We deal with the issues involved in the lock-out in
another column, but may note here that the condemnation of the men is not confined to Unionist papers. No attempt has been made in any responsible Liberal or Radical journal to defend the breaches of the National Agreement which have precipi- tated the crisis. A. month ago, when the lock-out was threatened, Mr. Burt, M.P., wrote strongly in his monthly circular to the Northumberland Miners' Association on the disastrous results of Trade-Union indiscipline. Recent events, be said, raised grave forebodings for the future of the Labour movement. Since Mr. Burt wrote things have gone from bad to worse, and the indiscipline has now reached dimensions
which, unless the sound element in the societies asserts itself, threaten vitally to impair the permanent influence and good fame of the Trade-Union movement. Convinced, as we are, of the need and value of Trade-Unions, we can only regard such a prospect as a national disaster.
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