The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. MONDAY, OCTOBER. 29, 1928. A FUTILE STRIKE.

Hokitika Guardian, 29 October 1928, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. MONDAY, OCTOBER. 29, 1928. A FUTILE STRIKE.

After running a chequered course for over some weeks the strike inaugurated by, the waterside workers in Australia' seems now to be definitely in a State of ‘collapse. The trouble lias been acute at Melbourne, but the decision of the Wharf Labourers’ Union there to call the strike off and register under the Transport Act evidently reflects the general disposition of the members of the waterside organisations at all ports. The cable messages have reported a rush on the part of

unionists to obtain licenses as now required by law. There is every reason to assume, therefore, that the struggle at all eirents in the aspect in which it has "heeit agitating tho Common-

wealth and interfering with shipping activities since the early part of September, is at an end, and that the dangers associated with the had feeling that was created and the threat of an attempt, at coercion on a widespread scale levelled against the whole community have receded into the distance. Fortunately the attempt of the Communists, who have been prominently identified with the Sydney Labour Council, to foment a great class struggle was unsuccessful. The conference of marine unions seriously considered the idea of largely extending the strike—in which event a very embarrassing and difficult situation would no doubt have been produced, calling for -t-rong measures for the vindication of constitutional authority—but it prudently refrained from committing itself to such a step. It is plain that the unions as a whole were not prepared to be dragged at the heels of the persistently troublesome extremists. The breakdown of the strike was inevitable in view of the lack of- unity among the niarittime workers at various ports. The whole episode has, spelt futility and economic waste, the almost inevitable concomitants of strikes. In this instance good result may follow. The waterside workers in Australia have now learned, it is to be hoped, that they are neither indispensable for the conduct of the maritime services nor powerful enough to dictate the conditions under which these services should bo run. They refused ’to accept Mr Justice Beeby’s award, and declined to observe the registration law, with the reuslt that the vshipownerg told them to do their worst, and proceeded to engage free labour. The attempt to terrorise the voluntary workers, with it menace to law and order, brought the Commonwealth Government into the struggle, and Mr Bruce took up the resolute and uncompromising attitude that was required in the circumstances. The strikers have capitulated, realising discretion to be the better part of valour, but the free labourers, who seem to have rendered excellent service, are not, to be discharged in their favour. The Federal Government should be able to face the impending elections with increased prestige. The best compensation offering for all the loss and dislocation caused by the strike would he a definitely brighter prospect for future peace in the Australian shipping industry.