The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is in corporated the West Coast Times.) SATURDAY, SEPT. 22nd, 1923. THE WEEK.

Hokitika Guardian, 22 September 1923, Page 2

The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is in corporated the West Coast Times.) SATURDAY, SEPT. 22nd, 1923. THE WEEK.

T:ik rushed tour of the Migratory Mission through New /calami i„ to be re-

gretted, seeing that the visit in its final result should he of such impoitnnco t:> a vast army of unemployed at Home. Unemployment is a terrific problem to the English authorities, and it is of vital importance to furnish ti.e fullest, particulars of the Ovetsea Dominion resources regarding possible settlement in the futtue. A lute English paper reviewing the Home situation of unemployment remarks that with tile summer season now well advanced, it is to he hoped that immediate and determined efforts will lie made to grapple with the unemployment evil during the coming winter, and, so fur as possible, to reduce to a minimum the privations and sufferings of the large body of unemployed, who, even with the most elaborate schemes, must, under present economic conditions, of necessity remain out of work. 1 lie magnitude and serious nature of the task confronting the Government, local authorities and the large industrial organisations cannot ho over-esti-mated—especially in view of the delay in the restoration of industrial and economic peace in Europe—and in the cmrying out of any reasonable plans to alleviate the unemployment situation in this country, the co-operation of every section of the community is imperil live. It is true that, as compared with January last, there has been a, reduction of about itiroc hundred thousand in the number of workless, but tnere are still nearly 1,200,000 without employment—a. total that will inevitably increase before the winter lias fully set- in. if only by the operation of seasonal factors. To frame a definite and constructive policy, which will provide both useful work and the relief of distress where work cannot he procured, is a responsibility that, the nation nas been anxiously expecting the Government to grapple with, and it is satisfactory to note from the announcement made in the House of Commons by the Minister of Labour that the Government are alive to the necessities of the situation, and that they intend to meet it as far as possible.

With regard to the Unemployment Insurance Act. a new benefit year will be gin after October 17th. and provision has been made for assistance at least up to the end of April next. In this connection, a fact of no little interest was divulged bv Sir Montague Barlow in that towards the sharing of the huge financial burden during the past twelve months employers had contributed no less than £19.000,000, the workers £17.000.000. and the State only £13,000,000. The Government, however, recognize that- the payment of unemployment benefit is merely a palliative, and that the provision of normal work and the encouragement of normal production are the most urgent questions. -So far the principal moans employed have lreen the export credits scheme, under which the amount of credit actually in use at the present time is £11.000.000. and the Trade Facilities Act, which has proved to be one of the most successful portions of th» Government programme. In regard to loans, n new method of financial cooperation is to bo introduced by the Government, the basis of which will lx> a grant equal to 50 per cent, of the interest on loans raised for a period of rot less than ton years, and this, it is hoped, will assist local authorities in starting work on tramways, electricity, gas and other undertakings. In addition. Sir Montague mentioned the development schemes at the Surrey Commerical Dock, and at Tilbury, but combined with the other proposals these would only provide direct- employment for about two hundred thousand men, with at least another hundred thousand indirectly provided for. so that much, remains to be done. IV hile the Government fully appreciate the position, . the hint has also been given that the rail. vrivy eonipMiies could .ren<l<?r very timely

help to the community by utilizing their largo reserve funds for reconditioning work and for electrical development. According to n newspaper correspondent in a message sent out from Greymouth this week the political significance of the coal miners’ dispute is a most important matter from the point of view of the public, for even if all the men’s demands were conceded by the employers on this occasion, it may be regarded as certain that it would not he long before a fresh list of grievvances were drawn up. A Labour leader in close touch with the miners, in discussing the matter with a “Lyttelton Times” reporter, stated that practically all the militants among the "West Coast miners were disciples of Karl Marx, and tnat the present light was only one >f a series of fights on behalf of Marxian teachings. Interpreted into simple language, the miners were engaged in a class war, and to them it did not matter if they lost this light, because they believed that ulimately they would bring about the end of the capitalistic syste n, and replace it with the Marxian system, under which the w orker would get the- full product of -.he value of his labour. “Although the miners will most certainly lose : his fight, as they have lost other lights against the mincowners, they will still regard it as a victory for the principle,” lie added. “The miner is the ty; o of man who is never so happy as when ho is fighting the bosses, and no mutter what tlm bosses give him there will still he fights in the future.”

