, 1912-03-23

fic purpose. Twenty one District Boards
will settle a reasonable minimum wage. with
safeguards for the employers, dating from
resumption of work. There were no penal
clauses, and the owners would not be COM
PEELED to work the mines nor the men be
compelled to work.
Mr.. Bonar Law said he mistrusted the
Bills policy, and awaited publication of it's
text before committing the Opposition 10 a
measure inviting every trade to demand SINH
lar treatment. The remedy perhaps would
prove worse than the disease.
Lord Robert Cecil char. cterized the Bill
as the climax of a conspiracy OF a small band
of revolutionaries to obtain dictatorial power
over the country's industries. He charged the
Syndicalists with promoting the strikes and
quoted Labour leaders declaring that this
was merely the beginning of a universal
movement. The Bill, he added, is the Govern
ment's confession of it's concession to pres
sure, and will merely produce more pressure
and more concessions.
Mr.. Ramsay Macdonald said the Labourites
would welcome the Bill if amended by inclu-
sion of the miners' schedules and prohibiting
the District Boards from reducing wages.
Mr., Lloyd George supported Mr.. Asquith
III proposing q measure providing an inter
val for devising a permanent solution by "a
OAO " liz AGOOi1 MY y AHo VII
tic, he added, do not propose any alterna-
tive.
The Bill passed it's first reading, its second
reading is fixed for to-day, its third read
ing for tomorrow, and 1t is intended for
the Lords to pass it In a special session on
Saturday. The King will sign it immedi-
ately, and, it is hoped, the miners will re.
sumo work on Monday. There are, however,
indications of amendments from both sides,
some of them contentious.
Yesterdays newspaper comments were
not enthusiastic, and most divergent views
were expressed. The "Daily Telegraph de-
nounces the Bill as a nerveless surrender to
the desperadoes of syndicalism, and the Gov
ernment's action as self -abaslng.
On Monday, Mr. Tom Mann addressed O.
Syndlcalist meeting at Stafford, and on Tues
day was arrested upon a charge Of felonious-
ly endeavouring to seduce members of His
Malesty's forces from their allegiance and
duty by Indictment to practices contrary to
the Mutiny Act.
Sir Forest Fulton, Recorder of the City
of London, addressing the Grand Jury on
syndicalism, said it was a diabOlical system
for establishing a socialistic republic by gen
eral strikes for the supposed benefit of work
ers, but with contrary results as known to
thousands who are unemployed contrary to
their desires.
Twenty thousand Westphalian miners have
resumed work, the French strikers are strong
er, and the Spanish miners are agitating
for q fifteen per cent advance.
Mr. Churchill's speech has started q brisk
movement III war policies, and Lloyls asks
six per cent for insurance for six months,
one per cent above Tuesdays quotation.
The Times says it is best that both peo-
pies should clearly understand conditions.
The DniIy Telegraph says MI Churchill spoke
with the nations voice, and the Morning
Post praises his exposition of the necessity
for Germany to take the first step towards q
reduction.
A Berlin despatch says there are rumours
that Admiral Won Tirpitz will succeed Herr
Won Bethmann Hollweg as Imperial Chan
cellor, and Count Won Bernstorff, German
Ambassador to the United States, Herr Won
Klderlen Waechter as Minister for Foreign
Affairs. Feeling is pessimistic.
The late Lord Wandsworth bequeathed a
million and a quarter sterling for an orphan
age.
The London County Council has leased
the Gaiety restaurant to the Marconi Com
panyfor their wireless headquarters.