22 MARCH 1924, Page 2

The delegates' conference will apparently not come to a decision

until March 26th. At one moment it seemed likely that the Government might transform the whole situation by introducing legislation for a minimum wage. Such legislation, however, would probably kill the Government, and it is not to be wondered at that the idea has been dropped, at least for the present. At all events, the Prime Minister prefers to place negotiation first. One can only hope that Mr. Shinwell, the Parlia- mentary Secretary to the Department of Mines, will succeed in the negotiations he is carrying on to bring the two sides nearer together. Behind Mr. Shinwell'& efforts there is the intention of the Government, if necessary,, to set up a Court of Arbitration or of Inquiry.