CANADIAN LABOUR

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIV, Issue 10293, 30 May 1919, Page 4

CANADIAN LABOUR

The Labour unrest in Canada his culminated in an attempt at general paralysis by general strike. The outcome is in the lap of the* gods, the place in which the general strike has always collapsed before the paralysis effected had developed beyond the narrow fringe of the border. Tho outcome can be left to tho development on the wrong lines selected by Labour in Canada. Whether those, lines have been selected by the legitimate leadership of organised Labour, or whether the course has been forced on Labour by the influence of agitators more bla taut than responsible, is immaterial That point will be settled by tho eventualities of tho situation. The point which strikes observers at this distance from the situation, who are ignorant, of course, of the details of the struggle which is approaching decision, concerns the objective of this rush for the general strike. Tho Dominion Government is, of course, bound to protect the general interest against tho absolutely undemocratic action which has been adopted by Labour, and that Government.has an immense resource iu its-hands iu'the vast immigration which has set in towards Canada since the signing of the Armistice. The observers at this distance are concerned with tho objective. That objective conveys a great lesson. The j great Canadian strike is operating, according to the reports that reach us ! of it 3 course, for the recognition of the unions. We presume this refers to the completeness of the recognition as>'ive -know- it -in-this-country,-' tor the legal recognition -of ainionism ; in all British' countries, and most others, if not all, is long established. Tho complete recognition obtaining here was v ! the result of constitutional rensonablv agitation. The effort in Canada tu obtain the same is neither constitutional nor reasonable. The success of the movement here in New. Zealand is the strongest condemnation possible ol the wrong line\ of aotion adopted in Canada,,, Canadian Labour is asking for a great meed' of justice peacefully obtained in New Zealand. The difference of the Canadian method powerfully accentuates the superiority ol the method adopted in New Zealand. There is in New Zealand an agitation for resort to the method of direct ac- ' tion, the unconstitutional, dangerous method which has never succeeded anywhere, in place of the constitutional, reasonable method which has enriched tho statute book of New Zea-\ laud. The industrial ferment in Canada is a beacon light for the guidance of Labour in Now Zealand; an appeal to avoid the incitements of agitators without loyalty to constitutional methods, as without respect for democratic principle; an urgent cry. to Labour to rally to constitutional principles with all the force they can oasily exercise through the ballot-box. Between the general strike and the general bal-lot-box there is tho impassable gulf which separates disastrous 'anarchy from progressive good government. Canadian Labour is on the anarchy side of the gulf, and New Zealand is progressing .with peaceful constitutional steps. The difference is striking and unforgettable. *