The Waikato Times With which is Incorporated The Waikato Argus. FRIDAY, MAY 25, 1928. COSTLY STRIKES.

Waikato Times, Volume 103, Issue 17411, 25 May 1928, Page 6

The Waikato Times With which is Incorporated The Waikato Argus. FRIDAY, MAY 25, 1928. COSTLY STRIKES.

The strike as a weapon of offence or defence, as the case may be, is a j very ancient institution in various j forms, but its sphere of operations was j until comparatively modern times so restricted that the effects were not felt beyond a very limited circle. L'nder these conditions it was not a very formidable matter to grapple with, and in addition there were then means of dealing with fractious subjects that have disappeared with the passing of. autocratic governments. As a serious problem the strike has developed side by side with the development of modern factory production, under which large numbers of employees are concentrated in the industrial areas, thus creating a contact impossible under more primitive conditions. The growth of trades unionism is as marvellous as the growth of industry Itself. Gradually the initial difficulties were overcome and now the employees in the various industries are so thoroughly organised that they are able to' exercise a powerful influence on the fate of the community by simply refraining from doing their share of the community’s work, and so closely associated are modern industries that one cannot be injured without the injury becoming general. As has been manifested during the past couple of months a few recalcitrant ships’ cooks can throw hundreds of other workers out of employment and render a fleet of steamers as helpless as if the engines had been destroyed. These arc only the apparent effects, but there are many others which would be revealed by a close investigation. Traders, for example, who are dependent on the ships for the goods to maintain their stocks have had their'business dislocated, and in many other ways there has been direct hurt done to people who had not the remotest connection with the dispute. This is quoted only as an instance of the power which can bo exerted by the strike when scientifically applied, and if has to be admitted that the ingenuity displayed in this direction is remarkable. The crude methods of the industrial pioneers are no longer followed. in their place is a system of attack which is baffling in the extreme. It. is as unlike the strikes of earlier times as is a rapier to a bludgeon, and its success lies largely in its elusiveness. Years of arbitration courts have failed to eliminate the strike from industrial life and the price has to be paid at more or less regular intervals. It would be an almost impossible task to reduce the figures the total loss caused by the strike of any magnitude, but the known losses provide a measure by w'hich those that are not known may be gauged to some extent. The loss to Australian workers in wages alone during the four years from i 92J to 1925 amounted to £5,022,731, but this as a contemporary points out, by no means represents the whole. In how

many cases have Hie household goods of the strikers had In he Haerlllrrd in order to live while, a strike was on? In how many instances likewise luive the small savings bank accounts been depleted for the. Same reason? To llio workers themselves the cost of a slrike is far more Ilian tin* wages aelually lost, which are also probably only a fraction of the enormous losses caused to the employers. A few more millions, to cover Ihe employers' losses will have to he added to Ihe live millions losl in wages In arrive al Ihe aggregale losses through strike during Ihe period re ferred to. Even Ibis does not mil Ihe story, as it is certain dial Ihe losses of those whose business suffered on account of the strikes would amount to another million or two al least. The obvious fact, therefore, Is dial during four years many millions of pounds were lost to Ihe community by strikes, to say nothing of Ihe amount of human misery for which they were responsible. The loss is plainly In lie seen, hut. where is the gain? Who ran point to any tangible benefit that lias accrued to the community or to any of those who wore involved in the. conflicts? The nett, result is that industry is divided into two camps ready to fly at each other’s throats, and each with a hidden fear that the next struggle may destroy both. This spectre is very real, and industrial peace is just as necessary as peace between the nations. Statesmen the world over are seeking a means of bringing it. about, but so far little progress has been made, but just as war must, cease on account of the awful consequences under modern methods industrial conflicts will have to be abandoned l'or the same reason. The remedy for costly strikes will probably he found ultimately in their boomerang effect leaching a lesson which will last.