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Hokitika Guardian, 27 February 1920, Page 2

'J'iik exieny jo which the miners have damaged their nw« ■prosperity and that of the country, says fh« AVplu.ngton paper, in further discussing flip platter. is worth emphasising, not, certainly with any idea of reviving nr perpetuating bitterness between the parties f.y the dispute, but because the facts demonstrate so clearly that every section of the community is vitally interested in preventing jhe recurrence of such disputes, and ip amending the conditions in which they nre allowed to a rise. There never was a plainer ease of a one-sided account in which there is nothing to set against the heavy loss incurred by all concerned. The detail issues of the coal dispute and of others as futile which preceded it are of slight importance in comparison with the broad fact that disputes of this character occasion onlyloss and waste, and are an infraction of the rights of the community against which it is hound to protect itself. It was a noteworthy- feature of what it is to he hoped was the final phase of the dispute that the Prime Minister presided over the conference between the representatives of the mine owners and their employees. Mr Massey’s presence in that capacity implied a definite, if somewhat belated, recognition l>v the parties that the public had a right to he considered and at the same time afforded a guarantee that tile interests of the community would not bo violated in framing the draft settle, ment. From what has been allowed to transpire, Mr Massey seems to havo placed the part of a tactful chairman. Both sides have, spoken well of the manner in which he presided over their deliberation#; and promoted agreement. It is evident, however, that he had

other assets than his native tact to depend upon in facilitating a settlement. At this conference, as in all his public activities he represented the community as a whoie and no doubt felt it his duty, to intimate that the public could not bo expected to tolerate

indefinitely, and without taking measures in its own defence, such conditions as were brought about by the coal dispute. That fat, in any case, obtrudes. Conditions in which a limited section of the community, hampers and partially paralyses the activity of the rest of the community are not such as any self-respecting and freedom loving people can afford to tolerate or allow to continue. The merits of the

case are, however, so clearly drawn that the common sense of those who have been mast inclined hitherto to in. dulge in industrial strife ought to impel , them to adopt a more rational procei idure. After their ’late experience, mine workers are particularly well plac--1 ed to perceive that industry and a rea-

sonable spirit of co-operation are the real key to prosperity and improving conditions.