PLAIN WORDS ON THE STRIKE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19458, 14 October 1926, Page 10

PLAIN WORDS ON THE STRIKE.

The Labour Conference has heard some refreshingly plain speaking from Mr. J. H. Thomas concerning the strike. He is one of the sanest of Labour's leaders in Britain, .and has the courage of his opinions. His many years as general secretary of t.he National Union of Railwaymen have given him much practical knowledge of trade unionism. Cabinet experience steadied and strengthened his grasp of affairs. When the truth about the general strike came out he was proved to have he-en sturdily opposed to it, and with a realisation of its folly there has come an enhancing of his influence. That he can now command a hearing in spite of the cordial hatred of the extremists is shown by his compelling the Labour Conference to hear his views, unpalatable to its hot-headed members bent on silencing him, and by their overwhelming defeat in the cardvote on an important issue. That Mr. Ben Tillett, not usually hesitant to take a reckless course, was constrained to support him, is an eloquent testimonial to Mr. Thomas' present standing. Mr. Tillett makes no secret of his liking to fight on the side 'of the big battalions. What Mr. Thomas made the conference, hear was a crushing indictment of the coal strike as a disaster to trade unionism. It has hit the railwaymen very hard indeed, and their support cannot be indefinitely expected. But his condemnation of the strike leaders' policy and methods as both foolish and deceitful was even more damaging than his citing of the ruinous effects of the strike itself. A little more of this plain speaking, coupled with such action as the safety-men have taken in refusing to abandon work, and. the coal strike's end must come. Even Mr. Cook's threatening words about martial lawindicate that the struggle must soon pass to the region of quieter discussion, where; those who favour the views of Mr. Thomas would see it taken.