The Hokitika Guardian MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 11th., 1922, AMERICA'S TROUBLES.

Hokitika Guardian, 11 September 1922, Page 2

The Hokitika Guardian MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 11th., 1922, AMERICA'S TROUBLES.

Whatever ma v lie the outside public pinion in regard to the success or the 1-success of prohibition in the United tates, there can bo uo two opinions bout the very serious deadlock in re>ect to industrial troubles in the tates. Strikes with open defiance of w and order have been prevailing, and le suggestion that the supreme power the people—the Governmnt—should op in and settle the disputes by oomdsory arbitration is being met wii'n >en defiance. The panecea of state introl is suggested in regard fo ilie 1 al minpa, but there is no guarantee at the change of ownership will ho eeptable to unions which have striking ndpneies where they cannot obtain 1 that they nsk for, Doubtless they mid he ns ready to strike when unde? Ate control, os when In prime mv i

ploy. That is the experience in Nov Zealand, where state control as a meins to pacify organised labor lias failed tc fill expectations. On tile subject of compulsory arbitration the labor leaders of America hold the same views as the extreme labor leaders elsewhere—that is one of uncompromising oppisition. It would appear that a direct issue on the subject is pending now Mr Gompers the notable leader of the Federation of Labour > n America is pronouncing against compulsory arbitration. This attitude of fighting strikes “to a finish” takes no count of public interests, nor are the rights of the public considered at all. If organised labor is strong enough financially to hold out, it endeavors to do so, at any cost to the public at large. It would appear that the right to strike in a sanely demo, eratie country should be prevented. In other words where disputes to arise, find tire not possible of immediate settlement between master and man. the points in dispute should be removed automatically to arbitration where the public should he represented through the president of the court. Stoppage of work in the nature of a strike should not he countenanced, but any decision arising out of the submission of the matter to the proper tribunal should be retrospective as to the time when the difference arose. Tin’s course would not penalise labor, nor would it dislocate the industry, or harm the public. Sane unionism working within the law in that way would carry more weight than the stand and deliver class of unionism which is glowing up. and which leads to such extreme action among various classes of labor. The final issue l of all labor troubles must rest with the Government, which should have the an. | thority as it can call to its aid the paw- i

’ er, to enforce the findings reached in a legal way through the proper channel. There is not an overdose of idealism about such a state of affairs, it is just plain common sense leading up to the maintenance of law and order in a per* fectly decent way. If public opinion wore organised as thoroughly as the contestants in the strikes, the latter method would have short shift as an instrument of evil, which it often is by the enormous loss imposed on its vie- . tims both direct and indirect. The Inj bor leaders in Great Britain have roa- ■ Used the folly of striking, and are all ' preaching sanity in regard to negotinj tions. In America as has been illus- | trated by the terrible outbreak in Illi- ' nois where open defiance of authority J took place, the malcontents went the j length of using firearms. There can be no half-measures when matters come to such a pass, for to ignore the situation ! is to invite mob law to take an enI trenched position. Russia went to that | length when it overthrew authority I and the country presents a spectacle for ! other nations to avoid. The United j States should he alert to the position i and cognisant of the effect not to enforce the authority of the state in the maintenance of government for the people as a whole and not for a class er section.