With this psychological analysis ol the principal actor in the industrial drama, it. is perhaps not surprising if some of the other statements indicating the attitude of the coal miners show a disregard of eonsideraion for what might ho descrilied as the public policy governing the situation. For instance, when asked what the miners were fighting for, whether for their demands or for their principles, the toply was that tlic economic aspect was only of minor consideration. that *is the public policy did not count. 'The miners have no money (it was said), and it does not matter to them very much whether they lose a. month’s pay or not, hut what mans of them icgard as important is the fact that the bosses will lose a month’s profits.” That of eouiso is a thoughtless, not to say reckless, attitude to take up, very much akin to the position described in the well-known expression, “cutting off one’s nose to spite one’s face.” Finally the in torviewer said :—“The miners will hold out for a fortnight and then go back to work on the bosses terms. They will have lost a fortnight’s pay, hut the mine-owners w-i 11 also have lust heavily, and the miners will get satisfaction out of having punished them, and from the part they have taken in the class war. Whether they are right or wrong, tho .Marxian leaders of the miners will promote strikes as long ns they are In control.”

Tin; attitude of the miners undjr ] resent iIJ-directed leadership is therefore ns hopeless as it is helpless. Advice in the matter would ho wasted. There is u warped vision prevailing in the labor ranks here as elsewhere, and till a clearer understanding of the national responsibility of tho class affected to the community as a wJole, is realised, there seems to be little else to do than remain pa-sire and let. the sulking policy of the recalcitrants woik itself out. It would be futile to preach of die economic loss, when those concerned do not regard even seriously the personal loss they are suffering, nor realise tho hampering effect of dislocation of industry resulting over other trades and commerce. Much was expected from the W.K.A. as a means of enlightenment of the workers, in regard to economics, hut evidently ve:y little progress has been made along convincing lines. Still, it is by education only, by the exercise of ivimon. Mint the workers can realise where their policy is leading them, and to some extent. carrying the community with tin-in, and for that reason it. would lie well to intensify the general effort to carry more instruction and general knowledge into the camps of tho workers for the ultimate material good of the whole, community.

Exhibition prospects continue to bein' a pleasing and promising outlook. The reports of the Committee meetings hold this week show that the details are being gone into closely, and that the event generally is receiving much careful thought and preparation. Those ladies and gentlemen who are associating themselves with the large undertaking certainly deserve the thanks and approbation of the community for entering so willingly and enthusiastically upon the .mission in hand. There are now about three months to the time of the ojioiiiiig of the biggest event in AVest Const- local history, and it can be judged that there will be a very busy twelve weeks to pass through. Building arrangements are now being taken in blind, and no doubt will lie pushed ahead rapidly. Tt still remains for the community to set about organising a worthy Westland exhibit. The plan of the Exhibition provides for the Westland court being at the main enttancc, where it should be as striking as an exhibit, as it will he prominent, as a material means to advertise the resources of the district. AN ith united co-operation, every effort should he mtitle t.c> see that, the exhibit is distinctive in its preparation, and ho altogether a worthy advertisement of the potentialities of Westland.

Mention of the Exhibition arrangements recalls the i’net 11 1 ;»t definite dates ai« now suggested to mark the period of celebration of the J)iamond Jubilee. Four days have been ear-marked in Jimuaiy, followinp; the racing carnival, which concludes at Reef ton on January Bth. In IDII when the Golden Jubilee was celebrated, January 7th. was observed as Jubilee Day. On the coming occasion January Oth. is proposed to be observed as Jubilee Day. A committee is to be set up to organise this special function, which is of distinctive historic interest. No doubt everything possible will ho done to draw the pioneer band of the sixties together, and entertain them liberally. With the Exhibition in progress- there will be special facilities for entertainment, and the event should tie made all the more memorable. The Hon J. Grimmond, who was the Chairman of the Jubilee Celebration Commit te ten years ago, and who is himself a worthy pioneer of the early days, is again suggested as Chairman. Mr Grintmond can be expected to throw all his energy into what should be a function of outstanding interest. Certainly jnbilee time should be a very memotablo time' recalling past history, and the worthy work of that- pioneer hand who r*ul« Exhibition time itself, possible.