The Evening Star THURSDAY, JULY 18, 1912.

Evening Star, Issue 14931, 18 July 1912, Page 4

The Evening Star THURSDAY, JULY 18, 1912.

Of the continuance of strikes there is apparently no end. It is a The Cost loner time sinco our of Strikes. columns were free from cablegrams announcing serious insurrections of Labor in one quarter or another of the globe. In New Zealand we have the Waihi strike dragging out its weary length. In England there is the deckers' strike; in Marseilles the seamen are in revolt; and in Newcastle the minors. According to tho Syndicalists it is by constant and never-ending disturbance that Labor is to be benefited. Tho way to the millennium lies along the lino of the strike. The' more general the strike and the more industries it affects and paralyses tho better. This syndicalism, which in these modern days has reared itself so menacingly, is indeed an ugly-headed monster. The future historian who writes the- annals of tho early years of the twentieth century will have no bigger chapter than that which deals with the industrial upheaval. Unfortunately, in too many cases violence is resorted to. So far we have been singularly frea from this in the Dominion, but in other countries, where tho strikers feel the pinch of hunger more quickly, order is hard to preserve. They | are stoning tho police in France, and' intimidating their employers in Ottawa. And | so the story of turmoil goes on without end, I like the tales of the Arabian Nights. What j is to be the outcome? We will; not venture at this time to enter upon a consideration of remedies. The occasion, however, is not unfitting for a brief glance backward that we may see what history teaches as to tho effects of strikes. The experience of the past yields a few in- j structive conclusions. In the first place, I strikes aro ruinously costly. If reform is to com© by way of them, the financial burden is going to be crushingly heavy. They involve destruction of capital, and irretrievable loss of wages. Tho great coal miners' strike of 1893 in England is a good illustration of the fearful expense of industrial war. Tho strike represented the resistance of the miners to a proposed reduction in wages. The price of coal had been falling rapidly for a considerable time, and the employers proposed that wages should be roughly adjusted to the price of the coal. The men were successful in their opposition. Nevertheless, their loss was irreparable. The strike lasted for 16 weeks, and cost £33,000,000 sterling. The loss was apportioned as follows: Wages, £18,000,030; mining royalties, £2,OGO.CCO; profits of employers, £4,000,000; profits of shopkeepers, £3,600,000; increased price of coal to consumers, £4.700,000. The men won, but they never recovered what they had lost. And to their loss had to be added that of the community generally. This result is typical. It is estimated the miners' strike in New South Wales in 1909 cost £1,000,000 in wages alone. The recent miners' strike in England is computed to have involved the workers alone in a mone'tary loss of £12,000,000, arising from the stoppage of work for five weeks. The ' Voice of Labor,' published in the Dominion, declares that the loss in wages of the Waihi strikers is up to date between £36,000 to £40,000, and there seems no immediate prospect of the resumption of work. It is not too much to say that this loss will never be recouped to the miners. Isolated instances, however, do not furnish reliable ground upon which to base conclusions. We turn, consequently, to the carefullycompiled statistics of the Bureau of Labor, United States of America. Since 1881 the Federal Government have tabulated the cost of all the strikes that have occurred in America from that time. The most recent j Bgure6 to which we have access show that I between 1881 and ISOI Labor lost directly j in wages over £51,570.000. In addition j to this loss, trade union funds were drawn j on to the amount of £3,250,000. The j total less of the employers during that I period of 20 years was something over j £24,500,000. Labor, with the least wealth j at command, has the heaviest kss. What- ! [ ever else the strike does, itj certainly ex- j I hausts the financial strength of the striker. Past experience shows that he suffers much more than the employer he fights. Not only is striking costly to the workers whether they win or lose in the conflict, but in a large proportion of cases they are not successful in securing their demands. Between 1901 and 1907, in Great Britain, 31.1 per cent, of the strikes terminated in favor of the workmen, and 34.5 per cent, in favor of the employers. The balance of the disputes we-re compromised. • Nothing further seems necessary to be 6aid ' to establish the utter futility of adopting j the strike as a general policy for the amelioration of industrial conditions. j But the tale of the evils which follow the strike is not yet completely told. Who can measure the dislocation of trade, tho paralysis of production, the loss of markets? Not once, but frequently, a great strike in Great Britain has been the opportunity of a foreign rival to* capture British contracts or gain a footing in a market from which the competition of the Mother Country had formerly excluded it. From injuries of this kind an industry never quite recovers, and sometimes is per. manently crippled. And, last but not least, consider tho incalculable misery and hunger to which tho poor are in such large numbers reduced during a big strike. Indsed, the industrial war denominated the strike is almost always a calamity, especially disastrous to the workers. Nevertheless, strange to say, strikes do more and more abound. There were ia Great Britain for the decennial period 1835-19 CO, 6,172 strikes, whilst between 1900 and ISOS there were 15,964. A similar increase is noticeable everywhere. Germany augmented the number of her strikes from 1,091 in 1901 to 3,626 in 1906. The figures for France for the same years were

