The Evening Post WELLINGTON, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 1944. RULING BY REASON

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVIII, Issue 57, 5 September 1944, Page 4

The Evening Post WELLINGTON, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 1944.

RULING BY REASON

When secondary school teachers recently talked of direct action as a means of compelling early attention to their salary claims there was some condemnation of those who used such threats as "hotheads." The conference, while negativing the suggestion of a ballot for direct action, took upon itself the responsibility for strong representations made by its spokesmen. So, for the time being, the matter ended. We do not think there was ever any likelihood of the teachers going on strike. They are level-headed people, who know quite well that the strike weapon is not one that can be usdd effectively in an occupation such as . their own. Deprivation of coal, food, light, or transport may seriously embarrass a community, but the closing of schools for an extended holiday has not the same clubbing effect. But there is a serious, and a very serious, side to the talk. When level-headed and responsible people even speak of such methods, the question must be asked: "Why?" The talk is not confined to teachers. We have heard farmers also speaking in similar terms, and casting about to see how they can adopt pressure tactics. The indication from such happenings is twofold: (1) that there is grave dissatisfaction with the distribution of material rewards and privileges; (2) that it is felt that power has been a factor in causing some persons to *fare better and others fare worse, and that a display of power is necessary for correction. These feelings, "producing a sense of grievance, cannot be lightly brushed aside. It is beyond question that disturbance of our normal organisation by war has produced inequalities jn rewards. Economically strong occupations have had their strength increased by the urgent demand for their services. They have been able to turn these circumstances quickly to their i own benefit. Other occupations, not in so strong a position and less militant in action, have lagged behind, and been stabilised more or less at a disadvantage. Salaried groups, many small traders and business men, some professional people, and farmers have grievances on this score. They ask themselves why they should be thus left behind, and they are inclined to find part of the answer in their method of .approach. They think they have not been hotheaded enough; that they have relied too much oh reason. Though they dislike unreasonable and forceful . measures they think they must resort to them. This is not the teue answer, and it must be proved untrue, for it is an answer destructive of democratic rule. Matters cannot be left as they are. We cannot take the short view and say: "Let the teachers strike "and close the colleges for a.few weeks? They will soon get tired of it" or "Let the farmers go slow. They will have to sell their milk and butter and meat before things become really serious." Teachers, farmers, and salaried people havejnot the hard-hitting economic power that can hold the community, to ransom quickly. But there is a greater and more insidious menace in their dissatisfaction. Some of the ' teachers mentioned it, and thoughtful farmers have been disturbed by it. If there is discontent in an occupation, that occupation cannot attract recruits in the numbers and of the calibre that it should have. The real danger is that in, say, five years' time it may be found that the quality of men and women then graduating in the teaching profession may have fallen below the I standard necessary. Or again it may be found that there are fewer men J on the land, and that marginal land is! going out of occupation. There are two parts to the remedy, and they are equally urgent: (1) The lack of balance in rewards must' be corrected as quickly and completely | as can be done within a reasonably stabilised economy. Full equality may not be attainable, but if there is an effort at correction it will lessen dissatisfaction and prevent aggravation of the trouble. (2) The premium' on clubbing methods must be strongly discounted. There must -be no such contrast as condemnation of one section that talks strike and hat-lifting to t another. Reason must rule and rule with power. The present difficulty has arisen largely because reason has been weakly allowed to compromise. Now there must be a'change or the economy of the country will be an inverted pyramid with the effort, enterprise, and intelligence that should be its apex, crushed down by the militant j weight of an inverted base. That musi mean deterioration in • everything, pro- \ duction,.service, and ultimately living standards.