INDUSTRIAL STRIFE IN ENGLAND

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 52, 25 November 1926, Page 12

INDUSTRIAL STRIFE IN ENGLAND

MOVEMENT FOR FIVE YEARS’ TRUCE

Dealing with the economic position in England, Mr. B. Tripp, who returned to New Zealand on Monday, stated that the Old Country was passing through . troublous times, and her difficulties were not yet overcome. The , position was improving, however, and there was a general feeling that when the coal strike was settled there would be a beneficial revival of trade, and a period of great prosperity. Following the war the European nations had had to face tremendous problems. In the case of England, after demobilisation, came severe industrial unrest—the general strike, and then the coal ■ trouble.

. Mr. Tripp said it was evident that the British people were getting sick of the continual strikes, and there was a growing feeling in the direction of settling down and getting to work. Mr. Tripp added: “I was credibly 'informed that over 90 per cent, of the workers in England want industrial peace. In fact, Havelock Wilson has in hand a big movement in that direction. He seeks to form what he calls 'a five years industrial peace union, and the suggestion is being warmly taken up. A very big meeting was held at Cardiff, where a motion was passed unanimously in favour of the movement. But people naturally ask, why stop at five years ? Why not make it 50, if the proposal is a good one, and can stand the stress of five years? Mr. 1 Wilson considers that one combined union of employers and employees will make for an easier solution of the present-day industrial troubles than the obsolete weapon of the strike.”