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Hokitika Guardian, 22 March 1928, Page 2

Tun review ot industrial troubles in the shipping world by the Chairman ol me Huddart Parker Coy. at .Melbourne over the week end, appeared to give a very clear resume <d the troublous situation. No doubt the Chairman -puke with a clear realisation of the position, for his Company has just been the victim of the labour difficulty with a crew, the Ulimaroa being the vehicle by which the unionists expressed their mode of securing “all or nothing.” The speaker remarked that through the arbitration system as now operating, the seamen had built up an aristocracy of labour in the marine circles, and the Court, the Company affected, or tho public, which suffered, were unable to control the position. Under the Act he went on to show how the shipmVners’ hands had been tied behind their hacks, for the position of master and man was now reversed, and the man through his organisation was the master of the situation defying all authority and penalising all and sundry if demands were not conceded immediately. The Chairman reviewed other aspects, particularly the falncious promises on which basic wages were fixed, hut he really said nothing new. He emphasised once again a position which has been too palpable since organised labour refused to recognise authority when it suited, and there was no authority to over-ride its dogmatic action. Public opinion is slow in focussing itself on this matter, but the essential change which is necessary must come in the long run.