THE RIGHT TO STRIKE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 1010, 22 February 1912, Page 4

THE RIGHT TO STRIKE.

“MY STRIKE IS YOUR STRIKE.”

In dealing with the above subject, the Thames Star of a recent

date says as follows :

“ This is the new doctrine that certain Labour leaders in the Dominion —men whose openly expressed ambition is to control the whole of the labour forces in New Zealand so as to be able to say to the employers, ‘ Give these men what they demand or we will paralyse every industry throughout the land. It does not matter if some are content with their lot. So long as one section is dissatisfied with the industrial conditions, so long as the demands of even a few men are not granted, and we, the executive of the Federation of Labour, think that their demands are just, we claim the power —and exercise it—to call out every worker to 1 down tools ’ until those demands are granted.’ This is the militant position that the Federation of Labour takes up as against that section of the men pledged to endeavour to secure im proveraents in their industrial conditions by the adoption of more specific measures—by conciliation and arbitration. It is a serious position, and with such a force at work in New Zealand grave industrial unrest must continue. By the establishment of tribunals an honest endeavour has been made in New Zealand to minimise, if not entirely remove, the inconveniences and hardships usually experienced where cessation of labour occurs in connection with an industrial dispute. For a time all went well. The conditions existing in connection with various industries are enquired into, and in almost every instance the rate of wages was increased. But the workers forgot that as their remuneration was increased the cost of living would be raised, and then the climax came, when the Courts, after hearing both parties to the dispute, declined to advance wages further. Immediately this was done the fairness of the Supreme Court Judge holding the position of arbitrator as between the two parties represented on the Board, was impugned, and he was, and is, subjected to grossly unfair attacks. Then the strike method was advocated, and, judging by the number of times it has been put into operation, is growing in popularity. Now a further advance, if such it can be so termed, has been made. The right to strike having been conceded —as a matter of fact it would be impossible to prevent a number of men ceasing work, though they are liable to be punished fordoing so--tbe Labour leaders now advocate for the workers the policy of “My dispute is your dispute ; my strike is your strike,” and this is what going to prove its undoing. No civilised country will stand it. It must eventually break down from the widespread ruin it will briug in its train. If because there is a grievance, real or fancied, against some industrial condition that exists —and possibly is necessary for the successful operation of that particular industry—or against an official who, mayhap, has made himself too officious, it is to be understood that if one section of workers cease that all others are to be called upon to strike until the demands ot the former are agreed to on the charges insisted upon by the Labour leaders are made ? That the courts of the country are to be flouted and all tribunals formed to secure law and order—industrial as well as social —are to be sneered at, derided and insulted ? That the direction of the whole of the industrial forces is to be placed not in the hands of those responsible for the efficient conduct of the business or industries, but in the hands of a few men who have arrogated to themselves the position of leaders ? Under such conditions no employer would be sale. Ruin and disaster might face him at any moment for a fault not his own, but that of another with whom he is entirely disassociated. Industrial chaos and confusion, deterioration and stagnation, would inevitably follow ; and New Zealand’s fair name would become a byword and a disgrace. Compulsory arbitration appears to be the only feasible remedy ; arbitration by a court whose decision could not be flouted but would be backed up by the forces that are now called to preserve order and peace—in all but the industrial world.”