The manner in which the Report of the Coal Commission
has been received by all parties justifies high hopes of a settlement. At least we know now that nothing will be decided hastily, perversely, or in a passion. The Prime Minister struck the opening note admirably. In the House of Commons on Thursday,. March 11th, he announced that he had asked the Cabinet to examine the Report with the greatest care and sense of. responsi- bility before venturing on-any' conclusions. On the same day he received representatives of .both the owners and the miners at Downing Street, and his appeal for restraint and for a willingness- to enter into negotiations without any destructive preconceptions met with a ready. response. On Wednesday the Cabinet discussed the Report, and it is hoped that there may:quickly be direct negotiations between the owners and the miners with regard to those matters which the Commissioners thought ought to be settled thus by agreement.
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