28 OCTOBER 1916, Page 2

Mr. Smillie endorsed the Prime Minister's statement by declaring that

there was a serious shortage which must be made good. Every stroke of the miner's pick was a blow at the enemy. In the end a resolution was carried pledging the representatives of the cook wners and coalminere respectively to do everything in their power to secure the prevention of ill-regulated and avoidable absenteeism. Mr. Smillie, speaking for the miners, and Mr. Nimmo, for the employers, were both heartily applauded.