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Hokitika Guardian, 17 September 1920, Page 2

Thk telegraphic news the other day re- ] orted “another strike at the State coal mine.” It was called an ” Irritation” strike, and as such directed against thy Government. The Government least of all appears to be affected by thcvo “irritation”.. strikes, for pursuing the line of least resistance it }s the custom to give way to the strikers, who pocket their reward, and return to’ •work only .to discover almost immediately some fresh grounds for a new strike. It appears to us that it is the people more than the Government who are being irritated by these strikes which latterly appear to bo for very fljmsy reasons. Last week the cable told us that the Federal Government of ■Australia had intjmated to one band of workmen at 'the pavai dockyards, that if the men failed to turn up to work on the Saturday, the yards would be definitely closed on Monday. We have not heard what wag flip effect of this threat to hit back, but it uppers to bo the course of action which other Governments will he driven to take when these “irritating” strikes are put upon the people. In the course of tl> e •weekly round it now appears inevitable that there should he a day or days off on strike. This conduct must have its limit. After all it affects the people more than the Government or the strikers, for it is the public who must pay all the time. Coal may he short in supply and he vefiy greatly needed, hut are these short- commons to last indefinitely? The “irritation” strike will keep supples jjhort, and the people must soon decide if .thii§> politic. The country has put a large sum i m <agjmining business, and it is pot getting the return it should either in commodity or value. The time yffl come

whether it will be considered advisable for financial reasons to put) more money into State coal mining, and if there is, to be a loss, let it bo made and done with it. As far as can be gathered concessions of all descriptions have been given the miners, but when they strik° because Borne one will not contribute to the Broken Hill strikers, then it js. about time the country spoke its .mud 1 and expected the Government to do its duty to the public as well as to the coal miners. 1 Apropos of the gold producers request for a little consideration at the hands of the Government, it is interesting to note that in the House of Representiaives this week, in replying to questions it was stated that the Government intends to dy its best to assist in every >vay the marketing of the coming season’s wool clip to the best advantage, and the matter of how' best to do this is at present under discussion. Full consideration, said the Minister, is being given to the question of advyi rising in America, Japan, and other outside. countries, and of offering inducements to buyers from oversea to attend , the sales in New Zealand. This is of ' course a v£ry proper course to take—* to assist in'getting the best price possible for the country’s produce, hut here we would put in a plea for some - of the same friendly and practical sympathy on the part of the Government for the gold producer. The wool King has his virtues, and the gold producer should rank equally with’ his compatriot to-lien the Government is disposed to deal out favors. The proposed action on the part of the Government should be noted by the Ttinm miners, and if they get the length of sending a deputation to the Government—it would be a useful argument and a '.reminder that wliat is sauce for the goose, is, also sauce for the gander.