upon the Parliamentary Committee of the Trade Union Congress and the Executive Committee of the Labour Party to bring about a meeting with the full International, at the same time and place as that of the Plenipotentiaries of the belligerent Powers, such Plenipotentiaries to include one appointed by organised Labour, so that the workers of the nations shall have that voice in the settlement which is theirs by right, and which will, in our opinion. bring into existence such machinery as will for all time prevent a recurrence of the circumstances which were responsible for bringing about the present horrible carnage, suffering, and death."
Steps were taken to assist widows, dependants, and pensioners to secure more adequate allowances from the State, and the Committee dispersed with a view to re-assembling on January 6th, 1919. But the historic event of November 11th, 1918, the signing of the Armistice by Germany at 5 a.m., which led to the "cease fire" along all fronts at 11 a.m., changed everybody's arrangements and outlooks. It was a day of deep thankfulness, marked by a general closing of factories and works, but the railways ran on, with every man on the footplate feeling intense joy and relief that the world's greatest ordeal by battle had ended at last. The next day found the Committee assembled in London, specially summoned in consequence of the great change, and for further considering the sliding scale addition to war wage. On Tuesday, November 15th, the familiar sliding scale arrangement was signed, providing an increase of 1s. for every five points rise in the cost of living, the war wage standing on November 1st at 33s.
On this matter the efforts of the sub-committee were accepted, and the General Secretary and President were empowered to sign the agreement. Special circulars were sent out to branches on November 28th, November 29th, and December 12th, giving the story of proceedings on this matter and in reference to the eight hours day. The National Programme was revised forthwith, the new points being sanctioned by the Conference of October, 1919.
A General Election was imminent upon the signing of the
