The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times SATURDAY, JULY 25th, 1925. JOB CONTROL.

Hokitika Guardian, 25 July 1925, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times SATURDAY, JULY 25th, 1925. JOB CONTROL.

Tun central feature in almost all the ■shipping troubles, he they strikes or simple hold-ups, is the desire on the part of the organised union forces to exercise joh (ontrol. The matter of job control is now an accepted principle in regard to trade unionism. At all events Air T. Walsh, one of the leaders in the maritime struggle in Australia, has laid it down as such. Here is his statement on the .subject:

—“When society conceded the workers the right to form trade unions, it involved the right to practise joh emit ml. A trade unioui is 'nothing more nor less than an agency for joh conl l ol bv the workers. That is the object and purpose of a union of workers formed -for mutual protection against the employers, and all trade unions arc formed for that very purpose.’’ .Mi- Walsh accepts the principle of trade unionism as something society has conceded. He is correct in that deduction, and might have gone further if he had realised why it was comeded. But society while if granted the right to trade union organisation. also as a safeguard all round, granted the right of appeal to a constitutional authority to judge when trade unionists were getting too much or too little, as the case might he. The principle of cuuciliutic.it and arbitration was laid down, and there is a decorous wav of proceeding in the Courts of justice so set up. There is further the principle involved that any decision or agreement reaelied in those constitutional courts has to he oh,served and respected. But Air Walsh ignores all these aspects. Ho takes as much as suits, but where it. does not suit, he and the unions liecome a law to themselves, and irrespective of all considerations seek to enforce their wish .and will with tho power behind the unions. I hat i.s not constitutional and in that category is the matter of job control, which is the method adopted by unions of stating ho.v and when they are to work, and such other concessions or considerations a> they shall determine for themselves will meet their own sweet will. It is nothing to them that others lies ides the unfortunate employer shall suffer. Indeed they are adamant to the effect on their own people or class. It is sufficient for their leaders that constitutional authority is to he defied and the self-constituted heads of the striking element are to rule, while agreements are torn up and thrown to the wind. Such is the trend of the extreme labor movement to-day. There i.s much special pleading at times in support of their demands, but the plain facts are that these efforts at joh control are a direct challenge to constitutional authority and an attempt to undermine well ordered society which is prepared to respect the law and see order enforced. The-- public seem slow to recognise the drift

of affairs. The public wait for the political loaders to act, hut mostly the acting is merely temporising. Compromises have been made far too of Kyi, and the situation is destined to getout of hand, if the government of the country is not firm and impersonal. This is a thrice told tale, hut on each and every occasion recalcitrant labor pursues the same coarse, and there is not that concerted authority to check the practice there should he. Governments are indulgent, hut events in Australia show the weakness of it- all. and the possibilities that the whirlwind may have to he reaped till too soon.