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The Daily News. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1917. THE WATERSIDE WORKERS.

All rightly constituted members of the community must have felt grievously shocked at the action of the waterside workers in striking at a vitally critical period of the country's history. When it is considered that throughout the Empire there should be but one thought, one ilefire, and one determination to do the utmost in furthering the prosecution of tie war, and avoiding everything that would be likely to prejudicially filled that object, it seems almost, incredible that a section of New Zealand workers tliould deliberately take advantage of the shortage of labor in the Dominion to I'ar.g up our shipping at their own caprice. New Zealand depends entirely on her export trade, for her marvellous production would be useless without the means -of conveyance to the overseas markets, quite apart from the fact that the import trade as well as the Dominion ti'iide necessitates regular and prompt handling. Moreover, at this lime of world shortage it is essential that oui food and other exports should be treated *s of the utmost urgency for the Motherland and her allies, yet, knowing this, the waterside workers have struck a blow at our trade, instead of manfully mid loyally doing their share towards Hiding the Dominion in its emergency. N'o wonder such conduct is universally cendomned, and has evoked harsh comment, for the honor of the Dominion is involved, and that is dear to all true men and women. While blaming the waterside workers, we must also apportion a fail share of blame to the (Jovernment. The Asquith Ministry has been reproached by a section of the British press for its dilatoriness in not putting in force the requisite machinery for dealing with the various urgent problems that needed firm and drastic handling, and it has been stated that it may be known to history as the "Too Late" Government, Mew Zealand is in danger of the same iiucnviablc notoriety. The policy of waiting for trouble to arise before taking steps to moot it makes for disaster, besides being a sign of administrative weakness. It is idle and absurd to talk of infringing the rights of democracy when the very existence of the country is at stake, and if the crisis is so vital that general conscription has become nocefsary, it goes without saying that the prevention of strikes affecting our shipping, and consequently the supply of food and clothing for our troops, was doubly imperative, yet the Dominion Government lias calmly let matters take their course until forced to take action. Though far too long postponed, the regulations that have now been gazetted for controlling wharf labor and preventing any interference by word or deed with cither the workers employed by the Government, the wharf buildings and ships, bs well as the approaches to the wharves, Will be hailed with satisfaction, always provided that there is no hesitation in carrying out the regulations firmly and promptly in case of need. Henceforth there should be no parleying with strikers engaged on loading and unloading Bhips, nor shoulfi any delay be permitted in this work or the equally, if not more, important business of despatching our soldiers to the front. Any sort of interferenc with this work, either personally or by means of speeches or pamphlets, is an offence against the law, offenders being arrested by the police and dealt with, it is to be hoped, with the utmost severity. Every other consideration must give way to the one great work of M'osecuting the war to a successful issue. It is time this was fully realised, and we,trust the Government will have the courage to put an end to the strike mania thoroughly Jind fearlessly.

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/TDN19170212.2.12

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

Taranaki Daily News, 12 February 1917, Page 4

Word count
Tapeke kupu
621

The Daily News. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1917. THE WATERSIDE WORKERS. Taranaki Daily News, 12 February 1917, Page 4

The Daily News. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1917. THE WATERSIDE WORKERS. Taranaki Daily News, 12 February 1917, Page 4

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