The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. SATURDAY, MARCH 7th, 1923.

Hokitika Guardian, 7 March 1925, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. SATURDAY, MARCH 7th, 1923.

S'I'X'OXI) tjioumts. V i'Ry often second thoughts me best. They have proved of value, at ail events, in leading up to a .settlement of the .shipping hold-up at Lyttelton and Wellington. Following a period of irritating methods, in which it was never clear when labor would he available for working the boats, the employers shut down on all labour, and stated none would to employed till there was some guarantee that the arbitration award would be respected, and labor provided regularly at call. When the deadlock wins oa the verge of reaching a crisis, better counsels prevailed, and tile union passed a resolution authorising members to take work as offered, and the employers seized on this 11s a welcome- olivo branch. The men in the first instaiuo appear to have been prompted in their action by the objections to the late award of wages by the Arbitration Court. But it is clearly unfair for the men to believe they can play with such ail award, and accept it or reject it, at their own pleasure. The award must have effect if there is to he confidence all round, and without that confidence there will lie recurring loss when the men pursue a line of eonduet against, or to. show their contempt for, the Court award. It would he pleasing to find, the men and labor generally taking second thoughts of the situation, and agreeing in a straightforward way to respect and honor the decisions of the Court, which is the deciding party between the two elements—laborer and employer. In the present instance the employers sought to establish the ruling of the Court, a not unreasonable attitude. Indeed, in the past the laborers derived man benefits from the Court’s awards, yet in the first instance where the men fcc : their case has not had adequate consideration, they take measures into their own hands to show their contempt for the Court. Had they given a second thought to their action they would have realised that they were proceeding 011 lines wnich could not succeed. The employers had the Court’s decision as a definite document and public feel-

ing would support the legal authority holding sway. It would he quite impossible to succeed against these odds, and this appears to have l>eeii realised. There is, however, no guarantee now that a permanent settlement lias lieen reached. The unionists may tide over a week or so and begin, their tactics again. It is not unlikely if that were attempted, a serious crisis would result, By the unionism existing, concerted action between Australia and New Zealand unions would create a difficult position. This has been a growing menace, and some clay the force of it may he felt. Governments are not ready to force the situation, nor likely to he so disposed, and so the position continues unsatisfactory. It creates a state of affairs which reflects all through the country, for there is a degree of unsettlement which is not for the public good. There must he authority and respect for authority. The Arbitration Court was set up a' that authority, hut we see' from time to time how the Court is in danger of being belittled and its deliberations brought to nought. The action of the men is an attack on the arbitration principle which, if undermined, re-

;urns tho industrial position to a state >f class war. That would lie a regrettiblo situation indeed after the struggle :o build up a system equitable to all nterests. It is a ease of the destrtieionist prevailing because the construcionist has not the energy to assert limself. The Arbitration Court has [iminished industrial friction, and were he Court fully supported, industrial :eace would prevail. It seems folly, herefore, with so great a prize in sight hat irrespollsibios are allowed to i reck a progressive policy giving nssurd work and reasonable pay to a great ody of workers. The readiness with rich many unionists foil into line

behind the agitator section is one o' the phases which it is difficult to comprehend, hut there it is, a trait of human nature—weakness and lack of decisive character—for the units are often averse to the stupid strikes which bring about a worse condition than the first, besides alienating the sympathy of the public. If there were more time devoted to second thoughts there would be less of these fool-hardy, lightning strikes.