20 AUGUST 1887, Page 2

Daring the past week, Parliament has occupied a considerable amount

of time in passing the Coal-Mines Regulation Bill through Committee,—a measure, in the main, directed towards the safety of the miners. The discussion on Mr. Williamson's proposal to add a clause to the Bill under which the working day for miners should be limited to eight hours, brought out in a very significant manner the difference between bonec-fide working- men representatives, and the sentimental and fanatical doctrinaires who undertake to further the cause of " labour." The working-men Members—though, of course, in favour of short hours—were unanimous in their disapproval of Parlia- mentary interference. Mr. Burt, with his usual moderation, pointed out that the effect of the clause, which was only asked for by the Scotch miners, could easily be obtained by voluntary action. Mr. Broadhurst opposed a clause " which proposed to do for grown men what they could do for themselves ;" Mr. Fenwick spoke in favour of producing the result by organisation and self-dependence ; and Mr. Bradlaugh expressed his usual dislike of Socialistic legislation, and contended that "the miners ought to be taught to rely upon themselves, and not upon The Legislature." Mr. A. O'Connor, Mr. Graham, and Mr. Cony- beare took upon themselves, in the interest of the workmen, to dispute these views. The incident shows how much the presence of real working men in the House of Commons is to be valued. Had they not been there, the country might have imagined that Mr. Graham and Mr. Conybeare really represented the opinions of the labouring classes.