxation. Laisser faire, seems to be the order of the day except in acquiring higher rates of wages, and too little attention is paid • to those factors that swallow up increased rates. Had the Federation paid more attention and utilised its industrial weight in forcing the hands of the Government in getting the strangle- hold on the profiteer, it would have done ten times more good; we have, fOO far only aggra- vated the tendencies to increase prices/ and our less fortunate brethren are the sufferers there- by. It was eventually decided that we pay no more Income Tax until a conference of thN S.W.M.F. be called, the district meeting io press for same as soon as possible. Trades Council. v The Council will meet on Wednesday to make the final arrangements for the impending visit of Councillor J. M. Kneeshaw, who will addrese a meeting OJII. Sunday, December 9th, at the Workmen's Institute. Everything possible will be done to boom his visit here, and we shall look forward to it bearing fruit. We look one thing among others* at Kenfig Hill, a good town crier, let's hope the various organisations will think furiously." The shortage of housing accommodation is be- coming acute here, and ejectments getting rife. The Council decided in one case to seek legal advice, as we have reason to consider this par- ticular case as distimotly "fishv." Attack on Miners' Agent. Mr. Frank Hodges has been the subject of yet another attack as to his physical ability to join the army. This time it was the Food Control Committee of the Bridgend Urban Area. Mr. Hodges was nomÍluLd by the Bridgend Trades and Labour Council as a representative of or- ganised labour, but his co-option was negatived by the casting vote of the chairman, Mr. Bevan. The chairman said that Mr. Hodges was a re- presentative of a class that derived benefit from exploitation of the public. When the Coal Con- troller ra,ised the "price of coal another 2/6 per ton, Mr. Hodges never raised his voice. Why not; send one of their own class, one of the raW and file? The ydid not think it wise to have a labour leader, and we must ask the Trades Council to give a definition of Labour." This from the sub-agent of an aristocratic landlord, whose definition of Labour is of the finger to the forehead quality, and keplt. in their proper stations in the bargaia. The Aberbaiden work- men have given their opinion in no uncertain voice, the same having been conveyed to the Clerk of the Council and the local press. The effect it will have remains to be seen. Garw District President. Congratulations to the secretary of the local branch of the I.L.P., Mr. J. Woollev, who will be the district president- for the year 1918. May he have a useful and successful year of office to record at the end of same. C.G.F.

Maesteg Notes. Maesteg Girl in Eavnt. .I Sister 0 1 've C h e&tei-- Sister Olive Chester-Lewis, Q.A.MtN.S.R., daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Rees Lewis, fireman at Own id u Colliery, Maesteg, and late of Caerau, has arrived safely in Egypt, where she will take up duties immediately as a hospital matron. Sister Chester-Lewis has had six years training at Allyryn Hospital, Newport (Mon.) and St. James' Military Hospital, London. Her younger siste,r, Miss Gwen Lewis, is serving with the W.A.A.C. (Clerical Department) and is at pre- sent at Surrey. [Trades Council. Maesteg Trades Council met at the Co-opera- tive Lecture Hall on Wednesday evening. Mr. Ed. Barnett presiding. A letter was read from the Oaerau and Maesteg Co-operative Society seeking the support of a resolution drafted by the society calling upon the Food Controller to put, into force compulsory rationing as the only solution to the food distribution problem. After a. lengthy discussion the resolution was carried unanimously. The delegates' report of the Bridgend conference which was delivered by Mr. A. G. Jones, was adopted. Co-operation. Caerau and Maes-teg Co-operative Society held their annual meeting in the Co-operative Lec- ture Hall, Maesteg, on Siaturday. There" was considerable discussion upon the balance-sheet, which showed a great improvement in the finan- cial position of the Society, although the divi- dend is down to Is. in the £ The Society is increasing in membership rapidly and augurs well for the future, no little praise being due to the Education Committee of the Society, who have done good work by bringing such lecturers as McTavish, Mardy Jones, Wallhead, and J. Scurr and others into the district, and a resolu- tion granting C14 to the educational work was passed.

——————————-———— Rhymney Valley Notes. Commandeering of Food Supplies. I .? I A food conierence or the local Labo-Lir organi- sations and Co-operative- Societies of Gelligaer and Caerphilly at Hengoed decided to call upon the Government to commandeer all food sup- plies forthwith and to institute a national sys- tem of distribution so as to stop profiteering and to guarantee an equitable distribution of all the supplies available in the country. The meeting also agreed to appoint a deputa- tion to interview the Gelligaer and Caerphilly Food Control Committees with regard to local grievances, and to advocate the municipalisation of food distribution. Mr. T. 1. Mardy Jones (S.W.M.F. agent) was asked to convene another conference to receive report and to decide OR. future action.