19 MAY 1917, Page 2

We do not think that much good is likely to

come of newspaper writing in regard to the engineers' strike, or from discussion of what are the various causes at work. At bottom the movement is due to the desire of a certain number of the younger men in the munition works to maintain their privilege of exemption from the Compulsory. Military Service Act. Like all aristocracies, they find it very hard to part with a privilege. Privilege always demoralizes. We are glad to see, however, that with many of the workers in the South of England patriotism has won a victory over selfishness.