NEWS OF THE WEEK.
AS we write on Thursday morning, the coal strike announced for Monday is still a grave threat, but not a certainty. The firmness and moderation shown by the Government in their handling of the dispute have evidently made a profound impression upon the miners' leaders and their allies, yet it would be premature to assume that Mr. Smillie will revert to peaceful courses. He cannot, however, be blind to the fact that a strike would be intensely unpopular with all classes, and that his own followers are by no means anxious to deprive themselves of their high wages for a few weeks. The Prime Minister has greatly strengthened himself in public esteem by his loyal support of Sir Robert Home. He sees that the Miners' Federa- tion is challenging the very principles of democratic government, and he has taken up the challenge. It is the plain duty of all patriots to stand by Mr. Lloyd George in this crisis. We shall not be accused of being biased in favour of the Prime Minister, but so long as he upholds the rights of the community against a section, he deserves and must receive the support of all right- thinking men.
