30 APRIL 1921, Page 1

NEWS OF THE WEEK

HE prospects of a settlement with the miners are considerably T better, when we write on Thursday, than they have been for some time past. The dispute seems to have narrowed itself down, so that it is now rather a question of wages than of adminis- trative principle. When a member of the Miners' Executive can say " only a bob a day divides us " it is obvious that there ought to be a settlement in a short time. The past week, however, has been full of vicissitudes, and nobody can feel safe until an agreemont is signed, sealed, and delivered. On Friday, April 22nd, the owners and miners met again at the invitation of Mr. Lloyd George. That renewal of negotiations gave rise to new hopes, but by Tuesday afternoon hope had begun to evaporate, as the discussions seemed to be leading nowhere.