STRIKES.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1719, 9 April 1913, Page 4

STRIKES.

VIEWS OF ARCHBISHOP KELLY. "VIOLENCE MUST BE CONDEMNED." Archbishop Kelly, heiul of the Roman Catholic community in Now South^AVales, gavo expression to decided views on industrial problems at tho annual breakfast of the Irish National Foresters on March 20. 'What he termed tho artificial strike, ho roundly condemned, and in. respect of other strikes declared that the guide should bo the peacc of society, and that tho doctrine that niiulit is Tight must bo foresaken. After u reference to the Homo Kulo question he said: — "1 want now to brine you nearer home. What about our strikes (Laughter.) Wo foresters must iiuvo the true interests of Australia ut heart, and wo must put down by our influenco artificial strikes and strikes with violence. (Cheers.) Wo don't want strikes got up purposely by agitators. Even wheu a strike is deemed necessary wo don't want violence. Frequent visits and extensive confidences from all classes of the people, exccpt tho mine-owners, havo made me familiar with Illawarra and Lithgoiv troubles. In Lithgow there were very serious evidences of violence, and some of tho maddest wero prepared to burn and destroy. That is always wrong. Better bear a disadvantage for centuries than havo an outburst such as we had at the beginning at Lithgow. I know that policy would not bo acceptable to many peoplo. But I say it is wrong—and, mark you, I am condemning 110 man, believing all to bo good-in-teutioned. I am speaking of tho action, not ol'_ the individual. 0 Connell taught that if you arc to gain anything it will bo by peaceable, constitutional means— that is tho law of God—and that while prudence is a virtue violence must be ■ condemned. If thero is to bo peaco in society the sword and all acts of violence must be left in tho hands of lawful authority." (Cheers.) . , . "If capital dominates it is not right. If labour dominates it is not right. If Labour and Capital act concurrently for tho interests of tho men concerned, it is all right. (Cheers.) I am -hot a bit afraid to handle hot questions with clear principles beforo my mind. lam told thero is- a striko on tho South Coast. If the owners, managers, and miners had a co-operative interest, and if they respected each other in their respeclivo capacities, then there would be perfection. That , has -been realised in somo of the industrial operations in France. The artificial strike is much to bo condemned. What wo ivant In Australia is that which nourishes Christian principles, which makes men regard ono another as brothers, which makes all regard their particular lot, in society as tho arrangement of Diviuo Providence, which will make every man consider himself a passenger on earth for a while, with his own proper and strict rovrard or punishment in tho hereafter. Wliero is that Christian spirit? Certain men have destroyed it, and uttered tho principle, 'Lot us cultivate tho intellect only,' and withdrew' tho necessary support and nourishment for tho Christian spirit., And now the differences of interest between tho three factors, tho men with brains, the men with muscles, and the men with money, occn-. sion collision through self-interest, and that collision is aggravated and acerbated by pevsistenco upon _ self-interest, and by turning to tho principle that might is right— I 'We can make you pay us more; wo don't care whero you get it; you must nay Us more—no matter about competition—no matter-about other influences,' Let us by all means study our own interests, and let us claim our rights, but let us do so without tho sacrifice of public peace, without injury to the body public, and tho fruit will be worth having, and it will be lasting. But I would exhort, and would oven go on my knees and bog tho people who have tho management of the education of the children,. to restore,.,.to ilio.lchildrou, .thsir, Christian inheritance, and ■ help parents to rear their children as Christians. If (hey do not, they are moro to bo blamed than anyone else for the chaos that must result from tho striving .of neoplo for more, and moro—money. us throw our iulluence njainst artificial strikes and strikes of violence. If we have to take part in apy such movement, let us net part with reason or judgment, and lot our guide bey tho peaco of society. Let us rat bring paralysis to the public state of affairs by any violent means to attain , an end merely becauso wo think that in the circumstances we havo tho power to do it, and are inclined to say: 'Might is right.'"