523 and? 1*314 respectively. And the last year or two has been characterised by cdhflict between employed and employer more bitter, more prolonged, and more costly than ever. It is gratifying to note, however, that there are not wanting indications of abatement, at any rate in tho Dominion. The New Zealand worker has more than the average, intelligence, and he is beginning to discern tho ineffectiveness of the strike as a means to improved conditions. Nothing is contributing more to J this salutary result than the excesses of the Federation of Labor. Tho reluctance of tho Kaitangata miners to enter upon the perilous path to which Mr Semple and other kindred spirits would invite them is matter for congratulation. But the most pleasino; and hopeful sign of the times is tho resolute attitude which the United Labor party are assuming against the strike. Since their inauguration last Easter, that party have never ceased to protest, through the medium of their leaders and their organ ('The Voice of I,abor') against the attempt to secure by the strike substantial reform. From the beginning of their career they have fought ; the Federation of Labor on this question, urging with irresistible logic that the permanent .and lasting betterment of condi- | tions can be obtained only through the ! activities of tho Legislature. The ballot j box, not tho strike, is the invincible weapon in the hands of the worker. The j £40,000 of wages that has been was led in a fruitless struggle in Waihi would ' have formed a splendid fighting find for [ organising a political campaign. We believe that all sano workers will agree with us when we say that if Labor has a good cause, as we believe in the main it has, and takes pains to bring its claims dispassionately and yet forcibly before the public, it will receive a generous measure of support, which will be reflected in Parliament. If it is determined upon unjustifiable courses such as those pursued by the Federation of Labor, then the strike and syndicalism will not help it, but will occasion to itself a greater injuiy than it is able to inflict upon the employer. We live in a democratic country, which has provided two outlets for the free expu'3sion of industrial and political dk'coment. One is tho Arbitration Court and the other is manhood suffrage, with a triennial appeal to the popular vote. We trust that wise counsels will so far prevail among all classes of the community that these constitutional facilities will never be neglected to pursue the violent methods of the Syndicalist

