[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.] SIR,—I am very thankful
to the Spectator for the thousand pounds you have given towards the distress at Aberdare. People of this area have been hard hit since 1921. I should like to impress upon the readers of the Spectator that miners are a very intelligent body of workers, full of pride, fond of music, studying Philosophy, Sociology, Science, Theology, Economics and History but to-day they have " no huyl," as the Welshman would say, no nourishment, giving their share to their children, or little brothers and sisters, and going without it themselves, instead of the children going to school with nothing.
The sacrifice in the distress areas is outside any explanation, only people in touch with these people day by day know it. We have volunteers for boot repairing, working five days a week, doing this gratis with a smile on their faces, proud that they are doing something to prevent the children having wet feet, the only fault here is, we find ourselves running short of leather, no money to buy it.
When investigating some cases on Saturday, it was enough to break the hardest and most callous heart, seeing the mother and the children crying with the cold, no fire in the house, and the men willing to work, but unable to get work to give the family a little comfort. Take a case of husband and wife living a respectable life, saving up to buy a house. Husband commenced working at the mines when 10 years of age, now over 65. He has given 55 years' service to the colliery companies. What does he find ? Because his wife is not 65 they have to live on the 10s. pension per week between them, because they have been thrifty and own their house.
To-day we find fathers that have been working 30 and 40 years at the mines broken-hearted, worrying themselves to the grave, and going depressed. " They say it's much better to give than to receive." Miners are very generous people on the whole, they contribute towards hospitals, chapels, churches, anybody that was in need. They were also ready to help any call that was in distress.
Charity is not going to solve the deplorable conditions at Aberdare, nevertheless we thank you with all our hearts for what you are doing in Aberdare towards relieving some of the distress.—I am, Sir, &c., J. JAMES.
57 Broniestyn Terrace, Trecynon, Aberdare.
Previous page
