THE GOVERNMENT AND THE STRIKE.

Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 14836, 29 November 1913, Page 10

THE GOVERNMENT AND THE STRIKE.

There is much significance in the great number of resolutions which are being passed in all parts of the country commending the Government's action during the industrial crisis. They indicate something more than approval of the Government: they are the country's reply to the deliberate efforts of a section of the "Liberal" Party and a group of "Liberal" newspapers to hamper the Government in its management of a situation more dangerous and more injurious to the community than the present generation has known. At the very outset of the. trouble wo warned the "Liberals" that the parties to the conflict were the community on the one hand and the lawless Federation of Labour on the other, and that they would range the community against them if they did not immediately and whole-heartedly give their assistance to the Government. They did not take the advice. Their leader made an initial false step which antagonised the public from Auckland to Bluff, and, apparently on the principle that one might as well be hanged for a sheep as for a lamb, he has since encouraged the strikers by letting them see that the Opposition has had no intention of rallying to the support of the national executive. He has within the last few days even repaid his temporary borrowing of their phraseology in the first days of the trouble by furnishing them with dishonest catch-cries for their latest manifesto. It is not surprising, therefore, that .the Reform Party has become identified with public freedom, and safety to life, property, and commerce.

From the beginning the Government has adopted the sure-footed and courageous policy demanded by the situation. When the stake began 1500 or more violent men had taken possession of the Wellington wharves, and had made it plain , that they could not and would not be controlled by the ordinary civil forces. Mr Massey realised, what Mr Denham realised when the Brisbane strike began, that "a false step—such "aa an appeal to force without "ability to sustain it—might have " disastrous results." He pursued exactly the policy pursued by Mr Denham, not merely because it was an excellent example to follow, but because it was the only course open to any Government aware of. its duty and determined to do it. At any stage in the mobilisation of the community a false step would have precipitated the gravest trouble, but no false step has been made. ■ With very little delay the community had its freedom and safety restored to it. In the meantime, the Prime Minister, while the Opposition were fulminating-and scolding and misrepresenting, used all hia endeavours to promote a peaceful, settlement, but all his efforts were in vain, for the Federation refused any peace which was not a triumph over the community and over law and order. It was long ago apparent that the "Liberals," in reiterating that the Government should have, and could have, settled the dispute by legislation, were speaking purely as the agents and allies of the Red Feds., into whose camp they were forced by the initial blunder of their Leader. The only legislative proposal suggested by the Leader of the Opposition was little more than the Bill already drafted for tho prevention or settlement of future disputes. The Government's sole duty has been twofold: first, to erhaust the possibilities of an agreement between the parties, and second, to protect the lives of the citizens, preserve order, and safeguard the public's freedom to transact its lawful business. It has discharged these duties to the full, as the vast majority of the public are well aware. . The public is thankful that at a time of great peril the Party in office was not the Party which, by its weakness and insincerity, and its policy of truckling to the anti-social forces for tho sake of votes, is in some measure responsible for the present outbreak.