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Hokitika Guardian, 23 February 1924, Page 2

Hie dockers’ strike at Home threatens to have far-reaching effects. The men under their leaders are determined, and a'o receiving much moral support from comrade unions. It is a problem for a Labour Government to handle if the oilier side be as determined as tho striking organisations, but there are signs ol giving in, in some quarters. 1 his may lead to an early break down. Should it not do so, the strike will cause an enormous loss all round, and the oversea countries trading with the Mot norland must ieel the pinch also. I.lionise- tho public at Home must be fiit bal'd in many directions. A shipping hold-up has far-reaching effects, arid where the volume of shipping is so great as in Great Britain, we. at this distance, have but a faint idea of the enormous loss imposed, or of the ramifications of the infliction on the community at large. A strike is a cruel method to attempt to settle disputes. It ir akin to war itself, where the combatants seek to settle their differences by main strength—force of arms—and not righteousness of action. This is an old complaint, but in a great national hold-up such ns at Home now, this aspect is brought home very impressively.

No doubt the Government- through all available channels will be seeking to check the strike and its dire effect. Ministers are very circumspect in their speeches, and nothing inflammatory is being said. The Government occupies a very precarious position, and cannot afford to take undue risks. There will be a call to organise the nation to avoid famine or such like disaster. 1 lie Ministry has some members with Practical experience in regard to food control, and there is some indication of this, by the early steps taken to avoid undue profiteering. But these are all measures subsidiary to the strike. To

deaf with the generic cause of all the trouble is the essential point. If tlia preliminary talks are unavailing what will bo done, and in the end what can lc done to avoid or prevent strikes in the future? It is in that direction a national policy is most essential. But lo curb action in that direction it seems to be essential to have the whole nation interested from the outset. This is not possible, which makes it all the more difficult to propound an effective policy to deal economically with strikes. Apparently they have to run their course causing prodigious harm and loss to the j I nation.

I iik negatin' results of strikes are the most regrettable aspect. Hie strike settled, does not end the matter, least of all mend the position. There is no guarantee ot' security, even, after a “settlement,” for labor claims to he a free agent, and will upset a community at the shortest of notice. Besides, a success, or partial success, in one direction bv the use oi force which a strike is, encourages other trades or occupations to follow suit, and so the stupid game proceeds. All the time the leaders or agitators watch the position, and never lose an opportunity of playing on the cupidity of the men. I* vo! the daily press launches out in that direction and proceeds to inflame public opinion by countenancing a condition of revolt which is really a war upon the community as a whole, and not on the employers who are made the butt of the attack. With all our vaunted political liberty of thought and nctiv.il, our democratic constitution, there are those who can readily upset law aid order, and exercising their own sweet will along lines in keeping with their ambitions, maintain a state of industrial turmoil which retards nationnl progress and upsets national ideals of security.

Slncr. tlie foregoing was written news lias come that the strike has been settled. This happy achievement has been binuglit about by the men’s request being viitually agreed to. Evidently the employers determined that discretion was the better part of valor and the old method of settlement by compromise was adopted. Without- referrinf; to the merits of the ease in regard to which the men had a very fair ease, it is a matter for regret that the men adopted the strike procedure as a remedial measure. The success by that means does not justify the action. The strike, admittedly was well organised, and for that reason would do the nation incalculable harm; far more than the benefit of the increased pay involved. A strike is a senseless, uneconomical way to proceed, hut it is so difficult to get the masses to be patient in these matters, and seek for justice by legitimate means. It might have been expected with a Labor government in power some reliance would he placed on government action, hut that was not so. This attitude of organised Labor does not give lunch hope for permanent industrial peace. Bather is it the oppo-site-other industries seeing the benefit of a stand and deliver attitude towards the community will be disposed to take like steps to enforce demands—however unreasonable tbev might be, and the ii.mlt simply depends on the force employed to dominate the position.