Monmouth Guardian and Bargoed and Caerphilly Observer

THE NEW AGREEMENT. I Mr W. Hoptcins, the general secre- tary of the South Wales and Mon- mouthshire Association of Colliery Enginemen and Stokers, together with Mr D. B. Joneq and Mr J. W Grant (agents), met Mr F. A.. Gibson, the secretary of the Coalowners' Association, at Cardiff on Friday, when several questions regarding tfie payment of the war wage were settled, and others were referred back to the Controller for further consideration. Subsequently, a joint meeting of I the coairmtttee appointed by the I Associations to deal with questions affecting the employment of engine- men, stokers, aud craftsmen was held, Mr T. H. Deakin presiding over the owners' representatives. The meeting was held to discuss the arrangements necessary for putting iuto operation the agreement recently arrived at with the N?tioa?lConncU in rcf?fen? j to reduced hours for burface wo; ku" n. As and from the 1st January. i9t9, the hours tlhall be 49 per week of bix working days, exclusive of meal times, for a six days' week. The agreement does not refer to any underground workers. The meal time shall be 20 minutes, which sliall be so airar ged as not to interfere wiih the geiieial working cf the colliery.

o. WESLEY CHURCH, BARGOED. A pleasant everiing wa,3 spedt by all who were present at the Wesley Guild Bachelors' Social on New Year's Eve. Tea was piovided for the j guests at 7 p.m., and all that partook of the feast, we feel sure, appreciated the way in which the Bachelors had provided for them After at- tending the tea, the whole company I adjourned for gimes, which wi-rc, j carried out equally as successful as the tea. Aliti, itiu prugthtnme for I gauitD lnui i i«»t:sed. a h_u cereful im- prc)mpta ct)tilpt:,iLit)u took place, Ii which, undoubtedly, caused much anxiety among the comply. The winners of the prizet3 wtle-Isit, Mis* A. Davies 2nd, Miss K Brown, b >th of whom showed their capibilitie* in dealing with such a phiiantlirophic subject as what had been placrd. before them. The winners, however, I kindly returned the prizes to the funds of the Guild, which, we foel j sure, was appreciated by the Giii.dii.-es | who were present. To bring, this pleasant. evening to a close all present j v ent together in pcayer u-jder the direction of the Church Pastor (Rev. J, Roberts) All the Guild wish o, t lank Mr Roberts for t.,is kind ser- tioes, and wish him a Happy and Prosperous New Year." The Bachelors" would like to t lank Mrs Ellis a lid Mrs Robottam for t'le kind assistance which they reu- d red; also Mr W. Brown and Mr J Evans, their leaders, in utilising al' the means possible to the success | of the evening. All are welcome to j attend tbe Wesleyan Guild every Thursday at 7-30 p m. I

A WOUD TO LADIZS, seed "M ebwp fcr mm new tod origins lliwtntod Booklet, amthisag plain sod praalisal aivin Imv IrregulantiM, kp- j>—iw. be., mm? ha povaiud « roweved U [iiiifk mhm ia a low boom. Beeow I ed rbb ly duaat fkniaiaai and tIaog, naii 01 Mm, as Ma« tka owkj Qmnim Stt Now, so y—s.-T —is Maktn lAiL. SwWft, ,.01"

FUNERAL OF A DOWLAIS SCHOOLMASTER. The attendance at the faneral of the late Mr R. G. Price, headmaster of the Dowlais Central Schools, which took place at Cefn Coed Cemetery, Merthyr, on Tuesday, was representa- tive of the many educattunal, political, and social organisations wit which he had been connected. Ttibuctw to bis services as an educationist were paid at a service held at Tabor Welsh i Congregational Church, Cefn Coed, by Sii Edgar Jones, M.P., Mr W. iedwaids (chief inspector of the Central Welsh Board). Merthyr, Mr R, Nicholas (an executive member of the N.U T.), and Mr John Lloyd, J.P., Peuydarren. The Rev. W. Lloyd, pastor of Bryn Seion Welsbl Congregational Church, Dowlais (of which Mr Price was a deacon), officiated at the graveside Chief amongst the mourners were Messre Evan, J'unes, and Thomas Pric (brothers), Messrs Morgan Thorn- s. ThUoh! Griffiths, John Thomas, at-d Tho:, as King (brot.'w i s iu-law).

