THE "GO-SLOW"POLICY

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 41, 12 November 1919, Page 8

THE "GO-SLOW"POLICY

WHO ARE RESPONSIBLE? (By "Plain Speaker.") The electors of New Zealand must realise that the obstruction of industrial operations by the "go-slow" methods recently adopted by some of the miners, the hoWing-up of supplies by waterside workers, and other plans of "striking on the job," is making the people's problem of the high cost of living a still heavier burden.. Thus we find extreme Labour men striking their fellow-workers in the face and setting their authority of "direct action" above all representative, government. This anarchistic spirit is the outcQine of the I.W.W. propaganda, endorsed to a large extent by such men as -Messrs. Holland, Semple, and Frascr, Jl.l'.'s.

What tho I.W.W. Means. There is before mo now "The 1.W.W., Its History, Structure, and Methods," by Vincent St. John, an American leader of the I.W.W. Here aro some of the principles and methods advocated:— "There is but ono bargain that tho I.W.W. will make with the employing class—complete surrender of all control of industry to tho organised workers." Talk about the footpad's demand of "Stand and deliver." Well, that is it! Tho book proceeds thus: "Tho tactics used aro determined solely by the power of the organisation to mnko good in their use. Tho question of 'right' or 'wrong' does not concern us." Amongst other methods it advocates to "slow up tho working pace," tho use of sabotage to force the employers to concede the demands of workers, and concludes by saying: "In short, tho IW.W. advocates the use of militant 'direct action tactics to the full extent of our power to make.good." Another of their leaders, by tho trustful name of "Trnutmann," sets out their programme thus: "Spontaneous action strikes" (nobody apparent!v responsible), "irritation strikes" (working slow, stopping, and starting, and delaying work), ' brooking of. contracts" (signed or unsigned), passive resistance strike," "use of sabotage, strike on the iob," ."gene.ral strike,' and "tho final lock-out." Which last means to simply commandeer, or steal, the works and lock out the owners or omployers. It should be noted that it is never suggested that all of this programme be put in operation at once, but only so much as they can "make good" with, to quoto tho pious language of these devils of anarchism. The "Go-Slow" Policy in" New Zealand. Tho shortage of coal supplies in New Zealand has been felt keenly by tho people during this year, and because the miners could not get their own way in their contest with tho mine owners, they adopt the "go-slow" method, not seemingly caring a curso how_ the general public aro affected by their action. If the Government, in defence of the public, took direct action against them, then I the Labour Party would yell "Tyranny! | Tyranny!" How long, one wonders, is the suffering putyic going to put up with the petty tyranny of a crowd of irresp'onsibles? The Miners' Federation could stop this I.W.W. method of action, and no doubt would do so if its condition? were granted. What about the public? The real sufferer. Is it not entitled to demand a stoppage of this vicious practice without conditions?. Even if tho miners are entirely right in their disnuto with the mino owners, what right have they to attack the general public? And why, one may ask, do tho Labour M.P.'s—Messrs. Holland, Semple, and Praser—fail to denounce this tyranny of members of their own class, when they would screa.'n Jhemselves blue wero the action that ofmembers of any other class. Tho miners and tramwaymen and waterside workers have each in turn used the "go-slow" I.W.W. method during: this year, though the I people know there are men in all of these ! unions who are against this sneak's I method of fighting. The electors of the j Dominion should put one question to ! every candidate standing, thus: "Are you ! prepared to support whatever G'overnj ment is returned to office in protecting i the general public against industrial nt- ] tacks of direct action, which take the : form of conspiracy in restraint of trade?" | If a man will not pledge himself to proi tect tho public without consideration of ! class, party, or personal interests, the electors should turn him down hard.

