We must briefly summarize the main facts of the week.
On Friday, September 17th, Mr. Baldwin had conferences first with the President of the Mining Association and then with four officials of the Miners' Federation. The result was that the Government put forward entirely new proposals. They suggested that provisional settlements should be arrived at in the various districts and that as soon as there was "a general resumption of work" the Government should pass a Bill setting up a National Arbitration ,Tribunal. Either party to a provisional district settlement which provides for a working day of more than seven hours could refer to this Tribunal any such matters as have been formerly dealt with under a national settlement. The Tribunal would have powers of modification as well as of confirmation.
