STRIKE HALF-TRUTHS.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1894, 31 October 1913, Page 2

STRIKE HALF-TRUTHS.

AS TOLD TO WORKERS' WIVES. [BT IMOGEN.] An instance of tho way in which quarter-truths, or loss even than that, are presented to tho wives of tho strikers was strikingly evident yesterday afternoon when Mr. Mills, of Milwaukee, addressed the members of _ the Housowives' Union and sympathisers with the strike, upon the part that women might play jn the contest that is now going on. In the courso of a highly-esaggerated, very loud, and almost frenzied appeal to the women to baok up tho men in tho struggle, evsn if it came to the point of refusing to answer writs, and to camp upon tho Jiillsido, Mr. Mills strove to work upon tho credulity, of his listeners. Ho told them that, by the Arbitration 'Bill which was now beforo Parliament, if anyone helped the strikers by feeding their wives or their children .when the pinch came, they would be called upon to pay a fino of £500. Strange how eucli a thing can be distorted! Ag a matter of xact tho Bill provides that any union that has not come under tho Arbitration Act, and that has a grievance with its employers, shall ohoose its representatives to meet an equal number of employers or thoir representatives in conference upon the grievance or grievances in question. Failing an agreement this way, the secret ballot is resorted toj and if that fails to settle tho question satisfactorily the union may go out on strike if it wishes and be entitled to do bo legally. It is while tho trouble la before these two tribunals that no strike is legal and no help may be given to tho strikers. They may do what they like, within reasonable limits, after these methods have been tried and have fail- i ed. And yot these women are being told that Mr. Massey and his Government are trying to do away with tho! right to strike and that tho former is such a monster that a striker's wife and children must starve or their kind deliverer be fined £600. Mr. Mills, in tho course of his delightful tirade, altfo talked of tho millions of pounds that were • made by the workers and that went entirely out of tlieir hands into those of the employers. He did not tell of the industries that were being built up and that enabled their husbands to find employment. Half-truths, or quarter-truths, or not even that, are good enough for women to know, so these agitators who live upon the wages of the workers, who batten upon their credulity, and who lead them into trouble appear to think.

An amazing feature of tie strike is the way in which numbers 'of women with small children, led bv hand or else in perambulators, wander out unconcernedly at night- into the streets. One shudders to think of what might happen to these helpless littlo ones in a sudden wild, irresistible rush made by the strikers, or if- thoy were caught in one- of the melees that aro likely to take placo at any time. It is simly criminal folly to bo abroad with children at such a time, and indeed tho streets aro no placo for women now, as at any moment a charge may be made by the mounted police where there is a crowd, and friends and foe are likely to suffer, whether they aro man, woman, or child. Mrs. Dalgety (Christohureli) is visiting Wellington. Tho mntay friends of Miss -Elsie Freeman, of Bataitai, will regret to hear of her death, afteT a long and lingering illjnegs, borno with great patience and fortitude. Tho late Miss Freeman was beloved by a largo circle of friends, and is survived by a widowed mother, a brother, and a sister.