A SERIES OF FAILURES.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1926, 8 December 1913, Page 6

A SERIES OF FAILURES.

The more recent meetings of local strikers arc reported to have been far from happy gatherings. It has become impressed upon the- more intelligent that their leaders have failed to live up to expectations, aiul are much more skilled in getting them into trouble than in getting them out of it. Very few of tho men now protencl to see any hope ahead, and Some are realising 'that the . longer they stay out the more they are punishing_ themselves and the worse off they will he. The planning and scheming of. the Strike Bosses have produced nothing but a series of failures. They tried intimidation and lawlessness. This was their first blunder, and they failed in their purpose and antagonised tho public. They then tried to force the community to its knees by refusing to handle cargo. They again failed—the cargo is being handled as efficiently as ever. They called out the drivers. Again they failed. Tho drivers sacrificed their jobs and lost their pay, and the carting still goes on. Tlwy called out the seamen and firemen, declaring their intention to hold np all transport by sea. Again- they failed. Seamen and firemen sacrificed their jobs and their pay. as did the drivers; and they are poorer and wiser men; but steamers arc running, and an increasing number being put on every week. _ Having failed to prevent cargo being taken out and put into the Home boats, tho Strike. Bosses declared that the boats would never get out of port. Again they failed. Every boat so laden has left port. They threatened and attempted to call, a general strike. Again they failed. They sought to intimidate the country by taking steps to embroil Australian unionists. Again they failed; the people of New Zealand refused to be dictated to by Australian unionists who had unwisely permitted themselves .to be made the tools of the Socialist-Anarchist Bed Federation. The Strike Bosses promised largely as to the wealth of funds which would pour into the coffers of the Strike Committee to provide for' the families of tho men they had persuaded to throw up their jobs and their pay. Where are the funds now 1 ! Does not every striker know that the funds already are practically exhausted; and who of their number has received any strike pay'! Where has all the money gone to'/ Many of the unmarried strikers have had food tickets doled out to them and the married men and their wives and families have had to go to Use Strike Committee and wait their turn to get a -little food and groceries, or go In the Charitable Aid Board. The whole story of ilie strike is nothing Imt blunders, broken promises and failure on the Part of the Strike : Bosses. What single advantage can the strikers point to—what single benefit in return for t'se sacrifices I they have been forced lo make at tho' dictation of the Strike Bosses'! None at all—and nothing in prospect. And the lon-scr they arc foolish euoiiKh to remain idle the- wore.-. -a u.»., ...511 w