Untitled

Hokitika Guardian, 29 January 1919, Page 2

I’liu perfect peace the world hoped for at the conclusion of the war is far from being at hand. Tho whole world is very unrcstful and uo "here more so than in those countries which suffered most as belligerents. The great reaction following the strain and stress of war is spreading far and wide, and no country is free from marked exhibitions of the unrest. A strange and uncontrollable spirit pervades tho people who refuse to recognise authority, and desire to he only a law unto them,elves. Students of human nature will havo a diflieuty in prescribing effectually for this new form of disruption, which is serious to a degree in some eases. The ordinary rules of property are ignored, anff might alone prevails. It was to subdue this national doctrine of Germany, that- tho Great War raged, and now when right fortified bv strength unconquerable, lias overcome might, the end is not yet. How best to give a people contentment, is still unfathonied by political machines manned even by tho peoples representatives. Great Britain has just emerged from an election held under an enlarged democratic franchise, still there is the unrest nmd strikes and rumours of strikes fill the air. The unrest is something more than political. Its cause can not h t . because of lack of work or opportunity. There is a want of national cohesion. a distrust as between the people and to remedy this is the difficulty. The war and its sacrifices should have healed a great deal of the difficulty and mis understanding, but it has failed to do so, and now comes the international divisions likely to add hut further fuel to tho fires of disruption.

In these times of growing unrest, the most, that can he hoped for is for each country to fry and work out its own national salvation. In this Dominion there are signs of unrest as well as rumours of serious troubles impending. Various branches of labour, organised for mutual protection have indicated their wants and are awaiting i,o>w a 'satisfactory settlement, of their demands. Probablv New Zealand will find a vent

for all its labour trouble at the next general elections. Any serious strike at this juncture would be a bad policy move. Labour will make a great effort when the general election comes round to capture a« many scats as possible. Labour will make an advance in strength and with this increase will look for general relief through political means. The date of the general election will not be very remote, for with th e return of the leaders, the reign of the National Government will end. If parties are to revert to old lines, tho Reform and Liberal parties mustneeds separate with the conclusion ol peace. There will be some attempt- at a permanent fusion but the radical element will stand aloof from such a coalition. Parties will be very much at variance, and therein will be the chance of Labour to assert itself from tho hustings. This display will open the flood gates of political talk, and should afford some respite if not relief from a parade of labour troubles and 'difficulties of a disquieting nature. .