The Goal Mines Bill The Rouse of Lords has again
amended the Coal Mines Bill by once more rejecting the direct levy and by reinserting the spread-over of hours. In regard to Compulsory amalgamation the Lords have substantially yielded. It looks now as though the Government must either incorporate most of the Lords' amendments or lose the Bill. The loss of the Bill is not to be thought of lightly, for the result would be confusion. Some members of the Labour Party will no- doubt say that a Labour Government could have no better opportunity for appealing to the country, but we trust that the Government will have a sufficiently strong sense of the extreme undesirability of a change now that great matters of external policy are -at issue. Besides, the Lords' amendments are not very objectionable. The district levy had illogically survived the rejection of the national levy. And as for the spread-over, Lord Salisbury emphasized its optional character in such a Way as to circumvent the ustial procedure.- and give the House of Commons another opportunity of considering it. The Govermnent will be unable to come to any decision on this point until they have consulted the Miners' Federation. * * *
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