We wish that the Prime Minister had taken Mr. Ramsay
MacDonald at his word when he said that Labour ad- mitted that essential supplies must be maintained in a national emergency. A direct discussion might have brought out exactly what Labour means. At present we confess that we do not know what it means. In our judgment every objection to the protection of the com- munity is undemocratic in conception. We do not, of course, deny the right of all the wage-earners in the country to strike, but we do assert that in this democratic country everyone who is going to suffer has a right to protect himself. Further it is the positive duty of the Government not to leave things to chance, but to think out a scheme in advance. Although strikes are per- fectly legitimate they must be conducted within the boundaries of the democratic principle which recognises the rights of all. * * *
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