INDUSTRIAL UNREST

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26704, 25 February 1948, Page 2

INDUSTRIAL UNREST

Sir, —ft is uue lo ooserve uiai industrial unrest, prudent trade unionism, science and invention have during tne last 60 years brought about very much better industrial conditions and a higher standard of living and comfort ior wageearners in many countries. It is also true, as experience teaches, that when industrial laws and tribunals voicing the will of the people for the preservation of law, orderly progress and industrial peace are defied and not fearlessly enforced by the Government in power there arises a state of organised disorder, lawlessness and industrial anarchy. When such a dangerous state of affairs is not by unflinching Government action effectively cnecKed in its origin, coming from one section of strikers, it spreads by degrees to other sections of strikers. It is not difficult to foresee that there will be a linking-up of all proletarian revolutionary forces with a consonaat.on of organised potential world power—most formidable to dislodge. With regard to the spread of strikes, a positively grotesque position is presented by those in high public offices who have proclaimed themselves as champions of the rights of workers and who have been strike leaders, lecturing now other workers about their duty to obey industrial laws ior industrial peace. This and many other countries is facing a very difficult future. This is made plain when we view the present grave world situation and the plight of Britain. No right-thinking person can view with indifference and complacency the inroads of high salesmanship of group pressure, bloc action, warring selfish groups and factions with Bolshevik methods to secure special and preferential advantages. There is spreading a tide of a new despotsim. To turn this tide and save what remains of constitutional and democratic representative government from collapse there comes an insistent call to all democratic-minded people and sane trade unionists tb organise in their common interest a vigorous defence movement.—l am, etc., Patriotic Criticism.