The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. THURSDAY, MAY 6, 1926. THE HOME CRISIS.

Hokitika Guardian, 6 May 1926, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. THURSDAY, MAY 6, 1926. THE HOME CRISIS.

The news in regard to the crisis at Home continues disquieting. Despite reports for long past as to trading conditions and unemployment, the Trades Congress appears bent on entering upon a struggle with defeat to face at tho close. From the temper of the nation we may take it, the people when roused as they are likely to lie in this great national conflict, « ill not tolerate coercion at the hands of the labor loaders. The public will trust the constitutional leaders, and that means that any organisation against law and order must fail. Besides by making a general fight of the coal issue, the labor leaders are goinoto paralyse trade and industry genemllv. Strikers are coming out in all walks, and those misguided men must face a aerious position. The solidarity tof labor of wh|ich we hear so much is the undoing of labor, for it means that right or wrong labor must be

solid in all unified trades or callings, and bv making a dispute n common figlil the innocent suffer with the guilty. Bui the real issue is the .settlement of the coal dispute, and in regard to that great- efforts have been made to reach a favourable settlement. Ever since the report of the Itoyal ('omniitssion was presented efforts have been made to bridge the gap between the owners and the men. At tho cost of many millions the Government lias secured a respite in the hope that the commission would indicate clearly a method of overcoming tho involved difficulties attending the industry. The commissioners strongly condemned the subsidy. They held out little hope of the cost of coal rising to a point which would enable the industry to he continued on tho present- wage basis, and were forced to the conclusion that steps must be taken to reduce tho cost, of production. To this end they refused the proposal of the owners that the hours of work should be increased, but suggested that tho scale of wages should lie revised. The wages affected ure those governed by the provisions of the agreement entered into in 192-1, which regulated the minimum below which wages should not fall in the various districts. The minimum wage paid was not to lie reduced by arrangement. Such a course of action would have placed the men in much the same position that they occupied before the temporary .settlement in July last, but the position of the owners lias been strengthened by the finding of the Commission that the industry cannot lie placed oil an economic basis unless wages are reduced. Tt was stated that the reductions would only he temporary if steps woro taken to thoroughly reorganise tho mining industry, and that the recommendations, if adopted, would still leave the owners, in most districts, “without any profits.” All efforts to overcome the difficulties, remarks the “Lyttelton Times,” seem to have failed, and the threat of the Council of the Trades Union Congress to declare a general strike lias added immensely to the dangerous possibilities of an already difficult position. At this distance from the storm centre it is impossible to gauge correctly the state of public feeling, and in this, as in all other industrial struggles, the weight of public opinion will he the deciding factor. Both sides will disclaim responsibility. (but the fact tlipt tho welfare of the nation is at stake will inevitably cause many people to rally to the support of the authorities. Unless there should be a last-moment development, which may avert the conflict. the result must he intense suffering for many thousands of people, nnd, whatever the final outcome, there will he an aftermath of bitterness. No body, or bodies, of men can lie allowed to challenge the industrial existence of the State, hut if peace is to rule in the industrial world .there must Ix> not merely an insistence upon the supremacy of haw, but also the ensuring of economic justice. We can only watch the struggle and hope, with all sincerity, that an early solution may be found.

Tlie Fire Brigade desire to a’CknAwledge a donation of £1 from Airs Turner.

There was a rush to-day for seats for the band concert to bo given at the Opera House, Greymouth, on Monday next by the Argyll Band.

You can find all the now shades in Bond’s silk hosiery, silk and wool and cashmere hose just opened at Addison’s.—Advt.

The Census returns show the population of Hokitika Borough to be 2,339, against 2,215, in 1921, This gives an increase of 173 in spite of the fact that South Hokitika has been taken out of the Borough last year.

The Hon F. J. Itolleston, Minister of Justice, stated, when his attention was called to the overwork of Christchurch magistrates, that the .Justice Department Jmd had the matter under consideration for two months, and had practically completed arrangements for the appointment of a third stipendiary magistrate in Canterbury, who would assist in Christchurch.

Overheard at Mr Seddon’s social last evening. First lady: My word you do look nice tonight; your complexion is glorious and your hair is shingled to perfection. Second lady: Acs! you aro not the first to make that remark; do votj know 1 paid my first visit to The Divinia Toilet Saloon to-day and 1 assure you it will not be the last.— Advt.

Tho New Zealand Government Mines Department is to be well represented al the Toronto Exhibition from the Mines Court at the Dominion Exhibition. The selection of minerals, including some fine specimens of greenstone, lias been made, and these are being forwarded to Toronto. A good deal of official literature oil mining in Xew Zealand generally will accompany tho exhibits.

