Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER, 11th. 1917 THE AUSTRALIAN SITUATION.

Hokitika Guardian, 11 September 1917, Page 2

Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER, 11th. 1917 THE AUSTRALIAN SITUATION.

Thk fact. that so mo mows is bring .at last disclosed in regard to the strike situation in Australia, is some indication that matters are tending towards a. settlement, which judging by the attitude of the Ministers should prove to he more or less satisfactory. The Ministers appear to have put up a determined fight for the maintenance of law and order, and backed by tho major section of the people they are winning through. It would be bad indeed wore it otherwise. The fact that authority is gaining the upper hand gives some hope for Australia, which in a mild wav lias been passing through experience somewhat akin to the Russian situation. Looking to tho cause of tho trouble, it would appear to have its origin in nntl-Toyal sources. An upheaval Mich as attempted at such a time, must ho prompted mainly from disloyal in ten-sis. To attempt to hold up the community in tho manner aimed at- was nothing nhort of the extreme methods used in other countries to serve enemy purposes. The discomfiture of the malcontents, is therefore a matter for appreciation,, while the vindication of law and order is a victory for right oyer might, Labour is

organised, but that power does not give it any license beyond the rights it is legitimately entitled to enjoy. Organised labour has accomplished much, but whatever it has gained hns been won only by sane methods. When it goes to extremes, ns in the case of Amtrailia, it uses a two-edged sword, and whilo it has sought to inflict injury on others in effort to force the position, it has caused great harm to itself. In the present conflict it began by toaring up a scrap of paper under which it was conditioned, and then using force had sought to dictate its own terms. To the credit of the authorities these tactics were met by a firmness which unflinchingly held to the maintenance of national rights and now the victory appears to lie in sight. It is clear while labour as misdirected lias caused great loss and injury not alone to public services and private enterprise, it lias, also, by the dislocation of trade and the ) enforced stoppage of industries, put many thouands of pounds out of its own pockets in the effort. The striker is the poorer and the wiser man to-day assuming that ho is now ready to go haok to work on terms acceptable to the authorities. It was ever thus in these crass actions of labour endeavouring to force the position with a bludgeon. Labour takes a long time to learn sense, yet with the power of organisation effectively used they could win many a bloodless victory, where now they court degrading defeat by their misdirected efforts. Force should bo their last resort when through their associated bodies they have so much power to win through honourably and successfully by less dangerous paths. Perhaps the latest experience in Australia will be an outstanding lesson to Labour all over the Empire how not to gain their points.