Throughout the strike the Stock Markets were optimistic and, although
the coal stoppage continues, the optimisni remains. Hopefulness of an early termination of the general strike has certainly been proved to be justified and sooner or later'saner counsels will, no doubt, prevail with regard to the coal dispute. Nevertheless, if the stoppage is greatly prolonged its effect must be revealed sooner or later upon industrial securities. For the moment markets like Home Railways and leading Industrials are maintained not only because it is hoped that the coal deadlock will not continue for, long, but also because it is hoped that somehow or other its ending. will result in cheaper coal and, as a consequence, cheaper and enlarged production generally. It may be well to recognize, however, that something besidei even the question of wages and hours has to be overeome'before these desirable results can be achieved. Meanwhile it is not surprising that as regards the granting of even any temporary further
subsidy the Premier should have intimated a time limit, for if the stoppage goes on much longer the National Finances for the current year must be seriously affected.
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