Mr. Evan Williams, the president of the Mining Association. promptly
seized the opportunity afforded by the Prime Minister's warning, and invited the miners' leaders to meet the coal-owners on Monday. The meeting was duly held, and the two parties, chastened no doubt by the fear of losing the State grant, soon found that their views were not irreconcilable. On Tuesday Mr. Hodges and his colleagues announced that they would summon the delegates of the unions to a conference on Friday, and would recommend the holding of a ballot on the proposals of the Govern- ment and the coal-owners. The revolutionary faction will doubtless try to thwart the proposal for a ballot, knowing that the men are only too anxious to resume work provided that their wages are not too greatly reduced. But, as we write on Thursday morning, it looks as if this long and suicidal strike is nearing its end. If the miners' delegates were to order an instant resumption of work, they would benefit the miners and the nation.
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