NEWS OF THE WEEK.
THE threat of a general holding up of industry—for a Coal strike would mean nothing less—still hangs over the country when we go to press on Thursday. We summarize below the various events which have taken place during the week in connexion with the proposed strike. Here we want to say a few words about the broad significance of the strike. The methods of Mr. Smillie and of Mr. Frank Hodges, who stands behind him, and who has a much clearer head though possibly not a stronger will, are political, not industrial. Though representing only a comparatively small section, they want to force a policy upon the Government which has been definitely " turned down " by the Government and which has never been approved by the electors. We cannot bear this fact too clearly in mind. It is the crux of the whole business.
