We must now look back on the incidents which have
thus brought Mr. Churchill on to the war path. On Thursday, September 2nd, the Delegate Conference of the Miners' Federation, upon which the Executive of the Federation had devolved responsibility, decided by a large majority to authorize the Executive "to take the necessary steps to submit proposals for the setting up of a national agreement." The figures were, for the resolution 557,000, against 225,000. This decision was of great importance. It opened a door to negotiations which had never before been opened by the miners. It will be noted that the authority given to the Executive was not set about with any conditions ; hours and wages were not even mentioned ; the sole condition was that the settlement should be a national one. There we have at once the heart of the situation with which Mr. Churchill is now dealing. The resolution was, of course, a direct response to Mr. Churchill's appeal to the miners' to propose something. The Executive was very definitely instructed to make proposals.
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