PREFACE TO SOLDIERS.

Hokitika Guardian, 27 January 1919, Page 4

PREFACE TO SOLDIERS.

THE GROWING VOICE IN NEW SOUTH WALES.

SIDNEY, Jan 14

The Governmant of New South Wales has just taken a decision that is certain to have a marked effect throughout all industries, and will bring to an issue certain matters in dispute between the eligibles who served their country and those who did not. Cabinet lias decided that returned soldiers shall have preference in employment. The matter was brought a new union of wharf workers, all of whom are returned soldiers or sailors. There are really three uuions of men working on the Sydney wharves—the old, or “ true blue” union, the loyalists (the men who defied the Trades Hall and broke the big strike by working the whanyes), and the returned soldiers. The loyalists were promised preference when they undertook strike-breaking, and ' the returned soldiers have not sought to upset that arrangement. Hut they did demand preference over the big “ true blue” unioD, with which they do not appear to be very friendly. The other day, some hundreds of them marched in prqcession through the streets to the Government Building, and in an interview with some of the Ministers insisted that they, at least, were entitled to rank equally with the loyalists in having preference.

The Cabinet hesitated some time over it, hut finally announced that loyalists and soldiers should have first call on all wharf work. The Government also promised to amend the Industrial Acts by introducing a provision that preference of employment shall, wherever practicable, he given to those who served their country in its hoar of need.

The definite establishment of this principle was not unexpected, hut the manner of its reception by the militant Trades Hall is being awaited with interest. The organisations which opposed the continuance of the war, discouraged recruiting, and are now toying with Bolshevism, are not likely to accept the policy of preference to soldiers without a kick.

The soldiers themselves know quite definitely what they want, and they are not afraid to ask for it. A big deputation of them who interviewed the Acting Prime-Minister the other day, demanded that, whenever it was necessary to find a place for a returned soldier, the eligible who had refused to serve bo put out —particularly in the case of the Public Service—and a soldier put in his place. Mr Watt made a diplomatic, non-committal replv, but he cannot ignore the growiug v.oice of the returning men. They are going to exert a tremeudous influence iu this country's affairs, aud —as already shown in the case of the New South Wales Cabinet—they have got to be deferred to.

The general effect will probably he a sharp distinction and hostility between returned soldiers and eligibles who did not serve, who are mostly classed as extreme Labour.