The situation in the mining industry is decidedly less threatening
than it was some weeks ago. True, the miners have rejected the owners' offer, but only by an extremely small majority. There voted against acceptance 338,650, for acceptance 322,392. Majority against 16,258. When it is taken into consideration that the National Delegates' Conference had sent the owners' terms to the men with a recommendation for their refusal, and that such a refusal does not mean a strike but merely an application for an inquiry into the whole conditions of the industry, we may allow ourselves a certain optimism that a settlement after the inquiry will be reached. Indeed, that .there should be an inquiry is-probably all to the good. It is clear that many of the miners felt that the owners had made them a fair offer. If, however, the inquiry shows that the owners could go further, we trust that they will do so. At any rate, a -solution backed by the findings of an inquiry and taken as a strike ballot, with the knowledge that it will mean the national calamity of a stoppage of work if it is refused, should have a very fair chance of acceptance with the miners.
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