27 DECEMBER 1935, Page 2

The Coal Strike Danger . The, miners are justly in

danger of losing the public .sympathy which their scales of wages and the attitude of the coalowners had equally justly gained for them. The fact that the Government had decided to nationalise royalties and ensure the establishment a central selling agencies, and had succeeded in bringing representatives of the owners together with the Miners' Federation to discuss .wages, made a strike seem unlikely, particularly when the owners announced a definite increase in each district .from January 1st. It is natural, therefore, that the public should react strongly against the miners' decision to throw the whole question once again into the melting-pot by issuing strike notices to take effect from January 27th if they are not granted, in the mean- time, " uniform advances offered nationally." Advances Cannot immediately be made uniform, for conditions in the different districts vary widely, With a little patience some way may be found. But a strike now would mean the sacrifice of every bargaining advantage the men at present command.