The Sydney mail did not reach Dunedin to-day, the Wammoo having been delayed by stress of weather. Tho mechanics at the tramway car sheds wrote to the Tramways Committee yester- j day asking if they would receive a deputa- i tion from them to discuss the matter of holidays. It vias decided to accede to the | request. An up-to-date firo alarm system was decided for at yesterday's meeting of the Dunedin Fire" Board. Tenders will be called shortly. The chairman remarked that the system would probably not be completed before tho end of the present year. "Onr Own" wires from Wellington: A.statement of receipts of the strike and lock-out fund in connection with the Waihi and Reefton mining troubles to July 8 has been published by the Federation of Labor. This shows that £3,705 has been received, exclusive of £199 direct to the Waihi Union. The principal contributions were as follow : —Granity miners, £500; Waikato miners, £3OO ; Denniston miners, £360; State miners, Dunolly, £479; Otago miners, £121; Blackball miners, £334 ; Wellington waterside workers, £227; Auckland waterside workers, £237; Timaru waterside workers, £116; Westport waterside workers, £129; Lyttelton waterside workers, £250; Dunedin waterside workers, £SO; Auckland Tramways workers, £46. The total is exclusive of Australian remittances. On the motion of a representative of the Hairdressers' Union, seconded by a representative of the employers, a very hearty vote of thanks was accorded the Conciliation Commissioner (Mr Triggs) for his successful efforts in bringing abort an agreement between tho parties. At one stage of the proceedings a deadlock was reached, and it was due" to Mr Triggs's tact and judgment that the parties were finally brought together. The minimum wage has been increased from £2 10s to £2 15s a week, and tho shops will now close on one niaht in the week at 6 p.m. The Trinity Methodic Chmch jubilee is so far a huge success in every way, and one of its satisfactory features is the readiness with which the people are taking up the scheme to provide £I,OOO for church extension purposes, so as to provide a permanent commemoration of the jubilee. We understand that the bulk of this £I,OOO is in sight, and that with another pull all together the project will be accomplished. Another very happy fact about this jubilee is that the church has no debt. Several cases of drunkenness were dealt with at the Police Court this morning. Robert Albert Ovens was fined 2Cs or 48 hours, Robert Maitland Cran 20s or three davs, and George Jones 103 or 48 hours. George Wise was fined 20s or three days for procuring liquor du:irg tho currency of a prohibition order against himself.

" What about the poor patients you charge 35s a week?" said the secretary of the Engine-drivers' .Union this morning when an application was. made by the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board for exemption on the ground that they were not out for pecuniary gain. The application was declined, it being explained that the- board were included in the old award. The popularity of tho parcels post is proved by the extraordinary increase in the business, as disclosed by the Post- , master-General's report, just published, j During last year 1,613,010 parcels weie: posted in the Dominion, an increase of | 422,299, or over 35 per cent., on the ncm- j ber posted during the previous year. The j extension of the parcel post system to the carriage of fish, at half the ordinary rates, is calculated to supply a want tnafc has long been felt by country residents. It is gratifying to learn that the expe.iment, which is being tried in the Dunedin postal district only, is meeting with much success. Yesterday was a busy day at the Art Gallery. In ti* morning the fifth and sixth "standards from the Moray Place, Normal, George Street, and Kensington Schools, accompanied by their teache.s, viewed the British paintings. Li the afternoon the scholars from B.aemar School visited the gallery, and, through Miss Miller, expressed their keen appreciation of the exhibition. The attendance of the public during the day was again very good. The scholars of two other schools attended to-day. It was stated yesterday in tho hairdressers' dispute that owing to the scarcity of hands employers had to advertise in Australian papers for men, also that great j difficulty was experienced in getting apI prentices for this trade. I Miss Helen F. Barnes, the recently appointed travelling secretary of the \oung Women's Christian Associations in Australasia, arrived in Dunedin from Invercargill last night, and was welcomed by Miss H. Brown (president of the local association), Miss Seaman (local-secretary), and several members of the Executive Committee. Miss Barnes is an M.A. of Ohio Western University, and took a special course in sociology at Columbia University. For the past 12 years she has been national secretary of the Y.W.C.A. movement in the United States. This evening Miss Barnes is to be accorded a reception in the Town Hall, the Mayor presiding. Her time will ba fully taken up in Dunedin until Monday evening next. Tho Conciliation Commissioner (Mr Triggs) will 6Jt here again on the Bth of next month, when he will take the drivers' dispute.

