The Miners' Federation on Wednesday decided to press for a
six-hours day, meaning by that a working day of eight hours from the time when the miner descends the shaft to the time when he emerges from it again. The Federation expecte the Government to amend the Miners' Eight Hours Aot, and urges also the nationalization of all mince -and minerals. Those demands formed part of a long resolution chiefly concerned with the demobilized miners who are returning to the pits. Every one will sympathize with the miners' desire that their gallant comrades who fought or toiled underground on the Western Front, while some of their leaders at home were trying to obstruct the national effort, should not-suffer because of their patriotism. It Is not easy, however, to understand why them should be any fear of unemployment, in view of the scarcity and dearness of coal. The demand for a six-hours day Is by no means urireasonabh? In itself. Hewing at the face of a seam is perhaps the most exhausting work that men have to do. But the miners' leaders should restrain their intemperate colleagues from using threats, which-merely irritate the public and prevent the miners' claims from receiving careful consideration.
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