W.E.A.

Waikato Times, Volume 100, Issue 16813, 3 June 1926, Page 3

W.E.A.

UNIVERSITY TUTORIAL CLASSES. At the weekly meeting of the Hamilton branch of the Workers' Educational Association, bold on Tuesday Hie members debated "Strikes." The affirmative side, under the leadership of Mr W. J. F.arle, defined a strike as a cessation of work resulting from an agreement on the part of a body or workmen either to break or not lo renew their existing contracts of service In order lo conduct a strike successfully the men must be able to prevent the employers obtaining a sufficient supply of labour from other sources. It was admitted that the case against strikes was plain, and that directly no strike has benefited the worker, but ■ indirectly concessions have been obtained. In earlier times men, women and children worked long, and bad it not been for the "strike weapon" used most, likely those conditions would be still in existence. ■The negative side, ably goneralled by Mr F. Brewer, contended that strikes were wholly distressing and disastrous from the workers' point or view. The old-fashioned sectional strike did not, hit directly al, society— Hie new-fashioned general slriko does. The general slrikc empties markets. raises prices and stifles consumption throughout Ihc whole communily, and hits Hie poor people heaviesl. The j immediate effect is to set the ma- i jorily of the people against Hie ' strikers, and Ibe workers suffer most. In fact a freneral strike, iiccording lo '■ Mr Philip Snowden, "is general nun- ! sense." The class will meet again next, j Tuesday, when Uie "hiving Wage" will he. discussed. i