Mr. Myers (chairman of the- Tramway* Committee of the City Council) yesterday received a letter from the Labor Department asking him to take etepa to push on with tho duplication of the tram line from CarghTs Corner to the Ocean Beach. Mr Myers brought up the matter at the meeting of the committee yesterday, when it was decided to fully consider it at the next ordinary meeting of the committee. In all probability instructions will then be issued that an immediate start ha made with, the work. Throughout the district (says the ' Southland News') there are indications of an early spring. The absence of frosts has, in the bush districts especially, tended to an unusually good supply of winter grass. In the backblocks clearings, where, as a rule, only winter desolation prevails, stock may be seen in excellent condition. The predicted failure of the turnip crop , has not come to pass, and in most_ districts there is abundant evidence of this. The high prices ruling for sheep serve as evidence of the plentiful supply of winter feed. Ploughing operations are, however, in a very backward state. This is due to the lateness of the grain season and to the wet weather, which interfered with threshing and carting. Despite the gloomy predictions of pessimists, there is every reason to believe that Southland will not suffer any great drawback as the result of the linkindness of the past seasons weather. In future, passengers on the Christclmrch trams will deal in copper coinage to a greater extent than formerly, and the conductor who gives six pennies as change ti anyone will have the authority of the Christchurch Tramway Board for so doing. On Tuesday the board endorsed a proposal bv their Works and 1 raffle Committee- that, in order to facilitate the work of conductors, and to minimise the loss arising through missed faros, an endeavor should be made to keep more coppers in circulation bv instituting the system adopted in Great Britain, under which change to the value of at least sixpence is given in coppers. The sals of woTk being held in the Church of Christ, Filled street, was largely patronised last evening, when a musical programme was rendered. The sale will clcse to-night. Mr R. Sample, representing the Federation of Labor, paid a visit to Nightcaps on Mondav evening, and a meeting of the miners "was hold in the Coronation Hall, the proceedings occupying from 8 till 11 o'clock. The decision come to by the men, if one was arrived at, has not been disclosed officially (says tho ' Southland News'), but it is understood that they expressed their desire that the position remain as at present, those engaged in the 1 industry being satisfied to rely en arbitra- ! lion as" a means of settling any dispute ! that may arise. Two lads, aged 12 and 13 years respectively, were charged in tho Juvenile. Court this afternoon with the theft of 3s 6d from a storekeeper in York place. They pleaded iinilty. The sub-inspector stated that betwsen the 15th and 24th June _i he lads hid stolen on three different occasions from tho tili of the shop the sums of 6d, 6d, and half a crown, the money being used in buying lollies, having afternoon tea, and visiting a picture show. The evidence of their schoolmaster went to show that tie lads w--.re oi verv fair ability, being m the Fifth Standard, but that more rigid control needed to be exercised over them after school hours. Mr Axc-lsen said ho would watch the lads, and on the understanding that they should recogniso Mr Axelsen s authority Mr Widdowson, S.M., after admonishing them, intimated that they would be convicted and ordered to come up for sentence whon called upon. His Honor Mr Justice Williams has granted probate in the estates o: the following deceased persons:— R-3 Margaret Christian Montgomery (Mr Bedford), ro Donald Rvrie (Mr D. Stewart), re James Brcdio (Mr Crcagh), ro Johanna Frances Herbert (Mr Creagh), re Aaron Battersby (Mr Newton), re Isabella Tangney .(Mr Callan), ro James MacNeal Brown (Mr Adams). A.n employer in the hairdressers' dispute was verv emphatic on the point that the men deserved an increase m wages. He said that thev had not had an increase for manv vcars, during which time the ccst ot livinVhpd cone up. Another employer in the engine-drivers' dispute to-day told the, Conciliation Commissioner that ht paid his min n-ore than tho sum fixed under the award. "When I get a, good man," ho faid, "I want to keep him." A representative of tho union remarked that if all emolovcrs did the same, then there would be 'no'need for an Arbitration Court. There can be no bettoi portraits clone than those cxhibted by Mr Morris, of Garden Studio 55* George strret, on left-hand side of the Zenith vestibule, in Piinces street. Appointments made in Zenith Portrait Studio, or telephone 2,279.—[Advt ] We recommend the purchase of jewellery before the end of this week, when E. Sound's great salo closes.—(3o) A class ot Speight's beer at lunch and supper is better than all the tea in Ch.na.— TAdvt 1 The Acme Photo Company, George street. respectfully nsk Dunedin residents to call and see thi new specimens. Every care is taken. Charges moderate. Tel. 965.—[Advt.] Ladies recommrnd Martin's Apoil and Steel Pills. Sold by all chemists and stont. S«i you get the genuine.—[Advt]