22 AUGUST 1925, Page 15

MR. LARKIN'S STRIKE IN IRELAND [To the Editor of the

SPECTATOR.] SIR,—Since the article on " Labour Problems in Ireland " was published in the Spectator the threatened strike to which allusion was made has taken place. The coal supply of Dublin was suddenly cut off, owing to the refusal of members of Mr. Larkin's revolutionary union to work with men belonging to the Transport Union. No question of wages or hours is involved. A mass meeting of employers has been held, and it was decided to open a " fighting fund " and to break the ■ strike. All branches of industry and commerce were repre- sented, and the coal merchants have the support of all employers and of the Press. Coal depots have been opened at the docks, and men willing to defy the threats of Mr. Larkin's supporters are unloading coal which is distributed by impro- vised agencies, under police protection. The Irish Times, in a leading article congratulating the employers on taking up the revolutionary challenge, expresses the hope that reason- able men in the Labour movement will nowmeet the employers and thresh out means to work together for the common good.