The Hokitika Guardian TUESDAY. JANUARY 16th. 1923. THE LABOR OUTLOOK.

Hokitika Guardian, 16 January 1923, Page 2

The Hokitika Guardian TUESDAY. JANUARY 16th. 1923. THE LABOR OUTLOOK.

Fbom time to time there are recurring reports of the possibilities o', a general strike in New Zealand. The reports are again current. They w< re in the air before Christmas, but they are

more persistent just now, and color is given to the matter by ballots taking place in various quarters. Tt is being predicted that the ballots will :'o-

vor a nmiv or less general strike, which is to be supplcmentaiy, or perhaps ' complementary to the seamen's strike, wliieli Inis been in progress now for some lime. In the main the seamen's strike has been most harmful to tho seamen themselves who appear to he the dupes of the occasion. lint it is being argued under ihe rose that a sectional strike of that nature is not effective enough, and especially at this juncture* when there are so many unemployed or so much tree labour abroad. So there is the. idea prevalent that the Alliance of Labour is to be brought into action, and its various branches united and brought- out in a general strike. Tho objective is the rate ot wages io dispute by force and effect of the strike, the late, cuts proposed by tile Arbitration Court. The result is a foregone conclusion, but Labor under fts present extreme organisation, never appears to weigh the matter accurately nor to realise and profit by the lessons of the past. Labor does not recognise that in such a community as New Zealand each section lives interdependently on the other, aml they have to work together for the common weal. Labor does not hear in mind either that the high rates of pay of late times were artificial because of conditions existing outside the Dominion. Tho world conditions are returning to normal, and Labor here lias to return to normal times The prosperitv of New Zealand has always reflected itself all through the community. It has not boon the particular share or privilege of any one class and that after all this is a democratie country, whore the rights of all arc equal, and nobody or any section has any exclusive rights. In particular it is important to observe the law of the land. The law is made for all, very properly. and to avoid strikes the law has provided machinery wherein Labor may have its claim fully reviewed and independently judged. Now Labor cannot resort to tbo use ol that machinery. and accept its service only when the machinery is running in its favor. Tf in (lie wisdom of those directing the machinery, it is found there must be a change in the gearing, Labor must accept the change, as readily as it would accept a change in its favor. It must obey the law both Ways, and to seek to strike when the law operates adversely is to flv in tin* face of oir.*lllll- - which are all against Labor. There have been enough strikes in New Zealand to educate public opinion as to fhe fallacy and ermleness of then operation. But according to reports Labor refuses to learn tiio lesson. More bitter experience is to be endured before the position will he taken to heart, ft is doubtful if the Labor Unions are well enough organised financially to face the situation which the result of the ballot is said to be pointing to. But Labor seldom stops to count the costs. Blindly led they rush on, and it is only by bitter experience that the folly involved is brought home to the individual. The same result is ahead if Labor sets out on a mad strike escapade. Tho Government will be expected to stand to its guns however menacing the position may he, and though even the public service should be dislocated. The public will range itself behind the Government, and Labor will have to take its lesson in the end if it launches on the policy of a great strike throughout New Zealand.