j- Who are Responsible? Who? When Mr. Mnssoy, very recently in the Houso, took occasion, very properly, to denounce tlie nction of tho miners who have been carrying out the "go-slow" policy, Messrs. Holland, Semple, pii3 Eraser, with seeming great indignation, demanded that he would name the Labour politicians who had advised tho miners to adopt the "go-slow" strike. Great is the game of bluff! Tho showing mado by these three M.P.'s was altogether "too thin." How could the Prime Minister tell what advice was given when he was not thero to hear? Tho effective test was put, if they did not support, tho "go-slow" policy, why did they not ndviso their fellow-workers to stop it? The writor will go further and say that as the "go-slow" policy; if? an injury to the general public, why do they not, as public representatives, denounce it? Are they frightened of their fellowworkers, or is it tho other reason? It may bo true that Messrs. Holland, Semple, and Fraser have never specifically advised any body of workers to adopt a "go-slow" strike, yet that does not exonerate them. If these men have learned nothing else they have learned to play cunning. With an election close at hand thev will repudiate Bolshevism, 1.W.W.-ism," Red Fed-ism, and bo the most sane, proper, and respectable constitutional reformers and Liberal democrats. They'will heartily support Sir George Grey, Ballance, and Seddon (theso men are dead, and it is quite safe). To rightly understand who is responsible for the adoption of the "go-slow irritation strikes" "that liave recently been so manifest in New Zealand, one must go back a few years in tho history of the Labour movement. There wn.s a time when the Hon. .T. T. Paul, now president of the New Zealand Labour Party, denounced strike methods, both, fast and slow, but now he is but o standing excuse. Messrs. Holland, Semph\ and Fraser, since, they ibecnnie politicians, bavo adopted the altitude—let strikes occur if they will, we are not responsible. The public should bo mado aware of the fact that tlie Labour movement of New. Zealand is tiro-sided, namely, industrial and political. This enables the members of the political New Zealand party to say, "Oh, we aro not. responsible for theso'strikes, it- is an industrial matter." It is very convenient for the Labour politician, and the public are. nicely tricked. There can be no quostic.il but that the T.W.W. constitution supports the "go-slow" methods of action. At the Federation of Labour Conference. 1.912, Mr. R. Semple moved: "That conference take into immediate consideration the advisabilitv of introducing certain machinery clauses.that will harp the transforming tiie federation into a National Union of AVorkers on the lines.of (be T.W.W." Mr. P. Fraser siioporWl (he motion, and said he "thought tlie constitution of the I.W.W. was the most scientific weanon which had, yet been adopted on behalf of th" working cla«. Lest it bo tbonght that only machinery rules were dealt with, we must add that said conference adopted the I." .\*. preamble, which was seconded by Mr. 1 . C. Webb. Now. in the face of these fads, which are indisputable, it matters nothing for auv of those persons to assert (if thev do so) that they have nover advised the "ro-sIow" policy. Tlie whole programme of (lie I.W.W. is th» natural outcome of its preamble, loaded as it is with class hatred. So far as is generally known, Messrs. Holland. Fraser, aiuf Semple have never repudiated the <lneIrines thev affirmed "ill 1012 and 191.1. If the snii-it i< infused and wp find * ic result shows in "go-slow strikes, thp obstruction of industry, and the stii heavier burden of short: suoplirs ami high prices, it is useless fo' 1 the men who have preached the principles of T. A\ .- ism to say "We are not Tpcno«='l)ln._ They may not endorse the whole T.W.W. programme, but. if thev lead by teaching the' principles or infusing the spirit, sections" of the workers will annly tlie programme as thev interpret the lead given and the responsibility is on ihein for the misdirected impulses they have cngenThe T.W.W. preamble says: "The working class and tho employing class havoi

i nothing in common." That is specious talk, appealing to the lowest instinct in our human nature—cupidity! It is a lie, a moan, treacherous, seditious and destructive lie. It is a denial of the verv existence of citizenship; for both classes in our Dominion have these things in common; they are both classes citizens, they are both dependent on the stability and progress of our industries, and they are both the outcome of the evolution of society, not self-created powers existing in a state of perpetual warfare as this lying preamble suggests. Who are responsible for the "go-slow" strikes, the insane stoppage of supplies of coal, food, and other necessities? .Not merely Ihe men 'who perform the immediate act (sometimes from fear of abuse), but the false guides who have filled' the workers with a spirit of anarchy. The affairs of our country want steadying, and constructive work, not destructive, is required, We look to the people to vote sanely for the men who will say, "We are responsible," not those who let the house burn and say, "Wo are not responsible." (Published by arrangement for the N.Z. Welfare League.)