The Hokitika Guardian TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 21st, 1922. THE SHIPPING STRIKE.

Hokitika Guardian, 21 November 1922, Page 2

The Hokitika Guardian TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 21st, 1922. THE SHIPPING STRIKE.

Tub shipping strike is a plain revolt against the law of the land, embodied in the arbitration act and administered by an impartial tribunal. After days of talk in the Arbitration Court when the question of readjusting wages was before the tribunal,-it was decided that the seamen should surrender a. portion of the bonus which was given to them months since. The Court proceedings as an exchange says were a mere waste of time and money. The Union officials might just as well have said at the first, “If you decrease the pay ive are now receiving we will strike.” That would have saved a lot of oratory. The Court could have given no other decision than it did. The seamen had a bonus added to their ordinary pay when commodities were oil the up-grade, to meet the extra cost of living, but upon the express condition that when prices receded the augmentation should no longer he paid. There lias been a recession in the cost of living, and a portion of the bonus paid should automatically adjust itself to the lesser outgoings now necessary. Hut . the Seamen’s Union object to the bonus being out down and lias ordered

strike for the purpose of geftlng back from the employers by direct action what the Court lins taken away. AVe do not suppose the unfortunate men who have at the dictation of a few militant Union officials been thrown out of their jobs were consulted or their wishes considered. No one likes having to receive lower wages, hut few for the sake of five or six shillings per week will of their own free choice throw up a steady biflet. In terms of commodities the wages, including bonus, have not been reduced. as the wages now received—that is. their former rate of pay less (is (id per week—will purchase exactly the same amount of food and clothing which their pay plus the bonus did when the addition was first put on. In one week each man while he is idle will lose more than the reduction amounted to iu nearly throe

months. If they are out of work for a month and could then get the Gs 6d pe* week extra it would take them nearly a year to recoup what they will lose in wages. The loss to the country ill the way of trade through the disruption of the coastal traffic will he appreciable, and to that tliey must contribute their part. The English trado unionists have learned the lesson that I every strike loads them into poverty, and that, while the leaders take cue that their emoluments are secured, the rank and file, their women and children have to pay the pi'er. No won-

der they are deserting the unions, as the soap-box orators will push them out of employment into the streets. In the present case there are no merits. The dispute went before a pains-tak-ing Judge who sifted every grain of the evidence whiuli came before Irm and then reduced the wages by the minimum amount possible. The Arbitration Court was bound by the statute to readjlist the bonus if it wore proved that commodities had fallen;

it was so proved, and the evidence on this point tho Court scrutinised with the most meticulous care. No men could have had a fairer hearing, and 'the fullest latitude was given to tho representatives of the Union to show cause why no reduction should lie made. Unfortunately, the Court has no power to compel obedience to its 1 awards when the men determine to resist. The sanctions of the Arbitration Court are reserved for employers only. Tf the men consider the Court’s award does not suit them, they strike. Tim seamen ndoptod the award when wages wero raised, but defy it when the Court decides adversely to them.

rms being the motor age, and the ;imc of hustle and bustle it is' not > surprising that the Coast is being irought into the vortex, and is going to enjoy the thrills of quicker tra- : rolling. Some particulars arc given in this issue of the implored means ol' j communication by motor services, . which Clements Motors Ltd are about to inaugurate from this centre. Commencing on Saturday of next week a regular motor car service to and from Christchurch and the Coast will be commenced, and Grey mouth as well as Hokitika will participate in this ready means of transit. The very useful southern trips are to be continued, with an important connection on to Cooks Flat for visitors who desire to see Fox Glacier, no less remarkable than the famous Waiho Glacier ftself. The Otira motor mail service, so useful a connection is to be maintained also, and a new' night service between Hokitika and Greymouth established which will lie of great service to traffic, to and from Reefton, Westport and beyond, and this end of the Coast. It has been a tedious and long drjwn out period to get from Hokitika to Westport, for instance, but the new service now being introduced will save much

; time and avoid delay for travellers. and should help to bring Westport and | Hokitika much closer to-gether, in ' consequence. For instance it will be possible to leave Hokitika for Greymouth at 8 o’clock on Wednesday night and taking the Reefton train the next morning link up with the Westport car, and arrive at Coalopolis early that afternoon. Departing the next morning from Westport by car the afternoon train can be taken at Reefton on to Greymouth where Clements’ eaVs will be waiting, and the traveller can be in Hokitika that evening—or 48 hours for the round trip. Under the present railway time-table, nearly twice that time is taken up for the return journey. Clements Motors Ltd., are showing a great deal of enterprise in the new services, but these conveniences are invariably appreciated by the public, and the firm is sure to meet with well deserved patronage. The motor services will make Hokitika more important than ever as an active tourist , centre.

