Another great strike is believed to be approaching in the
coal trade. The price of coal in London has gone up is. 3d. a ton, -and the Yorkshire miners contend that they- are entitled to a share in the advance. They therefore demand an increase of -fifteen per cent. upon their wages, or nearly twopence in every shilling. The masters, many of whom have long contracts to work off, resist this increase, though it is intimated they would grant five per cent., and on Wednesday the delegates -of 41,000 miners agreed that notices should be given. The men appear to have reason and custom on their side, though they may be asking too much ; but the masters are firm, and neither party is willing to consent to arbitration. Unfor- tunately for the men, wages have been low for a long period, -anil they are not rich ; while the masters benefit both by the invalidation of low contracts, which usually contain a proviso about strikes, and by the high prices at which they get rid of -any stocks they possess. The London coal-dealers exult in a -strike which enables them to charge almost anything they please, and to empty their stores at an advance of from 20 to 40 per cent. In extremity, they can supply themselves from din. -trieta which have not struck, and their customers are practically powerless.
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