The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. TUESDAY, JUNE 30, 1931. THE VAGARIES OF LABOUR.

Hokitika Guardian, 30 June 1931, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. TUESDAY, JUNE 30, 1931. THE VAGARIES OF LABOUR.

It would be amusing were the issue not so serious, to note the vagaries of organised labour in these times of stress and difficulty. In different parts of New Zealand, the organisation takes various methods of showing its displeasure with conditions as they appear, and in every instance,, others than themselves are being penalised, while in most cases the protests are a general penalty on the community. Very wisely recently the political leader of the Labour Party advised against a general strike, though the reason advanced was not as well founded. _vlr Holland opposed a strike' at the present juncture because of the approaching general election and tfie effect on the. nubile mind at such a stage! Mr Holland was thinking mc T e of the fortunes of the party rather than the welfare of the country, because it can be assumed if the elections were not looming up, the time might be ripe for a general strike and the consequent upheaval and dislocation. However, Mr Holland’s advice being accepted by the Cooks and Stewards, the serious phase of the' position passed for the moment. However, there are still militant exhibitions on the part of Labour organisations, despite the affairs c.f the country being so serious. At one place, the uatci skiers refuse to work over-time at a time when work is notoriously sen ice, and so work their sweet will on “capital’ by holding up the shipping and imposing loss on the owners. At another, the water-aiders refuse to load coal because it is doubly “black” in coming from a tribute mine, though mined" by sometime fellow workers. Then there is the talk of not pay-

ing the unemployment levy a.s a protest against the wages cut, as indeed most of the “protests” appear to be. This, of course, i.s a revolt against constitutional authority, and means Whore Labour a« organised cannot have its way, it is going to flout authority, and “take it out” of the community in other ways. 'This is an exhibition of class prejudice which is the undoing of organised Labour in the public mind, and must bo doing incalculable harm to the working man generally. The desire to do harm to those opposed a.s Labour thinks to its welfare is now quite noteworthy. Jn Blackball there is the boycott of exfellow workmen Whom they would deny supplies, and not sit in any entertainment with the children of their former unionists. This suggests a state of mind, which gives very little hope for the effective regeneration of Labour, when it can be led to such paltry extremes as here indicated. The cause appears to he that tho leaders encourage the line of action so much to he decried on public gpouniM. Tide 'grievances are jmagnified, rather than viewed in the light of contemporary events, The cause of the national difficulties and situation are not realised by tho leaders and certainly not explained to their adherents. A'.,state of affairs Is arising which it may he difficult to control if the present drift is permitted to con tinue. and there i.s the call and need for safer leadership among Labour, and a realisation that constitutional authority in the interests of all must be maintained, and the position of public and private- security le r t beyond all doubt in the mi ml of the most extreme Labour leader.