WELLINGTON TOPICS.

Hokitika Guardian, 26 January 1923, Page 1

WELLINGTON TOPICS.

THE SHJPm'O DISPUTE. AT AN END. SPECIAL TO GUARDIAN. WELLINGTON, Jan. 24 The shipping dispute, whili has been tottering to an end almost from its beginning, nearly three months ago, w-as finally settled yesterday hy the men accepting the owners' terms without any reservation. Rarely has there been a more impotent “strike” or one that aroused less public sympathy. The "Evening Post” jxiints the moral of the outcome without any recriminations.

"It is to be'hoped,” it says,” that the result will lio bui-ne ill mind bv all who (,u; make use of its lesson. New Zeals ml never wanted industrial disputes less than now. Everywhere are signs of returning prosperity after the depressing experiences et the recent stringency, hut the country has a 10l ol iost ground to recover, and it needs more than anything else hard work and commercial stability. Lulu-trial strife is the negation of useful work, and strikes at the foundations of sound business. The interests of employed as well as employers, and of the community as a whole, all demand the avoidance of dislocation.” As lar as can he gathered to-day. both the men and the employers are observing the spirit ol this little homily. The wharves have taken on their normal appearance. A GLOOMY OUTLOOK.

Tic "New Zealand Times’’ after pluming itself upon the accuracy ol a prediction it published a fortnight ago lixing the conclusion nf the “strike” to the very day. reprints this morning a portion'iif its prophecy still unrealised. "There i.-." ii repeats, "every indication of a big labour upheaval coming in September lies’ . when the _ present awards expire. The Alliance of Labour L prepared for something ot the kind, and there will be one big light by all the uidons. It is possible that if there is a big strike the combined unions will he able to hold out for six weeks In two months, hut- certainly not longer. They haven’t the money 1,0 do

it Immigrants, however, are coming into the country in greater numbers than ever, and as they will provide a lot more labour this may he a deciding factor when the time ''times. A prominent unionist questioned on the this planning said lie did not think the men would he looking with much approval upon a big labour upheaval seven or eight mouths hence. It would take them longer than that to accumulate the lunds necessary for such a demonstration, even if they had the

heart tor another context. TELE!’I-lONE < M ABB EH. \t a meeting of the Wellington ( hamber ot Commerce yesterday the proposed nev. telephone charges were discus.-ed, Mr A. L. Murkmau, the iir-t assist ant -eeretarv to the -.Best Ofliee and .AL IL A. Hhrimptun, Hie C'iiiel Tele i -Mi Engineer being present hy invitation to supply such intormiitioii might be required by the members oi ihe G!iiimher. A general statement mudi by Mr Markn.ian wa- perhaps, the iuusi inteiesting contribution t" Mu' proceedings. All the Government depa rl li'ents, ibe ( bill' A,d-.tant reminded the ('handier, had now to produce a business balance-sheet every year. Ihe oj I' e new schedule was to make the Telephone Department sell-sup-porting alter paying about 1 per rent ou capital e-a-t and so on. Ihe Postal Ocnnrimeni was reducing lhe cost ol t,.!,...-,;|i;,| letters, and yet would show l hi.- year that it wa- paying interest on eamtal cost. Ihe '1 elephoni Depart a.col won!:! pa\ it- w ay. m near!v sn. Ihi- year, and ii it were |.-it ii, i In !«■ oarnin.; more ilia a was required. the policy ol the depart meat would be io urge the Government to reduce the charges. The policy was that each department was to pay its wav with a margin of say. Lit),ooo. The t Land,er expressed no opinion upo.i ll'< prop -ids Inn i lie members oiiviim- lv wee imnressed. POLITICAL COHSTP. The story Mr 0. ('. Sullivan, the member iur Avon, has brought back from id- travels in Outgo to the efleet that Mr ('. E. Siaihnm is to bo appointed Speaker in the new I louse ot lieiuv sentatives has the probability afford'd hv t! " fact that the memlier for Dunedin South would fill the position with dignity and ability, lie also ii.-uhi accept the office without renouncing any of his politic'! pledges or principles. But the Speaker, alter all, is rather : officer oi Parliament than a representati.e oi the people and many progressive folk, who havedreamed of Mr Statham -./.j0.-• day •.shaping the policy oi a Government would he disappointed to see if,,: mi id'- expounding the orders, precedents aiid traditions of the House. In the passible event of his having to decide a tie between ' tlie Government and the Opocsition oil a no-coutidenee T, lion lie would he relieved of all em-!-a.r: iissiiii'iit liv the precedent w hieii pn-erihes that the easting vote of the Speaker must go fur the maintenance of i tie stains quo. lie would not be dragged into the arena of party xtritc by having to decide the fate of any ol the party leaders.