The strike in the building trade continues, as under the
pre- sent strategy of both sides it seems likely t do, without any approach towards a better understanding. Wit use the words " better understanding," in the most literal riteffiing of the ex- pression. For we are convinced that while there are rights on both sides, there are also mistakes on both sides ; those mistakes being rendered more serious in their nature and etinsequence by a certain systematic ignorance which each side maintains, and which each side seems to regard as the bulwark of its rights. The litigants are not appealing to any tribunal, or perhaps even to any chance decision, save the power of each to hold out. This is unlucky, on two grounds,—first, because it prejudges the ques- tion in favour of the wealthier party ; and secondly, because it happens that a somewhat overdrawn state of trade, for a few years past, has rendered that same side better able than the other to bear a suspension of industry. Now the events of the last week have by no means contradicted our rooted belief, that in feeling, in general moral sense, in a conscientious desire to do right, there is no distinction between the two sides ; as there is indeed little distinction between any given large number of Eng- lishmen. But while each side persists in its own view, both leave the arbitration to be settled by a mere race in spending ; and we all know how that race must end. Nothing new has oc- curred on the part of the men. On the other part has been put forward, this week, something like an organized proposal of "non-society men" to raise a subscription on their own behalf, under the patronage of the masters. The proceeding looks very like a dodge on the part of some among the men to obtain masters' patronage, such as would implicate any masters co- quetting with it in the discredit of the dodge. Meanwhile Mr. Dayman, the magistrate, has very opportunely suggested to the associated men the question whether they are not so diverting the original purpose of benefit funds, that one member in a thousand of a club might effectually lodge his protest and arrest their proceedings P
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