'The decision of the miners' delegates' conference to refer the Govexnment's proposals to the rank and file in the coalfields means that, before by the Lode meetings will held in all coalfields a@which the Government proposals will be sub-itted. for acceptance or rejection arid the delegates. will return to] London and report the results to thole adjourned conference next Thursday.
In announcing their decision to refer to the coalfields, an oficial of the Bliners' Federation added that he districts. may of course come forward with their own proposals apart altogether from thave of the miners' executive and of the Government."
While, however, there is to be this further week's delay the back to work is undoubtedly gather ing momentum, Figures received from eight districts alone show 7,568 men returned to work to-day, making the total for the last fou days 25,148. It is authentically; stated that the number of person? employed in pits producing coal i+ now 156,162, A. significant development hot occurred at Treorehy in the Rhond Seven nations were represented st] the Miyers' International, Committes to-day, convoked. to consider international measures to support the British miners, which was adjcurn-Jed until to-morrow without any official statement being made.
Mr. A. J. Cook, the Miners' Secretary, and Mr. Herbert Smith President of the Miners' Federation, represented Great Britain, Tt is reported that two currents opinion: developed, led firstly by' the General Secretary, Mr, Frank Hodges, favouring conciliation, and secondly by Mr. Cook, who is credited with a desire to continue the strike and obtain 'a nat'pnal agreement.
Tt was carly revealed that there was no chance of an internat coal strike, the Germans particularly being opposed. to the idea on the ground that they were obliged undvt treaty to export coal to Italy, France and Belgium on account of reparations.
The British delegates announced that the total subscriptions towards the relict of the British miners mounted to £1.250,000, practically: all of which had been disbursed.
Tt was stated that the export of coal to Britain amounted to 1,000,000 tons per week, most of which emanated from the United States and Poland—Reuter,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.