A statement was telegraphed to London on Friday week that
the Masters' Association of the Midland Counties had agreed after a sharp debate to withdraw the " discharge note," and submit all differences with their workmen to arbitration. This seems to be true, but at a meeting of the carpenters and joiners held at Bir- mingham the men complained that they had received no formal notice of withdrawal. They therefore resolved to send a deputa- tion to the masters to inquire, and to remain on strike till they were officially informed of the withdrawal of the note. In other words, they will pay some hundreds of pounds rather than consent to re- ceive information through the newspapers, a bit of official pru- dery we certainly did not expect from them. Suppose the " official communication" is wafered instead of sealed, will they continue to lose till that affront is apologized for ? Mr. Potter, we regret to perceive, supports this course, and a meeting of delegates from the carpenters has agreed to draw up a code of rules which they will submit to the masters for mutual discussion. That is not fair. Masters and men ought to draw them up together, with some entirely independent chairman to arbitrate between them.
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