Untitled

Hokitika Guardian, 13 February 1920, Page 2

Thk social ai)d industrial questions jf) Australia appear to be coining to a head. Tlie Federal Government, probably as a statement in self protection against the charges of neglecting to deal with the cost of living and Allied matters tending to the easing of the social and industrial position, lias now declared that the (dose principle of trades unionism, and the effect of strikes were causing the present shortage in food supplies. Contemporaneously almost in the House of Hwn,„ons, ilr Lloyd 'George ha,a explained that the difficulty of the British Government in dealing with the housing question is the refusal of the trade unions to" suspend their union regulations j|,o allow free labor to help meet the demand for workers, ft b> >toted 350,000 demobilised soldiers are avai-l.ittye for housebuilding, b u t trades unionism will not permit of their employment. The latest move in the Commonwealth is to interdict strikes by making regulations which prevent unions on strike drawing funds from their banking accounts to carry on. The strike method is a severe penalty on any-conpuunity, and strikes are becoming so prevalent that the time is at hand when communities must act in self-protection. Strikes are often precipitated a* a moment's notice and cause much unfair misery. If we are to have a new world those tactics cannot he tolerated. The world will continue to be as unsettled as of yore if striking is to be the weapon of the malcontented. There are other and reasonable methodswhereby wrongs may be righted with- | out the substitution of greater wrongs upon a wider circle of people. In ilio reconstruction now taking place, reforms must be made in all quarters, and the present movement appears to be in the less acceptable rtv gion, yet all ranks must submit to flip changes now being forced upon the nations and peoples. ,

It appears that the visit of the Prince of Wales to the South Island early ill May next is to be curtailed to ten or twelve days—four of which are to he spent in Christchurch where the Go-yernor-Gcnernl will be residing for the time being. Thore will be so much

time taken up with visits to the cities, that there will not be much time left to view the natural features of the country, which it is desirable should receive all the advertisement possible. It is very doubtful if His Highness will be permitted to see much of the West Coast, where there is so much to be inspected in the way of natur-

al features. The Prince of Wales has seen much of cities and towns and he can see many more in his own imme diate Kingdom, 'but such natural beauties as are supplied by our mountain, bush and stream scenery are rare indeed, and it should be the desire of the authorities to make them as widely known as possible. In point of fact a month’s tour of the Dominion is all too small, and as a week of it is to be set apart for holiday and rest, fishing and stalking, a bare three weeks is but scant time to give to New Zealand. It was to have been hoped that the Do- : minion’s record which has been extobed J so much, would have received greater • recognition from the powers that be. , The opportunity is an exceptional one ’ to arouse a special outburst of patriot- ‘ ism, and it will he a blunder if it is • not’ used to the full in the purpose jit could be made to serve. The visit • will involve a very considerable cost, and we would hope it would be more | than a mere courtesy visit. The peo- ’ pie generally will desire to see and hear their future King whose prestige : will be enhanced beyond measure by j visiting as many' of the districts as pos- ; sible. .It seems to be an occasion tc j get away from the beaten track set foi ' the renowned traveller passing througl . New Zealand, and a deviation by waj |of the West Coast would take Hi * Royal Highness through a natural won derland and in Westland he would mee a most loyal^eople^^^^^^