The Daily News. MONDAY, JUNE 4, 1917. INDUSTRIAL UNREST.

Taranaki Daily News, 4 June 1917, Page 4

The Daily News. MONDAY, JUNE 4, 1917. INDUSTRIAL UNREST.

| Throughout Europe, and iu every coun- ■ try on the globe, there are signe of unrest amongst the industrial workers. The increase in the- cost of living is undoubtedly responsible for the main trouble, but the basic cause is the fact that the workers are feeling and asserting their strength, while in those countries directly or indirectly affected by the war the question of looms large as a disturbing factor. In Germany, Austria and Hungary there have been far more serious strikes than have been made public. In Britain the same upheaval has been met and overcome. To-day the cable news from Norway refers to a general strike unless grievances are reduced. There is also news from Vienna that thousands of workmen ceased work and attended Socialist meetings, demonstrating in the streets in favor of peace. It can readily be con- . ceived how woeful the plight of the Aus-Itro-Hungarians is becoming, and the demand for a cessation of hostilities will be all the mor» insistent if the news of the enormous losses inflicted by the Italians is allowed to become known. It is, however, in Russia that the worst feature of this unrest is asserting itself. The Workers' Delegates Council is not only endeavoring to run the coua.. try on the rocks, but is striving to control the workers in other countries. Evi- ! dence of this pernicious system is af- - forded by a sensational proposition o» the agenda paper of the Socialists' pone ference at Leeds, advocating the imniedy iate establishment of a council of worit kers' and soldiers' delegates in every f - town and country district in the United ' e Kingdom. This is a dangerous and rels prehensible step that should be quashed y immediately, for it cannot fail to pros, voke further unrest at a time when tho energies of the nation are being strained 'to the uttermost jn the piojeoution 61

the war. "With food riots and strikes there may be some sympathy, but to revolutionary processes of the most injurious types there should bo no quarter given,