Warming Winter Foods Puddings made with nutritions Shredded ATOBA." the Handy Beef Suet ire both satisfying and sustaining. A spoonful of ATOKA t3 milk p Hidings adds nourieh- ment and Makes them deiieiously creamy. la lbs. "Å TORA go as far as -2 lbs. raw suet WCGON'S OONCENTBA-TED SOUP TAB- LETS are made from savout y herbs, vege- tables an ri extract of beef. None so rich, appetising, and nutritious aune so delicious aud economical. In nine varieties, price 2d. pkt. (to make 1 pint). HUGON & CO., Ltd. Openshaw, Manchester. — in

A PIGGERIES ASSOCIATION AT BARGOED. We are glad to state that the much talked of Piggery will soon become an accomplished fact, the Bargoed and Gilfach Allotment Society having secured the ground 'situated in Park Drive for a long term of years, through the Pontypool Estate. We propose calling it the Modern Collective and Semi-detached Piggery. One portion of the ground will be used for Collec- tive Piggeries, for which we invite anyone to take up a ti share after joining the society. The other portion will be let to any members who wish to erect a pigs cot on the plans laid down by the society, and complete control will be allowed to these mem- bers, only to eomply with the society's By-laws concerning drainage, etc. The Society will do all the purchasing of building materials and sell to the members cheaply. 10,000 bricks are already on the way. Any member wishing to join can batvo full particu- lars from the secretaries or treasurer.

MESSRS Hi. BOSANKO &SON MARINE STORE DEALERS. BARGOED, Are Authorised (Permit No. 1566) TO COLLECT WASTE PAPER OF EVERY DESCRIPTION. Schedule Prices Paid for all Grades Send a Post Card to the above. We Pay Carriage 827 For all kinds of Printing send your orders to the Journal" Office, i Cardiff Road, Bargoed.

CORRESPONDENCE. OFFICE SEEKERS. O"FIC SEEKERS. To the Editor. Str,-Last week I asserted that Labour chaps were prone to givf flowery promises for an ulterior ob- ject, but after the object has been reached, they become autocrats of the hardest type. A.,I-,erson who promises to do a great deai for someone else, iievet- intends to f;:i -i his promis •, o be sure that he expects something back in exchange. Obviously then, it is that winch he receives compel. him to make the promises, aDd not the good be can render others. Persona l s?cr?Qce :s a very rare thh)f !n practice, although we bear a orear deai about it on public platform* ] The men wbi) lt.ci.ure to the workeio j about their hardships and the troubles ] wbu-h they ufider^o for Lqtandlll$! n for principles, leave at their deat.< any tiling from four to five thousano j pounds to thiir II: xt of kin. If tho Labour lenders w ho occu py proriiiiiert, position* kept to their promibes. and: argueu. iioue»tiy for their own clasf;, j one would beg tbf question Woahl ) they be able to bequeathe such magnifi- cent satits as mentioned above ? Thfct brings me to the r-cent election. On this occasion, the Labour Candidate, in concluding one of his election addresses said It is to your interest that you should send me to Pariia- ] tnent." Of course, Mr A. Onions is j not the only cand?date who has said that. This is what the hot bloods call "put.tin vim into the nght in order to win the seat." There is I only one political section who would (I don't think) hesitate to make such a statement, and they are those w ho are in possession of initials which standi for" I love Power." Now, would these candidate be so anxious to serve labour in SL. Stephens, or in any other capacity, if there wtre no personal interests ? That is a fair, just, and reasoni. ble question. A person may profess to do a lot fot j nothing, but expei tence has shown us that the prime motive of that, pro- j fession is self gain. Seventy-five p, oont. of tho buadivd are movt to activity in vaiious ways by j sheer selfishness. Selfish ends are the objects, although some people i advocate national and international | brotherhood Lft tatifui word I j don't believe then* is a more superb word in the English language. Ail | public men use H, and their chiei an d their Chlei object in using it. is to get a nice i sinecure, which will guarantee them ¡ a good, comfortable living, and power over their fellow beings. What, lior of brotherhoud is there, when on:1 j looks upou himself as superior to those whom he has gulled ? Most men who set their faces towards attaining Parliamentary honours do so because of three things. First, influence: second, pawer and thirdly, self aggrandisement. Somejne, I I have not the slightest doubt, will protest and say: It is unfair and indiscreet for anybody to write in such a manner." But, I am wishfnl to remember my readers that, for a persou to simply s ty it is unfair and indiscreet, does not disprove one word of what I have written. I maintain if an opinion shapes itself in a man's brain, and such a thought is not I dangerous to the community, there should be liberty and freedom for its expression. There is nothing ur f ir or unjust when an hovest opno-'ti if: expressed. No one will ■ u ri>ie pleased to coutinue expressif £ ti.em than OBSERVER. Bargoed, Dec. 24th, 1918. Whilst our columns are always opt n to expressions of opinion from our readers, ir, must not bo assumed that we identify ourselves with those views.—Ed. — ———————————————————————

