The issue is of vast importance, for if solemn agree
ments• •are thrown• over without notice industry will lapse into chaos. The employers presumably would not have posted the notices of a national lock-out if they had not felt that in this matter they could-not give way- either in the interests of themselves or in that of the trade unions. If either side says in effect that the breaking of agreements " does not really matter," the whole apparatus of conciliation will crumble • away. This is true whatever we may think of the merits of the men's particular grievance. On Tuesday the executives of the seven engineering unions concerned met with the' hope, it may be assumed, that the strikers might be persuaded to honour their obligations and to follow the course provided for in the joint agreement. , The meeting was adjourned, however, without deciding anything. It will meet again on Friday, the day on which the lock- out notices will take effect.
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