LABOUR WAR IN SOUTH AFRICA

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1956, 13 January 1914, Page 6

LABOUR WAR IN SOUTH AFRICA

: The situation in South Africa at tho present time is extremely grave, and judging by the extensive preparations which are being made by tho Government to cope with any emergencies that may arise the position is evidently regarded as very serious by those whose business it is to protect life and property'and uphold the authority of the btate. The Government is faced with three more or less distinct troubles at the same time. ■ In the first place them is the strike which threatens to disorganise the industrial life of-tho country; secondly, the Basutos employed in the Jaccrsfontein mine have refused to work and have made an attack upon the whites: and, thirdly, the trouble with the- Indian population still remains unsettled. The wholo outlook is decidedly gloomy, and unless the situation is handled in a statesmanlike manner tho consequences may bo disastrous. In a crisis of this character any sign of weakness on tho part of the authorities would probably bo taken full advantage of by tlioso lawless elements whieh generally eo&o to the front when industrial upheavals take place, and if attempts at violence or intimidation are not firmly suppressed at their beginnings the forees of disorder may become a serious menace to the safety of the community. Fortunately the Government and tho law-abiding section of the community appear to oe grappling with the trouble in a vigorous and effective manner. Siiome of the labour leaders have been arrested, the entire citizen army of the Transvaal' has been called out, and General be la Rey is in command of '10,000 burghers. The fact that such \tromc measures have been necessary show's that a dangerous state of affairs has arisen,"and tlftit the Government is determined to maintain law,and order and to . assert, the

■ supremacy cf tho'.State at all costs. The seditious, utterance of ..one. of the strike leaders recorded ..in our cablc messages shows thatUhe strike, is being utilised by a'certain class of agitator-' ior ths purpose of preaching/revolutionarydoctrines, and to. undermine the existing social order. This means a war upon tho communityand tho. community is forced into'the'position of Living to protect itself by every legitimate means at its disposal; and when the general public, realise that the law of the land is being defied and tho authority of, tho fetato challenged they may be .relied upon to back up the Government with their moral, and if necessary their physical, support. An ugly feature of some recent industrial ' upheavals in various parts of the world is the utter disregard shown by a section of tho agitators and their deluded followers for the interests of the community as a whole. • Their methods are utterly anti-social,, and if successful would bring about, • a reversion to barbarism.' Recent happenings go to prove that it has become absolutely necessary to put some effective check upon the reckless use of the strike weapon, and the "groat third party"—tho general public—is now asserting the right to tiko a hand in labour disputes. In New Zealand this right naa received legal recognition in the legislation of last session, which provides'that before a strike or look-out can be legally declared opportunity must bo given for consideration, discussion, and negotiation, and a secret ballot must be taken to ascertain whether a. strikeproposal has the approval of the majority of those oonccrncd. This would enable public opinion to bring its wholesome influence to bear on a dispute* and ensure that reason and common sense would have a chance of bringing about a settlement before a state of industrial war was established. If some such latv were in operation in South Africa the present labour upheaval and its attendant cvi'b might have been prevented.