A BIT OF PHILOSOPHY—AND STRIKES.

Maoriland Worker, Volume 3, Issue 57, 12 April 1912, Page 14

A BIT OF PHILOSOPHY—AND STRIKES.

Sir, —A man's life is full of crosses, perplexities, and j temptations. He comes info tliis world without his consent, and goes of it against his will, and the jounijey from entrance to exit Is exceedingly rocky. If he is poor, he is a badi manager; if he is rich, h« is dishojiGst. If ho needs credit, ho can't it; if lie is-pros-perous, everyone jvants to do him a favor. If lie is actively religious, he is a hypocrite; if he takes no interest in religion, he is. a- hardened sinner. If lie does not give! to charity, he is stingy; if he does, jt is simply show and ostentation. If gives affection, he is soft; if he cares for no one, he is oold-blooded and hard-hearted. If he dies young, ho had a great future before him; if lie livjbs to a ripe old age, he missed his calling in life. So what on earth is the usb? I give it up. As to strikes, Wfiile wo have cantankerous council? and parasitic pigheads like Parr, strikes cannot come to an end. If strikes were made illegal, what about lock-outs? Is the one not as bad as the (other? Besides, how could such a law f)0 ; enforced? Again, what is the reason for the interference of blacklegs? 'TfS'snd but true that Kome men don't—ihnd won't—«omc out with their, fellows.! They argue that if the strikers tltey. also get the bettered conditions; while if the strikers lose, they are still safe in their billets. The strikers risk nothing—not even union moneyHif they can help it. When wilUhe workers learn to stick to each other —make? the injury to one the concern ofeall? The lawyers are their worst enemies, with their sentimental professions of "freedom of contract," "liberty," etc. Do tJicy allow any outsider to practise as a lawyer? Not much! If you are not in their union you will be imprisoned for giving legal advice for a fee. -Yon cannot act as a doctor either unless you're a unionistic 6atvbone9. Why should their rules not apply to carters, miners, railwaymen, etc. —Yours,' etc., JACK HARRIS.