26 JULY 1919, Page 3

The return of the Government candidate, Mr. Matthews, in the

East Swansea by-election shows how very far the Labour Party is from representing the working classes. East Swansea Is a typical industrial constituency. The Socialists are stronger in South Wales than in almost any other part of the country. They had an experienced and popular candidate in Mn Williams, an ex-Mayor. Mr. Smillie himself spoke on Mr. Williams's behalf, and declared that the election would. be a test of the workmen's views on the nationalization of the mines. The result was that the working men and women of East Swansea returned the Government candidate by a majority of 1,092. Their "direct action" is distinctly encouraging.