It cannot be said that the crisis in the mining
industry has ended. On the other hand, it is evident that there is no prospect of an immediate strike. The final offer of the owners, which has conceded more than half of what the men's Federation demanded, has been considered by the National Delegates'Convention and has been referred back to the men to ballot upon with a recommendation for its rejection. But it is not implied that a strike should be resorted to if the recommendation is adopted. The next move will be a demand that the Government shall open an inquiry into the whole mining industry, and it is only if this demand is refused that there will be a strike. There seems to be no reason why the Government should refuse such an inquiry. In the meanwhile Labour Members for mining constituencies are said to be pressing hard for the introduction of a minimum wages Bill. Thus the situation is still com- plicated, obscure and not altogether hopeful, but it is something to have gained time. * * * *
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