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Hokitika Guardian, 14 February 1929, Page 4

OnCANisr.u labour in Australia continues in a very militant mind. The various unions aro bout on defying the decisions of the Arbitration Court, when such are considered unfavourable to the demands of the employees. There is every likelihood of a serious upheaval in connection with the present crisis affecting the timber workers and the coal miners, and this disturbance is sure to have a far-reaching elfect. The Federal Government in the into elections warned the people of the drift and effect on the country of strike succeeding strike, but even so, the majority for the Government was not as adequate as it should he in such a state of affairs. The country has been warned over and over again by the state of the money market, and the cost of loans in relation to other countries not so subject to such dislocations of trade and industry. Influential newspapers detail from time to time the consequences facing the country from the unconstitutional acts of organised la hour when it proceeds to flout the lawful decisions of the Arbitration Court. But a.!l those reminders pass unheeded. The strikes recur, and the country is carrying a heavy burden and suffering in prestige as a consequence. It seems to make little difference whether a national or a labour government is in power—the desire and determination to oppose the law is ,manifested, and it is perhaps not surprising that there is a growing despair about the immediate future of Australia,, ft is d.i(licit!t to see how this tide of tyranny and revolt against lawful order is to he checked. Commonsonse reasoning and plain speaking seem to U* of little avail. The leaders of the unions meet and discuss the situations, and issue orders which are <vl>ey. cd irrespective of their reason or wisdom. A very difficult, and dangerous situation, is arising. Mr Bruce, the Federal Prime Minister, is said to he due for early retirement. Probably he

is giving up the struggle against tin .xiiv.es opposed to a. respect lor the law or the land. It will lie rather deplorable if that is the reason, though it is known many of the leading men decline lo enter polities in Australia because of the gravity of the genera, situation. This is not pleasant to eon. template, nor can it he encouraging as to the future. Australian polities wifi lie reaching a very poor standard. When the best minds of the country are prepared to leave the Government of the Commonwealth to an organisa.iion which when it shows its hand, is disposed invariably to (lout law and order and defy the constitutional authority of the eountrv.