DISFRANSHISE THEM

Hokitika Guardian, 1 November 1928, Page 7

DISFRANSHISE THEM

(Sydney 'Bulletin.) The result of\ a long trial has Ixecn to prove that a benevolent despotism is the only practicable form of government for a democracy. The essential fallacy of “popular” government is that Jack is as good as bis master, which means, il it. means anything, that Jack has no master and need take orders from no one. On that principle government is impossible.

Recent examples of bow it work's out in practice have been the defiance by the sea cooks of the Australian Council of Trade Unions, whose authority they were pledged to recognise. the refusal of the wharfies’ federation to accept an award which it had solemnly pledged itself to observe ; and I lie flat refusal of a majority of wharfies’ unions to obey the federation when it did order them to return to work. Another incident on the same lines is the refusal of officials of the Seamen’s Union to recognise the result of a recent ballot for the job of general secretary. Til the Federal Parliament, Seullin, leader of the Labour wing, has laid it down as an axiom that any attempt to force the law against wage-earn-ers in the industrial areas is vindictive and wicked. Tn the House he “demanded” that a summons issued against the wharfies’ federation for breaking the law should be immediately withdrawn.

Tlio attitude indeed, of all tlie loaders whose views receive prominence seems to he the wage-earner, who delies the police, the law or any other authority is automatically in the right, and that any attempt to .‘discipline him is an outrage that should he resisted. Different not one iota in principle', it is the same* attitude towards law and authority as is taken bv the armed gangster of the cities’ underworlds.

The right to strike, even in cases where it can be lawfully exercised, carries with it nowhere in the world the right to prevent other people from working. There is only one tiling to do to individuals in a civilised state who make it their boast that they will not ohev I Id l ' or anv other law. and that is to|oiillaw them at least, to the extern of disenfranchisement. Tf every union ol|‘,(v»r who ordered an illegal action list his ri-dit to appear before (tie :>s a union oflicer. and (t (‘very union member who defied the law ''..a i,; s pea 1 i lien lion as a Parliamentary eamlidate and his right to vote at. next (‘lt! ion. Australia would 1,,, a less distressful country, and the manciple of Government, of the people for (ho eo-n]e and by the people would have a chance to dig itself in.