The daily worker., 1924-05-03

san on behalf of the miner. 1t is inter
esting to find him a sudden convert to
settlement outside parliament. 1t is
not so many months ago, when
the miners looked like taking to direct
action by striking. that he told them
to look to parliament. Now they have
turned to parliament they have to
look to direct negotiation. 1t is awk-
ward but difficult to resist the idea
that he opposes action Of any kind
which would involve him and his col
leagues in any struggle.
Incensed by Delay Danger for Both.
There are big dangers ahead for IN
miners as well as the labor govern
ment. If the latter fails to get con
Icessions, refuses to bring in bill and
fight on it, and brings about situa-
tion where the Miners Federation is
divided and landed into making local
settlements, its fate is sealed. Already
some of the miners leaders, Varley
for example of Nottingham, of the
better paid district, are in favor of ac-
cepting any concession however small
it may be. The poorly paid districts
of course are opposed to such policy.
And the question is whether the min
ers are going to be led into the trap
of local settlement.
Again the government is proposing
an inquiry. But if there is an industry
wherein there is no need for an
inquiry, wherein everything there
is to know about it is known publicly,
it is certainly the mining industry. The
facts briefly are: y the miners are
badly paid and everybody agrees they
ought to have an increase. p The
coalflelds vary in their yielding cap
acity and in some coalfields the pres
ent terms have ceased to be an econ
omic proposition. 81 Only national
unification of the mining industry can
overcome these difficulties. 4) The
mine owners cannot do this voluntari-
ly. To expect the mine owners who
are prosperous to come to the rescue
Of those who are not making big
profits and voluntarily hand over the
spoiIs is too utopian. 81 Only Nation
alisation or some form of compulsory
state unification can overcome these
difficulties. 81 The employers have
not case, considered from national
point of view, the production for the
last twelve months having been near
record breaking and the profits total
ling e26,OOO. .O0O,. that is more than
double pre-war profit.
The Role Standardization.
But the issue s6f naturalization is
being avoided both by the government
who doesn't want to make it ques-
tion upon which they would have to
face general election and by the
miners who feel that they were mis-
led when this was burning question
in 1921. This is even reflected in the
Miners Minority movement which has
been thriving on the crisis. Even this
omits the question of Matchmaking the
mines. 1t demands: II That the gov
erning principle of the New Agree
ment shall be the cost of living. p
An immediate advance in wages equal
to the increase in the cost of living as
compared to 1914 Ii. e. at present 70
per cent?. 81 All increases or reduc-
tions in future shall be by the addition
or reduction Of the fiat rate. A. Six
days work or six days pay, i. e. a
guaranteed week for all. 81 All work
ers on night and afternoon shifts shall
in future be paid 20 per cent above
ordinary day wages for each shift 81
Membership of the Federation to be
condition Of employment in or about
the colleries. y An instruction to all
District conciliation Boards. to ar
range a regarding of the workmen
with view to reducing the present
number Of varying standard rates to a
PIT A Mn p All