The Government in their reply to the miners proposed an
inquiry, while offering an immediate increase of a shilling a day to meet the higher cost of living. A Committee, including miners' nominees, would consider the position of the coal trade, the cost of production, wages and profits, and examine any scheme for the future organization of the industry " whether on the present basis, or on the bards of joint control, nationalization, or any other basis." Tho Committee would also discuss the effect of any such proposals on the economic life of the nation, for an overwhelming rise in the price of coal would throw the whole industrial machine out of gear. As for demobilization problems, the Government declined to give miners exceptional privileges which other citizens did not receive. It seems to us that this was a very fair and reasonable answer, which deserved an equally reasonable reply. Tho Miners' Federation in rejecting it offhand committed a great tactical blunder. It made things worse on Thursday by ordering a ballot of the miners, and urging them to vote for a strike.
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