NEWS OF THE WEEK
THE cumbrous machinery of the Miners' Federation is in motion. On Friday, July 30th, the expected delegates'. conference was held. The result was that the proposals carried, now more than a fortnight ago, to the_ Prime Minister by the Industrial Christian Fellow- ship, -were endorsed. They are referred to the District Associations for ratification or rejection by the end of next week._ It is better that things should move than remain in the stagnation of trench warfare. Yet there is not - yet much ground here for- optimism. If the Districts reject the proposals, we shall be at another deadlock at once. If they accept them, they will in effect be demanding a, new subvention for four months, which, as they know perfectly well, is not available. The Government has from the start stated and reiterated that the industry must not count upon any such aid from the rest of the taxpayers. Were the delegates then serious in endorsing the proposals ? It is also disturbing ' to read the radical qualifications which Mr. Cook has attached to his acceptance of the principle of arbitration. * * .*-
