This was a settlement made by the Conciliation Board. Some years prior, by an arbitration, it was decided "that the standard or basis average wage of firemen at bank working twelve hours per day is 3s. 3d. per day of twelve hours." The operation of that award was that before a man could claim the 3s. 3d. he must be working the full twelve hours per day; if not, the employer could claim a proportionate reduction. The arrangement made on November 6th, 1903, reduced the time to eleven hours for the 3s. 3d., those above that time receiving an advance of 3d. per day. By a return taken at the time the number of men and hours at the Associated Collieries was found to be as follows:-- 12 hours per shift 506 men 11½ " " " 1 man 11 " " " 37 men 10½ " " " 78 " 10 " " " 38 " 8 " " " 3 " --- 563 Average hours per shift, 11.63; and the result, therefore, was an all-round increase of 3d. per day. 1904 Labour Representation--Mr Johnson and Gateshead--Suspension of Joint Committee--Conciliation Board--The Fillers' Agreement It will be necessary to retrace our steps a year or two to keep this question in consecutive order. The action taken in 1885 has been set forth, with the result thereof. The matter rested with one representative until the Council meeting held on June 7th, 1902, when the Executive Committee placed on the programme the following resolution:-- The time is now opportune for considering the question of increased Labour representation in Parliament for the county of Durham. On the Council programme for September 12th, 1902, the Committee placed another resolution: With a view of giving effect to Council resolution, with regard to further Labour representation, we ask that the whole matter be relegated to the sections comprising the Federation Board. On November 1st that resolution came before the Federation Board, when it was resolved as follows:-- That we express our belief that the time has fully arrived when we ought to have increased Labour representation in Parliament, and that the other three sections be requested to consult their members on the subject, and as soon as they intimate their decision to the secretary a meeting of the Board be called. The course of action indicated in that resolution was followed. The idea was accepted nearly universally. The Federation Board, therefore, resolved to place the matter before the four Committees on January 31st in the Miners' Hall, Durham. It was decided to call a special delegate meeting, to be held in the Town Hall, Durham, the following programme to be submitted:-- (1) Shall there be an increase in the number of Labour representatives in the county? (2) If so, how many more shall be chosen? (3) Who shall they be?