STRIKES

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27679, 8 June 1955, Page 3

STRIKES

Sir,—The strikes in Britain continue to grow more serious, and the capitalistic press prints long columns on the threat to the nation’s economy, and how necessary it is to keep up the country’s production in the face of increasing rivalry from other nations. Not a word, however, is printed of the claims and complaints of the men who are responsible for the strike. Do people really believe that they go on strike for the purpose of crippling the nation? One would think so after reading the papers. No, let us have honesty in presenting some human values, and give both sides of the matter. If the men have a legitimate complaint, let us hear about it, and then use all the influence at our disposal to put the matter right.—Yours, etc., P.J.A. June 7, 1955.

Sir,—The situation in Britain, where 70,000 individuals are holding 50,000,000 to ransom raises a very serious, query. Is it not time that citizens banded together in some sort of defensive front against this wholesale exploitation? It is an accepted practice of strikers to attack the life of a nation in order to achieve their sectional aims; and as governments everywhere regard trade union bodies as sacrosanct, strikers can not infrequently claim “victory” over their employers by vigorous one-sided attacks on their fellow nationals. I hope I shall live to see the day when ordinary citizens will co-operate to withhold in their turn the necessaries of life from any body bent on disrupting their own. No striker will then exclaim exultantly, “The nation will break before we do.” Not for nothing did Lord Acton say that “all power corrupts.”—Yours, etc.. ANGLICUS. June 7, 1955.