BRITISH COAL MINERS

Otago Witness, Issue 3519, 23 August 1921, Page 18

BRITISH COAL MINERS

SANE ADVICE TO THE MEN. LONDON, August 17. Contrary to expectations the miners’ annual conference, under Mr Herbert Smith's presidency, opened with an unusually subdued atmosphere. Mr Smith said that the influence of the war became manifest in the economic position of the c-oal trade. A sense of their power and importance had developed in the, minds of workmen that was not altogether healthy. It gave many of them an exaggerated opinion of their power. If they had learned a lesson from the October, 1920, strike, they would have followed different tactics ‘to those which were adopted in March last. Mr Smith said that he considered that it was a wrong decision to fight upon the pool issue, and .subsequent events proved that it was wrong. Another error was the withdrawal of the safety men. Its consequences were all around them to-day. Referring to the Triple Alliance of Labour Mr Smith said it was certain that the miners themselves were not provided with an opportunity for united action upon the one great issue. If they had one regret it was that they were too loyal. Loyalty was purchased at too great a price of poverty and starvation to members and misery to millions of their fel io w countrymen.