In the engineering dispute a hopeful turn was also taken
by the postponement of the wage reduction notices. There was also a modified offer by the employers on which a ballot of the men is to take place. Better still, the work is to be continued during the ballot. The information in regard to trade disputes is now always so hazy and confused that it is impossible to make any very definite criticism ; but granted that the facts are as stated, the employers seem to have acted with extraordinary folly in refusing to allow their terms to be submitted to a ballot of the men, unless the Executive of the Engineering Union promised to recommend acceptance. We can well understand the masters feeling that a ballot was not worth much unless such recommendation was made. Actually to come before the public with a demand, not for a free ballot in which men should be allowed to vote as they liked, but for a dictated ballot, was an extraordinary lapse in strategy. In Labour troubles it is essential not only to do the right thing, but to do it in the right way.
