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Observer, Volume XXXII, Issue 23, 17 February 1912, Page 3

A general strike cannot be successfully carried on, even by men desirous of resorting to this extreme method of fighting, unless it has behind it s the motive force of a deep earnestness amongst trade unionists to defend a clearly vital principle of unionist policy, and even then it breaks down in time.—Wellington " " Dominion."

Men cannot be compelled to work, nor employers to employ them • but both employee and employer can be obliged to preserve the public peace. —Dunedin ** Star."

The necessity of placating every little group of rebels which arises in ~ the Labour world will presently cease, for there must be retaliation, and continued excesses are bringing the days of retaliation closer.—New Plymouth "News."

It is quite evident that the Arbitration Act is doomed. The eagerness with which many of the industrial unions are cancelling their registrations is indicative of the attitude of organised - Labour. —Dunedin "Star."

It is clear to anyone who studies the economics of advances in wages that a worker who secures an addition of a shilling per day ultimately loses elevenpence-half-penny of it. Sometimes he loses thirteenpence. As soon as he has obtained the shilling from his employer the latter charges up eighteenpence to the public, and the public charges it back again to the workman, or as much as possible of it.—. Wanganui ** Herald."

A {demand from the people of the North Island for differential railway rates, supported by North Island members of Parliament, and endorsed by North Island members of the Cabinet, could not be resisted by any Government, and the demand will come as surely difference between railway profits in the North anfd South Island increases. — Invercargill " Times."

Girls, instead of becoming domesticated and trained in household duties, go off to the factories when they leave schools, in too many cases allowing their too indulgent mothers to do most of the house work, and, having their earnings as pocket money, their evenings and half-holidays and occasional full holidays free, they acquire a taste for fleeting amusements and lose sight of the more serious duties of life._ New Plymouth "Herald." • • ■

Labour must not think that the position in New Zealand is as clearcut as it is in Australia, where a few large unions control great voting power. The working men of this country are grouped in small bodies spread, through a large number of small towns, and there is no more effective means of driving them into the opposite camp than th? brainless bluster which the 1 blind leaders of a blind organisation .. ; |save, been hurling about recently. —- Palmerston " Standard."