The Miners' Strike Ballot The dispute in the coal industry
is now reaching the point of serious danger. On the eve of the election the Government have made certain offers which, if they had come earlier, would have made all the difference. They have promised legislation to secure the unification of the, mining royalties-in itself a most important reform—. and they are bringing pressure to bear on the coal-owners to induce them to set up selling organisations by the first, of July. But the demand. of the miners is not for a problematic increase of wages in the future, but an increase now.. Their representatives have taken their case to the Government, andthey have offered to submit their claims to an arbitration court to be established by the Government and to accept its findings. That is a reasonable attitude. But this proposal . when submitted to the owners by the Government was rejected. The mine-owners still persist in their refusal to meet the Miners' Federation. The Government, through Captain Crookshank, have expressed sympathy with the miners' desire to discuss Wage-crises on a national basis, but at present are unwilling to apply pressure to the owners. to overcome this objection. That being *so, the ballot will go M7ward and a strike may follow. If it does the Government'S policy of non-intervention will stand con- demned.
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