A meeting of the Ammanford War, Emergency and Relief Committee was held at the School Thursday night, when Mr. B. R. Evans presided over the following attendance of members :- Rev. W. Jones and E. J. Rosser Evans, Messrs. Evan Evans (The Square) T. M. Evans, Dd. Richards, Mod.Thomas, W. L. Smith, V…… Lloyd, Evan Evans ( Temple Bar) Jos. Phillips, J. C. Shaw, …… Harries, Oscar Mills, E. Hewlett and Dr's. James Dunbar and Edward Inman; together with the chairman (Mr. J. W. James) and the Treasurer (Mr. R. Hiley Harries) It was intimated that Mr. W. … Jones had failed to be present owing to ill-health.
Mr. W. L. Smith submitted a report of the Civic Guard sub-committee, which showed that Mr. N. Jones had been appointed chairman, and Mr. Smith secretary. The following members had been co-opted : Messrs. J. Jones Pritchard Davies, Wm. Fowler and V. W. Lloyd.
It was recommended that the sub-committee authorised to print 25 posters showing notice of the formation of a home guard, and inviting all over l6 to join, and that until the Drill Hall can be obtained drills take place at the Council School yard, or at another convenient place. It was also recommended that the local Scout troop company's, from 11 to 18, be re-started under the command of Scoutmaster Mr. ….. Davies.
The sub-committee asked for plenary powers in all matters except finance.
Exception was taken to the next item, and the report was relayed back. Mr. Smith intimated that he was in communication with Lieutenant Pugh for the use of the Drill Hall.
Presenting the report of the Relief Committee, Mr. Mod.Thomas the secretary, said Mr. E. Hewlett had been elected chairman, with Mr. B. R. Evans as vice-chairman. It was recommended that the ladies now taking part in different societies be asked to become members of the Relief Committee, so that they may work in conjunction and obviate overlapping.
The following ladies were mentioned :-
Mrs. Henry Herbert, Mrs. W. …..Jones, Mrs. E. Hewlett, Mrs. Davies (Tirydail House), and Mrs. E. R. Fisher.
Also it was recommended that one general house to house collection be made in the district and that the money be distributed amongst the different societies, and that all the churches and chapels be asked to make a collection, the amounts collected to be transferred to the Relief Committee, and relief to be given in kind. Mr. Thomas said he had got in communication with Mrs. Hewlett and she thought it would be advisable if they did work in conjunction, and with that object in mind she promised to attend the ....W... meeting of the committee. However, he (Mr Thomas) found that some other societies were more on the aggressive and advertised for funds, so that he did not know the position exactly. The Chairman said the Ammanford Council felt it incumbent with them to proceed with the ....W.... mains scheme, and in connection with the Relief Committee suggestion of having one collection all were quite in agreement with said. The report was adopted.
Mr. Oscar Mills said he would place the New Palace Theatre at the disposal of the Committee in order to organise a benefit for the fund. A letter was read from Mr. … N. Jones enclosing a cheque for £20, being the contribution of the Ammanford Horse Show Committee towards the fund. In order that the collection might be undertaken without delay, it was resolved that the secretary of the Relief Committee be instructed to purchase collection books, and have printed slips attached to same. Rev. J. W. Jones said he suggested at the Committee meeting that relief tickets should be printed and also application forms. He submitted drafts of same for approval. He thought power could be given to the Committed to deal with those things. This was agreed to.
The minutes of the Ambulance Committee were read by Mr. …. Dunbar (secretary). Dr. D….Price had been elected chairman and Dr. Brereton, Mr. D. T. Jones, and Mr. Luther Bye had bee co-opted members. There were at least 50 men in the district who held certificates in first aid and they were endeavouring to get these men together so that a company be formed. Mr. J. Harries took occasion to refer to the unemployment which existed in the anthracite districts at present. He had attended a meeting of the miners' representatives at Swansea the previous day, and it was computed that 4,500 were out of employment and had been authorised to make the fact known that arrangements had been made with the Labour exchanges for dealing with that unemployment.
Any collier out of work in Ammanford should apply to the Labour Exchange in Quay Street for a ticket, and with that ticket could secure work in the Rhos and other places, for employers there had agreed to put on ....W.... men furnished with such tickets. Endeavours were also being made to provide cheap travelling tickets. On the motion of Mr. E. Hewlett, seconded by the Rev. E. J. Rosser Evans, it was decided that members of sub-committees be the members of the general committee.