The Guardian And Evening Star, with winch is incorporated the West Coast Times. THURSDAY, MARCH 29, 1928 GETTING TOGETHER.

Hokitika Guardian, 29 March 1928, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with winch is incorporated the West Coast Times. THURSDAY, MARCH 29, 1928 GETTING TOGETHER.

It is very interesting to see that under the tutelage of the respective governments, capital and labour, in various parts of the British Empire are getting together in the endeavour to solve .some at least ol the difficulties which keep them so far apart. The end and aim is a better industrial feeling, assuring improved prospects for production, and so creating greater stability. The need for a round table conference was urged at Home, ana the upshot is a marked improvement along sensible lines. New South Wales has followed suit, and the Premier (Mr Bavin) discoursed very sensibly at the recent opening of the joint conference. New Zealand has a session in conference now to the same end. The action here was due primarily to the failure of the Government to satisfy the House (and incidentally the conntrv) last session in regard to the amendments proposed to the arbitration proposals. When the amendments were not acceptable, the Minister had nothing to offer as an alternative, and to save the situation the conference was promulgated and is now in session. Mr Coates, in addressing the gathering of representatives, was hopeful enough to believe that the decisions would have far reaching effect upon the welfare of New Zealand. The occasion offers, certainly, a unique opportunity of paving a way to industrial peace, and the prize being so high, any effort is worth while if it is even remotely possible to achieve acceptable a'esults. The unemployment problem is a very present one, and with the winter looming ahead it is necessary to study the avenues of employment if the situation is to lie metwith some regard for economic considerations. The present method of purely relief works is not in itself adequate for tire occasion. It is in fact a wasteful process and gives no security as to a permanent settlement of the problem. It will he helpful if a degree of stability can l>e secured as to production under rational lines. With the array of business and commercial men present it should he possible to devise a reasonable scheme to assure the decisions of the Arbitration Court being respected by both sides to the fullest degree. Hitherto it is the practice all too often to find the awards and conditions (the latter particularly) ignored. Far too often unionists have taken matters into their own hands and imposed penalties not alone on their employers hut also on the public -at large. Transport is often disorganised seriously from this cause, and there should be some way by which that- disorganisation could be avoided, and trading assured of pursuing the oven tenor of its way. The proceedings of the New Zealand Conference will attract widespread attention for the reason that so much of the national prosperity depends upon a happy issue. The country has had its experience during a period of stringent times, and the lesson should be learned, In-

dustrial war within is not a condition making for progress and prosperity, ami the country must be the poorer because of the suei-e-ssion of strikes. It is lime now for common sense to take the chair and rule with firmness in a desire to achieve all that is host for the people as a whole.