THE BRITISH POSITION.

Hokitika Guardian, 30 May 1924, Page 3

THE BRITISH POSITION.

AA'ORK AND AA’AGES

(English Paper.)

The constant .succession of strikes that wc have recently been experiencing, no less than the expectation of more to come, make it worth while to examine the principles that underlie

tbe.se disputes, and especially their re-

action on the public welfare. We imagine that differences of opinion over wages are as old as industry itself. There are instances given in the Bible and secular history is full of them.

But, compared with the strikes of today, those outbreaks wore elementary affairs, and generally ended , either in what is called the victimisation of the workmen or tile retreat of the employer. Until the advent of the trades union the employer was, however, in the stronger position; lie could pick and choose his men where he would, and could settle disputes by the simple method of dismissing the offenders. The trades unions curtailed this freedom considerably, hut so long as they were relatively small bodies any difference of opinion was between them and one employer of labour rather than between them and an industry. Recent amalgamations of employees’ bodies and the formation of employers’ ns.soi iations have caused matters to enter another phase. A ditferenee of opinion however small, is now not only a casus belli in which a very large number of employers but a whole industry and the general public as well may lie involved with harmful results to all three. AA'hile it is true that recent disputes have been mainly on wages questions which do affect a large number of both employers and employees, it is not inconceivable—indeed, it lias actually happened—that a small difference of opinion or misunderstanding really affecting only one firm and one man might cause the stoppage of a whole industry. And at the present time a dispute between two trades

unions in which the employer can do little and the public less may easily culminate in a strike. The only reason that the hold-up of an entire industry for a trivial reason has not occurred moie often is that one side or the other has been reasonable enough to give way in time, though that is not a solution which will recommend itself to any lover of justice. Gargantuan trades unions and employers' associations representing large amounts of capital have another effect on trade disputes which should he ot great interest to the public. This effect, is seen most clearly and at its worst in disputes which involve the stoppage of such public services as

tramways, railways and electricity supply. These disputes follow one standard course whose divagations are unhappily familiar enough to us all, and they all end in sv longer or .shorter

time in imposing a great charge upon industry and upon the cost ol living, ft is this ability to pass on the cost ol increased wages without extra service being rendered which distinguishes strikes in these industries trom those in which the production is direct, which brings the public in diiectly as a third party, and which necessitates that the public should determine how the matter should lie dealt with. Tf we take the recent dock strike as an example of what we mean it is perfectly obvious what- will happen. The increase in wages conceded wall be added to the cost <d' transport, ami the price of the commodities nlleeted wiP g,, up. On the tramways the effect w ill he the same —increased fares. AA e say nothing about the right and wrong of tin 1 various questions involved. That at ttie moment is not the point at issue. The important thing the public has to realise is that these public services are not in the true sense ot the word trading concerns. that there is

mi competition, and it i- very easy ui pass on increased costs to the public without the public receiving anything in ret urn. liieTeascil '’age.- in tho

transport industry will not iteccs-nri' mean more .sj'ceily delireiy. nor w i'l increased wages in the tramways industry connote greater comfort in travelling. In fact, both industries are in a position where they can do infinite damage in the public, if the public on their pail do lmt take steps

to prevent it. How- different ‘matters are m he productive industries is shown in a leceiit letter to ‘'The Tillies” hv Mr G. X. Barnes, lie points out. that Hie skilled workers of the Amalgamated Engineering Union are 'migrating in increasing numbers to America because thev refuse to continue to work at starvation rates. He points out nl.-o that in London unskilled hilKiurers such as dustmen—are paid twice the W'Cops of the skilled man. A\o do not attempt to defend that position, hut the reason is simply this. Tf the dustman demands higher wages lie can get them, because the increase can he placed mi the ratepayer. It the skilled fitter demands higher wages he may get them, hut this victory will most probable he followed by dismissal as his ompiover will he unable to obtain orders at the prices made necessary by the increased cost of production. Tn a word, a fitter’s wages are controlled l,y economic conditions, while a dustman's aiv m>i.

rt is very difficult, to surest n romody for these topsv tiirvy conditions without going into political questions will, which it is not in our province to deal. Blit we may insist that the time ],as come when the public should take stops to protect itself against the constant attacks of those that are its servants. Much of the work on our railways and the same is increasingly true of'other methods of transport ami mnnv other public •orvires. is relatiye|v unskilled. Tt could he leanit by ,'nv imellicem man or woman ... <l".to short time. What happened in the railway strike of HUB siifr.iioiit to show- that. Within a few days volunteers were providing a passable servoo and liftmen, conduet.irs. Totters et hoe genus .mine had a salutary lesson as to the value, of their services which unfortunately they are beginning to forgot. The formation of a body "t volunteers which would he prepared to undertake certain essential murk m emergency would at least ensure the prevention of strikes and bring about the settlement of disputes that might arise hv arbitration conducted m a 'reasonable way. Trades union** *re now strong enough not to have m f..j,injustice from employer-. am both sides can be sii"> of ohta'.nng justice, from an Industrial Cm ' ’ trades unions are also strong enough to nse their power rutl.les.slv and to drag in the public as unwilling protagonists on the slightest excuse. Tt- w Hat power, and that power only, "e wtslt to see curtailed.