DON’T STRIKE! VOTE

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 1072, 20 July 1912, Page 4

DON’T STRIKE! VOTE

Mr J. Keir Hardie makes some very sober comments on “ The Lessons of the Strike ” in the Socialist Review. He is not unduly impressed by the dramatic possibilities ot the general strike, although he prophesies that the *' next big strike will be, not only national, but international.” He recognises that “it is become increasingly true that the strike tor improvement in industrial conditions is not going to solve the social problem ‘The experience of the strike, however, of late has shown conclusively the imperative need lor the workers to control Parliament, which is a very different matter irom waiting upon it. The action of the strike can at most be only ameliorative ; it never can be revolutionary. That belongs to the sphere of politics. A strike can secure the adoption of the principle ot a minimum wage, but only Parliament can nationalise the mines, or the railways, or other industrial undertakings. And so political action is revolutionary, whereas direct action is but palliative. The strike can be used to supplement, but not to supplant political action. Before the work-ing-class can be free they must control the State, and the strike, apart from its educational value, does nothing to secure control of the Slate. With forces of ‘law ami order,’ civil and military, under their control, the master class boss the show. They have the press, the policeman, the soldier, the judicial bench, and the Senate as their servants. And ail this because, despite a popular franchise, they are still the ruling class. Parliament is theretore the citadel upon which the lorces ot democracy must concentrate their attack. A general strike against Liberalism and Toryism is the need of the hour, livery general rise in wages leads to a rise in rent. The political strike is the only iorm of strike which is all gain ano no loss. The strike, especially on a national scale, is a double-edged weapon, to be used only occasionally, and then with care, whereas the vote can be used all the time, and is guaranteed to injure only the enemy.”