TAKING THE RIGHT TURN

Hokitika Guardian, 10 February 1921, Page 3

TAKING THE RIGHT TURN

HOPE FOR INDUSTRIAL BETTERMENT.

EXTREMISTS IN THE MINORITY From the advice of several Of the League’s supporters who have been in Great Britain recently and have closely enquired into industrial conditions there we are convinced that there has come about a turning movement for the better. The serious trouble in the coal industry; the strike of Railway men which threatened [Britain’s industrial stability and the whole economic life of the nation; the step taken by the Tr-des Union Congress in establishing a Council of Action to dictate the Empire’s policy by a threat of general stoppage of all industries—these and other minor troubles have been met and-over-come. To us in New Zealand it has seemed at times as if Great Britain was

being overwhelmed with industrial strife and agitation for semi-Bolshevist ends Those nearer at hand realised that much of the display was a sensational outburst which did not move the steady going people of the British Isles from their course of patient reconstructive work. There was, we gather, no great danger that the people of the old country would of intent plunge into . the rapids of a National revolution, but for a time there was grave peril that by some overt action the country’s industries might have been involved in a serious struggle for life on account of widespread stoppages of work. The whole Empire owes its best thanks to the groups of thinking men and women ■who have been constantly affirming . their opposition to any policy in the direction of copying the Russian Bolshevik programme; indulging in “direct aetionist’ methods; inciting to passional e outbursts, when cool, steady judgment was most required. We could cite a rather full list of Trade Union leadj <?uk, including sucli names ns Messrs J Henderson, Thomas, dynes, Appelton, Stephen Walsh, and labourites such as ( Dr Guest, Robert Blachford, Mr and 1 Mrs Philip Snowden who have over and J over again eouncelled moderation and j the avoidance of extreme measures. | Tin* credit is due to these many lahoiirJ ites and trades unionists that they have i helped to steady the thoughts of milI lions of wage earners at a time when [ communist propagandists all over the ! Kingdom were attempting to incite to j general revolt and talked freely about j resorting to general strikes, with the I idea of political revolution always in ' view. The evidence is that in spite of many strange happenings the British I workers in the mass are loyal citizens : who seek betterment of conditions but | have little time for the socialistic pro- t .grammes that aim at a eatclyamic J change and general upheaval. Mr { Stephen Walsh M.P. of the Lancashire I Miners’ Federation, states the position correctly when he says “the British ' and Russian views are as far as the poles as under.” Tempted with the

\ Rsion of dictatorship the British workers have taken the right turning—away I lorn dictatorship and towards fuller democracy. AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND. During this last year the Australian States and also oiir own Dominion have experienced much trouble, loss and hardship from the numerous stoppages of work. Even now the States of Australia are making big efforts to recover from the loss sustained by strikes and “shut down of work’’ in connection with their key industries. There i-, hope for industrial betterment in social events that have transpired Votvoily. We learn that the Australian Win iters’ Union (.the largest industrial body in Australia) has, in a ballot taken, declared for Arbitration methods by a substantial majority. In addition it is reported tltat the Secretary of the Australian Seamens’ Union lias giieii tlie required assurance that “ idea of*, “job control” of ships is not maintained, and the men will carry on regularly if the ships are put into requisition. Though there has been mnoli semi-bolshovist and direct aetioiiist talk in Australia the evidence is that extremists are but a small minority..

It is creditable to the Australian workers that they are turning to the constitutional lines of action. It probably is recognised by labour men there who think seriously that a white Australia is hut a vain dream unless the white workers take hold of their country and build up strongly on lines of sane constructive policy. With regard to New Zealand we are glad to say that there are evidences in various parts of the country of a change towards more reasonable thought and action. Last year we experienced a good deal of trouble from sectional strikes, a line ol action which is being frowned upon by the Unions mid Federations. We trust that the Labour Ixidites will prove strong enough to wholly suppress these petty outbursts which unsettle industry and rather discredit Trades Unionism when allowed. On several occasions we have written strongly condemning the "goslow” practice and when we now learn that the N.Z. Coal Miners’ Federation has advised the I'nions in affiliation with it to stop the practice and resume the normal output we desire to give the Federation every credit for its action in this direction. This is doing Ihe fair thing hy the general body of the people and the miners’, action in resuming full output will he appreciated hy all sections of the people. All of us differ more or less in our economic vhurs and we may have various opinions as to how society should he constituted and property owned, hut we are glad to believe that whether wage earners or capitalists, socialists or individualists, our people are geneiall\ sane enough to seek in making the best of what we have whilst it exists. It is this streak of practical common sense that has made Britain great and we are pleased and proud to witness its expression in these Southern Isles. (Contributed by the N.Z. Welfare League).