The labour struggle in Australia still goes on. Most of
the miners are "out," not for wages, but in defence of the grand principle that non-Union men shall not be employed; and the stevedores have all struck with the same object in view. This, too, seems to be the main issue between the men and the general body of employers, who insist upon obtaining freedom for non-Unionists to work before they will discuss any compromise with "associated labour." The public is dead against the Unions, and the Colonial Governments employ not only special Constables, but troops to protect the "freemen," who are so numerous that as yet all needed work is performed, though probably at high rates. Judging from the symptoms at this great dis- tance, and on the faith of snippety telegrams, we should say that the Unions would be hopelessly beaten in the effort to obtain a monopoly of work for their guilds, but that the general rate of payment for work, especially unskilled work, would be considerably advanced by the struggle. The public pays for that, and it is becoming more and more evident abroad, as well as at home, that the doctrine of fraternity does not apply to the public. It is too civilised to have friends, and may be taxed with impunity. Whatever the trade which strikes, the community always has to pay.
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