The thought for the times to-day is worth reading, for it gives in tabloid form the distinction and the difference between the policies of the Liberals and the Reformers. Those who assert the Liberals are dead and have no policy; or that Mr Massey has a liberal policy, w ill see bow. much they are astray by the illuminating comparison Mr Buddo has made. And Mr Buddo is well qualified to speak. He is an ex-Minister of the Liberal party and knows what he is talking nbout as a member of • a safe administration which benefitted the masses without creating the financial chaos Reform lias done by seeking to benefit only the class of vested interests. Mr Buddo puts the w'hole subject of politics and political issues in a nut-shell in his embracing reference, and students of the general elections seeking to make up their minds how to vote next month should study the plain statement (;f fact put forward. Despite the tag of socialism which the opponents of Liberalism applied to it in its radical reforms a score of years ago, the Reformers have never dared to repeal any of the great national benefits the Liberals gave to the people. The Reformers however, have administered some of the- laws very clumsily and they have baulked carrying them on to their ultimate goal. The state of Now Zealand really calls for progressive legislation to lift it ahead and out of the morass of debt and unemployment it is suffering from. Reform is not equal to the task. If it were there was ample opportunity to act decisively because Mr Massey had a pliant majority behind him. He has missed the opportunity from lack of initiative and statesmanship. Given the opportunity tlie Liberals can do their part again, for there is certainly the crying need for action to save New Zealand from the drift now going on.

In the report of Mr Steer’s meeting held at Arahura last night, supplied by his correspondent, some criticism appears to have Itcen passed on the ‘‘Guardian” report of Mr Steer’s Hokitika address. The speech in question did not contain many salient points, hut following this paper’s rule an impartial report of the statements was given, including Mr Steer’s assertion that in his opinion rating for Grey harbour purposes over the extended area would not he necessary. Further, Hon. Michel’s leading questions on the same point and the candidate’s replies to a similar effect were also reported. As to the money which might ho in hand when the 1924 loan matured (not 1923 as he now states) he did say specifically that a loan

would have to he raised, and Mr Steer was taken at his own words on that point. Probably in his neivousness he mixed his thoughts somewhat but ho left a clear impression on our minds in the way lie verbally expressed them. Mr Steer has the benefit today of his speech being reported in his own way, and to that extent leaders may take it that on this occasion it conveys what he intends. Hut, Mr

Steer can no more speak for the future, than could Hon. Michel and others when they said at the time of the Hokitika harbour loan, that ft rate would not he neeesgory. The rates are being levied year after year and the people will have to go oil paying them for some time. Then as now, tho position was roseate. . Mr Michel was just as optimistic about the future as Mr Steer is to-day. But circumstances alter cases. In the case of the Grey harbor it is going to lose a largo proportion of its income when shipping is reduced as it must necessarily be by I

the operation of traffic through the Arthur’s Pass tunnel. All the East Coast traffic which now goes overseas will pa*s through the tunnel. There

was the ease in point last week, with the flour supplies sent through the tunnel. Furthermore, the overseas imports and exports trade will in due course pass through the tunnel for the deep sea boats at Lyttelton. The loss of this general trade is going to affect tho income of tile Grey Harbour Board and Mr Steer cannot gunge the future with any more certainty than did thoso who inculcated affairs in relation to tho Harbor district at Hokitika. Why all the anxiety to rope

in Westland into the ratihg area, if it were not intended to lean on tlie people for the security which might he necessary in the future as circumstances altered? And Mr Steer was the prime movdr arid the main witness to request the Commission to take in the whole of Westland right down to Jackson Bay !