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Hokitika Guardian, 21 September 1925, Page 2

A definite move lias been made.' bv the Federal Government ol Australia with regard to the seamen's strike at the prim ipal oversea ports. A hedcial Fie. lion is now pending, involving a big issue, and the people will pass ludgment on the recent developments. In the House ot Kcq rcsentalives. at Melbourne on Friday, Air Bruce. Prime .Minister, aiiiieniiieocl that tin* GovernorGeneral had accepted certain advice tendered him and he (.Mr Bruce) was authorised to inform tin* House that tin* Go. erunr-General proposed in dissolve Parliament as .-eon as the n* ees>urv supply had been granted, and the tariff schedule, validated. Mr Bruce, moving the adjournment, said he had a deep conviction that ii was desirable that- the people should express an opinion whether they desired that Australia should bo governed by Parliament or by outside inlllienees, and whether they desired to see law and order maintained in the community. This is ihe plain issue in all countries where labor factions are endeavouring to control industry and work. It is great step for Mr Bruce to take, hut it was inevitable, short, of preeipitnl mg civil war by any overt act against the* strikers. The ] rineipal gaols are full already in Australia with recalcitrant seamen, who there, as in New /calami, seem to glory in the attitude of defiance. The same intluenecs which

arc operating in Australia, tiro operating here, ami tlio general election throughout tliis Dominion in November. ns in Australia aliotit tlit* same pcriotl. will lie a. like issue. It is. as Mr Bruce, has put it. whet her Australia nnd Nov. - Zealand arc to lie governed liy tile, constitutional authority of Parliament or hy an outside influence which openly defies law and order, when it suits the canaries of the leaders of organised labor with the ]ieeuliar bent which conspires to upset authority and regulated discipline. Here, as in Australia, votes require to lie east with care, and there is an obligation more responsible than ever on voters when they exercise the franchise oil polling day. The issue is lined down to something which is outside party. There is the underlying principle of upholding constitutional authority so that those who are disposed to adopt hold-up tactics on a community may not do so with impunity hut may do so only at personal peril, and not at tin* cost of the people whom they attempt to inconvenience. The appeal to the people is the final appeal in any country, and in taking that step Mr Bruce shows judgment for it- throws on the people the onus of what is to come after. Xev Zealand is in the same position in a similar crisis, and in making their choice the people deal with the safety of their own country and decide as to its immediate future and possible destiny.