Untitled

Hokitika Guardian, 16 June 1926, Page 2

Tiik average Labor lender has a good deal to say at times about self-deter-mination, but these views are modified very often in cases where the shoe is likely to pinch. In the present Labor impasse in the Commonwealth, the Federal Prime Minister has taken a hand and proposes a referendum among the members of the Labor Unions. It appears the political leader of the Federal Labor Party has accepted the proposal, but union leaders are not so ready to do so. As one of the largest unions definitely decided to oppose the referendum, the executive of the Labor Party has called a meeting to consider the matter, and (bo political leader and his associates are to be carpeted. It is said important developments are anticipated. The experience indicates the disposition of the Labor leaders to dominate the situation in preference to leaving a solution to those chiefly concerned the actual workers. At Homo where the men have elected to go hack to work in the coal mines, and are working overtime, there are angry demonstrations against those who prefer to exercise 'their ifroo will and avoid further loss in a fight wherein both sides are showing great stubbornness. No doubt were a vote taken at Horn,? a new complexion would result, and Mr Cook is showing some good sense in advocating it. for it might save his face. Those most concerned in these affrays are the workers, and far too often they are stupidly led. It is plain that the general strike was ill-tin>?d and worse prepared. Many thousands were led into the fray who would have pre ter red to stay on the iob. The men are being victimised far too often by the leaders who may have comfortable billet's as .such, but the responsibility they have carried little direct liability if things go amiss. A compulsory secret ballot should precede all suggestions of a strike, and Labour would benefit 'enormously. Australia is on the right lines in this matter, and Mr Charlton wise in bis judgment in agreeing to the referendum.

Tin: Grcvmoutli morning paper continues In be exercised about the water power rights in Westland. The other day it made reference to a centrally situated right which we took to mean Toaroba. We were mistaken, it appears. 'flic paper explains it referred to the Kanieri water race, but what is really referred to was what is known as the Sunny Bight right from Lake Kanieri. Private enterprise was banded this proposition before, expended a considerable sum in tunneling and dropped the proposition. The scheme besides being costly is a limited one, in that the water right is affected by the Kanieri Lake water right held already by the Company with which Mr Cranston is associated, and for whom the present application for Sonny Bight is now being made. It is a right which lias bad consideration before for public developments, but was turned down for two specific reasons, one being the initial cost for development, as against the power sales in sight and two the overlapping of the rights, which might lead to a clash when Lbe lake waters were low. As it is there have been times when the ]ak<j has not equalled tl«? demand upon it for the right now being used. Tn consequence of that the overflow of the surplus water from the lake had to be raised to retain more water within the lake basin. With two hydro-power laces drawing off the lake simultaneously the prospect does ivt suggest a permanent supply for hoth,*hut with the two rights in or.o Company there is not so serious an objection, because there would not be the litigation to arise which would occur were the rights in separate interests. Knowing all these facts we did not associate the- Sunny Bight right with the remark of our contemporary before, and naturally thought the Toaroba, right the greatest and host of all commanding the whole situation, was referred to. In these circumstances perhaps our contemporary may or may not give us credit for honesty of purpose, but that is not of moment, the broad fact is the enviable position which the Westland Power Board has been able to maintain, with the prospect of becoming more enviable still to its ratepayers without the right of burdening them with a heavy financial liability in a great development scheme which would b,? beyond the resources of the district.