STRIKE TACTICS

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12095, 24 March 1925, Page 5

STRIKE TACTICS

ATTACK UPON COMMUNITY “NO STRIKE IF I CAN STOP IT,” SAYS MR THOMAS. CRIES OF “TRAITOR!” By Telegraph.—Press Assn. —Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received March 23, 7.40 p.m.) LONDON, March 23. When addressing a meeting of railwaymen at Glasgow, Mr J. H. Thomas frequently was interrupted by cries of “Traitor!” He retorted that anyone subscribing to Mr Baldwin’s industrial plea was accused of being a “traitor.” “I come under that category,” he said. Mr Thomas went on to warn the railwaymen against assuming that the only possibility is a strike. “There will not be a strike if I can stop it,” he said. “A maes attack upon the capitalists would he an attack upon the community, and would hold the rest of the nation up to ransom. The only logical consequence of its success would he to take over the government of the country.” Mr Thomas, who was Colonial Secretary in the Labour Government, returned to his post of general secretary, of the National Union of Railwaymen. “SUICIDAL CONFLICT.” In a speech in his constituency last week, Mr Ramsay Macdonald voiced opinions, similar to those uttered by Mr Thomas at Glasgow. There was talk of the miners, railwaymen, and .engineers acting together, said Mr Macdonald. There could be no greater calamity than to have a bloc of unions on one side and capital on the other, engaged in a suicidal industrial conflict. MR BALDWIN’S APPEAL. Mr Baldwin’s plea.for industrial harmony was made in the House of Commons on March sth, and its fervour was remarkable. The great forces of employers and employees on whom the next stage of industrial civilisation depended, carried a huge responsibility, he said, and both Must he directed by men with right heals and hearts. . . . A sort of poison was preventing stability, both at home and abroad. . . , The Conservatives would not fire the first shot, hut stood for peace, the removal of suspicion, and the creation of a new atmosphere and a now age in which people would come together. They might be called cowards, hut he was confident that their desire for peace would be re-echoed, and that there were many in all parties who would reecho his prayer, “Give peace in our time, O Lord.” AND LABOUR’S REPLY. Subsequent speakers, belonging to all parties in the House, paid a tribute to Mr Baldwin’s eloquent appeal, and in the following week-end the Labour leaders replied to it. Mr J. R. Clynes declared that harmony was procurable at a price, including a decent standard of living and security in work. Mr J. H. Thomas, speaking at Cardiff, said: “It wtiuld he madness to suggest an industrial truce, with the workers receiving the scandalous pay of to-day, but if Mr Baldwin means that we have reached the stage when those genuinely anxious for the future are prepared to examine the facts, not aB party men, hut as citizens, then I welcome the spirit.” Mr J. Wheatley, leader of the Clydesiders, -said he did not doubt Mr Baldwin’s sincerity, but his appeal was “mere air.” and had no solid foundation,