Meanwhile Sir Edward Clarke's inquiry, which opened on Friday week,
was concluded last Saturday, and on Tuesday night his report was issued by the Board of Trade. Of the seven questions disputed Sir Edward Clarke decided two against the men and four against the masters, while upon the last he came to no positive decision. He adds, as a, conclusion to the report, that all these questions should have been brought to the Board of Trade for decision before recourse was had to a strike. Mr. Buxton immediately sent copies this report to both parties to the dispute, together with ,an in- vitation to a conference to be held at the Board of Trade on Friday morning. At the same time he informed the Transport Workers' Federation that the Government were strongly of opinion that, in view of Sir Edward Clarke's report, work should at once be resumed. This advice was not., however, accepted, though the men agreed to send representatives to the con- ference. The London shipowners, on the other hand, refused to accept Mr. Buxton's invitation. In a letter sent on Wednesday . Mr. Potter, their chairman, stated that their experience of the similar negotiations last autumn had taught them to expect no good from such a conference. They had DO confidence that any negotiations that now took place would have any greater reality or be more permanent. On Friday came the further announcement that the Port of London Authority had also refused to attend the conference, as well as several other employers' societies. In consequence of these refusals the prospects of an immediate settlement seemed almost hopeless. We may remark, however, that should the men follow 'the advice of Sir Edward Clarke and return to work at once they would be in a very strong position.
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