THE DURHAM MINERS' STAND ../,
[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.] SIR,—If I were a deputy-overman, like my first critic in your issue of October 23rd, I too Would, piobablir. sometimes think the workers 'under me 'blatant, ignorant and stupid, and protest against their misunderstanding my kindly intentions. But national problemd are not solved by foremen'S irritation. Some of us still remember the magnificent work that the Durham and Northumberland miners did in the War. They were not blatant, ignorant and stupid then.
Mr. Wilson maintains that the majority of the men are tired of the stoppage. His letter implies that the majority of the strikers' families are better off now so far as ,foodstuffs are concerned than they haveever been. In one sense he is right. The men are tired of the strike and would welcome any reason- able peace. Their actions bave best proved that they are even more unwilling to go back on the terms now offered than are their leaders.
The terms of relief stated by Mr. Wilson-12s. for the wife and 4s. for each child—were those generally given at the beginning of the strike and were recommended in the Ministry of Health circular of May last. But since then many Boards of Guardians have been obliged to reduce the relief to the terms that I stated and even below them. The men who make good money from working outcrop coal are the exception.
Despite paying no rent and no rates a large proportion of the miners' families are having a very hard fight. How can it be otherwise on the money obtained ? They have food, but so far as clothing, boots and all the extras of life are concerned they are going very short. I tell what I have seen.
Below all this lies a deeper issue. This strike affects directly one-twelfth of the population of the United Kingdom. Indirectly it affects all of us. We all admit that the miners have been badly and stupidly led. We all admit that they lost their golden opportunity of having a settle- ment on terms very favourable to themselves six months ago. But have the owners been conciliatory ? Has the Government made no mistakes in its handling of the situation ?
The miners, despite my friend the deputy-overman, are on the whole a 'good, straight set of men, misguided if you will. Surely the time has come to rise above the mistakes of the past and to make a great effort at conciliation. The men can be crushed. According to the best forecasts they will have to yield unconditionally within the next six weeks. But does anyone think that this is the best way to end the dispute ?
A mediator is wanted. There is a man among us to-day who has proved himself adept in ending long continued labour wars. I refer, of course, to Mr.. Mackenzie-King. Why should not Britain call Canada to her aid as peace-maker in what is in all truth a real and serious_ national crisis ?—I am, Sir, &c.,
7 DukeStreet, Adelphi, London, W.C. F. A. blscsztara.
Previous page
