THE COAL STRIKE. (Hansard, 13 November 1893)

§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (Mr. W. E. GLADSTONE,) Edinburgh, Midlothian

By leave of the House I wish to say a few words in regard to a subject of great public interest. The attention of Her Majesty's Government has been seriously called to the widespread and disastrous effects produced by the long continuance of the unfortunate dispute in the coal trade, which has now entered on its 16th week. It is clear, from information which has reached the Board of Trade, that much misery and suffering are caused, not only to the families of the men directly involved, but also to many thousands of others not engaged in mining, whose employment has been adversely affected by the stoppage. The further prolongation of the dispute cannot fail to aggravate this suffering, especially in view of the approach of winter, when the greatly increased price of fuel is likely to cause distress among the poorer classes throughout the country. Moreover, the Government have little doubt that the effect of the stoppage on industry is rapidly extending and increasing, and that, unless an early settlement is effected, lasting, if not permanent, injury may be 864 done to the trade of the country. The Government have not, up to the present, considered that they could advantageously intervene in a dispute the settlement of which would far more usefully be brought about by the action of those concerned in it than the good offices of others. But, having regard to the serious state of affairs referred to above, to the national importance of a speedy termination of the dispute, and to the fact that the conference which took place on the 3rd and 4th of November did not result in a settlement, Her Majesty's Government have felt it their duty to make an effort to bring about a resumption of negotiations between the employers and employed, under conditions which they hope may lead to a satisfactory result. I have therefore addressed a duplicate letter on the one side, to the employers and on the other side to the miners—that is to say, to their respective organisations. I will not trouble the House by reading the whole of the letter, but I will read the practical part of it— It appears to them that advantage might accrue from a further discussion between the parties of the present position of matters under the Chairmanship of a Member of the Government, who, it is hoped, will not be unacceptable to either side. Lord Rosebery has consented, at the request of his Colleagues, to undertake the important duty which such a position involves. I have, therefore, to invite the Miners' Federation (in one letter) and the Coalowners' Federation (in the other letter) to send representatives to a conference to be held forthwith under his Chairmanship. In discharging this duty it is not proposed that Lord Rosebery should assume the position of an arbitrator or umpire, or himself vote in the proceedings, but that he should confine his action to offering his good offices in order to assist the parties in arriving between themselves at a friendly settlement of the questions in dispute. That letter, I believe, Sir, will be in the newspapers to-morrow morning. The matter is of such interest to Members of the House, however, that I thought it desirable to let them know without delay, and I trust the circumstances are such as justify the step which has been taken.