If 11 M I- 1 I ? ie? M ?.m SM? ? t W ?? .? ?i6t.? ?' 1\1r TREDEGVILL. General Manager A. J. Hurd. í MONDAY, JAN. 6th, II And-during the Week. IT-30. ONCE NIGHTLY. 7-30. ENORMOUS ATTRACTION I r j EXPENSIVE ENGAGEMENT OF GEORGE CHRISTIAN'S IKOYAL (SCARLET) I ENTERTAINERS Direct from their great London Successes. Caste includes :— Miss Annie Beaumont (Soprano). Miss Winnie Forde (Soubrette & Dancer), Miss Louie DeMay (Comedienne & Dancer). Miss Eva Porter (Danseuse). Mr Frank J. Raymond (Vocal Comedian). Mr Len Richford (Comedian and Dancer). I Mr Geo. Smethurst (Solo Pianist and Accompanist). Mr Geo. Christian (Entertainer). To Valley Patrons: DON'T MISS THIS TREAT 'Tis not in mortals to command success, but we'll do more-deaerve it." J TO ADVERTISERS. I In ons^quence of the enormous increase If. lh., prict' of material and labour con jt rne i in the production of Newspapers, wti bftve rajsed our scale of charges for all 1 finds of adveitising. In the case of small advertisements of the Wanted, To Let, &c., Clus. the scale in future will be as i follows No of One Three Six Words. Insertion. Insertions, Insertions. s. d. s. d. s. d. 12 1 6 3 0 6 0 2.) 2 0 4 0 6 0 8 2 6 4 6 7 0 •36 3 0 5 0 8 0 For Business and Trade Announcements mide in tbp same columns as above, the charge will be Ud. per line, and in both ts."sfs they are pre-paid. All kinds of PRINTING Can be quickly de- spatched at the 4 Guardian' Offices' hhymncy? .i iii no y

Pte. Ivor Ashdown (22), who re- sided in,Leckwith-road, Cardiff, died on Tnesdsy from pneumonia. It is a coincidence that his brother was killed in France twelve months ago. I 3 1. .1 I_

Winter Friend. ) ?'?' >jC.y\ 11 I A DIES w ho make a friend of 1 Ven- Y usa Cream can face the am   t? w I winter weather in safety and without- ,■ r I ?t??? I fear that their complexion will suner. ? i /f?*? Ven- Y usa i* entirely different from every l w other face cream, and its perfect utility is M j K shown by the tmprovementtnatfoHows its use. H When Ven- Y usa is gently applied to the ¡ | bee. neck, hands or arms, the skin gets what ? If?H WB j ] is virtually a bath of natural oxygen. This r 1 a tt m t eo?orcs vitality in the tissues and produces a i I WV IinII iR fefhng of Impenshable freshness. ¡ <):dy Pric e, 1'-Per jar, at all Chemists, Stores, &c. ■ ? ??-? ?????????????" jf ?

THE "VISION" OF MON& I The Bishop of Durham, in a letter to the "Spectator," tells a remarkable etory of "superhuman interposition' in our faTour" is "that dire autumn" of 1914, when our heroic "Contemptibles" were in retreat, pressed hard by overwhelming forces. "To myself/' he writes, "nothing has come in the way of evidence on that sub- ject with such a claim on attention and, I think, on credence as what I heard not many weeks ago from my friend the Rev. W. Elliot Bradley, Vicar of Crosthwaite, Keswick, a reporter whose accurate memory and sober sense 1 entirely trust. < "He got a practically identical account of a certain incident of that crisis from each of three to l i; r.s, whom he talked on three several occasions. The first two men were, at different times, in a V.A.U. hospital near Uheivton, where Mr. Bradley was r'.u-l or I)e!ivcen three and four yeaago. Tho third man was seen not msny months ago working on a farm near Keswick citer discharge from tie Army. "Mr. Bradley asked in each case whether the soldier reca lle;! anything iiuu.,ual at the crisis of iK1 u-tivat. And each man without hesitation this answer. The Germans were coming on in massed forma- tion, and the men (-,f o thin British line were preparing to si !1 their li\e. dear; it was the one thing 1o <i!o IV.e Taut-on host could not help wa'.Vru; over them on the way to Paris. i "Suddenly the ''y 'nnssos halted: evwn the horses of the cavalry jibbed and reared; I and the collision did not- take place. Ger- man pri, hi: a little later. wore asked why th?y !?.d to attack at such an advantage. The Tiswer was straight and simple thpv sm" strong British reinforcements com in;? to Such was the story told, without Ividing or prompting: as to detail, by thes? three isolated wit- nesses at firsv 'km:1. Two, if not three, added quietly the roniniont. It was God did it." f

