The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. THURSDAY, MAY 13, 1926. THE STRUGGLE AT HOME.

Hokitika Guardian, 13 May 1926, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. THURSDAY, MAY 13, 1926. THE STRUGGLE AT HOME.

In connection with the great struggle at Home one significant fact is the all sided nature of the news cabled out. Another (and most significant) is the silence (if not the tolerance) ,of the British statesmen. A French correspondent who visited Britain to see things for himself has declared that the back of the strike is broken! This seems rather an -optimistic view to take at this juncture, though perhaps at the worst the conclusion is but a little premature. Of all the comment, that of the American press is most frank and covers the situation best of all—for it sums up the trend of affairs very accurately. Perhaps that was because the States have been through a similar mill and know that in an 'English speaking country the forces of law and order must triumph inevitably. They have triumphed in America, and it was a good thing for the working man of that country that they did. It will he good equally for the British working man to see the honesty of industrial agreements established, and not liable In be treated as scraps of paper. America enjoys working icbndftious now which are healthy and wealthy for the working man, who is paid largely for what lie does, and the honest workman enjoys good living and high wages—giving in return production and value for the better conditions which his honesty of purpoee helps to create. But as to the American press, here are some of the latest comments which have been cabled : “The Xew York Sun" says: “There is tio country on earth whose people will not lie affected. The whole world must feel the shock and a permanent loss will be registered for the British, which will not be to Caiptal alone, but also to Labour generally throughout the British Isles."

The “Xew York Evening Telegram” says:—“John Bull has the habit of staying true to form, no matter what the emergency ill ay ho with which he is confronted.” The “Xew York Herald-Tribune” says:—“On both sides are men seeking a way out before the crisis becomes a gigantic catastrophe. As is usually the ease plunging into a bole is much easier than climbing out.’’ The “Xew York American” comments:—“The quetion in England to-day is: Shall the Empire be ruled by national vote or by oneeighth of the people enrolled in the Labour unions? Xo sound reason can be given for permitting any one group, whether Unionism, Freemasonry, some particular church,

or any other body to take charge of the nation.”

The “New York World’’ says: “The situation grows more menacing, yet more hopeful with each day’s news, as it discloses the leaders on both sides to be sober men.” The “New York Times” declares. —“Tho strike was plainly in intent a gigantic bluff. The Labour leaders did not really expect- to carry it out.”

The trend of that comment shown the sanity of public feeling in the United State. Equally sensible must be the bulk of public opinion in Great Britain, and that is the main security of the position. The challenge by the trade organisations was foredoomed to failure the moment the British Government took up the challenge. Street corner vapourings- were all right in their way, but then came the overt act to interfere with public property and to check freedom of constitutional action, the act of a revolutionary was committed, and the offenders have to accept the consequences. It was all very well to say no revolution was intended, but a strike of the present ramifications is the negation of authority. Trade unionists are coerced into downing tools, and also into acts of intimidation to prevent others taking their place. Tile strike method is to hold a pistol at the head of the nation, and demand a capitulation or starvation. Tho authorities were well prepared for tho dire extremity, and were ready to meet tho emergency. Tho completeness of the preparations has no doubt confounded the lenders who are looking for a way out to save the position as well as they can. This vain search has prompted the French correspondent to express the belief that the hack of tho strike is broken. At the moment the outstanding fact is the organisation of the resources of the nation to withstand the deliberate attack on the public utilities, and the masterly silence of those who dominate the situation.