THE FIGHT IS ALWAYS ON

Industrial Unionist, Volume 1, Issue 4, 1 May 1913, Page 2

THE FIGHT IS ALWAYS ON

“ Labour and Capital have interests in common,” say our friends, the enemy; “ they are as brothers.” And yet, when the workers decide that a rise in wages would be a blessing, Mr. Capitalist kicks like the verra de’il, in spite of the ancient lie that he can always recuperate himself by charging more for his wares. No matter for what advantage the workers make a bid, whether through Arbitration or the Strike, the employers oppose it. They must. Competition between Capitalist and Capitalist demands that every opportunity be taken by each continually to increase his capital, and thus assault his neighbour’s position in the market. When the workers make a cut at the bosses ’ profits—through higher wages, shorter hours, healthier conditions of toil, they partially dry up the source whence flows the means whereby capital may be increased. How, then, can there ever be peace between Labour and Capital ? There is no peace, nor is there any pause in the struggle between masters and men. The fight is always on.

On some remote frontier of Ca-

pitalism the strike fever outbreaks; soon the whole social fabric is shaken as with an ague. Labour, outraged always, but never yet beaten, attains another rung in the ladder of progress towards industrial control. A holy calm prevails, it would seem; then, suddenly, Labour discovers that Capital has all the time been eating out the heart of progress made. And trouble bursts out anew. The workers will continue the victims of this vicious round of unrest until they themselves control all industries.

The fight is always on. The workers must never pause in their vigil over the machinations of the master class. They must be ever alert and ready to stamp out Capitalist domination whenever the slightest opportunity presents itself. A contractor tied up with a time agreement is an easy mark. Railway and shipping companies, during Exhibition or holiday times, have often been made toe the line.

Clothing manufacturers at the spring of the year when rush orders are to be met; farmers at shearing and harvest time; freezing companies when the grass runs are scorched up ; all these are amenable to concerted pressure. Their only hope is the scab, and the saboteur can fix him. The workers cannot afford to let

pass a single opportunity of gaining a little more control of industry. But, chief of all, the workers must make their own opportunities—by agitation towards a strengthening of their industrial organisation.—A.H.