MINING DEADLOCK

Evening Star, Issue 19326, 12 August 1926, Page 8

MINING DEADLOCK

POSITION IN BRITAIN CHURCH PROPOSALS REJECTED YORKSHIRE TURNS THE SCALE. Press Association —By Telegraph —Copyright LONDON, August. 10. The rank and tile of the miners rejected the bishops’ proposal for a settlement of the strike by dG7,U(JO votes to 033,000. . n „ . The adverse votes m South Males and Lancashire balanced the favorable votes in Northumberland and Durham, while the preponderance of adverse votes in Yorkshire was sufficient to turn the scale. The Scottish miners did not vote. ... It'is understood that misgivings with regard to arbitration were. the chief reason for the miners rejecting the proposals. The deadlock is now more manifest than ever.—A. and N.Z. Cable.

A STEP FORWARD. NOTTS AND DERBYSHIRE. LONDON, August 11. A definite step towards a resumption of work has been taken by tho coal owners in Notts and Derbyshire inviting the Derbyshire Miners’ Association to' a joint meeting in an endeavor to reach a scttlerncut.—Router. THE MEDICAL ASPECT. Alluding to tho Coal Commission’s report, tho ‘ Lancet ’ says;—• “Thus, while State ownership of minerals, amalgamation of neighboring mines, combination with allied industries, fuel research, reorganisation of distribution, guarantee of quality, and pooling of railway wagons are all recommended, the Commissioners also advocate the formation of pit committees, by whom other tliings_than wages may be negotiated; the introduction of a family allowance system; obligatory profit-sharing by the workmen; proper provision of bouses as a condition of lease for all new collieries; the establishment of pithead baths; and annual holidays with pay. “ Every one of these recomraemla tions, which but a few years ago would have been deemed rovohitionary, and which certainly involve principles which are applicable to other industries, must command the support of medical men. The family allowance, for long advocated by Miss Eleanor Ilathbone, would improve the wage system in exactly tho, way mast promising to the health of the employees, hut improved housing should como concurrently. “We are S"r« that {.ho f-on"fr!jnn between mortality and unrest has always been or pnrounu iu)|.u. ui... e _ lu the industry. The succcsslul dealing with the manifestations of industrial disease, and tho establishment of pithead baths throughout tho coalfields, will go far to improve the physical and mental well-being of tho miners, of whom to-day only some 8,000 out. of 1,000,000 going below ground daily have the chance of a hath at the pithead; but from tho sanitary point of view the housing question is tho outstanding one. “To set tho foundations of iltc industry firm economically will tax the ingenuity of all concerned, as well as their willingness to make sacrifices; hut no economical reform which _ fails to take tho health of tho miner into consideration has the slightest chance of life, and but little chance of being born alive.

" How far the various pathological conditions are due to or arc promoted ihy bad housing, and what relation there may be between bad environment and the occurrence of accidents, can only be subjects of rough estimate. The numerous points could not well bo summarised to make a reference for a body of expert inquirers; but, apart from the quite possibly mischievous influence of bad bousing upon the mining industry, in particular all medical men will feel that the bousing conditions of the miners must be remedied. "These conditions are often very had. The report sets out what is, indeed, _eommon knowledge. Wo trust that it will be kept steadily in tho minds of those who have now to deal with the anxious and complicated situation.”