13 NOVEMBER 1926, Page 2

• On Wednesday Mr. Cook was still saying that -he

could not possibly agree to longer hours, and that if they were accepted he could not bear the blame. . The T.U.C. mediators unquestionably have a very serious grievance against Mr. Cook and Mr. Smith, and it is reported that they have not hesitated to say privately what they feel. They had understood, like nearly every- body else, that the Miners' Executive had been instructed on November 4th to discuss with the owners or the Government every relevant question. If they had not understood that they would not have approached the Government as mediators.