WHO GAINS?

Hokitika Guardian, 15 October 1928, Page 3

WHO GAINS?

(Sydney Sun.) 'Die half-hearted strike of the waterside workers prompts the reflection that the men themselves do not know for what they are striking. Half of them, apparently, do not waut to strike. In-some ports they are working under the new award, in others they want to work, and in others again they refuse to work. It looks as though it- were simply a. manifestation. of the strike habit- which has got hold of some sections of the workers—especially the least intelligent—so that at any grievance, real or fancied, they drop their work. Forty years ago there might hnvbeen some purpose in the strike. Wages were low, hours were long, and general conditions' were had. The workers were very much under the dominion of the employers, who used the economic weapon to the full in dealing with any dispute. Now with unionism and direct po-li-ical representation in a country which has never denied the worker anything in reason—because of the people fully 95 per cent, are workers—the militants ask for that which is not in reason control over the industry of the Commonwealth ; the revolution.

In actual matter of fact the resolution has arrived long ago. The people are already masters, by the power of the ballot, of their own fate aml mutiny. Any strike by any section of the people is against the peop'e. Anv revolution will be a revolution against those who revolt.

There is no logic in a strike or a revolution against the community. No matter what damage it does, that damage fal’s IwK'k fin all v on the very fo I ’-: who cause the trouble. In this world there is no way yet discovered of getting seven pence for sixpence, and the sooner the unions recognise that, the sooner will the strike and revo-lntmu motive fade out- of the orchestra of industry.