PRIMATE'S CMl TO PRAYER. I The Archbishop of Canterbury has issued j the f I owing mc-s-Tfre: "Wo are passing tVrough days of almost I breathks.œn!OT. FYom hour to hour the victory for which ye have hoped and prayed k bioii,-?Iii, liclo:(., dec-ds of OUT ] forces and the forces of -vir Allies. Aftev I lon? years of .mxious s?r?iti th? ?oal ?pms j to be at length in sig'ht. Our hearts are full of above all j to Ged, who throirrh t courage of these men lias wrought His L,))on afl whom my words nny reach I w u!d urge the duty I of being instant in ptavcr. Remember be- .fore Ooci the state.s;?H'ii "u either side the sea. upon whom r<s'.s a i nrden of responsi- I bility greater, perhaps, than ever before. The issues may spec lily 1 ceome critical be- yond all woids. On th-lr firm handling of j thew issues may depend under God the future of the world. Pray, then, that they 1 may lie endued with a large vision of what is just and right, and mav act worthily of the trust we hold for the generations yet JI unborn."

PETROL H,:1 A DANCE. t Brigadier-uou?: jI F. W. Hill, of the i Canadian Army. sr<>• .nlly appealed at i Surrey Qm-vrer S<■ oagainst a fine of £ 5 impoicd at F,iv:.ham for using petrel without a perm L- On dance was given at Bourne, and Oeneral xIIiil s*id he wont to the dance, nsino a Government ear, because it was his oni, ty to do so. It has been lounti ad, i-a ¡.; to appreciate the I fighting value from the'si andpoint of cha- racter of junior oHicor's iti,t arriv(,d from Canada, to have I g grounds ac this dance a fTordod.  Do you suggest it an official dance? I -Yes, it was anauged by the commanding officer for the express jnupose of meeting junior officers. Th? Court nnanimously granted the ap-\ peal and expressed .ippree-?ation' of organ- ] ising gatherings whore Canadian ottMM away from home might meet. I

f THE PENNY CHEQUE TAX. j The omission by a large number of bank customers to affix the extra penny on cheque forms is causing the banks a large amount of unnecessary work. Thousands of cheques are presented every week without the additional stamp, -and the omission has to be made good by tl, ( voluntary action of the banks. Under the new regulation a bank would be justified in dishonouring any j cheque which does not lw,,ir the' 2d. stamp duty. On and after December 1 it will not be in the power of the banks to remedy these omissions. j

STANDARD BUTTER PRICES. It ia aanoiwoed by the Ministry of Food that -as own as the neeo-s^ary arrangements ean lie vad«—probably before the middle of aext moaQ-t4w retail price of margarine will b. reduced to Is. per pound. It has also been decided to standardise the price ti all batter at 2e>. 6d. per pound. This in- Taives no alteration in the price of the great balk of butter on sale, but involves an in- oraaee from 2s. 4d. to 2s. 6d. per pound in the price of the sluall percentage of hom. produced butter, other than Irish, Wilich it still being made. v I "— ——' (

i A MOTHER'S GRIEF. Mrs. Elizabeth Jones, the wife of a Shrop. shire farmer, was cashing in a Shrewsbury bank a cheque representing the club money of her favourite bon, killed in action, when she hid a seizure and ditd. The doctor at the inquest said that death was due to hemorrhage of the brain, probably brought on by excessive grief, the husband ha^af stated that she thought more of this son than anything else in the world. Before going to the bank Mrs. Jonee bought her daughter's wedding cake.

