WELSH MINERS.

Grey River Argus, 28 November 1927, Page 8

WELSH MINERS.

MARCH TO LONDON. THE PRELIMINARIES. LONDON, October 10. The march of the miners from South Wales, due to start on November 8, will be carried out under strict discipline. Registration forms have to be filled in by volunteers for the march. After giving particulars they have to sign an undertaking that they accept the following conditions: — (1) That hardships will possibly have to be faced on the road; (2) That strict discipline will operate and the orders of recognised officers must be obeyed: (3) That the Committee in charge on the road shall have power to discharge from the march any man or men found guilty of any act of indiscipline or disorderly conduct; (4) That it will be a march of union men, and only those who can show that they were members of the Miners’ Federation when last working in the mines shall be considered eligible as marchers.

The London Trades Council decided to give their full support to the march.

At their last meeting they resolved that: —“This London Trades Council, having considered the proposed march of unemployed miners from South Wales to London and the objects of same, declares its readiness to render all possible assistance to the men during the march and whilst they are in London.

“We realise that the men will have to face considerable hardships, and in order to minimise this we urge the Trade Union and Labour Movement to render all possible moral and financial support.

“We record our highest admiration for the men who are prepared to face the rigours of the road in order to bring home to the Government the tragedy of the mine-fields and hereby agree to appoint three representatives to the Reception Committee.” All Stirred. This resolution was carried unanimously amidst great enthusiasm. People who were least expected to respond rose and spoke about the appalling suffering of the mining community,, and declared that the whole workingclass movement must rally to support the marchers. A South Wales correspondent writes: The march of the South Wales Miners to London continues to be the principal topic of interest in this district. During the past week we have wifinessee a growing enthusiasm. Numesrous recruiting meetings have been hjeld throughout the district. The old difficulties at the moment have been removed.

The unemployed and their wives throng to the meetings anxious to know of the progress made, whilst numbers of miners’ wives have intimated their desire to participate in this great march..

At the various Exchanges hhe unemployed are displaying their practical support by contributing their coppers to the fund. At the moment of writing we are just completing the arrangements for a big push through the district. Comrades possessing motor machines have come forward during the week-end offering their services during the march. Roused by Threats. The threat of the coal -owners to attack the present percentages and the subsistence wage at the end ot this year has considerably affected the minds of those in employment, impelling greater support to the march. Some leaders talk in terms of unnecessary suffering, waste of effort, etc.; others, backed by the rank and file, assert that a policy of “do nothing” is fatal, both to the unemployed and employed alike. The march is on, and behind the marchers will be the good wishes of the suffering thousands, who through misfortune will be deprived of the honours of being in the ranks. The volunteers roll contains names of recruits whose ages range between 16 and 70 years. The spirit of “Do or die” actuates the comrades now preparing for the trek to the City in which the foundation of their misery is established. Eagerness in South Wales. The project of an unemployed miners’ march to London from the South Wales coalfield is being taken up with eagerness in the valleys. Recruiting centres have been opened in Bliaua and Brynmawr. A recruiting Committee has been set up with County Councillors and the local Miners’ Agent in charge. Macstag and the Rhondda are also being thoroughly covered with recruiting meetings. An appeal for funds to support the march has been signed by Miss Ellen Wilkinson M.P., Mardy Jones, M.P., Rev. G. S. Woods, David Kirkwood, M.PJohn Strachey and others. The Treasurer is Mr. A. J. Cook.