ABSTRACT
The prohibition of strikes by law is undesirable in a free society; it is also that the functions, and probably, also, the structure of trade unions will change in large measure compared with their development in a society which remains steadfastly capitalist in character. Granted the history, moreover, of legal reform in this country, it is far more likely to be driven forward by a Minister responsible to the House of Commons than by one whose essential functions are centred in the House of Lords. On this basis, moreover, it would be possible, at long last, to reform the whole system of judicial patronage, which still bears on its face the character of the age of Lord Eldon rather than of own. Certainly, with the possible exception of ecclesiastical appointments, it is difficult to think of any area where the exercise of the patronage power has been performed to less advantage in this country.
