THE COAL STRIKE.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1413, 13 April 1912, Page 11

THE COAL STRIKE.

The threatened strike of coal-miners is producing much suffering, says an English correspondent of the "Australasian." Already the poorer classes are paving for their coal at the rate of 4l)s. a ton—10?. or more absve the rate paid by the fortunate one who need not buy by the sack. It the strike lasts more thiin'a week or two many a small consumer will be fireless. During the coal strike of 1593 the bjst household coal sold at 565. a ton. Tlie wives _ and daughters of the actual strikers will suffer even mere directly. Ten shillings a week strike pay is a poor substitute for a full week's wage. Moreover, the womenfolk in colliery districts have already been greatly worried by the eight hours day and the "three shifts" system which the eight hours day has necessitated. "A woman's work is never done" is the universal saying In lue cor.l country. This is certainly true of a North-country lass or matron. She is always providing a bath or a meal for one or other of her men-folk—brothers, husband, sons, or lodgers. But the Northumberland or Durham woman is stout-hearted, Far from being a peacemaker at.the present moment, she is urging her "men" to stand out for their "rights." When the riot spirit is abroad the North-country wpmen behave like frenzied viragoes.. The thin veneer of civilisation vanishes; the savage remains. Yet as a. housewife there are few Englishwoman to compare with a typical North-country miner's wife. These" who knew her say that sho has tlie Dutch passion for cleanliness. Her beloved 'brasses" glitter brightly from the neighbourhood of tho fireplace. She can whitewash, paper, and paint her house. Indeed, many Northumberland women go "papering" as n southern woman gees "charing." She can make her own bread and tea-cakcs. Her "pot pics" and duinpliug stews are famous. These are daily duties. At times more terrible tasks have .to be faced. A fall of the roof, maybe; in the pit, and her son brought home to die. The North-country woman makes •no sceue. She sets about making 'up a fire,, providing hot water, and preparing a Ixd. As a certain writer has observed, her philosophy is simple. "Let's make the best of things. It might be worse."- .