Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star "TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 80, 1919.

Hokitika Guardian, 30 September 1919, Page 2

Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star "TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 80, 1919.

A GRAVE SITUATION. The situation in Great Britain arising out of the raihvaymen’s strike is of the gravest character. The situation will require the most careful handling to-avoid a serious and it will tax the statesmanship of the British parliamentary leaders to find a way out with honor, and to avoid a state bordering on civil war. The strike is mainly confined to railwaymen, but with the network of British railways idle, what part of the Kingdom and what industry will not be affected? Trade will be at a standstill; industry will be blocked ; and cities will be reduced to starvation if the hold up continues for any duration. It would appear from the clear and definite statement of Mr Lloyd George that the position has been precipitated unnecessarily. The fact that the Premier has gone thoroughly into the pros and cons is an assurance that the situation has been well weighed by those in responsible authority. From Mr Lloyd George’s clear statement of the position it would seem that there are other forces than the men’s demands at work to force on issue. The Premier hints very plainly at Bolshevism. On the t.hor hand, Mr Thomas, the leader of the Railwaymen’s Union is a man who has given expression of late to sane labor views. He has visited America and elsewhere, and on his return he counselled the unionists to avoid direct action. Apparently ho has not had his way, which discounts his belief that th 0 present is to be a “model 1 ’ strike. Mr Thomas can hardly pledge himself for what will happen at any point in the Kingdom. In a time of crisis the crowds are inflamed easily, and one false step might lead to a shocking upheaval. Contemplating the great holdup now happening in a country of teeming millions it is not, possible for any one to guarantee what may or may not happen. Tremendous disorganisation, want and misery will bo forced on the people, and in the throes of despair the most critical events might transpire. . There is a note of determination in the Premier’s statement which indicates a struggle will result, and if the two forces come to grips th c consequences might easily be deplorable. It is a matter for regret that the Union however strong its case, did not act with more reason and consideration for the public weal. The present is a case in point of the vicious effect of a general strike. The innocent aro the first 1° suffer. In this instance there is no employer or band of em--1 ployers to bo penalised. It is tlfo

State in tli© first place, which means the people all the time. The English railways are under Government management, and the present circumstances are not very promising for the hopes of nationalisation as a cure for all the evils labor is said to be heir to. Here is a vast undertaking performing a great national service under State control, and the' workers seek to take charge and dictate as to the management. The alternative to obtaining their way at once is a which is ruination all round. The whole situation appears to be another object lesson as to the vagaries of organised labor under the free license it takes to itself by striking. This negation of agreements or of good faith is akin to tearing up the scrap of paper which gives them their liberty. The times are very much out of joint, and no remedy is at hand apparently I till the unrest of the war which has 1 so upset society, passes. When or how this is to come to pass it is difficult to j loretell. Many things apparently will j have to come to pass, not the least of j which will be the disciplining of the nation. No organisation can succeed j without loyalty of service to the con- | trolling authority, and a nation is not j different too |an association or body of individuals. The Motherland has its troubles to-day. Other pai’ts of the Empire may have them to-morrow. All must be prepared to face a crucial time

sooner or later. How that time of stress and trial is to be faced is, for the people! themselves to dejeide. Under the liberty of our constitution, tbe people cast their votes at the ballotbox, and select their law makers and those who are to direct the administration of the law. The time is coming soon when New Zealand will have the opportunity of making such a choice. It is for the people to study how their votes are to be cast betimes, and not leave the matter undecided to be carried perhaps, on' tbe spur of the moment in the end. The happiness and prosperity of a country depends upon the soundness sanity of its government, and it is for the governed to select the governors. Let their choice he a sound one, in the interests of themselves and tlieir famileis, and the future will be able to take care of itself; but if they feel irresponsible about the matter, desire a change merely for a change’s sake, then they are inviting a set of conditions which might easily be for their own undoing. Labor properly organised and using its voting power for tbe safety, of the country, has a great opportunity. This is as much true at Homb, as it is here, and it is at the ballot box where they should do all the striking, that is necessary to secure national reforms for the amelioration of the race. The great strike in Britain marks a crisis in the nation’s history no less memorable than the dark days of 1918 when the future of the Empire was in the balance on tbe Western front. But tlie present crisis strikes more at home and will be felt more poignantly by those suffering directly. It is not to tlie credit of the nation that”the Great War victory should be used in this way, but 1 if an anarchist conspiracy is afoot in England the situation is explained and that element must certainly be routed at all costs.