The iron colliers of South Wales, to the number of
70,000, are on strike. The masters affirm that the price of iron has fallen £2 a ton, and. that they must for timeinsist on a reduction in wages of ten per cent. They, however, offered to hold a free conference with the men. This was agreed to, and it was held on Tuesday at Cardiff, when the masters, headed by Mr. Fother- gill, explained the facts, and offered to submit their books to the men. The delegates, however, denied the facts, and in the end refused to accept the reduced rates, saying they should not understand the master's books if they saw them. Primti facie the justice of the case is against the men, as they always demand and obtain an increase when iron is high, and should submit to a reduction when it is low, but we have an incurable suspicion about the statements made by iron and coal owners. We believe they have prospered for two years to an unexampled extent, but according to their own accounts, they make less than they could make in investments without risk or exertion. If wages are to vary with prices, why not admit a workman's delegate to a small partnership, and let him testify to the facts ?
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