Untitled

Hokitika Guardian, 2 May 1924, Page 2

Tim American-Immigration law which aims, inter alia, at flic exclusion of Japanese from the United States, it is plain, is going to he a fruitful cause of trouble. This not only for the present, but also for the future. Among Japanese youth there is strong antagonism and much protesting is being done. This is regarded as ominous for future international relations, because as time goes on the present youth will represent public opinion. That the situation is delicate is evident from the reluctance of the President to approve tho measure. A late cable message stated that President C’oolidge is attempting to work out an arrangement with res|>ect to the Japanese exclusion which will satisfy those favourable to use restriction, and at the same time to avoid affront to Japan. This is according to an official announcement, but details aia; not revealed, and it is impossible to state now whether anything could 1m; accomplished. An arrangement of this nature under consideration, would permit the President to sign the Immigration Bill, regarding which, those who have conferred with him declare lie is considerably disturlied. and which ho has been advised by some administration advisers to veto. Probably diplomacy will in tho end find out a way to a reasonable adjustment of the matter, but it is beyond question that, particularly in various parts of the States, there is a strong set in public opinion against an influx of Japanese, and that in point of Fact their exclusion is desired. ,

At the juncture when there is a craze for striking, and we see one public department backing another in the desire to upset the public service of the country, it is refreshing to litul that all the service is not so inclined and that there are those whom sanity has not deserted, and who ate anxious while seeking a fair deal themselves to give the public a fair deal also. A telegram from Invercargill published on Wednesday slater! that at a meeting of Lie .Southland section of the P. and T. Officers’ Association, held in Invercargill, the following resolution was carried: "Thas this meeting is adverse to a stiike ballot being taken at the present time, and is of opinion that the negotiations should he continued until all means are exhausted; further, if the negotiations fail, the matter should be deferred until parliament assembles, and a Parliamentary Committee be appointed to consider all tho executives re-

quests.” This display of common sense in regard to handling the grievances which arc* said lo exist, will do more to win the favor of the public limit if the whole service walked off duty to-mor-row. The strike weapon is out of date. It is a cruel form of warfare, and in those days of reason will not be tolerated hv the people. Tho Southland branch moves along right- and proper lines, and the sanity of the steps proposed will bo very helpful to the service as a whole, if finally followed up.