PERNICKETTY PEELERS.

Free Lance, Volume XVIII, Issue 984, 14 May 1919, Page 8

PERNICKETTY PEELERS.

London Police Talk Strike.

FinO anyone who has visited Lon- -**- don the very idea of a strike of the modern Babylon's men in blue is something almost as astonishing as to read of the Monument solemnly taking a stroll down the Thames Embankment or Gog and Magog being arrested for obstructing the traffic in Cheapside or Piccadilly. For the London variety of

John Hop, as most New Zealanders who have vis J ted the Homeland know, is the very personification of smiling contentment with things as they are. One can scarcely think of those goodnatured, tactful men in blue, who so cheerfully direct the stranger or politely hold up the traffic to allow a lady to cross a crowded street, having a grievance. But grievances the London John Hop has all the same, and, as is tjie way of workers who have grievances, he hajs seriously heen thinking of striking. The truth appears to be that the authorities will not recognise a Police Union. Well, we had the same trouble here in New Zealand, but a little give and take on both sides, plus a little ministerial firmness —oh the pity of it that Mr Herdman ever became a judge—and a little tact were all factors in bringing about an amicable settlement. Ldt us hope that the London police will not resort to the strike weapon. It is a sadly incongruous weapon to be used by men who are sworn to preserve respect for law and order.