Consistently from the beginning of 1920, the Miners’ Federation had advanced new wages claims—the complicated details of which will be found in the _Labour Gazette_ for August, September, October and November 1920. They contended that their wages had not kept pace with the cost of living—that the coal trade was able to afford the increases claimed—that if wages had been nationally governed by price, as they used to be locally governed, either expressly or virtually, all districts would have received a considerable rise in wages. It was strongly argued that the Sankey National Award of 2_s._ was intended to improve the pre-war standard of living of the miners, and not to meet war-time increases in cost of living—a contention for which it is hard to see the justification. Negotiations broke down, and a miners’ strike began on October 18, 1920, and continued till November 4, 1920, when it was settled on terms agreed between the Government, the Mining Association and the Miners’ Federation. The first clause of the Agreement was as follows: “(1) Recognizing that on the increased production of coal there depend not only the prosperity of all who are engaged in the coal industry, but also the welfare of the nation and the cost of life of the people, and having in view that this urgent need can only be met if the miners and mine-owners throughout the country work together cordially for this common purpose; and further, having regard to the necessity of setting up machinery for regulating wages in the coal trade so as to get rid of present anomalies and provide against future difficulties, “The Mining Association and the Miners’ Federation solemnly pledge themselves to make every effort to achieve these objects. “To that end they shall: “(_a_) Co-operate to the fullest extent to obtain increased output, and for this purpose will arrange to set up district committees and a national committee; “(_b_) Proceed forthwith to prepare a scheme for submission to the Government at the earliest possible moment, and not later than March 31, for the regulation of wages in the industry, having regard, among other considerations, to the profits of the industry, and to the principles upon which any surplus profits are to be dealt with.” The Strike of April 1921