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Hokitika Guardian, 7 October 1921, Page 2

C'IiiiT.MSTANniH arc inducing a more rational spirit in die ranks of labor, and the altered conditions are tending in the direction of overcoming the strike ii,i niv. In the thought for the tiinss to day, there is a ruiotation from a. recently published artielo by -Mr .1. K. dynes on what common foresight and common sense can do in regard to the curtailment of the strike mania Mr Clvnos is one of bl-.e clearest thinkers of the Home leaders of labor, and is one who has had rn intimate aconain tance with sane government. It is the establishment and respect tor rate government which should Ik' the sure shield against foolish strikes. Unfortunately it did not count in ih? good day. It repaired the chastening times to bring about more regard for sanity of action. And we are getting it today as a result of force of circumstances, rather than from tiny inherent cause. There was just as much reason to hope for “common foresight” and “common sense” expressing themselves a year or two ago, as there should be to-day. And though we hoped alwttys that the two reasonable factors would hold sway, they failed. Labour had certain advantages of which it took the benefit in its organised way. It entered niton strikes and go-slow, as the spirit moved it. It did not stop to weigh the consequences. Sufficient for organised labor that for the moment it hold the mastery, it would fain do os it pleased. Bo we had the great

strikes at Home. T>>o industrial trim. Ides constantly recurred ill <mr own land, till in various ways the community took a hand in self defenee. .'i Homo we saw how (loveniment oiganisi’d, and took measures to eirwtmveiit the disastrous tactics of the strikers. Here in New Zealand our own Government had similarly to act. Ihe cost was frreat and the effect was costly, hut the result justified the action, and actually saved the country from n worse disaster. How (treat we may not measure, because fortunately we were not fully impelled into it. We were saved hy the radical action of the Government. and in that saving-the country. and incidentally organised labor, is haring its "eyes opened. It is realising that it may not go too far to enforce its demands. There is a limit hevond which it may not go in .seeking to enforce its will on the masses. Tins is being generally realised, and the sane and common sense section is separating itself from the extreme «'<•- tii,,,. 'Hiis is now happening at home. Mr Clvnes’ views are taking hold of his comrades, and the workers are realising the side course. The sitnko threat is nut sn assertive in New Zealand these times. Here, too, the workers are learning their lesson, and arttaking it to heart- and mind. It is well that it should he so. It is high time that- common sense prevailed, and that, both sides should he reasonable in their demands as in their actions. The outlook is becoming more cheerful. !.a_ homing conditions are becoming more stable, and a settled state of affairs will lead to greater confidence between employer and employed. This mutual respect will help as much as anything else to bridge the unemployment trouble of to-day. It is only another way of saving that common foresight is holding sway, and that common sense is being exercised. Tu a sentence Mr Clvnes has hut uttered a truism promptly demonstrated.