The Stratford Evening Post WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER TUESDAY, JULY 20, 1915. THE WELSH MINERS’ ACTION.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVII, Issue 68, 20 July 1915, Page 4

The Stratford Evening Post WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER TUESDAY, JULY 20, 1915. THE WELSH MINERS’ ACTION.

It is lamentable that, from whatever cause it may have arisen, the Welsh miners should to-day be found aiding our enemies and causing by their con- ( duct jubilation in Berlin. There must ho found some way of ending the , strike, which is now maintained by a small section in callous disregard of i the loyal workers in England. France, and Russia, who in this mighty strug-

gle for freedom have put aside all personal grievances. Had these foolish strikers in Wales lived in Germany their disloyal conduct would have met with little toleration. From English files it seems that the main points in dispute at the time the mails left acre the rate *of wages, the control ol mines, and the fixing of prices. Some of the men think (or pretend to think

under the influence of the German agitator) that unless the prices for coal are fixed at once the mine-owners will make such enormous profits that they will be able to close down the mines for an indefinite time when the war is over, to compel the men to come to what terms the masters may choose. This, however, is, on the face of it. a very unlikely state of affairs and never would be allowed by the Government. There has certainly been an increase in the price of coal, but higher wages and other causes have, it is authoritatively stated, quite justified this increase. The head of a great Lancashire colliery recently stated that before the war bonus was granted to the miners the only alteration in the price of house coal made since August by Lancashire coal-owners was an increase of teupence a ton on February 1. The war bonus raised wages lot per cent, above the rates then being paid, and brought them to 2(> per cent, above the 1911 basis. The increase of .‘is Id per ton made in Juno would soon be swallowed up by the extra costs. It is also declared that, taking the trade altogether, the mine-owners would like to get back to the conditions of July, 191-1. Such being the real state of affairs, it looks as though the country’s dire need is being used by agitators and evil-minded malcontents. With over two hundred thousand miners’ now serving in the British forces.

ihe present action of these men who persist in striking when coal is required for the Navy and for the munition factories of Britain and her Allies, is little short ol fratricide.