The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. MONDAY, JANUARY 24, 1927. AN APPROACH TO PEACE

Hokitika Guardian, 24 January 1927, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. MONDAY, JANUARY 24, 1927. AN APPROACH TO PEACE

“Give peace in our time. O Lord !’’ were the concluding words of the last impressive speech Mr Baldwin lias made. It was some time before the general strike and a member of his own party, supported by many other members, had introduced a Bill to curb the activities of trade unions. In an eloquent deprecation of such legislation at such a time, Mr Baldwin invoked, with all his sincerity, the cause of industrial peace, and the Bill did not proceed. Mr Baldwin must have known, considers the “Auckland Star” that in the temper of his party only peace could shelve the question indefinitely, and peace failed him. The general strike and the coal strike have strengthened the movement in the Conservative party for restriction of trade union privileges, a Cabinet Committee has been considering the problem and legislation is now promised, proposals which, we are warned, will cause a bitter fight. At this moment Mr Arthur Henderson, one of the moderate leaders of the Labour party, a man liked and trusted by all parties, intervenes with a proposal for peace. Mr Henderson’s suggestion for a round table conference between the Labour party, the Trade Union Congress, and the employers to discuss the whole question, is therefore of first-class importance. It must be considered as a peaceful counter movement to the Governmient’s contemplated legislation. Incidentally the Speaker of the House, Yrtjo ig suggested by Mr Henderson e?

chairman of the conference, is the Mr Whitley of the Whitley Report on industrial relations—a man trusted by both parties. Mr Henderson says it is not by curtailment of the authority of trade unions, but bv its extension and by the admission of unions fo partnership, that peace and stability can be obtained, and lie advocates the creation of a permanent National Economic Council or Parliament of Industry. This policy is the direct opposite of the class war. It is co-operation with Capitalism. It makes Mr Baldwin’s task easier in one way and more difficult in another. If, in the face of this lie introduces severe repressive legislation. the effect, on the masses of wage-earners may lie very had. I hero lias been much abuse of union powers and privileges, but drastic .restriction might so embitter the unions as to make the whole outlook darker than before. It is a time for sympathetic discussion and give-and-take. Ml" Henderson cannot deny that there have been abuses. The Conservatives should not overlook the consideration that the rights of trade unions have made it possible for Labour to organise itself as a political force. If those rights are seriously curtailed there is a danger that Labour nmv desert politics for direct action. That is a development that outside the ranks of Conservative “Die-Hards” no one desires. Mr Henderson's offer is an approach to peace which the Government will ignore at its peril.