The Cotton Dispute Settled Grave trouble in the cotton industry
has been narrowly averted by the agreement reached at Oldham last Satur- day. The cardroorn operatives of the Alma Mills had brought trouble upon themselves by failing to observe an explicit understanding with the employers that whenever local differences arose there should be no calling of a strike until the dispute had been investigated in the approved manr. er. The Cardroom Operatives Asso- ciations outside Oldham did their best to restrain the strikers, but without success. Whereupon the Federation of Master Cotton Spinners threatened to close mills throughout the county. Negotiations continued, how- ever, up to the last moment, and—thanks largely to the untiring effort of Ministry of Labour officials, and the loyal support of the Mayor of Oldham—the strike was called off during an inquiry into the effect on earnings of the new price list, with provision for adjustment in favour of the operatives if it were shown that the earnings at the Alma Mills were not up to the general level. This settlement is very satisfactory, and an excellent example of what can be done and is being done with the good will of all parties to an industrial dispute. Goodwill is incom- parably more valuable than any machinery for compul- sion such as has been instituted by Fascist Italy. * *
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