Untitled

Hokitika Guardian, 3 May 1924, Page 2

Tin-; Prime .Minister's comments uu the end of the strike were quite to the point. Mr Massey remarked tlmt the (hivernmeiil had their duty to do and that was to stand up against any attempts to coerce them into what they knew would he a sennits injustice to the great hulk of citizens of the Dominion; and would almtist certainly lord to still more serious trouble. “I believe," he said, "it will lit 1 admitted the result justifies the Government's action; One thing is quite certain. No sec tion of the public service can Ire allowed to stop the whole business of the country, in the Way that has been at. tempted recently. What has happened has been a. lesson to most people, especially to those men who wore mis'ed or coerced into going out on strike. Incidents such as we have experienced do not enhance or maintain the good reputation of this country. I am very glad th-t. in the end, wiser counsels have prevailed.’’. The wiser counsels came in time for it was on the tapis that the strike would have broken down the next day, by the rush of men to rejoin the service. The Strike Executive acted just in time to save its face. Tne strike leaders had endeavoured to paralyse the transport servicV of the country, and would have been very pleased to have accomplished their object with n view to forcing the concession sought from the Government. The bluff failed and the men went hack not only disci edited with the public, but on very ditferent terms to that upon which the original negotiations might have been continued.

Tin: explanation by the leaders of the striue on the abrupt termination is not very convincing. The President of the A.S.R.S. suddenly bethought himself of the public! This alter much haini and great loss had been inflicted on the community in general. It was a so i of death-lied ref entanee so far as the loaders of the stiike were concerned, for find they not ended the contlict at the time they did it was dear that in the next few days the strike woi.P hare ended hv the stampede of the men hack to work, 'ihe so-called solidarity was hut vain repetition of something which was a vanishing quantity. The "fact of the matter was that though the men followed the leaders in a docile spirit, the workmen did not have their hearts in the fray. But for their association in a laxly and the daily meetings to encourage confidence, even the 1 ickets to prevent- the men returning to work would have boon ineffective. The strike was a gross mistake, a tactical blunder, and the only tiling that will save the ease for the men now is that they were stupidly led. and that in reality their hearts were not in the fray. That was plainly evidenced by the rush to return to duty when the strike was called off bv the leaders whose actions up to that point had been so disastrously misleading.

The Government as an outcome of the general railway situation, contemplates setting about a. comprehensive policy of railway management at last. Mr Massey in his published statement has said:—“As soon as it can be managed, the Government intends to arrnpge for

nn exhaustive enquiry by experienced men into the whole railway system, including income and expenditure, with a view to possible economics and the abolition of anomalies.” The' reform of the Railway Department is well overdue. As a result of the strilfiJ The Government can set about a retrenchment scheme with less compunction than hitherto. In the moment of trial, the men did not consider the country, so the Government with adverse circumstances surrounding them need not consider the men specially. There is a general feeling that the railways are greatly overstaffed, anti the opportunity to shorten hands is now open. As to the commercial side of the case t v c is room for material reform in the acini iui st r:ition now that motor traffic is in such close competition with the railways. The freight rates require serious review, and it is pleasing to see that both income and expenditure are to lie reviewed. To be satisfaotonultimately that is the right course to pursue.

Tuk experience of the recent strike, so far as the Coast is concerned, points to the necessity of the East and West Coast road being maintained in good order for emergency traffic. There has been some suggestion to allow the road to fall into disrepair, but this will never do. and the matter should be determined once and for all by the Government. and prof or steps taken to see that the road is effectively maintained. It was very unfortunate that such untoward weather was experienced over the period of tlie strike, seriously retarding motor traffic, but the road was at least a safety valve, and both passengers and mails wore in due season got through. But for the enterprising motor proprietors the isolation of west from east would have been complete, and that would have added greatly to the all-round public incon-’ vetiience. It is reasonable to ask jn all circumstances for a motor bridge to be erected at the Bealev, where the chief delay occurred on the trip. The influence of Canterbury and the Coast joined up on tiiis request should succeed in impressing the authorities with the necessity for the structure as a means to minimise the delay and inconvenience to traffic. The bridge would be a great boon and of useful service all the vear round.

It was something of a surprise this week to note tlit* local apathy in regard to the election of the State School Committee. This is quite a variance to former experience, when invariably the seats were keenly contested. For some unexplained reason tbe ‘sitting members as a body determined not to offer themselves for re-election, and this decision not being known publicly in advance, local interest- bad not the opportunity of being aroused to take action. The majority of the retiring members had done good service on the Cummitlee over a lengthy period and tlu> community should he much beholden to them for the great amount of excellent work done. Had tin* positii n been understood or any inkling of the unexpected development, we are sure there would have been a movement to request the members to again take office. In respect to the nomination, the practice of closing nominations ahead of the annual meeting of householders, while it has certain advantages has also many disadvantages. I’nder the former system it is not likely there would have been tbe fiasco there was. as in th«* usual murso of events tin* would have rolled up uuue or less numerously to assist in the oidinnry way. However, a fresh election will now require to he railed lor. at id for that occasion those interested in local educational affairs might interest themselves in seeing as many of the iornicr committeemen re-elected as possible. 'I here sue features about local educational matters which require careful watching. Those who have served longest on the Committee will understand the position, and are the best- informed to watch local interests. In regard to this aspect it is well to mention the matter, for it is not one to be neglected. The duties of School Committees have been shorn considerably of lute, and to that extent- members find tbe work very light. But aspects arise from time to time which call for special attention ami those most experienced should be there to handle the position. Tu any case it is well am! certainly needful Inthe community to take a practical interest in the sehoolwork. and at the next time of asking a representative Committee should he set up without fail: