The Manawatu Herald. Thursday, November 20, 1913. NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 1174, 20 November 1913, Page 2

The Manawatu Herald. Thursday, November 20, 1913. NOTES AND COMMENTS.

The opinion is being expressed by some people that had the late Hon, R. J. Seddon been alive and in power he would have settled the strike in little less than no time. Mr Seddon was an able and an astute statesman and, like many other great men, was an opportunist. What Mr Seddon may or may not have done in the present crisis, belongs to the realm of speculation, and will avail nothing. The present Prime Minister, the Hon. Mr Massey, has been subjected to scathing ciiticism for the “masterly inactivity” of his Gov ernmeut in not settling the strike, and his downfall prophesied as a consequence. Such criticism emanates from the party politician, and the extremists who would grasp at anything to cover their blundering. It would have been suicidal for the Government to rashly step in at the present juncture and attempt a settlement of the strike by legislation. Such a policy would suit ultra-socialists and disappointed politicians down to the ground, but it would not result in industrial peace for any length of time. The Reds would not even have been scotched if the Government had precipitated a settlement. They would have become more arrogant iu their boastfulness. The Government is to be commended lor not losing its head iu the hour of panic, and its determination to uphold law and order at all costs while at the same time giving the extremists full tether, has provided an object lesson in industrial warfare that will not be lost on the people of this country for generations to come. When the time for amending legislation is opportune, the pulse of the people will have been obtained, and a recurrence of what is taking place to day made impossible. The peace to come must be an honourable peace, based upon equity and justice, and brought about by constitutional methods, not by revolution and anarchy. We may have to wait awhile before there is a settlement, and the delay is justified, eveu at a sacrifice. To bring about industrial peace entails the stamping out of the industrial wrecking and revolutionary ideals of the Federation of Labour —not the crushing of sane unionism. People who are growing impatient of a settlement and are urging the Government to step in, should possess their souls in patience.

Some time ago a Baptist minister in Wellington delivered a brief address at a strikers’ meeting. His indiscreet remarks on that occasion, seeing that he was a recent arrival in the Dominion and practically unacquainted with the industrial legislation of this country during the past quarter of a century, got him into hot water. His views are not shared by his brother ministers of Auckland, who recently assembled and passed the following resolution ; —“We, the Baptist ministers of Auckland, deplore the present industrial strife, express no opinion regarding the merits of the disputes which have precipitated the conflict, but we respectfully urge the members of the unions involved to reconsider their action in allying themselves with syndicalism, with its methods of industrial violence. We urge their loyal adhesion to the democratic ptiuciples which have been honoured hitherto in the conduct of the affairs of trades unionism. The secret ballot is the undoubted protector of the rights of all members of the unions, in which every vote should have equal value. We are persuaded that the methods by which the voles of the unions have been obtained in favour of the presentstrike imperil the principle of majority rule. We beg the members ol the unions concerned to consider the urgent advisability of meeting ou neutral ground, and by secret ballot conducted under impartial conditions give the opportunity of declaring their will. This is their just and undoubted right under democratic principles. We further respectfully urge employers to facilitate with all considerateness the return of the men to their respective employ ment. We commend to the generous sympath} of members of all denominations, the wives and children of the strikers; upon these the burden has fallen most heavily, and in the spirit of the Master we should stand by them in their hour of need.”

Mr Rohxsrt,son i M.P., is not going to get off so lightly as he thought in his controversy with the Acting-Commandant of the Forces (Col. Heard}. He made a

laboured explaiialion it) Parlia nient as to llie reasons which induced bitu to accuse the colonel of giving ordeis to the specials, but his so called explanation meets with a flat denial. “He states definitely as a fact,” says the colonel, “that I came up behind the squad and said 'No one is to be allowed to pass unless he produces a pass signed this moruing,’ or words to that effect. Whoever the individual was who iuterfered in his altercation with the squad of special constables and used the words he alleges, quoted above, I most emphatically state that it was not I. Any of the squad of special constables concerned who know me will bear me out in this. Mr Robertson is an honourable member in an honourable Assembly : he has done me an injustice, not, I hope, intentionally, but at any rale carelessly. I tberefoie call on Mr Robertson to do what any other other honourable man would do, namely, to satisfy himself as to my identity, and when he finds he has made a mis'ake, which he will, apologise to me personally, and acknowledge his mistake in the House and in the press. If he refuses to do this I will leave it to the hon. members of the House and public to judge between him and me.”

Strike news present nothing sensational. The ports of Wellington and Auckland are now open, and shipping is brisk. There was a little trouble at Lyttelton yesterday, when the strikers held up loading and unloading operations. A number of strikers rushed to the wharf like a pack of shrieking Dervishes, and intimidated the workers —so much for their promised passivity if Specials were witheld! Some minor brushes took place iu Wellington between the mob and mounted specials. It is anticipated that today the new Wellington union will number one thousand men, and more applicants for membership are coming in. There is now plenty of labour to work shipping. Shipments of coal are coming to the Dominion. At Auckland work is well forward, and hundreds of repentant strikers have now resumed. The temper of the men still out in the various centres is very surly, and their protracted idleness may yet find an outlet iu directions unlooked for. The strike leaders have been remanded till the 28th inst., not at the request of the Crown, but because their defence' is not ready. Arrests for obscene language, etc., are of daily occurrence, and all the hotels and club bars are closed in Wellington. The strikers have issued a fresh manifesto, and are as optimistic of victory as ever. The departure of the Athenic, a full ship, has destroyed Mr Young’s raana as a prophet. A settlement seems as far off as ever.