LABOUR AND STRIKES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19217, 5 January 1926, Page 7

LABOUR AND STRIKES.

Sir, —I take it that Labour organisations are not out for one particular class of worker, but for the benefit of all the working class, and are looking for tho means of improving conditions. In entering on an enterprise wo should always take the fpr and against to bring out the best means of carrying on. So it is well for us to reason among ourselves. For years I have watched and can see no benefit from strikes in tho workers' cause. One case relating to the last seamen's strike has just come to my notice. Some time ago a working fanner friend of mine gave an order for a quantity of manure to improvo his grass, so that he might be able to add a few more cows to his herd. Ho is now notified of a drop in the prico of his buttcr-fat on account of the butter market being upset by the strike. That means he must cut down his order. His will not be an isolated case, as many will have to do the same. That means less shipping space required, fewer seamen wanted, less cargo to be handled by watersiders and all transport workers. That decreased producing power means a decrease in tho exchange of other merchandise, I and we have an increasing population to find work for. It must cut back on the worker for come time to come. I am told strike leaders do not go on strike pay like the men. In Australia as tho cargo handling declined there was less money to help the strikers; naturally it was wanted for transport workers' homes. The strike strikes tho worker and his sympathisers first and hardest and increases the cost of living. Tho working farmer is using his last shilling tho same as the rest of as, and it is on our exports Aat the Dominion's prosperity rests. Every unionist must attend to his union's business and not let a few irresponsibSes, or men with a grudge or axe to grind, run the union's business. We want to study well for and against every scheme before is put into force. Also, we want to elect officials who can meet the employe, s as one business man meets another to discuss both sides of the question and be ready to give and take. I can understand Mr. Havelock Wilson agreeing to the £1 reduction. It was not because he liked it; but until the foreign ships working on our coasts under worse and cheaper conditions than ours can be dealt with, the reduction was better than our ships lying idle and our crews oai of work. I noticed the foreign ships working on the Australian coast were not interfered with and I ask v»hy ? lam a worker and know that Britishers don't like to be dominated over. So we must bo ready, both employer and employed, to meet each other in a true spirit of conciliation to discuss both sides of a question instead of dictating terms. Until wo are ready to do so there win be friction and that always Increases the cost of living in the end, instead ot getting the best s P ending gP owe r^tte L t. Makarau, Kaapara.