The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. THURSDAY. JANUARY 20, 1927. WITHIN THE LAW.

Hokitika Guardian, 20 January 1927, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. THURSDAY. JANUARY 20, 1927. WITHIN THE LAW.

The respect for law shown by tho Britisli people during the coni strike remurks the ‘■Lyttelton Times’’ has been l 3 the subject of comment in many countries, hut nowhere more than in the :1 United States. To some extent that _ J may he due to the fact that the luw- | losSnoss of America has created much s uneasiness, and prominent men have drawn attention not only to the inis crease in crime, hut also to the laxity shown by a large section of the community in observing the laws of the land. A French leader expressed his amazement that the British strikers 1 should have been influenced by a judicial declaration that the general strike was illegal, and has admitted that pos- I siblv only :in a British community would such a decision have exercised | any influence upon the declared policy of the strikers. The report of strikers and policemen playing football was beyond the comprehension of the Continentals, and they once mote gave up nil hope of ever Understanding tlft British. In America, however, the complete absence of lawlessness dinting tho greatest industrial struggle ill the history of Britain has created a marked impression. “Bespeet for law i.s an innate characteristic of the native Briton.’’ said one paper, “and this fact was never more evident than during the coal strike, a controversy involving over one million miners and lasting six and a half months.” Despite tho strain of tho struggle the people remained law-abiding, and the American Press quotes the remarks of a Judge, during the Assizes in Durham, to the effect that “not a single ease on the calendar appears to have arisen directly or indirectly out of the coal dispute.” Tet Durham is a great mining centre, and the men on strike were among the most dour fighters in the ranks of the British miners. It was a time of privation for the strikers and their dependents, but throughout the district remained peaceful and order- ( l.v. There is something very impressive i in this demonstration of respect for the i law of the laud. It shows a. degree of self-control under difficulties which < places the miner in a most pleasing light. In Britain. possibly. these things are taken for granted. Tho j people expect to see due respect for the law. Bui in other countries these ° traits are viewed with unconcealed admiration. Tlr Bruce, addressing the i members of a provincial legislature in 1 Canada, stressed the importance of maintaining British parliamentary tinditions which, lie said, were the ad- ; miration of the world. Perhaps the stability of British parliamentary institutions is but a reflection of the c

law-abiding characteristics of the people, and they have been demonstrated of late in a manner which has impressed the nations.