The
Spectator May 11, 191 In how many large companies are the relai tionships between management all employees regarded as being of absolute prime importance before trouble breaks How many union leaders are in control their unions? How many disputes arise frerf' inter-union differences arising in their teo from the multiplicity of unions? (Mercedni Benz deal with a single union, British LaYle, with twenty.) On how many occasions ha's been demonstrated and the lesson lear„nd that when it comes to getting what you muscle is more effective than merit or tala.4 It seems odd now that we should ever has, expected to remedy or even improve till with a single, long, complicated and bitterft. opposed Act of Parliament. It is even ra00 odd, however, that many people continue believe that the elaborate structure of 10°4 society can survive a process in which ev'rr" one who is well placed to do so takes his to play highwayman and extract from the reh'i, of the community what he judges to be or. due, with no regard at all for his neighe We cannot continue to run away from °gel we must seek and find solutions which safety and security to the community. I lrl,tfeof' myself to seek other opportunities to pa' ' ward what might be helpful proposals. The last general election resulted 111,,i/ downfall of an elected government and for the National Union of Mineworgeo Opinion will vary, of course, both as t° outcome and the reasons for it, but weakness and vulnerability of eleed, government has been starkly revea',4 Governments over many years have, i Peel/701 inevitably, paid increasing and subserviol regard to the views and interests of PresOspli: groups. In so doing, they have eroded not the liberty of the individual but their 4• 1 strength as well. That is the concern a'ved,; particularly of those who, though little by talk of freedom and democracY, "oh• ' professing a disregard for politics --no, something stronger for politicians — vitipcis," nevertheless deeply and by every lels:thei-' resent being pushed around under some sterner system. If such a system were ever imposed 0 l`', it would be because we hadn't bothered e4 g to make our own work properly or tna}cetor merits clear; because, in other words, 01)1, many of us had become too comfortable care. volit4 John Peyton is Conservative MP for ;740 and was Minister for Transport Inclustrs" i'd, the last government. His is the first of a of velum by prominent Conservatives 011 ce-E tzonal problems to be carried in The SPe tor.
Previous page
