BRITISH LABOUR TROUBLES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 15003, 27 May 1912, Page 6

BRITISH LABOUR TROUBLES.

It has been repeatedly prophesied that British labour troubles are so far from settled that the worst of them are to come. This anticipation is supported by the suddenness with which the slightest quarrel between British employers and employed may develop into a herculean conflict, showing that the tension is general and unbearable. In New Zealand, there is every evidence that the various attempts to force a general strike are artificial in their character and represent little more than the desire of dull-witted agitators to imitate the methods now in vogue in densely populated and industrially depressed countries. Wages here are relatively high, hours are positively fair, industrial conditions are generally equitable; there is no cause for general dissatisfaction and no excuse or justification for the perpetual threat of general strike. In the United Kingdom various causes have led to such a great increase in the cost of living without a corresponding increase in the rate of wages that many millions have been driven to desperation; wherever great masses of men are working together the prevalent dis- > content makes them as tinder to the spark of industrial quarrel. Mr. Balfour has pointed out that tariff reform is imperative to enable the industrial situation to be fairly met and the most conservative critics recognise that foreign competition is the force which prevents the alleviation of the British domestic strain. However this may be, it is plain that the underlying anxiety for increased wages precipitated the present strike upon the Port of London. Colonial customers and producers would probably be very willing to pay their share of increased port charges if that would bring about a speedy settlement, but disputes affecting international trade are not so easily settled. Much loss of produce, much delay of needed imports, much destruction of business and much suffering among innocent persons, must result from this barbaric way of arriving at a settlement which reasonable arbitration would settle without any loss and without any suffering.