British Commonwealth of Nations: Coal Clouds

"We pray that those with whom the responsibility rests in our social and industrial life may under the guidance of the holy spirit of God take a large, public minded view of our difficulties."

Throughout Britain members of the Church of England uttered this prayer last week at the request of the Most Reverend Randall Thomas Davidson, Archbishop of Canterbury.

The Home Secretary, Sir William ("Jix") Joynson-Hicks, said: "I believe without exaggeration that the anxiety of the Cabinet over the disasters of the day is greater than during the War.

"If the cloud bursts—if in the coal trade and still more in other trades—there should be a difference of opinion leading to commercial strife, no man can prophesy the extent of the damage it will cause to the trade of the country as a whole."

Meanwhile Premier Baldwin attempted to mediate between representatives of the coal miners and operators, to whom the Government granted a subsidy (TIME, Aug. 10) in order to avert a nation-wide strike. Since the subsidy expires May 1, 1926, and since neither miners nor operators have shown themselves willing to abide by the plan of settlement recommended by the Royal Coal Commission (TIME, March 22), the threat of industrial strife swirled darkly over England last week.