So far as we can gather, the dockers stood a
splendid chance of getting the second ls. by arbitration. As for the employers' further offer of a joint conference " with a whole-hearted desire to find a solution " of the problem of the guaranteed week—in other words, of the decasualization of the industry—the dockers again had a first-rate prospect of getting what they wanted. Public opinion has been strongly aroused on this subject, and, after all, any structural 'change in the nature of an industry must necessarily be preceded by inquiry. Mr. Bevin, however, preferred to call the strike, and it began nominally last Saturday, though, since there is hardly any work at the docks on Saturdays and Sundays in any case, it did not really begin till Monday. Mr. Bevin has been able to do what he threatened. For all practical purposes the strike has been complete.
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