The coalmining lock-out of 1926, with particular reference to the co-operative movement and the Poor Law.

摘要

This study is largely concerned with the experiences of theudlocked-out miners and their families during the national coalmininguddispute of 1926 . Enthusiasm for the stoppage amongst rank-and-fileudminers varied considerably from one mining district to another andudan attempt is made to identify and account for both intra and interregionaludvariations in solidarity . From quite early in the disputeudthe danger of widespread destitution in the coalfields presentedudperhaps the most immediate threat to solidarity. Particular attentionudis therefore paid to the efforts made to overcome this threat and toudthe sources of relief available to mining communities in 1926 .udVarious forms of community and individual self- help are looked at inudsome detail as is the operation of the Poor Law, which played such audcrucial and controversial role in the dispute.udIn some districts local co-operative societies provided considerableudrelief to mining families in the form of extended credit both to theudminers ' unions and to individual members . In others, retail societiesuddemonstrated little or no apparent sympathy for the miners . Relationshipsudbetween the co-operative and trade union movements during theudGeneral strike and continuing mining dispute are examined at someudlength and an attempt is made to account for the differing responsesudof co-operative societies called upon to assist the miners in theirudstruggle.