The building strike, which last Week seemed almost inevitable, was
averted by a margin of about two hours. The immediate credit of this undoubtedly rests with Mr. Ramsay MacDonald. On Friday the 18th, when all negotiations had apparently failed, he induced the repre- . sentatives of both sides to come to his room at the House. From a four-hour conference there emerged an agreement for arbitration, on which both sides are willing to continue work. The thanks of everyone who is interested in the production of new houses—and there are few who are not —must be given to the. Leader of- the Opposition. In contrast with some of his followers, he has shown that he is not out to wreck but to- improve the industrial world. His methods are very different from ours, but he has • shown a good intent. Sir Hugh Fraser has been appointed arbitrator by the Lord Chancellor, and, with assessors - from the masters and men, will begin on Monday to hear the various and complicated issues involved in the dispute. Mr. MacDonald has now turned his attention to the Norfolk farm strike, and entertained representatives of both sides on Wednesday night. Both sides agreed on terms which they will recommend to their respective bodies as a basis of settlement. Thus in two of the indus- trial disputes counsels of reason are prevailing or have prevailed. In the railway " shopmen's " case the moderating influence of Mr. J. H. Thomas is said to be making itself felt. Unfortunately, a new dispute has arisen in the shipyards.
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