The Pahiatua Herald PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING. THURSDAY, JANUARY 13, 1921. TO END STRIKES.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 2677, 13 January 1921, Page 4

The Pahiatua Herald PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING. THURSDAY, JANUARY 13, 1921. TO END STRIKES.

Tho soarch for a cure for strikes has been as assiduous and almost as suc-

cessful as the quest- for the “philosopher's stone.” On occasion a shout {toes up from one of the invest traitors announcing victory. The latest claim to the discovery of a solution of the strike problem is puft forward by “Collier's,” New York. “Collier’s” is undeniably one of the ablest, silliest and brightest of the American weeklies. It i.s particularly linteresfted in questions affecting the welfare of the workers juhl the general public. So it came about that “Collier’s” recently began to look around for a preventive of strikes. The result of its investigations was proclaimed in its investigations was proclaimed in kernel:

“Every s’trike has been set til'd by men sitting around a table. Why not make this sett-lenient before the strike begins?” In these worths of a Labour leader is the key of the problem. It is not socialism. It is sense. It is the answer. There is no other.

“Collier’s” is careful to explain that it- has discovered no new principle, but it does hold that it has suggested a new method of inducing industrial peace. Courageously hopeful it sent the epoch-making article to American captains and leaders of industry, who Were invited to answer the question: “If we are wrong, tell us why.” Air Herbert Hoover, vice-chairman of President Wilson’s Second Industrial Conference, was asked to analyse the various replies. In the course of that analysis Air Hoover laid it down that four expedients are i*|>eii to those who would move to end strikes. The first led to the sort of industrial court, involving summary processes and gaol for refusal to accept a decision, that is being tried in Kansas. Another was the nationalisation of t li«services upon which the life of the community depends. ‘ ‘ Logically,” adds Air Hoover “it must extend to

compulsory labour, for the State can allow no strike against- itself.” The third stops where begins, and invites the seeker to do nothing. “It is the fourth,” says the commentator, “leading to self-government i:i industry through bettor understanding that- presents real hope—for it goes deeper than settlement- of conflicts.” So much for Air Hoover. Of the Labour loaders the opinion of Air Samuel Gompors, secretary of the American Federation of Labour, commands ‘mosft attention. AJr Gompers is no firebrand and no revolutionary. He -is the butt of the contempt of such as the infamous T.W.AV. —an organisation which lias a long list of real atrocities to its discredit. What is Air Gompers’s view of “Collier s” editorial? In effect, lie denies thata cure has been found, and adds that America cannot afford to stop strikes. This Stalwart- miners no words, camouflages no sentiments. The movement, he declares, does not desire strikes. It offers the machinery to avert strikes. It will do anything to gain peace except sacrifice progress. He continues: “The American working jieople believe in progress. By hard fighting they have left behind thenii one abuse after another. I They have taken the children out of industries, they have abolished the sweatshop, they have reduced the hours of labour ‘they have renovated the whole factory system, they have given the workman a place respected in the comniniMty, they have taken away his rags and removed from him for over the badge of inferiority. Aluch of this progress lias been gained through the ability of workers to organise cessations of work . . Progress censes when human relations become static.” Air Gompers believes tlialt nothing can be more effective in the way of adjusting national proleionts than for the employers to ‘‘recognise fully the rights of workers to organise iff-to trade unions and to be represented by representatives of

their own choosing, and to enter into trade agreements through collective bargaining. . These arguments have a much smaller application in New Zealand, thanks to the social legislation of past and modern Parliaments. Nevertheless, the looat Labourite is intensely jealous of the right to strike. Failure in one instance —the failures are numeious—does not act as a deterrent. And tho explanation of this absurd r »ice on a seemingly broken r«vd i<. ™ie b.>— lief that even unsuccessful strikes have a Ynoral effect useful enough to justify the practice. Thus, though, as compared with those of the States, our social wrongs are non-existent, the workers will always keep tho strike wea]H>n handy.