Welsh Journals

tion of Welsh miners who are rugby footballers to the Northern Union clubs. There is no sport which is not catered for in the coalfield. Nearly every little village has its own Welfare Associa- tion which provides facilities for all kinds of sport. Mention has already been made of how envir- onment favours communal life. The communal spirit manifests itself in ways which are most mag- nanimous. Adam Smith in The Wealth of Nations records that communities which tend to be isolated are very hospitable. His belief is supported by the many hospitable actions of the comparatively isolated South Wales miner. For example, the South Wales miner would not think of allowing anyone to depart from his house on a journey without offering him a meal. Again, where people in other industrial communities would perhaps point out the way to a stranger, the South Walian would go part of the journey with the enquirer. Furthermore, the Welsh miner is much more sympathetic than the worker in other areas. A burial is attended in South Wales by a crowd, but in other non-mining districts such an occurrence would attract few sympathis- ers. The generosity of the South Wales miner is well-known. Any person in need of help knows that he will find succour amongst the South Wales miners. The working life of the miner favours the de- velopment of the religious spirit. When follow- ing his occupation his safety depends more upon natural agencies than upon human agencies. The darkness and stillness of the mine creates the other-worldly spirit. One could go on enumerating other such favourable characteris- tics. However, sufficient has been said, and the following quotation from the Industrial Transfer- ence Board Report totally vindicates the miner From our own knowledge of the material available (i.e., chiefly coalminers) in the distressed areas and from the experience of all those who have been brought into close contact with workers in these industries, we can affirm with confidence that this view of the qualities of these workers is based on ignorance, if not mere prejudice. There are unsatisfactory elements among the workers in the mining industry-as there are in every section of the community-and the isolation in which the industry is frequently carried on has produced an outlook divorced in some degree from that of the general community. But we are satisfied that regarded as a type the South Wales miner is an example to his fellows. Part of his inheritance, handed down from generation to generation, is an instinctive loyalty to his com- rades, and a capacity for similar loyalty to his employers, so long as unimaginative handling is not permitted to alienate his sympathy." Further on in the report the Commissioners state that it is a human duty to aid such men and their families, and that their availability for employment gives to other industries exceptional opportunity of recruiting a personnel of the highest quality." The author worked eight years as a miner in a South Wales pit and is at present a student at the University College, Cardiff.-Ed. W.O. CLOSE TO MY HEART HERE-in your wonted place- Close to my heart, Nestle each cherub face, Ere day depart; Ere under slumber's wing, little heads nod, Let Mother hear you sing, praises to God. Children in Heaven stand, God's throne beside; Lord, to that blessed land My children guide; Grant when their flight they wing, from this world's sod, There I may hear them sing, praises to God. FREDERICA GUISE. (Copyright as a song).