The Guardian Anil Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. THURSDAY, JULY 22, 1926. MINERS AND TRADES UNION.

Hokitika Guardian, 22 July 1926, Page 2

The Guardian Anil Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. THURSDAY, JULY 22, 1926. MINERS AND TRADES UNION.

• The Trades Union Council lias dost favour with the Miners’ Executive, and despite overtures to heal the breach, the former lias been told to go about its business. This, notwithstanding an i offer to further help the miners with funds. There are those who believed the general strike was bungled. M hat really happened was that the strike was entered on too lightly and more as a matter of bluff. But the Government called the bluff, as soon as a definite issue was afforded, and from that moment the Government went on to victory. Mr Wheatley, M.P., is one of those ardent socialists who believe that Labor was sacrificed by the great surrender. He writes trenchantly on the situation, as the following extracts from a Glasgow newspaper will show:—“The workers have sustained a smashing reverse. It was not inflicted by their bosses nor due to their own weakness. It is a most astonishing result to a 'most magnificent effort. The struggle will surely rank as the greatest and most bungled strike in history. Very rapidly we were driven to the almost unbelievable conclusion that there had been an abject. unconditional surrender. Not only had the T.U.G. deserted the miners, but they had gratuitously thrown their own members to the wolves. I have no doubt that when everything is straightened out cowardice will occupy a prominent place. . . From the first moment of the struggle, and indeed before it, prominent Labour leaders wore whining and grovelling. The real tragedy was that in its hour of trial the Labour movement was deserted by those in whom it had placed its greatest trust.” As explanatory of the other side of the question, Mr Cramp of the National Union of Railwnvmen, had something to say. In the Railway Review following the settlement of the great strike, he wrote:—“Let us face the facts. A great illusion has been dispelled. A bubble has been pricked. The heroics of Scarborough when put to the test have .proved empty and 1 worthless, nay, worse; they have left , many thousands of sincere and valiant men dismayed and in cases lienrtbrok-

en. Golden promises and high hopes are hilt a memory, and the Labour Movement is bewildered and angry, seeking explanations and scapegoats. The Trade Unionist asks: “Why did the strike fail ?” The answer should now be obvious; because in a highly industrialised country dependent for its food supply from overseas, the Gen-

oral Strike must always fail if it be fought against a Government on a large issue affecting one particular industry. The one General Strike I have always believed to have a chance of success is the strike against war. and then it must not be national, but international. It is now foi; the British' Trade Union Movement to learn its lesson and turn to the task of reconstruction. Its faith in fancy alliances based on unscientific foundations should now have disappeared. The British Trade Union Movement. . . .

must fight with brains as well as brawn. . .must have regard to the facts of industry. I suppose some of those who have shouted for the policy we have just tried out will he too shamefaced to admit frankly they were wrong. They will go on mumbling their ancient shibboleths, telling us of the glory of a “united front,” or of what Lenin did in totally different circumstances. Me must not heed them; they are living in the days of 50 years ago; time has taught them nothing. They must he left in the museum of exploded ideas amid the fossils of forgotten economic creeds.” If this ho indeed the awakening of the British labor c-onscinec to the real value of general striks, then the outlook for the future is not without hope. Mr Cramp lias reached a conclusion which seems to he dawning on Mr Cook, according to the late cable advices, and there is now the suggestion of a settlement of the coal crisis on the wages question. If this comes to pass what a futile effort the strike will have been fo- the coal miner who long ago could have got better terms than be now has the prospect of receiving! Surely those responsible for the had leadership will be called to account by their dupes.