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Hokitika Guardian, 16 November 1922, Page 2

Tun present election period is bringing to the surface heaps of thoughts as to tlio past, and as Reform lias now had a long innings is is only to he expected that there should he political contrasts between the work of the llefor liters and the I-liberals. Such a contrast is made in the thought for the times above. Unfortunately for the good of the country the expressions in tho thought are too true. The Ballance-Sc-ddon record took New Zealand to a level of prosperity and progress, while the Massey record has dropped the country into an abyss of financial difficulties and, industrial troubles and unemployment. Since the time when Mr Massey went home, and the Acting Minister of Finance, (Sir F. I). Bell) told the naked truth about the Treasury being empty, the country has been going through troublesome times financially. Works were dislocated and unemployment wages established. The state ol the linan.es generally and the height to which the public debt has soared and the over-burden of taxation, all discount the Massey record, and leave unpleasant memories of tho lack of statesmanship which mark the period of the reigning parly in power. Tho plight of the country seems to call for an early change if New Zoaland is to turn flic corner, and face the future with hopes of early prosperity, .Mr

Massey has no real programme for the future. He is just going on from day to dav in a ATicawber-like method, and from his party’s record 'there is not much hope in that inert line of action. The country needs a radical change, and the opportunity is at hand to seize it. It will not be surprising if tile change so desired will come to pass.

The shipping stiike appears to be in a fair way of coming to an end. Steamers temporarily held up were beginning to move yesterday. In the case of the s.s. Aluunganui enough men for taree crews were foithcoming. Meant.me the men’s case remains unrevealed. it would appear they are being badly advised as well as badly led. If they have a “ease” there was no occasion for protructed- reticence. If they wanted to l eta in the sympathy of the pub--1 lie they should have placed their cards on the table at the outset. To hold up the public services, dislocate tiade and put up prices, without offering any explanation of their extreme action, is a line of policy, not to the credit of their heads or their leaders. Labor in lusorting to extremes invariably sets cut on the load to ruin of their cause. To seek to set the public against them is to court defeat. AVithout outward rhyme or reason the men gave notice and walked ashore, and held up the shipping. The defeat they will bring upon themselves by such an extreme course, is likely to be far-reaching. If Labor is not prepared to honor the bargain under the law of the land when it docs not suit them to do so, the law of the land might easily be altered in such a way ns to jeopardise the whole system of unionism. If the preference clause to unionists were to lie deleted, ns there will be a demand if unionists will only keep n compact when it suits them, Labor iii the eild need only blame themselves. The country cannot afford to have trade dislocated at a time like the present, and public opinion is naturally hardening against the extreme action unionists arc taking by their stand and deliver methods which a shipping hold-up emphasise. The present course of event* is illuminating serving as it does to show where extreme action would go if it had the power behind it.