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Hokitika Guardian, 26 November 1925, Page 2

Tun preparations at Home to meet possible strike conditions are significant in the light of current events. The (’nit"d Kingdom is Icing so organised with regard to tin- supply of necessaries. that in the event of a national strike of serious dimensions, the internal discomforts will lie minimised an much as possible. This may be a mistaken kindness, for until the public feels tile pinch, opinion is slow to form •m i lie rights or wrongs of a .-trike v. hitli lias a paralysing effect. Strikes are of necessity a menace, and they are utilised with a view of forcing a situation which equitably cannot lie gained. The strike weapon is a devastating instrument which hurts more than is intended primarily, but strikes appear to lie inevitable in the days of free license to dominating trade union leaders. A strike of the revolutionary order has been forecasted for May next at Home, arising out of the coal mining trouble. It seems a hare-brained idea to threaten a strike of that nature so far ahead. But it was done by a leader of some responsibility. 'Whether the preparations lately completed at Home are some reply to the threats made, is not clear, hut it is well to be forearmed in such matters. sunlly the striker is allowed a good deal of his own way at the outset, for where tiuproparcdncss prevails it is difficult to organise on a large scale. That is not likely to occur on the next occasion, and it is to lie hoped the altered conditions will have a paralysing effect oil the strikers, rather than that the strike should disorganise the whole Kingdom. The hitter has happened in the past, and for the public weal the authorities are wise to anticipate events for the future, and prepare for possible eventualities. Anything which can save the country national loss and community suffering, is to he commended. So far as the coal trouble at Home is concerned the Government is investigating the situation by a special tribunal and providing at great national cost for the workers, in the meantime. Everyone will have a fair deal, and such being the ease those not satisfied with the result should not have the further right to ap(seal to the bludgeon tactics of a strike to enforce what is not considered fair and equitable. In other circumstances the authorities are fully within their rights to prepare for possible contingencies to safeguard the rights of the public in the serious calamity of a far-reaching strike.