The Henson Journals

[326]

Friday, May 6th, 1921.

The "Newcastle Daily Journal" reports the "answers" which a certain Mr Batey returns to the questions which I asked at West Hartlepool. They are rudely expressed, but I thought it worth while to write a mild letter thanking him for his information, and re–stating the main position. Mr Miller, the editor of the "North Eastern Daily Gazette" called, & I gave the letter to him for as wide a circulation as he could secure. He tells me that my reference to the "shirking" in the pits has provoked lively discussion. The bitter resentment which it provokes suggests that my shaft has gone home. In the afternoon I went into the Park, and had some talk with a party of young miners whom I found sitting round a fire on the grass. They were very civil, & very vehement both in their assertion of a desire to go back to work, and in a refusal to go back on the "starvation" wage offered by the owners. Some of the older men look very unhappy. As I returned to the Castle, Miss Baker–Baker and a Miss Cator were taking their departure. So I had them back, shewed them the House, & gave them tea. Edgar Dobbie had tea, and sate in my room for an hour talking. We went into the Chapel & said prayers together before parting. I received a letter from Willie Murray very sad, but manly. Also a note from Budworth accepting the Hon. Canonry. The 'North–Eastern Daily Gazette' prints the letter that I wrote this morning. It will hardly please the Trade Union folk, & the fire–eaters.

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