The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times.) WEDNESDAY, APRIL 23rd, 1924. POINTS ABOUT THE STRIKE.

Hokitika Guardian, 23 April 1924, Page 2

The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times.) WEDNESDAY, APRIL 23rd, 1924. POINTS ABOUT THE STRIKE.

The methods adopted by the railway representatives to enforce their demands were as abrupt as they were impossible

of acceptance by the Government. No doubt the executive was encouraged by the voting strength of the ballot which was overwhelmingly in favor of a

strike for increased wages. The final ultimatum to the Government was for higher wages or a strike; or in other words: “Your money or your lifeblood.” The Government adopted the self-respecting course of not being dictated to by its employees. This apart from the fact that the railway representatives had agreed a few hours earlier to accept a fresh wages hoard of enquiry. W’hatever Government is in power, under the circumstances, must 1)0 suppoited. Although the late railway strike at Homo was under tie regime of a Labor Government, the administration took measures to maintain law and order. The railways in that case were not the peoples, b companies, and public interests were involved, and the Government acted resolutely. Here the railways are the peoples, and the whole public interests arc involved. How much the more then must the Government stand up for the people’s rights? Whatever rights the railwaymen have they would have been respected bv the impartial lionl*d of enquiry which was to have been set up. Having declined that reasonable course, tbe railwaymen arc now out of court, and must take tbe consequences of their overt act in refusing a reasonable committee of enquiry. There is the fact, also, that they elected to take tbe course they have at a time when thousands of people wore on (he move and many thousands move preparing to travel in connection vith the visit of the British Cruiser Squadron. The Railway Department is nibbed of thousands of pounds of special revenue, and in the various centres thousands of business people will lose large sums by loss of trade which cannot result now. And there will he the disappointment and inconvenience to the public as a whole. AH this must prejudice the position, and suggests how ill-advised the extreme action has been at this juncture. There are those sections which are supporting the action of the railwaymen. They arc those who are invariably against well-order-ed Government and who find a delight in prompting extreme action. U is well to hear that fact in mind, because in due course that element will he seeking political power. In this country the party referred to has no respect for the mandate ef the. people as whole given to the Government of the day. aiul to place such a party in power would he a fatal mistake if true democratic principles are to he observed. As to the strike it will evidently continue, hut the Government should he firm and resolute. 4t will he time immediately to set about restoring the public service which the railways afford, and in that action the Government should have the fullest backing from the people as a whole. It is for the Government now to assume dictatorial powers and to enforce the will of the people on. the recalcitrants, and to see that the reorganised service is as efficient and loyal as the occasion of the public service demands.