GET IT CLEAN IN YOUR MIND.

Hokitika Guardian, 13 April 1922, Page 4

GET IT CLEAN IN YOUR MIND.

WHAT THE ALLIANCE OF LABOUR IS AFTER.

SOMETHING BIGGER THAN A STRIKE.

In reading the newspapers of the country we find the idea is widespread j that the Alliance of Labour is aiming at a general strike. Mr J. Roberts is quoted as having said so. We cannot find when and where he did say so, and, further, we would not believe it if he did make such an utterance. This for two sufficient reasons. The first is that General Roberts of tbe Red Army is far too astute, if the Alliance meant a general strike, to let it he known that such was the purpose of himself and bus comrades who constitute the Alliance. The same gentleman would he more likely to say it is a blind in order to cover the Alliance movements in other directions. Our second reason is that the whole machinery of the Alliance is designed not for strike purposes but lor a verv much bigger and more dangerous object than a strike. The plan and policy of the Alliance is most cunningly framed for the puqi ise of carrying on a continuous prapaga id'i of peaceful penetration into all branches of the Dominion’s activities; indoctrinating all wage-earners with the communist idea of polotarian control ; consolidating all industrial organisations on a class basis and finally entering upon the taking over of all industries and services of the Dominion. Strikes have been common to Trade Unions for a long time, but readers should get it clear in their minds that it is a revolution and not. merely i strike that the Alliance of Labour is after. We do not want it understood by what is here said that the Alliance will not uphold any strike. Both it and its affiliated branches, will use the strike weapon when they deem it advantageous, hut that will be entirely subsidarv to their main purpose which is revolution. The Allance is not at all disposed to plunge into a general strike like that of 1913, or even encourage sectional strikes where these are likely to result in losses and weakening on the Labour side, simply because that would delay the marc!) towards, its ultimate goal of “collective ownership and wage-earners of all industries.” We have been asked to say shortly what, the Alliance of Labour is. The organisation is an Alliance of Industrial Federations and Unions of workers designed for the purpose of strengthening the position of all with tho revolutionary objective of substituting “collective ownership of production and distribution and control of all industries by the workers who operate them” in the place of the private and public ownership and control now existing. A little thought will convince any reasonable person that the revolution contemplated by this Alliance could only he effected l)y one or two means. It might be done l,y direct action in the way of a forced expropriation of the present owners, or it might be done by action in conjunction with a political party in power which was prepared to enact laws of confiscation. It is inconceivable that such a stupendous change affecting as it would the whole structure of society within the Dominion, general physical violence, bloodshed, crime and civil warfare. It is indeed a greatly bigger thing than a strike the Alliance of Labour is after. The movement is of the same pattern as the Bolshevist movemen in Russia although expressed in other terms as suits the occasion. Tt remains to be seen bow long the loyal people of this Dominion will allow this menace to their moral and legal rights to carry on. What is wanted on the part of the Government is action firm and definite, and one the part of the people that tliev will have no dealings with any individual who upholds the Alliance creed of class warfare and revolution. (Contributed by the N. Z. Welfare League.)