THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 1913. THE STRIKE OUTLOOK.

Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 14822, 13 November 1913, Page 8

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 1913. THE STRIKE OUTLOOK.

The public will find in our news coumns to-day abundant assurances from the Strike Committees and their sympathisers that the strikers will win, and that the Federation of Labour is march ing rapidly to victory. If we thought that the "public and the trade-unionists were deceived by the heatod and extravagant language which is being hurled at the Government, at the public, at the special constables, at those U.L.P. leaders who havo warned the workers against the Federation, and against everyone else who does not see eye to rye with the strikers, wo should be deeply concerned. But this extravagant language deceives nobody. Tho Federation is already beaten, as it was bound to be; and it is entirely vain for the strike orators to hope that the public can be distracted from the »-implo fact that the fight has been a conflict between the community and a

small minority of lawless men. The people who still fancy that the Federation is fighting for the "cause of Labour were never numerous, and they are lessening daily in numbers. They are not nearly so numerous as the total of those who have joined the strike would lead one to suppose, for a great many of tbe strikers have notoriously struck against their will, out of fear of the violence which is the one weapon of the irresponsible and reckless men who aro eager for trouble. As a telegram relating to the Wellington Tramwayrcen's Union makes quit© clear to-day, the extremists greatly dread the taking of secret ballot.-. They know that their only hope of success is in open balloting, which secures that even where a majority oppose a strike, the fear of intimidation makes them vote against their inclination. The statements by Mr M. J. Reardon and the Hon. John Barr are evidence enough, if evidence wero required, thai the more responsible section of organised "Labour regards the Federation as the enemy of tho workers and of the workers' interests. With the community firmly resolved to repel the attack upon it, the strike orators are wasting their breath in talking such rubbish as was talked last night by the Rev. Mr Mortimer and his friends. The community has made up its mind that it will transact its lawful business, and it will not feci the smallest compunction about dealing firmly with any body of men who may seek by violent and criminal methods to prevent its doing so. One of the speakers at last night's meeting complained bitterly that the "Liberals" in Parliament were not aiding tho strikers, but ho did the' "Liberals" an injustice. Some of them have in their own way seconded tho mistaken efforts of their leader. If Sir Joseph Ward were a little less disposed to resent good advice, we should bo inclined to hope that the fresh criticisms which his latest performance havo called forth would induce him to act with a little moro wisdom. In the meantime the conditions at the ports are gradually returning to normal, and there aro many signs that no loug timo will elapse before the Federation's desperate adventure will end in complete failure. Tho loss to the community will be great, and the loss to the victims of the Federation's leaders will be especially severe; but an unyielding insistence by the community upon its rights, and an unyielding determination by the Government to suppress disorder and protect the public, will furnish a set-off to the loss in the shape of greater public security and _h impressivo demonstration tliat nobody need fear any general strike which any set of firebrands may endeavour to bring about 1 in the future.