In the explanation sent out it was shown that each scale would carry a minimum wage. Theirs would be five shillings, while the employers' would be 4s. 8d. The wages in the scale were for coal hewers only. The reduction the employers were asking for would bring the wages down twopence per man below the lowest wages offered in the owners' scale. They asked the members to leave the question entirely in their hands, as in their opinion a better settlement would be got than by any other way. A special Council was called for the 8th of March, and two subjects were sent out for discussion--(1) Should a sliding scale be adopted; if so, under what condition? (2) Should the owners be offered arbitration? The result was that the arranging of the scale was placed in the hands of the Committee, and on 14th March the first sliding scale was signed for two years. THE FIRST SCALE The following scale shall regulate the wages of hewers and labour below ground:-- SCALE Price at and above but below Wage 5 4 7½ per cent. reduction 5 4 5 8 5 " " 5 8 6 4 Present Rate 6 4 7 0 5 per cent. advance 7 0 7 8 10 " " 7 8 8 4 15 " " 8 4 9 0 20 " " 9 0 9 8 25 " " 9 8 10 4 30 " " 10 4 11 0 35 " " 11 0 11 8 40 " " 11 8 12 4 45 " " 12 4 13 0 50 " " 13 0 13 8 55 " " 13 8 60 " " And so on. It will be observed that the grades were eightpence, and for that amount the change in wages was four per cent. Next, there was to be a minimum wage of 4s. 8½d. per day. This is worthy of special notice in the light of subsequent events, especially during the time the minimum existed, which was until 1879, and especially in view of the desire of many people to have a minimum established again. Another point was the amount of reduction, which would depend upon an ascertainment by accountants. Messrs Monkhouse, Goddard & Miller acted for the owners, and Messrs Benson, Eland & Co. for the workmen. The ascertainment was made known on the 31st of March, the average net price realised being certified at 5s. 3.97d. The Committee accompanied the ascertainment with a short circular, and informed the members "that a reduction of 7½ per cent. on underground men and boys and 'banksmen' wages and 6 per cent. on 'bankmen's' wages will take place on the pays commencing April 2nd and April 9th." THE FIRST RELIEF FUND