The Dominion FRIDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1926. NEW YEAR RESOLUTIONS

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 82, 31 December 1926, Page 8

The Dominion FRIDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1926. NEW YEAR RESOLUTIONS

It is the custom of mankind to regard the New Year as an occasion , for reflection and resolution, a convenient milestone where a halt may be called, and plans reconsidered before the march is resumed. Sins of omission and commission are reviewed, successes and failures noted, ambitious hopes and schemes launched, virtuous resolves proclaimed. To-morrow sees the advent of the year 1927. Into the New Year will'be carried forward the human balance. In some respects it is a credit balance, in others it is a debit. In an international sense humanity can certainly claim a credit for the peaceful achievements which are represented in the Pact of Locarno and the admission of Germany into the League of Nations. In an Imperial sense we have placed to our credit a sound understanding between the Dominions and the Mother Country as to the form of our future relationships and the degree of our overseas independence and responsibility. In an industrial and trading survey, the Empire has occasion for serious thought.

Had we enjoyed during the past year a period of industrial peace the commercial reactions of our international and Imperial successes would have been felt favourably in all directions. The auspices were favourable, and with'this splendid incentive to confidence and enterprise all would have been well had it not been for the activities of that mischievous coterie which inspired the British coal strike with its widespread reactions, and in various countries of the Empire is forever creating unrest and industrial difficulties. With the more serious of our international problems in a fair way to permanent settlement, the future integrity of our Empire assured by the very practical understanding which has been reached at the last Conference, is it not possible for all sections of the British community to unite in resolutions and concerted measures which will enable them to proceed unhampered with their industries—their domestic progress and development?

Why should it be possible for a hysterical irreconcilable like Cook, the pro-Russian miners’ secretary in England, to precipitate a prolonged struggle which cost the people of the Old Country huge losses and 'great suffering, and created throughout the Empire a period of commercial uncertainty and financial stringency? Cook has his prototypes all over the Empire, and the progress and prosperity of all are threatened and hampered by their activities. Some are mistaken zealots, others downright traitors to their country. In either case they do incalculable harm by fomenting industrial unrest. What better New Year resolution could we have than a resolve on an industrial truce ? What a tremendous effect such a truce would have in promoting confidence and encouraging industrial development to the benefit of workers and employers and all other sections of the community. The Manchester Guardian, in a recent review of the industrial situation and the lessons of the coal strike, quoted an analysis published by the Economist of the industrial disputes in the period between 1921 and 1924. Of these disputes, it pointed out, 5.9 per cent, were settled in the workers’ favour, 10.7 per cent, in the employers’ favour, and 83.4 per cent, were compromised. “Now/’ observed the Guardian, “it is safe to say that in a very large number of the compromised cases more skilful handling of the negotiations by the trade union leaders could have gained for the workers terms as good as those ultimately accepted without inflicting on them the loss of the dispute. No trade unionist who looks back over the history of the last six years and the disputes in which industry has been plunged can fail to see that what trade unionism needs if it is to do justice to the permanent interests of the workers, are skill, judgment, hard thinking, and the grasp of difficult questions much more than the dangerous magic of mobilising or rhetoric.” Wbat is said of the responsibilities of the leaders of trades unionism applies equally to the leaders of industry. It is their duty to endeavour to promote a better understanding for the common good. In spite of a certain tendency to pessimism, the outlook for this Dominion is bright. We have our economic problems, chief of which are the increasing costs of production which are handicapping and discouraging our primary producers, but these are not beyond solution. With improved conditions in the Mother Country, the New z Year should open with hopeful prospects. Let us see that our good, resolutions ensure that we make the best use of the opportunities which unquestionably lie ahead of us.