29 NOVEMBER 1930, Page 2

The Mining Association has maintained its passive resistance, and will

have nothing to do with the National Board. In Scotland, the owners have proposed a spread- over plus reduction of wage rates. This is strongly resisted. In South Wales no alternative is offered to sweeping cuts in wages, the blame for which is put as usual on "the foreigner." Thus the obstruction of the Coal Bill in Parliament is bearing its fruits, for as Mr. Graham carefully explained, Part III was not intended to come into force until the marketing schemes had been in operation for three or four months. When we write on Thursday there is more hopefulness than the gloomy facts seem to warrant. Fortunately nobody

wants a fight.