COMMENT IN SYDNEY.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1895, 1 November 1913, Page 7

COMMENT IN SYDNEY.

BY PRESS & LABOUR OFFICIALS. "SHORT-LIVED LICENSE." By Toleeraph—PreM AsscwlaUon-Coprrieht Sydnsy, October 31, The "Sydney Morning Herald," referring to tho Wellington watersido strike, says: "At tho present moment the Wellington strikers are enjoying short-lived license, but there are already collecting in the country at tho back certain solid bodies of horsemen which within a day or two will probably havo considerably altered tho complexion of affairs, Tho strikers are sufficiently numerous to havo rendered tho_ earliest detachments impotent, but it is only ,1 question of- hours before they wili find themselves faced by a very different problem and men who are in no meed te havo their free passage interfered with by anybody. If the New Zealand Government is wise* it will leave matters in these hands. If •the.'authorities keep their. heads, they will not for a moment attempt to avail' 'themselves of tho ' help. of men of the Royal Navy in the settlement of an industrial dispute. Admittedly, tho authorities havo tho right to call in that aid in face of .physical force, btit it is a right to ho exercised only in ,the last resort, and with tho utmost caiitfon. Nothing short of da.nger to the lives of innocent, defenceless persons, the apprehension of grave injury tto women and children, incendiarism ashqro, tho blowing up_ of ships, or similar outrages, could justify the use of naval seamen during tho progress of Mi Australasian strike."

(Rcc. October 31,, 10.10; p:m.)::"'•••>'-i Sydney, October 31. • Tho secretary of the Wharf Labour-. :crs' ; Union ■ states that ho will bo unable to make any statement in regard to the New Zealand trouble till after •his union's meeting' on • Wednesday night, Tho secretary of the Australasian Federation .»f " Labour considers that there is no immediate likelihood 1 of the Federation being ■ nffected,_ but tho executive is closely watching developments in New Zealand. He added: The action of tho farmers' sons in replacing the strikers is calculated to lead, to both sides resorting to foTce._ The feeling of Australian unionists is strongly averse to handling any goods that they might regard as "binek-lcg."