The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times.)

Hokitika Guardian, 23 May 1924, Page 2

The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times.)

FRIDAY, MAY 23rd, 1081 A DEFINITE POLICY.

The action of the Government in calling on the recalcitrant branch of the railway service to disassociate itself with the Alliance of Labor is to bo commended, ft is a. step which will ensure public 'safety, for the service was not the service of the public, while it was at- the behest of Labor leaders who thought nothing about the publfe when a strike was nfoot. 'llte public service could not lie considered a national service while it was under the thumb of the irresponsible leaders who had nought but their own ends to serve. No doubt in certain quarters the Government will be condemned—that is to be expected. But it is only in those quarters where mob rule is encouraged and where it is desired always to see foreo prevailing irrespective of public interests. Striking in Now* Zealand lias brought much loss end suffering in its train, and given very little in return—nothing, in fact, to compensate for the worry and legacy of hopelessneu3 it has left behind, ft is well that- there should

he nil end to strikes. The Government lias gone the right way to effect tnat end so far as the public service is concerned, and for that action the country should lie grateful. The Government has taken the statesmanlike course, and established n principle that the Government must, be the master in its own country while it is entrusted with the adminsitration of the publie estate. It will lie noticed that the lender of the Labor Party i> talking about the menace to the public service in robbing the members ot their friM'dom of action. The leader ot tin* Labor Party favors tin* license ol the the libertine. desiring unrestrained excesses without thought lor the results. If we are to have security of administration there must be a loyal and contented service. There will not. he any hard-hip in restricting intercoms** with the Alliance of Labor, for flu* public servants will, know at the outset that they must not Leconte allied with that militant body. The public service ntav le entered only with that prohibition in mind and the cmbnigo should make for a more n.nte.med service. Public* servants through their own associations have the right- to s*ppeal to Parliament if they consider any Government in power is not treating them fairly. No greater senility should In* needed tor the adjustment of equitable claims. By removing the public service fimii its c ounce t ion with the Alliance of Labor, tbe Government servants will be in a clearer atmosphere. Loyal attachment to the duties of office will be more general. and tin.* sell'-respoc.l ing public* -"tvallt will feel greater freedom away from an sssoeiation which might bring about- serious entanglement- at any moment. Tin* public, service might l>e embroiled at- any time in any industrial dispute beyond tho domain of its interests, amt suc-li a complicated rc*sult would Is- clisnst-rmi.-s to the enmtminit.v. Tt would place fur too much power in tho hands of the Alliance, of

Labor, conducing more than ever ti the wrecking of national interests. Fortunately the Government has moved betimes to avoid so great a catastrophe.