STRIKES.

Feilding Star, Volume XV, Issue 8, 10 July 1893, Page 2

STRIKES.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE STAR. Sir, — In the accomplishment of extensive public works, there is no other nation whose capitalists surpass the British, in energy aud mterprise at Home and abroad in carrying on those works (to which England's Freetrade policy has so largely contributed) and if not checked by the interference of illadvised strikes aud other causes those great works would still go on increasing in number, and I believe in magnitude. To commence with the dock strike in England some years baok when there seemed to be a real grievance from the low rate of wage paid to the dock labourer, although there were two versions as to the ultimate outcome of that strike, one version being that the unskilled labourer depending on casual employment was dismissed, and in some cases thrown on public charity, and skilled labour at a higher wage rate t aken on instead. With the foregoing exception, I maintain that in the case of all the extensive strikes that have taken place in the United Kingdom since the above event took place, have had an injurious effect upou the cause of labour, and not only injurious but have jeopardized a partial or total collapse of certain industries which would nave deprived thousands of workmen of employment. It will be found that in all cases I believe except tbe above that the workmen taking part in these strikes, had to resume work on the same conditions and wage rate that they formerly had, but lately the wage rate has been considerably reduced in the case of industries, and also in trade pursuits, such as seaman's wages &c. Maintaining the wage rate or adopting the 8 hours' system are problems to the capitalist in England to deal with, on the one side there is the low wages and long hours of the continental workmen to compete with, and on the other the struggle to secure riches which pervade all classes. In America, in thi* struggle against overflowing competition the American labourer not only works as if there were a nigger driver over him, but makes as much overtime as possible, therefore in any concession in favor of workmen, the English capitalist runs the risk of crippling local industry and ocean trade by those persuits being taken up by American or other foreign competitors. The extensive coal strike which took place some years back I may refer to as a proof of the foregoing. There is no doubt that a great loss took place both in regard to capital and labor during that strike which threatened England's industry and trade supremacy. There are other parts of the world where extensive coal mines could be worked with the aid of capital, for instance in Asia, with Asiatic conditions of cheap labor in the vicinity would no doubt injuriously effect that industry in Engknd ) causing a reduction of coalminers wages or collapse, and except in the case of British capital being utilized would seriously effect Englands trade. Other extensive strikes in England have all tended to a somewhat similar risk. It is quite natural to suppose that during this antagonistic conflict that some capitalists have been scared and laid by their capital, and thus the unprincipled leaders of strikes, and the so called Liberal politicians who have sympathised with them on catch vote considerations, have increased the number of the unemployed, and injured the cause and condition of workmen. Capital and public works always will be the chief source of utilizing surplus labor. Placing workmen on small portions of land against his inclination, where of necessity he has to compete with his fellow labourer, or by creating protected industries, means stagnation and injury to the labour market. I am, etc., A Colonist.