The Times. Published on Tuesday and Friday Afternoons. Motto: Public service. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 1920. BACKING WANTED.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 9, Issue 570, 28 September 1920, Page 2

The Times. Published on Tuesday and Friday Afternoons. Motto: Public service. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 1920. BACKING WANTED.

Throughout the protracted negotiations between the representatives of the Miners' Union and other Labour organisations and the Government it has been apparent that the Prime Minister, while he had become impatient and disgusted with the neverending grievances submitted, was nevertheless not prepared to take a really firm stand. It must not be inferred from this attitude on his part that Mr. Massey was weak, for he has many times given ample proof of Ins moral courage. The reason is probably to be found in the fact that, while farmers and commercial men are quite prepared to. cope with an open conflict should such a state unfortunately come about, they have not publicly given the Premier assurances that, should he refuse to grant unreasonable demands and to countenance a multitude of pin-prick-ing operations, they are prepared to back him up in any manner desired. The partial, temporary, patched-up peace announced on Saturday night does not give cause for very great satisfaction; very frequently farmers and commercials who are by no means addicted to intemperate thinking express the opinion that an open cjash must come sooner or later, and the sooner the better. People are getting rather tired of hearing the vain and futile boasting in certain circles that the Labour unions, if they came out on strike en masse, could conquer the country, when, in reality, the farming and commercial classes could very easily subdue the whole of the forces of Organised Labour should an attempt be made at any form of lawlessness or to interfere with the export of produce. It certainly would ; have a steadying effect on the thousands of dupes of gar-, rulous, ranting extremists if every branch of the New Zealand Farmers' Union were to forward a resolution to the Premier, affirming their determination, should occasion arise, to take up the cudgels for the maintenance of law and order and the freedom of trade.