In spite of fears to the contrary, the National Conference
of the Miners' Federation last Saturday accepted the recom- mendation of the Executive in favour of a return to work. It was stated unofficially that this decision was carried on a "card" vote by 440,000 to 125,000. The result seems to have come as a surprise even to members of the Executive, which is not unnatural when it is remembered that in the ballot last week only 201,013 votes were given in favour of resuming work and 244,011 against. The delegates, however, were fortunately allowed a free hand at the Conference, and a large number of them were convinced by the Executive's appeal. There can be little doubt that the argument which carried most weight with them was that any attempt to continue the strike must have led inevitably to a break-up of the Federation. We may note in this connexion that on Friday week Mr. Vernon Hartshorn, who has been among the extremists throughout the dispute, issued a strong appeal to the men to maintain the solidarity of the Federation, "for it is the very existence of the organization which is now at stake."
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