The N. Z. Times TUESDAY, JANUARY 4, 1910. STRIKERS AND LAW

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 7017, 4 January 1910, Page 4

The N. Z. Times

TUESDAY, JANUARY 4, 1910. STRIKERS AND LAW

WITH WHICH ID ISOORPOB4IED THE "WILUHOTOII IME»PINDttKI." ESTABLISHED 1845.

Although the tone in which the Premier of New South Wales spoke to an Auckland interviewer seems to he one of satisfaction that the anti-strike legislation recently passed in that State will assert the supremacy of law, it is permissible for outsiders to take a rather less cheerful view of the new statute. It is all very well in the event of a great industrial upheaval to say that " a few loud-tongued agitators have set the country by the ears," and then take action to curb tho influence of these pests, but it may bo doubted whether a more inopportune moment could be chosen for such legislation than a period in which trades unionism is in its most mili*ant mood. Indeed, legislation under such, circumstances is more likely to reflect panic than sober statesmanship, and in the case of New South "Wales we bolievo this to ho the case. It is idle to suppose that any body of men who have arrived at that stage of revolt against the conditions under which they labour can b© deterred from taking concerted action because the law makes it an offence to hold a strike meeting and visits the instigation of a strike with severe penalties. * * * * »

There are always individuals ready to accept the crown of martyrdom in such cases, and it is hard to think of anything more likely 'to inflame tho irank and file of unionists than a feeling that one or more of, their fellows had been sacrificed by an unjust law. We realise very clearly the duty of a State to protect its citizens against the economic loss entailed by a strike, in which unoffending people suffer equally with the unrighteous. Wo cam see that it is an outrage upon liberty to permit a section of society to make war upon the rest of the community and impose suffering and want upon families having no connection with the struggle. But it is hopeless to expect that the antidote to these obvious evils is to be found by a Parliament distracted through the spread of industrial discontent. A law which cannot be enforced is worse than no law at all. It is exceedingly doubtful if the New South Wales strike law can ever be impartially administered.

An Aot of Parliament resented by so considerable a portion of the electorate as tWs can hardly be looked upon with confidence to restrain this section of the people from acting against its provisions. We should imagine it more likely to create the atmosphere in which revolutions are bred. And in passing legislation to deliver trades unionists from the " loud-tongued agitator," it is always worth remembering that as such deliverance is not wanted by the unionists themselves they are bound to repudiate interference by outsiders with what they consider the legitimate ac-

tivities of their class. Moreover, it is am entire delusion to suppose that the kind of person we know as the raucous denunciator of " capitalism," who talks loudly and long about tho rights of labour and so forth, should be regarded very seriously. He is a nuisance, no doubt, but his influence is often enough greatly magnified, and his usefulness as an exhaust-pipe ignored. A more subtle and very real influence is exercised over labour by quite another class of " agitator." This one is seldom heard. More astute than the frequent orator, his work is performed away from the limelight glare. It is with him that amy law such as has been passed by New South Wales should grapple, but there cannot be much doubt that it will miss him. Yet wo take leave to doubt whether it is cither just or wise to approach tho matter from the standpoint of devising traps for unionist leaders or the manufacture of new crimes. To put union meeting-places under an eternal police surveillance like gaming-hells, and set up elaborate obstacles to the exercise of freedom in spoech and action, can by us at least only be regarded as the first step in folly. There is such a thing as sowing tho wind and reaping the whirlwind, and those benevolent people who have cut-and-dried plans for suppressing " agitators " m and making strikes impossible would do .well to remember tho fact. The much-talked-of Industrial Disputes Act of New South Wales was powerless to preveuit the Newcastle strike. "We will be much surprised if Mr Wade's extension of that measure is found to put an end to tho present disturbance,, or even momentarily check a strike in future.