THE EVILS OF INTIMIDATION.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1905, 13 November 1913, Page 10

THE EVILS OF INTIMIDATION.

(To tho Editor.)! Sir, —I havo followed with much appreciation your supporting leaders with reference to intimidation, and I consider that your article "Trusts and Combines" puts the, case very clearly. No doubt the new Act with reference to secret ballots will effect much, but even supposing it were law,, is it a reasonable thiiig that a union, even if b unanimously agrees to cease work, should have the power to bring misery, endless worry,' and probable ruin on thousands of people who have no concern whatever in their matters, and possible stagnation and'ruin to ihe country? I do not refer to the watersiders particularly, but to any union or body whatsoever, be thoy employee or employer. If such an awful state as this is to be allowed and openly recognised it' is a shame on us, and a matter for tho greatest concern to the peace-loving and industrious citizens. I thoroughly, believe that tho key to tho whole thing lies in tho ono word "intimidation." Such a -state of affairs could not possibly happen if tliis matter was dealt with. The many aro nearly always carried at ■ first by the bluster of the few, and then it is too late —daren't work, daren't speak, daren't buy, daren't sell, daren't do anything in opposition to tho barefaced bluster which is relied on to carry things with a; high and thoughtless hand. No matter whether an original dispute is ever so worthy, I deny most emphatically the right of any individual or body of individuals to threaten our land with ruin or our workers with starvation; yet this is being glaringly done. Wo must by no means let this matter rest. I love to seo peace, but with this thing (intimidation) being openly practised to tho individual and to the whole community, it is all too horrible, arid I trust that it will be fully taken up and exhaustively dealt with in the proper quarter—l am, etc., ■ BRITISH.