NOTES OF THE DAY.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1365, 16 February 1912, Page 4

NOTES OF THE DAY.

The fact that tho South Australian Labour Government attributes its defeat to the Brisbane strike anc! the fear of it spreading is both interesting and significant. Probably there is some foundation for this view, for strikes in South Australia in recent times have had a very damaging effect, anc! the attitude of the Government in connection therewith has not been such as to win the confidence of the general public. We. arc not with those who condemn strikes as being unjustifiable in all circumstances. The Secretary for Works in the Government which has just suffered defeat states that every Labour politician regards strikes* as an obsolete weapon and the general strike as a nice blend of imbecility and barbarism. The strike'is not an obsolete weapon, but it is a clumsy veapon that invariably inflicts hardship on many innocent people, and should never be resorted to until all other reasonable methods of scttlinp differences have failed. The general strike is, as Mn. Griffiths, the Labour Minister, points out, a blend of imbecility and barbarism. It may prove successful on occasions, but the price paid is inevitably a heavy on,; —so heavy that when accounts'come to be balanced there is usually a debit all round. In the Brisbane strike tho labour organisations which have participated will probably be well beaten, but the cost to the community, as well as to the strikers, will be a matter for serious consideration.

There was, after all, one thing definitely declared upon by the House of Representatives yesterday. It was unanimously affirmed that Mk. Ism's claim to be an Independent is an excellent joke. When he rose to follow the Prime Minister and Mr. Massev —it is impossible for him to resist talking even on the most inappropriate occasion—everybody was intensely surprised, and when he explained that be spoke "on behalf of the Independent members," ;i, gain of laughter swept through the Chamber. The Opposition members hardly laughed louder than the Wardists, and the chorus was swelled by the public gallery, and the officials and visitors sitting on the Speaker's right and left. Even the messengers of the House could not keep their faces straight. It was all very indecorous, perhaps, but it was very instructive. It signified something more than an understanding of Hi',.' Christelnirch member's precious pd.si> of "independence"; it signified (lie awakening of the public: lo a wrv real interest in I lie facts of politics.'

Ti(krf, are very unpleasant stories in circulation respecting Ihe means that have been adopted in (vrlain mn!> to influro rorwlicrt opposcrl to the Government to break', their

pledges and assist to retain tin; \Vaiid Ministry in office. The tiMiipla(.iiiiis held out in some ciiKos are said td Iw <if a nature that would be universally condemned. ]fc is quite, on the cards that disclosures may be made which will expose to Ihe light of day a xt'ry unsavoury state of things.

The nnanimous re-election of Sin AiiTiiirii Gri.v\i;ss as .Speaker of the House of ISepresentativcs yesterday was generally expected, and was a pleasant beginning to what promises to be a lively session. A good deal was mad: , by the speakers yesterday of the impartiality, and the courtesy and kindliness of Sni Ahtiilt. GriNnxss in his position as Speaker, and we can endorse very heartily all that was said in this respect. We would suggest, however, that with the new Parliament so evenly divided, and with the possibilities of strenuous times ahead, it would be well for Mr. Speaker to enforce from the outset a strict regard for the Standing Orders of the House. It would be idle to ignore the fact that in the Lite Parliament there was at times a looseness in the matter of interjections and conversation during debate that led on occasions to confusion and even mild disorder. If an early beginning is made in putting down this sort of thing in the new Parliament it will probably save trouble, and unpleasantness later. Meantime we are pleased to join in the congratulations extended'to Sik Anrarn Guin.vkss, both on his reelection as Speaker and on his very long retention of the confidence of the electors of his district.