The Secretary of the War Office announces that the Hides (Restriction of Tanning) Order, 1918, has been cancelled. The Army Council no longer imposes any restriations on the elsom of hides to be put into work. » #

| FUN AND FANCY. —— —— "Did you ever get a proposal, auntie?" "Once, my dear. A gentleman proposed over the telephone, but he had the wrong number." Brown: "Is your son in business?" Smith: "He's a contractor." Brown: "What line?" Smith: "Debts!" < Greengrocer: "The long-haired man who just went out must be a music crank." Cus- tomer: "Why do you think so?" Green- grocer: "He insisted that I only gave him tour beets to the measure." Curate: "I never see any of your neigh- bours at church, Mrs. Hodge." Mrs. Hodge: "I know, sir, but it ain't my fault. I ses to 'em, I pes 'Look at me now. I goes to church every Sunday, and I ain't no worse for it.' But it's no good, sir, they won't oome nohow." Mrs. Noolywed: "Oh, ma, George is up- stairs in a fearful temper, and all- because I asked him to lend me his new razor a moment." Mother: "The wretch! What did you want it for, dear" Mrs. Noolywed: "Just to open a sardine tin with. Barber (to customer being shaved): "Times are not like they were, sir1 It's hard to keep b. dy and soul together." Cus- tomer (feeling hw chin): "Yes; I notice you scrape hard for a living." She (to fiance): "We must be WIly eco- nomical now. Promise me that you will do nothing you can't afford." He: "What! Do you want me to break off the engage- ment ?" "this machine-gun can fire six hundred phots a minute," said the officer. "You don't say" marvelled the fair visitor. "I don't see how anyone can pull the trigger so fa:t "You say you've worn this hat for two years?" "Yes, sir; and it looks all right still. Twice I've had it cleaned, and once I exchanged it in a restaurant for one that wae entirely new." Officer (to recruit who has been reported for insolence to sergeant) "Remember you are a soldier now, and you must learn to obey orders. This is a famous regiment-a famous regiment, my man. We tame lions in this regiment. Er-what were you in civil life?' Recruit: "Lion-tamer, sir." Old Lady (to fed-up sailor) "And tell me, why have they let you have a holiday at such a time?" -lack: "'Oliday? A mine-' sweeper 'as to come into port sometimes to 'ave its brushes cleaned A little boy, who was gazing very in- tently at the bald space on the back of uncle's head, was asked by his mother what he was thinking about. Oh," said the little chap, smiling, as he got near the door, "I am so sorry for uncle! Not much coming up on his allotment 1" Silas, the shepherd, had been sent into town by his master to cash a cheque at the hank. After the cashier had weighed out the money, Silas was rather doubtful, and started to count it himself. "Well," said the cashier sarcastically after he had finished, "is it right?" "Ay," replied Silas, but only just!" A well-known Highland drover sold a horse to an Englishman. A few days after- wards the buver returned to him. "You said that horse had no faults." "Weel. no mair had he." "He's nearly blind!" said the indignant Englishman. "Why, mou, that's no' his fau't—that's his miefortune!" "And do you really love "me T" asked the pretty girl. "Love you?" the young man cried. "Why, darling, while I was bidding you good-bye in the porch last night, your dog bit a large piece out of the calf of my leg, and I never noticed it till I got home." A few days ago a young man took his best girl a bouquet of flowers. The young woman was so pleased she threw her arms about his neck and kissed him. He arose and started to go. "I'm sorry I offended you," she said. "Oh, I am not offended," she replied; "I was going back for more flowerø." I Husband (to Wife): "Do you believe in the theory that the greatness of a father often proves a stumbling-block to the advance- ment of his son in life?" Wife: "I certainly do. I am thankful, John, our boy will never be handicapped in that way." May: "No, George, it cannot be. I am not good enough to be your wife." George "What nonsense, dear. You are an angel May "George, even an angel could not be happy with a man who had only .£150 a year, and provisions as scarce as they are!" A soldier, writing from France, said: "Dear Mother,—Please label my cake socks if you want it to get to me." A provincial town was "billed" for two great rival theatrical productions. On the arrival of the train which brought both companies, a photographer, bound on busi- ness, approached one of the company as he stepped out of a first-class compartment and,, raisir,, his hat, said, in all sin- cerity "Beg pardon, sir, but are you The Darling of the Gods' or 'The Greatest Scoundrel on Earth ?" A young man lived at some distance from his tride-elect. On the eventful day he set off for the station in good time, but, being delayed by his friends, he missed the train. Then he bethought himself of the tele- graph. "Don't marry till I come.—Wil- liam was the message he wired. They had just become engaged. "What joy it' will be." si e trilled, "for me to share all your joys and sorrows." "But. darling," he protested. "I have no sorrows." "Per- haps not now," she murmured, "but when we are married, of course, you will have." .ro-