The Shipbuilding Employers' Federation have issued a statement giving a
detailed account of the causes of the crisis, acquitting the other Unions of disloyalty to the Agreement, but pointing out that unless the National Agreement, which had been collectively accepted by the Societies on behalf of the men, is respected and observed by the individual workmen, it becomes a dead letter. They further state that resumption of work will not be permitted unless and until satisfactory arrangements and assurances are agreed upon for the due observance in the future of the Shipyard Agreement. A ballot is being accordingly taken of the Boilermakers' Society with a view to ascertaining whether the men will support the Executive Council, and empower it to call a representative meeting should the necessity arise. If the men agree, a joint Conference will probably be called for Monday. We go to press before the announcement of the result, but the prospects of a settlement have not improved during the week. The Welsh coal trade is threatened by a great strike, and here again the real conflict is not so much between men and masters as between the men and their officials.
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