That the county having decided to join the Miners' Federation, and we having been informed that we must agree to support a legislative eight hours as a condition of membership, and as we remember that the county has decided, by ballot in 1892 and by resolution in 1895, not to support such a measure, we cannot agree to accept that condition until the county alter the previous resolution on the question, either by Council, motion, or ballot.
Will delegates come prepared to say what shall be done in this matter?
(1) Shall we rescind the previous resolutions?
(2) Shall we support an Eight Hours' Bill?
(3) Shall a ballot be taken on the subject?
The Council passed a general resolution:
"We adhere to the resolutions now standing in the Association's minute-books—viz. that we do not go in for the parliamentary eight hours' day, and that there be no ballot taken on the question."
That decision was sent to Mr Ashton on February 10th, the following being the letter:—
At our Council meeting held on February 6th our members decided to abide by their previous resolution to oppose any State interference with the hours of labour. I am instructed by our Committee to inform you of this decision and to ask you to let us know whether under these conditions your Executive Committee accept us as members of the Miners' Federation of Great Britain. On the presumption that you will accept us as members on those conditions, I enclose you a cheque on the National Provincial Bank, value £59 (fifty-nine pounds), being our entrance fee at one pound per thousand members.—I am yours,
John Wilson.
The receipt for the entrance fee not being sent the Executive Committee wrote again on February 18th:
If you do not send the receipt the inference on all sides must be that you do not accept us on the conditions stated (our opposition to State interference with hours). If you do send a receipt, then we shall conclude that you do accept us on the conditions, and there will be no need to repeal the resolution of exclusion of 1893.
Two days after that was sent Mr Ashton sent a receipt, and said:
I have no desire to delay the matter of your district becoming connected with the Federation. I enclose receipt for the entrance fee.
As this was written two days after the Committee placed the alternative before the Federation it was assumed that Durham was not to be bound to the legal eight hours. This impression was communicated to Mr Ashton on February 25th, and on the 27th the Committee was surprised to be told: