Class Struggle Reappears

Despite Mr Shand's futile attempt to place the recent rash of industrial disputes at the door of the Communist Party, most people see the dispute as a symptom of the deteriorating relations between the trade Unions and the Employers.

Much of the blame has been laid door of Mr Walsh who, it has now been discovered wields too much power. Trade Union leaders however are noted not as leaders, so much as flowers. The ill-feeling that has led to the disputes is not solely a reflection of either the power struggle between Mr. Walsh and Mr Shand, or in the machinations of the Communist party, or in dissatisfaction with working conditions.

The future is going to see an increase in these disputes, not a lessening in industrial tension. The issue is, who is going to bear the cost of the fall in the standard of living which must result from Britain's entry into the Common Market.

Already the government has indicated, by its last budget, that the burden, in its opinion, should fall upon the workers. After all, the progress of the country depends upon the rate of investment and money should be left in the hands of those who will invest.

Increasingly, the employers and the government are attacking what it regards as marginal issues in an attempt to get the trade union movement to fight on grounds that would gain it little support U this happens the T.U. movement will be defeated and will then be in no position to fight the main battle when it arrives.

Such a war of attrition must inevitably lead to a division on the traditional class lines of the Marxian analysis. Such a result would a pity and the government must ensure that the present blurred lass lines do not become delineated again.