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Hokitika Guardian, 14 March 1921, Page 2

At the time of writing very little is known of tho terms on which the waterfront trouble was settled last week. The public are entitled to know what weie the terms, and the time is probably rapidly advancing when the public through Parliament will lie tlu> deciding factor in determining the terms as between employer and employee. The dislocations of trade and the compromises which follow to ensure a resumption, are in the end loaded on to till' people bv adding to the increased cost ol living. The insecurity of the labor market is a bar to enterprise and competition in trade, and the public lose considerably thereby also. The freedom ill action so often demanded by organised labor, might be taken up by the public in a manner not favourable to unionism. Labor lias gained enormously by unionism and there was of course room for improvement, but where working conditions are satisfactory, and organised labour makes trouble for other causes, the people resent a course ol action which is inimical to the public weal. The water front trouble was a oaso in point. It centred round about tho matter of overtime. The wliarl hands through their leaders, were not disposed to work overtime, even at a remunerative rate. They elected to refuse to do so, and tlii.-

form of “.go-slow” delaying works, shipping and transport. is not conducive to the public good, when there is the necessity for work to proceed to the fullest extent at all times. The time is therefore at hand when the people must have a ; ,ay. and if public interests arc being jeopardised by union rule taking an unreasonable view of what is necessary work for tho good of a community at large, then the Gov-

ernment will lie expected to step into the ring and enforce fair conditions till round. Unionists have a. monopoly of work. Hut if they decline to work, except on “go-slow” methods, and refuse others the right to work, then superior powers in list, hi' exercised to control th,. position. In other words, ordered Government must rule in all walks of life, and no class may have a monopoly to the detriments of the whole. This is the direction in which public opinion is rapidly shaping itself.

WiiKN on the Coast, the Prime Minister was very optimistic about tho Public Works Department running trains through Arthur’s Pass tunnel by Christmas. Hut to see this desirable objective an accomplished fact requires moi-e than optimism deeds are required. lo tho average onlooker, who perhaps, sees more of the game than those participating in it, there seems to he a groat deal yet to be done belore the line will bo in order for the general traffic Mr Massey refers to. Looking at the works now. and recognising what it still required to In* done within the next nine months to enable the anticipations to come to pass, we must realise that Cecil Rhodes’ epigram applies particularly to the tunnel works—“So little done, su much to do.” Hut. it will he worth while the Department speeding up its works to cater lor the great volume of trallie which will accrue. It is said that in January last some 4,200 passengers crossed the Otira Gorge, and that volume of traffic gives some idea of what tin* railway traffic will he under 11tori* favourable facilities for travelling in regard to comfort, celerity and cheap ness. Avoiding The rush and discomfort of the crowded coach traffic, saving the time of hours in crossing by the

coach journey for the nimutes involve 1 in the tunnel run; and tin* lew pence extra, for the train journey through the hill, ;is against the many shillings for the coach trip over the hill, the tunnel trip will attract more and more traffic. It is not too much to expect the volnii e of passenger traffic to be more than doubled from the outset, so that it will lit* quite worth /while the. Government catering lor the much needed revenue to help towards the upkeep for the railways. Hut it is still most desirable to press for speedy completion, and to urge that the Government keep up the pres sure. East January only 128 men were on tlie Otira-Healey works. This number is quite inadequate for the work to he accomplished wi.thin the time, and the Government should he urged to keep tho pressure up to the fullest possible extent, or Mr Massey will appear at Christmas in the light ot a very false prophet.