A special conference of the Miners' Federation met in. Birmingham
on Wednesday to consider the demand made by the masters for a 25 per cent, reduction in wages, or a reference to arbitration. The reduction, however, is "calcu- lated on the amount not of the gross wages received, but of the advances obtained upon the 1888 basis." The South Wales miners abstained, and those of Durham and Northum- berland expressed themselves beforehand as opposed to a strike. The Conference was thus practically confined to the miners of Yorkshire, Lancashire, and the Midlands. The labourers whose interests are concerned number nearly half-a- million ; and thus, not less than two million persons are involved in the issue of the struggle. Mr. Aspinwall (Lanca- shire) carried a resolution against a reduction of wages ; while the amendment of Mr. Wilson, M.P., in favour of arbi- tration, was lost by 50,000 to 198,000, Northumberland not voting. On Friday, the delegates met the masters in order, if possible, to come to an arrangement.
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