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Hokitika Guardian, 13 May 1926, Page 2

Since the foregoing was in type official news is to hand tliltt the strike at Home is terminating. This is not surprising in view of tile trend of the news. The readiness of the authorities to meet tho emergency was the saving factor. There was not the opportunity to let matters get out of hand, and strikers had little encouragement. The victory is a triumph for the forces of law and order, and a vindication ol the sanity of tho race in a crisis. The Government is to he congratulated on its firmness and moderation. it

secured the position absolutely, and then permitted the strikers to come to their senses. Once again tho Bid leadership of labour is manifest. \\ h.v it is so in British centres is no doubt due to the red fed element which seems to imagine noise and clamour counts for everything. The labour forces hero were foolish enough to expose their hand and express sympathy with a hopeless position. No doubt they would have done more if they could, but it is well they were restrained, or they would Il.ive cut a more sorry figure still. It is well New Zealand is saved from labour rule of the quality tor which the present, leaders stand. In America we had labour taking a mere sensible course, and pin nig its faith to more decorous methods to bring about reforms. However, the strike is over, and if is well the struggle Im.s ended as peaceably as it has. Lalinur will have its chief grievance with its leadership. The Trades L'jnion G-m----gress appears to have been the responsible authority for the strike and its miscarriage. By making the tight lot the miners a common ground lor all labour, the whole position was misjudged. A mass of innocent. 10l k were drawn into the conflict which aggravated the situation more than anything else. If would appear the first nurtures for peace came from the miners. On. that account we are hopeful the case for the miners will not be prejudiced seriously by the strike. lieforms are due there and were indicated by the Coal Commission which the Government was prepared to honour. Tn a less .aggressive atmosphere now the miners’ ease will have revision and the nation will wish lor lairplay. I hat will be a reasonable outcome alter all. and it will be a fortunate escape the credit for which is due to the firmness and readiness of the Government in the great emergency.

It is probably fair game to write about the weather. At all events it is seasonable —and has been for some months past-that is, it has been ever present and quite unforgettable. Once in a while tlic sun has shone out, and as the poet has it “the arching sky was blue,” but those lucid intervals have been rare indeed. The oldest inhabitant says the weather of late reminds him of the period experienced when the Coast was “rushed.” It was very wet and boisterous in those days, and from that time onward the Coast has enjoyed rather an evil reputation for its weather—that is, the wot side of it. But if it he true that sixty vears ago the pioneers experienced a cycle similar to that ol the present, perhaps we moderns may rejoice that our lot is not so bad after all. At least to-day we have roads and footpaths (such as they are by the grace of the municipal authorities). Also we have taxis and cars, and other means of artificial locomotion to escape the mud and the puddles. Our lot is cast in a more fortunate time. The pioneers passed to and fro in trackless times. A bush track was a clearing through the overhanging scrub and pedestrians had to pick their way and their slops mindful of lawyers and other clinging delights of the hush. The streets—-so called in name in those days—were unmacadamised. Corduroy was laid where it was handy, for the rest men and women alike had to make their way as best they could. It was a long day journey to Kanieri for should we write Ivanieret in those days ; now if it is not accomplished in about three minutes there is something, wrong with Lizzie ! fto we live in better days, more provided for. We have umbrellas and houses. Then there were oilskins and tents. But they were cheerful folk who sixty years ago carved our town and district out of the bush. Probably they growled about the weather, as we do: but they kept on in spite of the difficulties and discomfits. There is a lesson for us; and even from modern experience we may draw comfort and feel that after all our lot might l>e worse than putting up with ten or twelve inches of rain a month. In the North Island and other parts where land i.s £IOO an acre and more, they have drought and other unfriendly visitations, foreign to these parts. They are parting with their stock for a song, to save their lives. So, after all, things might always be worse, and it will be better or before. The cycle will pass, and another take its place That will be the more cheerful time, and generous sunshine will soon cause us to forget the present experience.

The annual meeting of the Progress League this evening is worthy of the attention of the general public. The League has a good deal of active work to its credit in the past. The undeveloped state of Westland as a whole is such that there is much for it to do in .the future if the public care to put their back- into the job. Recently our columns have been well supplied with notes affecting the develop-

meat of the far south of Westland. To-day in another column there is a special article on the subject. The matter is one which the Progress League might well lie identified with, for there is no part of the district more in need of immediate attention than the south. The territory is rich in promise, and tho idea of opening up direct-road communication with Otago is a very happy one, for there is population to he drawn upon, with a settled district in close juxtaposition for well regulated connection. 'Hie Haast Pass is very easy of negotiation, and the more attention is directed to the opening of the route the greater interest will he excited in its development. There will he work to do, and the Progress League is well equipped for the purpose. Apart from the special interest referred to, the League w ill _ find other local interests to engage its attention, and the executive should he made as strong as possible to-night to ensure a useful year’s work being accomplished.