The Daily News. TUESDAY, AUGUST 31, 1915. GERMANY'S LATEST ALLIES.

Taranaki Daily News, 31 August 1915, Page 4

The Daily News. TUESDAY, AUGUST 31, 1915. GERMANY'S LATEST ALLIES.

Britain is being given a sharp am] disquieting reminder of the fact that a nation's worst enemies are tlioso of her own household. The South Wales coal miners seem determined to play the part of being Germany's latest allies, for in the obstinate attitude they are now adopting they are certainly helping the Germans, and that is the function of a.n ally. The contrast between the coal-workers in the northern part of England and the same class in Wales is very striking, for in the north the coal supply lias been satisfactory since Mr. Lloyd George's appeal, the output having risen from 452,000 tons per week to 093,000, in spite of the fact that twentylive per cent, of the workers have enlisted. In Wales the position could not well be worse than it is at present, there being 2000 men on strike at Llanhilleth, and 7000 have decided to strike in Monmouthshire. It was considered that the coal trouble had been satisfactorily settled by Mr. Lloyd George, but the Welsh miners seem determined to have the whole of their original demands conceded. On August 18 Mr. Runciman presided over a joint conference of owners and miners, and hopes were held out that a settlement would be reached. These conferences between owners and miners had been taking place on several occasions since July 20, when it was thought a settlement had been arrived at, but though some progress was made the miners still refused to agree to clauses on several important points. At the conference on August 18 both sides agreed to refer the disputed clauses to Mr. Runciman, and also agreed that his decision should be final. Mr. Runciman gave liia decision, but instead of the miners abiding by their undertaking to accept it, they promptly disagreed with Mr. Eunciman's award, tlie exclusion of the enginemen, stokers, and other classes »f mine workera from the bonus benefits being considered a vital blunder that would render an agreement impossible. Two days I#ter (August 26) three

collieries stopped work, but in otlier mines work was resumed. Meanwhile Mr. Lloyd George, Mr. Kunciman, and Mr. Henderson again considered the men's grievances, but declined to receive a deputation, pointing out that both parties must accept the award. Subsequently Mr. Runciman, with a view to conciliating the malcontents, agreed to receive a deputation, but the Western Monmoutlißhiro strikers liavo resolved not to resume until all the original demands are conceded. Once more the men in their intense obstinacy have taken the bit betweon their teeth, and turned down their leaders, who urged that work should be continued at least till to-day, when the miners' genera* conference takes place. To all intents and purposes these miners are rebels fighting against their country, the only difference being that they are passive resistors instead of aelive destroyers. The Home Government is again faced with a very grave situation, and apparently nothing will bring the miners into submission to the agreement (already arrived at except compulsion—and that only as a last resort. They have translated the concessions already given as being obvious signs of weakness on the part of the Government, and it may be that they will have to be taught that they cannot with impunity become allies of the enemy. We are not concerned with exaggerated stories that the Germans have been manufacturing in connection with this action of the miners. There is a limit to reasonable patience with obstinate men, and when the avenue of conciliation is closed there is no other road but that of compulsion, and thither the Welsh miners are rushing as if they were ..impelled by all the evil passions of humanity. It is to be hoped that tardy good sense will save them from the stern treatment they deserve.