The Daily News. THURSDAY, JULY 15, 1920. WHAT NEXT?

Taranaki Daily News, 15 July 1920, Page 4

The Daily News. THURSDAY, JULY 15, 1920. WHAT NEXT?

The action of the firemen on the Mokoia in refusing to go to sea if Sir George Clifford and Mr. Rutherford remained on board, marks a further development in Labor Federation tactics. Sir Georse Clifford had booked a passage from Ly;telton to Wellington in order to attend and preside over the New Zealand Racing Conference, and presumably the action of the firemen was the outcome cf their sympathy with the jockeys in their dispute, which is to come before the Conference. The absurdity of the holdup is apparent in face of the fact that Sir George has proved a friend to the jockeys, and his absence from the Conference would certainly militate against a settlement of the dispute being arrived at. Whatever legitimate grievances the jockeys may have, they cannot claim any success in the methods adopted by themselves and their friends to hara those grievances redressed. Public sympathy can only be enlisted by fair play, and the action of both the Auckland tramwaymen and the firemen on the Mokoia is bound to adversely affect that section of the jockeys which is causing so much trouble. It may be that these jockeys will regret the action of the firemen. Possibly the firemen acted more in a spirit of spite against the muchhated men of wealth, for it is only on that ground their conduct seems intelligible, it being impossible to assume they considered such drastic action would b; of service to the jockeys. The incident is inexcusable and unpardonable. It is monstrous that the transporters*, or any other section of the community, should have the power to prevent leading men from carrying out their engagements, or that the business of the country can be held up at will by 'an irresponsible section. The incident should make people think. Certainly it will not tend to gain sympathy for Labor's cause. If the firemen only could realise it, they are by their unconstitutional and indefensible action doing the greatest disservice possible to their own class. We wonder what these firemen and the lab >r leaders would think if the officers on board the Mokoia refused duty because Messrs. Holland and Semple were aboard? They would be denounced as "tools of the capitalists," "enemies of the democracy," etc. Nothing would be too bad for them, and the Federation of Labor would 4 probably call a "lightning strike." If the leaders and organisers in industry and commerce also struck and held up the business of the country in retaliation it would perhaps bring th j labor extremiats te their senses.

WOOLLEN MILLS. Wanganui recently successfully floated a company to establish woollen mill;, and, so ready and considerable was the response that it has been decided to enlarge the original scheme and increase the capital accordingly. Now rfawke's Bay has launched out similarly, only oa more ambitious lines, the proposed capital being £250,000, which, it is reported, will be easily enough placed. Last year the freezing works near Masterton decided to widen and enlarge its operations by establishing a woollen mill, and sent an expert Home to purchase machinery, some of which is expected shortly. It will thus b» seen >that genoral interest is being shown in the North Island in the manufacture of worsted and woollen g(forts. Prices for woollens are very high at Home, and are likely to be for some time, and New Zealand mills are in a position to> compete successfully with them. Before the war the colonial mills, in certain lines, easily held their own with the imported goods, and, with the raw material at their doors, there is no reason why we should not only supply our own requirements in the majority of woollens, especially of the coarser kinds, but compete as well in the ; mitside markets, where there is an unsatisfied demand for such articles as the Now Zealand mills in the past have specialised in. We refer to rugs, blankets and the rougher ■tweeds. There can bo no doubt that if properly equipped and managed the new mills will prove great financial successes. There is no reason why Taranaki should not also have its woollen mills. New Plymouth would make an ideal centre for such wfirks. It lias a deep-sea harbor, all the raw materials, and a pleiititude of cheap power. It is also a pleasant and healthy place for op eratives to live in. The town and province would- greatly benefit by the establishment of such an important industry in New Plymouth, There should be little difficulty in raising all the capital required, for good profits are assured for many years to come; skilled operatives would only be too glad to come o'lt from England, and the machinery should be procurable by the time the works Were ready. The freezing works have proved a greater success than was anticipated when the public were appealed to for capital, and there is reason to be. lievc a project of the kind suggested would prove an even greater success.