Untitled

Hokitika Guardian, 3 April 1923, Page 2

Hunky Kotin, the Ameiicaii manufacturer of motor-cars, lias recently had a great deal to say for himself in print. Jt is a legend, probably a canard of the American motor trade, that Henry Ford has never learned more wiiting t.tian that necessary to sign his own name. However that may he, h:s published remarks notes a contemporary, have generally n ring of good sound sense a bout them, and it is difficult to believe that literary “ghosts” are responsible. For instance, in Ford’s book “My Life and Work”, we find the following passage:—“A •-trike which brings higher wages or shorter hours and passes on the burden to the community is really unsiie-ces-ltil. It only makes the industry less able to serve and decreases the number of jobs that it can sup port. 'lbis N not to say that no strike is justified —it may draw attention to an evil. Men enu strike v. it"h justice, but that they will gel justice therein is another tpiestion. The strike for proper conditions and just rewards is justifiable. The pity is that men should ho compelled to use the strike to get what is theirs by right. No American ought to he compelled to strike for his rights. These justifiable strikes are usually the employer’s fault. Some employers arc not lit for their jobs. .1 lot inutile strikes me a sign that the boss needs another job—one that he can handle.” We have seldom seen n mere succinct statement of the argument that lies at the hack of the Now Zealand system of compulsory industrial arbitration.

Rkff.rf.nci: has been made to the proposed Soldiers’ C'luh contemplated for Hokitika. Tn the previous issue, particulars were given of a public meeting whereat ft scheme for the purpose in mind was duly launched, and committees were set up to carry the decision into effect. The soldiers are fortunate in having the ladies’ help, for that promises to he both useful and substantial. The building scheme includes the provision of a commodious social hall with all requisite conveniences, and a fine club room, to include a billiard room, library, card and club rooms. This provided, and the town will have a very useful adjunct towards the amenities. There is need for a men's club room here, while an improved social hall is sure to be appreciated. The site is central and the position quite commendable. Tho soldiers are undertaking the scheme, but they should have the ready backing of the public. That was promised on a former occasion, hut without that promise t.hc financial help should b« readily forthcoming from the citizens who owe so lunch to the soldiers for their services in times of stress. Hokitika will do itself proud if it takes up this scheme in the same spirit with which it carried out all tho duties pertaining to the war period, and the occasion now should not l e any exception—on the contrary it calls for a special effort.

Some comment lias been passed on tlie ability of the Coast to “run” a largo Exhibition. It is not generally known that there are over 30,000 people on tho West Const proper as the following table shows: Area County Sq. Miles Population Westland ... 4,420 7.338 Grey ... 1,452 11,956 Innngahua ... 741 3,447 Roller ... 1,818 9,202 Murchison ... 1.040 1.368 10.071 33,311 Tho 10.071 square miles give an acreage of 6,455,440, affording 194 acres to each member of the population. There is thus room for many more people, and the main objective of the Exhibition is to advertise the Coast and draw more people, still, “to it. The 33,000 now domiciled here have led the way in settlement and industrially, a

great forest country has been opened up; tu“id the wr.y is tea easier for those who oome after. The Exhibition is quite worth while, if only U demonstrate this fact, and afford the opportunity to all New Zealand and hundreds of oversea visitors, to come this Way and join in the task of building up this outpost of the Empire.