Tito Ilailway Department advertise in this issue the running of a special train from Boss to Greymouth on Monday, 10th inst in connection with the visit of tho Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders’ Band. This will give tho public a splendid opportunity of hearing this famous band. Return fares from Hokitika: First class Is, second class 2s 9d.

Mr E. A. Wells, a candidate tor the Central Biding, solicits the votes and interests of the electors on his behalf at the poll to take place next Wednesday. Mr Wells while chairman had tho satisfaction of seeing tho annual rate reduced to the pro-war levy, and also considerable improvement in the roads as a. result; of the wider use of road machinery, Air Wells being a supporter of the proposal for an improved road plant.

Returned Soldiers’ Kucliro Tournament will be continued*'next Friday. Ma.v 7th.. in tho Soldiers’ Hall at 8 o’clock .slioi p. Ist., prize : Household parcel containing value £3 10. double sheets, single sheets, coloured towels, white towels, phiz, tea towels, ploz. pillow slips; 2nd.: alarm clock; 3rd: ease of afternoon tea spoons; 4th: table cloth. All winners play off at end of season for a ladies’ or gent’s bicycle. Supper ! Roll up ! Admission 2s.—Advt.

Nurse Spring of the Blanket Society will vi-it Hokitika on Friday next, calling at the homes during the morning. .Mothers are asked to note that in the afternoon Nurse Spring may be consulted at the ante-room of St. Andrew’s Hall, which has lieon kindly lent for tho winter months. There a fire will he provided for tho comfort of mothers and babies during the cold weather. .Messages left as usual with .Mrs Perkins (Vicarage) or Airs George Perry (Hall St.) will receive the nurse’s prompt attention.

Tlio essay competition for the children who went from Westland to tlie Dunedin Exhibition closes next week, and all contrihut ions must he sent in not later than the 15th. As there are some surplus funds from the money collected for the excursion, it has been decided to offer six additional prizes—three for girls and three for liovs—for a special essay for I In* younger children with the parties. The subject will be. “The Three Most. Striking Effects 1 saw at the Exhibition.” with descriptive matter of about 10!) lines of foolscap paper. This special competition is for children of 14 years and under, and these essays must lie sent in through the teachers not later than tho 17th Alay. bearing “a Home do plume” only of the writer. School teachers might please accept this intimation and advise their pupils eligible to compete accordingly. The essay must he the sole work of the writer.

Not the least important part in the recent school excursions to Dunedin so successfully carried out, was the billeting of the children at Christchurch while en route. The district was fortunate in having an organiser with tlio interest and enterprise which Air C. Kirk manifested. As soon as the idea was suggested, and Air Kirk was asked to help to co-operate in the matter, he entered into tlie spirit, of the task with all enthusiasm. The result was that some forty-four homes in Christchurch were placed at the disposal of tho Westland children who were, all made at home and comfortable on arrival, and no pains spared to make their sojourn enjoyable. Mr Kirk had no difficulty in securing accommodation, and some of the hosts were disappointed when visitors who had been expected did not arrive. A letter of thanks and appreciation is being sent to those who acted as hosts and hostesses for the children billeted by Air Kirk, and a souvenir Imoklet ol Westland is being forwarded to each of them as a memento of an interesting occasion.

At the meeting of the Westland County Council yesterday afternoon, a letter was received from the Auditor General agreeing to a refund of portion of Councillors’ travelling expenses which had been previously surcharged and repaid by members, in the com.sc of tlie discussion that followed on the reception of the letter it was stated that in the case of Air B. Ward the Auditor-General was agreeing to the payment of more than had previously been surcharged. Air Ward in the course of his remarks said he was glad that tills matter had been brought to a satisfactory conclusion, because it had affected what was of the utmost importance to him—his honour. He felt that a great slur had been east on him previously by the Auditor-General, lie had in effect been called a thief and he had resented the imputation very strongly. The action of the Audi-tor-General now showed that members had not been at fault as had been alleged. It was gratifying to find that the attiutde of members had been Ixirne out in this instance, because it rendered what had been a great slur on their actions—a slur that they did not deserve.

Addison’s live just the nice fleecy blankets you want for the c-old weather. Prices are lower this season and range front 25s fid. Call and inspect. Advt.

Make a practice of singing “ Home Sweet Home ” w*hiip 11 No-Rubbing Laundry Help ” is doing the weekly washing.—Advt.

Laugh, and the world laughs with you; rub, and you rub alone, so sings “ No-Rubbing Laundry Help.”—Advt. At the first sign of influenza take “ Nazol ” —a simple, safe, speedy and sure specific. Penetrating and germkilling ; Is 6d for 60 doses.—Advt.