THE VICTORIAN STRIKE.

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 899, 23 May 1903, Page 3

THE VICTORIAN STRIKE.

(To the Editor Gisborne Times.)

.Sir,—lt .is somewhat strange that in a democratic country like New Zealand tlie action of the Victorian railway men should be so almost unanimously condemned. It is true that many who are most insistent in this condemnation are but dimly aware qf the matters in dispute, but nevertheless the men are regarded as a lot of greedy rascals, led by unprincipled agitators, who are trying to bounce the Government into compliance will) their unjust demands, while Ibe Ministry are applauded for passing an Act entirely worthy of Ihe worst days of Irish coercion. Some critics have been liberal enough to admit that the men in this particular instance were not lighting for a direct monetary benefit, but only for the right to federate their union with the Trades Hall. It now appears from Sir Joseph Ward’s speech that this supposition was incorrect, and that, the affiliation with (he Trades Hall had been an accomplished fact for the last fifteen years and that the present trouble arose from the demand made by the Government that the men should give up their rights as- citizens and sever their connection with an institution which they had joined lor 1 lie pro teelion oi their legitimate interests. What, would he thougn! of a Government which insisted upon a lawyer. or duel nr, or clergyman, giving im their trades union on pain of los-

llj) l Ill'll lilliwii mi w. ing their humus of living ? it is gratifying to liml a prince of (he Catholic 'Church taking so firm a stand on behalf of the workers, and using such words as these: “The whole public, the Press, and the influence of the wealth of the country, seemed combined in one great, effort to crush these poor people." Hut the Cardinal is wrong in one particular. These people may he poor in accumulated wealth, hut. they are rich in political power. They have ail the power there is if they choose to use it. What they want is not less unionism, hut more unity. If tiiev now unite more firmly they will sweep from office the Ministers who now disgrace the Treasury Benches of Victoria, and place m power a Government pledged to pass such legislation as that of this country, which renders a strike as a means „f settling an industrial dispute as obsolete as hows and arrows in war. -I am! etc.. UNIONIST.