TAKING THE RIGHT TURNING.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 February 1921, Page 12

TAKING THE RIGHT TURNING.

HOPE FOR INDUSTRIAL BETTERMENT. EXTREMISTS IN THE MINORITY. (Contributed by the N.Z. Welfare League.) From the advice of several of the League's supporters who have been in Great Britain recently and have closely enquired into industrial conditions there we are convinced that there has come about a turning movement for the better. The serious trouble in the coal industry; the strike of Railwaymen which threatened Britain’s industrial stability and the whole economic life of the Nation; the step taken by the Trades Union Congress in establishing a Council of Action to dictate the Empire’s policy by a threat of general stoppage of all industries—these and minor troubles have been met and overcome. To us in New Zealand it has seemed at times as if Great Britain was being overwhelmed with industrial strife and agitation for semi-Bolshevist ends. Those nearer at band realised that much of the display was a sensational outburst which did not move the steady going people of the British Isles from their course of patient reconstructive work. There was, we gather, no great danger that the people of the Old Country would of intent plunge into the rapids of a National revolution, but for a time there was grave peril that by some overt action the country’s industries might have been involved in a serious struggle for life on account of widespread stoppages of work. The whole Empire owes its best thanks to the groups of thinking men and women who have been constantly affirming their opposition to any policy in the direction of copying the Russian Bolshevik programme ; indulging in “direct actionist” methods ; inciting the passionate outbursts when cool steady judgement was most required. We could cite a rather full list of Trades Union leaders, including such men as Messrs Henderson, Thomas, Clynes, Appleton, Stephen Walsh and labourites such as Dr. Guest, Robert Blatehford, Mr. and Mrs. Phillip Snowden who have' over and over again counselled moderation and the avoidance of extreme measures. The credit is due to these many labourites and Trades Unionists that they have helped to steady the thoughts of of wage-earners at a time when comnyinist propagandists all over the Kingdom were attempting to ircite to general revolt” and talked freely about resorting to general strikes, with the idea of political revolution always in view. The evidence is that in spite of many strange happenings the British workers in the mass are loyal citizens who seek betterment of conditions but have little time flor the socialistic programmes that aim at cataclysmic change and general upheaval. Mr. Stephen Walsh, r M.P. of the Lancashire Miners’ Federation. states the position correctly when he says “the British and Russian views are as far as the poles asunder.” Tempted with the vision of dictatorship the British wo rice rw have taken the right turning—away from dictatorship and towards fuller democracy.

AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND.

During this last year the Australian States and also our own Dominion have experienced much trouble, loss and hardship from the numerous stoppages of work. Even now the States of Australia are making big efforts to recover from the loss sustained by strikes and “shut down of work” in connection with their key industries. There is hope for industrial betterment in several events that have transpired recently. We learn that the Australian Workers’ Union (the largest industrial body in Australia) has, in a ballot taken, declared for Arbitration methods by a substantial majority. In addition it is reported that the Secretary of the Australian Seamens’ Union has given the required assurance that the idea of “job control” of ships is not maintained, and the men will carry on regularly if the ships are put into requisition. Though there has been much semi-Bolshevist and direct actionist talk in Australia the evidence is that extremists are but a small minority. -

It is creditable to the Australian workers that they are turning to the constitutional lines of action. It probably is recognised by labour men there who think seriously that a white Australia is but a vain dream unless the white workers take hold of their country and build up strongly on lines of sane construction policy. With regard to New Zealand we are glad to say that there are evidences in various parts of the country of a change towards more reasonable thought and action. Last year we experienced a good deal of trouble from sectional strikes, a line of action which is -Hieing frowned upon by the Uniont? and Federations. We trust that the Labour bodies will prove strong enough to wholly suppress these petty outbursts which unsettle industry 'and rather discredit Trades Unionism when allowed. On several occasions we have written strongly condemning the “goslow” practice and when we now learn that the N.Z. Coal Miners Federation has advised the Unions in affiliation with it to stop the practice and resume the normal output we desire to give the Federation every credit for its action in this direction. This is doing the fair thing by the general body of the people and the minens’ action in resuming full output will be appreciated by all sections of the people. All of us differ more or less in our economic views and we may have various opinions as to how society should bo constituted and propertv owned, but we are glad to believe that whether wage-earners ’ or capitalists, socialists or individualists our people are generally sane enough to seek in making the best of what we have whilst it exists. It is this streak of practical 'common se’ruse that has made Britain great and we are pleased and proud to witness its expression in these Southern Isles.