• * * And . agreement ought not to be
impossible. The position of the trade unions has greatly changed ; their funds are nearly exhausted and the moderate members— probably the majority in most of the unions—are conscious that the law and some of the trade unions' own customs and regulations have become a source of weakness rather than of strength. Why should not the Government try how much in the way of reform can be obtained by con- sent ?. Unfortunately, it is not enough for the.Government to put their hand on their heart and say "If we introduce what legislation we think fit we shall mean no harm to the trade unions, which we greatly value." We are sure that is true, but mischief would nevertheless be done if Labour leaders had even a plausible pretext for saying that the unions were being " attacked."
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