The Miners' Federation of Great Britain, representing one hundred thousand
workmen, held a conference at Bir- mingham on Wednesday. It was resoved unanimously that a Bill forbidding any miner to be employed underground for more than "eight hours in any one day of twenty-four hours" should be introduced into the House of Commons, should be supported by all Labour Members, and should be made a test question at elections. Those might be serious resolutions for many Members, were there not a doubt as to the genuineness of the unanimity of the miners' assent. There were no dissidents in the Federation ; but Mr. Pickard, the Labour Member, who presided, and who strongly approved the proposals, said openly that if even half the trade would combine for the reform, it could be carried by the Trade-Unions without an Act. It was useless, however, he admitted, "to expect anything of the sort this side of the Millennium." If the miners are equally divided in opinion, what is the use of asking for a measure which, except as one for their relief, would never be so much as discussed P Surely, if they are competent to vote, they are competent to judge how many hours it is for their interest to continue working, and their division shows that, even from the point of view of those who suffer by long hours, the question is still an open one.
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