DIRECT ACTION

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 10612, 10 June 1920, Page 5

DIRECT ACTION

IS IT EFFECTIVE ?

OPINION OF SECRETARY TO P AND T. ASSOCIATION.

"The question of ‘Constitutional versus Unconstitutional Methods’ has been before the public during the past year,” states the secretary of the New Zealand Post and Telegraph Officers’ Association, in his annual report to be presented at_ thc-_ annual conference, which is sitting in Mel-, jmgton at present. “In referring to it, one does so with considerable mtndence, as it is so easy to be misunderstood. The change that has taken place in tho last ten years (a revolution, almost) in tho attitude of employers to employees, and of employees to employers,' must be taken into account when studying tins question, and I do not think I am over-stating when I eay that faith in constitutional methods is very bady shaken at the present time. One has only to remember the history of industrial agitation in tho short period named to understand why. The unconstitutional •(socalled) people have almost invariably attained their object in a short space of time, while tho constitutional (comparative term) people have had to wait long and patiently for results. If the words of those who praise _ constitutional as against unconstitutional effort were sincere, one would' expect the position to ho reversed, and I therefore submit to members with a due sense of responsibility, that the time has arrived when the Government (onr employers) should he faced with the Icrde of this conclusion and asked in pointed terms 'What is going to bo done about it?’”