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Hokitika Guardian, 27 March 1930, Page 4

Tt is ox'romely Grratifving to know tint l:lio coalminers’ slrike Ins boon quietlv ended l>v the Dion offoriii"' to return to work. Tl'i« strike Ins las+otl over n vo;ir. :ind Ins boon one of the most, disastrous events in the l'i«tnrv of industrialism. An event of tliis nature, and partioularly the manner it was oondiie'od by extremists obtain ins the upper hand over the advice of more sensible delegates arranging a compromise, does an enormous amount of

damage to Organised labour. The meiliod of conducting the strike must have cut deeply into any confidence mere was regarding a fair and square deal in respect to the settlement of ail industrial dispute. It was the case of one side taking the law into its own hands. Despite all kinds of appeals, and numerous conferences, as well as conciliatory atlvi.e and offers from their own political Labour leaders, the recalcitrants remained adamant, and dominating the rank and xile maintained a condition of affairs that must have been saved only from greater disaster by the patience and sane bearing of the authorities responsible for maintaining law and orct-er The strike lias carried great loss and depression in its train. It lias been calculated that through the coal stoppage, loss of trade, payment of the dole, and the general disorgani-

sation of business, the Commonwealth and New South Wales have been losing a million a month. No'w at the end of the fruitless -struggle, some four thousand miners are workless, and as unemployed must seek for work elsewhere, work most likely for whi-h they are not individually suited. The year and more during which this strike has been waged, has been a serious pel iod for all Australia. The strike ends in a time of great depression and serious financial stringency. No doubt with the disorganisation which has ensued, many coal contracts will have been lost, and even though work may be resumed, it will take time to build up stable markets, again. In the interim, quantities of coal have been imported, drawing money from the country, and assisting to create the stringency now so serious to the people of Australia. With the lifting of the'strike, a great bogey to the rehabilitation of the country will be removed.. It is to be hoped sane labour will take the lesson to heart, and repudiate the advice of extreme leaders who have wrecked the good fortunes of labour. To ensure security of labour there must on the part of labour he that degree of good faith and honest endeavour which will h-e necessary to restore the confidence of employers and encourage an expansion of enterprise. An assured industrial peace is long overdue in Australia, and is certainly most urgently required for-the well-being of the nation.