Northern Advocate Daily WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE Northern Mail Daily. THURSDAY, JULY 22, 1915. THE COAL STRIKE.

Northern Advocate, 22 July 1915, Page 2

Northern Advocate Daily WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE Northern Mail Daily.

THURSDAY, JULY 22, 1915. THE COAL STRIKE.

REGISTERED FOR TRANSMISSION THROUGH THE POST AS A NEWSPAPER

Just before we went to press yesterday brief information was received' that the South Wales coal trouble had been settled. To-day brings confirmation of the good news and details of the terms of settlement. Anticipations that the demands of the men wotdd be acceded to have been fulfilled. The terms of the settlement include a 50 per cent, rise on the wage-standard of 1870 and the agreement .will remain m operation for six months after the completion of the war; it will then be subject to three months notice of .terminatioiL The-owners at the last moment have apparently helped to bring about a settlement by placing themselves unreservedly in the hands of the Government. It is no use looking back now and saying what might have been done, but the ..substantial concession made to the miners by the Government shows that there was considerable merit behind their demands. .The whole affair has been a ghastly mistake and we 'can obly hope sincerely that the mi__jji's will take Mr Lloyd-; George's appeal to heart and make up for lost time by an increased output. No stronger call could be made upon the ,pa«> triotism of the British democracy. He has pointed out for. one thing that France, the one country in the world which has done the most for democracy is depending upon the British miners for help and it is not to be thought that the British spirit would tolerate the desertion of a loyal and noble friend in the hour of trial. Strange as ;it may seem it nevertheless, seems true, that the people do not realise the magnitude of the struggle in which the" nation is engaged and it is no Avonder, indeed, that Mr Lloyd George should tell his -old friends in Wales that his heart is sick: with the task before him. From end to end of the United Kingdom lias his clarion call resouuded calling upon the nation to awaken to the trial ahead. The answer to his call has been great, but not great enough and there will be no proper awakening until the people in all ranks and occupations realise that we want every ounce behind the blows we strike at the enemy. Lloyd George's grand work, however, will not be in vain and his name will live in the pages of British history for all time.