The Cotton Dispute The Ministry of Labour has fulfilled expectation
by intervening in the cotton dispute. It has sent represen- tatives to mediate in Lancashire, and there is not much doubt when we write that there will be a joint meeting. It cannot be said that the weavers have handled their case well. It is always a mistake to use Mrs. Partington's broom against the ocean. The operatives cannot seriously expect public approval when they try to . check the march of applied science. It is possible, however, that the strike is almost as much against the wages paid as against the new sYstem of "more looms tO a eaver." Unfortunately, the weavers have mingled he two claims, and the public is not quite sure which laim is predominant. If the wages question can be solated it will present a comparatively simple issue— he industry can or cannot afford more wages. If the mployers should be forced to the general lock-out hich they have provisionally declared everybody in ancashire will, of course, suffer. The victory, to thichever side it falls, will be barren.
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