Probably the decision of the South Wales miners to accept
the reductions awarded by the independent arbitrator signifies their unreadiness to fight, though they have indicated their support of the Federation's appeal. The Scottish miners, on the other hand, have voted for a continuance of the spreadover for three months in defiance of the law. Other districts have not yet voted. The Government will not want to remove the Federation's power of veto and throw over their own Act, even if they could do it at short notice ; they can hardly wink at open defiance of the law ; and there is little chance of their being able to compose the dispute by mediation. Yet if they enforce the law the miners will -say that they have been deserted and a section of the Labour Party will support them. Much will depend on the decisions taken by the miners in various districts in the next few days. Should they accept the reductions the Scottish miners might come into line.
Previous page
