The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1927. MILITANT LABOUR.

Hokitika Guardian, 2 December 1927, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1927. MILITANT LABOUR.

Tiif. regularity with which organised Labour in Australia is prepared to flout the awards of the Arbitration Courts is one of the reasons why the efficacy of the Courts is being questioned. It would appear that in addition to the authority to make awards the Court should have power, perhaps physical power, to enforce them. The situation in regard to the Watcrsiders’ attitude in Australia is a case in

point. There, the award and conditions of the award are being ignored by the unionists who are in open revolt They have brought unionists in other States into line with them and now the seamen’s unions threaten to cooperate. As showing the ramifications of this unrest and the possibilities of maritime trouble, we see that wool prices in Christchurch on Wednesday were affected determinedly by tinsituation in Australia. West Coast farmers, for instance, who had wool for sale- were the poorer because of the state of affairs in Sydney. This is an instance of bow the unity of Labour when organised as in this ease, is capable of doing injury near and far. The matter lias lieen mentioned in the Federal Parliament where the responsible Minister stated publicly the watcrsiders were endeavouring by a species of terrorism to make the Arbitration Court bow to their dictation, and the Minister added, there was an oblige, tion on the Labour party to tell the men they were in the wrong. It is rather significant that the Minister’s dictum in the matter was not questioned by the Labour Party in the Senate. Unfortunately it would appear from what Mr Mutch had said in Svdney after bis connection with the Labour Party, that the policy of the Unions is dictated by the emissaries of Russia. This ex-member of the New South Wales Labour party does not mince matters in bis exposure, but what lie says gives a key to the trouble with the watersiders. Their leaders are seeking to bring about industrial confusion to the palpable loss of the Commonwealth generally. The situation certainly Ivears that complexion, seeing that the revolt is against the constituted authority to afford jus. tice to industrialists through the Arbi, tration Court. The authorities aie exercising forbearance, in the matter, in the hope that wisdom will prevail, but Labour appears to l>e so anxious for an affray, that it would not re surprising were a serious crisis precipitated It- is possible for the seamen to lie drawn into the conflict, in which ease the paralysis of maritime transport would be inevitable. The Federal authorities have indicated that the Go vernment will go to any length to pie-

serve law and order and see that industry is carried on. If the Commonwealth has to assert force it means a form of warfare, yet Labour so re ton professes itself to be opposed to the arbitrament of the sword, and cries aloud for international arbitration. Here is an instance where Labour may practice its ideals in opposition to militancy, by dropping its militant attitude and conforming to the form of constitutional authority it would seek

to set up to settle the differences of others The situation brings to mind very plainly how irresponsible Labour is disposed to act at times, and the, danger and difficulty in expecting sane rule from such a quarter. By its unfairness in such instances as the present, it tends to isolate itscll. in tact to undermine belief in its purity of action in other matters. Labour seems to be happiest when indulging in extreme methods ami penalising, or endeavouring to penalise, someone, though generally the penalty reacts in other quarters, and not the worst fercr is Labour itscll. A\e can sye" how the present Australian trouble is reaching New Zealand, which shows that the situation is not local, but far-reaching involving others in loss by the unreasonable actions ot Labour trying to counter lawful authority.