The Hokitika Guardian WEDNESDAY, FEB. 15th, 1922 THE ANTI-STRIKE ATTITUDE.

Hokitika Guardian, 15 February 1922, Page 2

The Hokitika Guardian WEDNESDAY, FEB. 15th, 1922 THE ANTI-STRIKE ATTITUDE.

Amekica, like otlier countries, has had its share of strikes and industrial upheavals, and it is mot surprising that in that great country progressive action is being taken to tackle the octopus which given free play, will kill ultimately .the industry of any country, however great its natural potentialities. In Britain there has been enormous loss incurred by reason of the cruel, it not criminal strikes imposed on the country. In America it is being found that labor unionism is the end of the wedge for slackerism, and that tint policy of more money for less work threat ens to wreck the country, vast as its wealth is. Something akin to compulsory industrial conciliation is being imposed on the industry of the country, applying alike to labor union, and organised capital. That is, the employer is no more independent than the workmam—both must submit to the new count if there is a dispute! and above and beyond all, there must be no strikes nor lock-outs—the new court is to be supreme in settling the labor difficulties. The new court is called A Court of Industrial Notations, and this pronouncement of its constitution outlines the American system:—

* “Just ns it is not desirable that a corporation shall he allowed to imI pose undue exactions upon the public, so it is not desirable that a labour organisation shall be permitted to exact unfair terms of employment or subject the public to actual distresses in order to enforce its terms.” The move is a generously fair one, and for once in a while the public—or third party—is to have consideration. After all it is the public who pay all the time, for it is they who constitute the markets for the products of the industry. But strikes and lock-outs punish the uncomplaining public, for it is they who feel the pinch of short! supplies and have to put up with all sorts of inconveniences following both strikes and lock-outs. The weakness about otm owP New Zealand system of eonciha-

tion and arbitration is that while excellent machinery is provided to deal with labor difficulties, there are those ready to flout the decisions, and hold up society. These Bolshevic tendencies are now permeating the public service, sections of which threaten to use the strike weapon from time to time if they cannot get their own sweet way. Unionism generally lias a strong tendency to overbearing. It has built itself up through the years with the quiet complicity of the public. Yet it is the public. who are the first to feel the pinch when the unions exercise their strength by striking. No one objects to labor getting the fruits of its service in a legitimate way—public opinion has gone all the way to aid that end—but having, accomplished a great deal, and by unity gained great strength, it is entirely wrong that these organisations should hit back at the pußlic who generously gave facilities to gam the strength. The tyranny of both labour and capital as imposed on the publis has got to go it the world is to emerge from its overburden of debt. There must be work and plenty of it. but there must lie a right plan of stable employment, and no outside organisations may flaunt the decisions of a State court, which, impartial in its judgment, rules on the facts. Tiaw and order wll have to he observed, and what is taking place in Kansas now, along the fines indicated, will be a pattern for the world to go by in saving itself financially and industrially for the future.