THE DE-CONTROL OF THE MINES IN 1921 GEORGE V (1865-1936, King of Great Britain)

Fine Autograph Letter Signed as King to "My dear Eddy" (Edward George Villiers Stanley, 17th Earl of Derby, 1865-1948, Soldier, Politician, Diplomat and Racehorse owner, twice Secretary of State for War and Ambassador to France) saying how much "the Queen & I enjoyed our delightful visit to Knowsley. We can't thank you & Alice enough for all your kindness & hospitality. Your party was a charming one & your French friends were so nice and fitted in so well with the others. I congratulate you on the splendid arrangements you made for the comfort of your guests & I know well all the labour they entailed. We had a most comfortable journey yesterday ... I have not yet been able to see the Prime Minister but Stamfordham saw him yesterday & told him from me what Walsh & the other two had said about the decontrol of the mines being delayed for a month or 6 weeks. He said that he could do nothing till Harne came home, in whose hands the matter lay, & that it would cost the country 5 millions a month. I hope you will be able to see him tomorrow & explain matters, those three men are sincere & loyal and one wants to help them in their difficult task if possible ...", 4 sides 8vo., Buckingham Palace headed paper, 22nd March

Lieutenant-Colonel Arthur John Bigge, 1st Baron Stamfordham (1849-1931) was a British Army officer and courtier. He was Private Secretary to Queen Victoria during the last few years of her reign, and to George V during most of his reign.
In the aftermath of the First World War, the Triple Alliance and united action in general were regarded by many trade unionists as a defence against the threat of wage reductions occasioned by the onset of economic depression. A complicating factor was that both the coal industry and railways had been controlled by the state during the war and were not immediately returned to private hands. The Coalition-Liberal Government of David Lloyd George was unwilling to impose wage reductions, as this would provoke strike action against the government, with political implications. Reductions for miners were postponed until the industry was de-controlled on 31st March 1921. Miners who refused to accept the reductions were locked out of employment. Black Friday, the 15th April 1921, was the day when the leaders of transport and rail unions announced their decision not to call for strike action in support of the miners. The epithet 'black' derives from a widespread feeling amongst labour radicals that the decision amounted to a breach of solidarity and a betrayal of the miners.

Item Date:  1921

Stock No:  39186      £1175

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