TO COMBAT EXTREMISTS.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 April 1922, Page 6

TO COMBAT EXTREMISTS.

(To the Editor.) Sir,We have all read the col urn ns of your ’ paper dealing with the question of the affiliation of the P. and T. Association with the Alliance of Labor, and many and diverse have been the opinions expressed I in no uncertain terms by all classes of the community, either as citizens or as united bodies, sueh as chambers of commerce, | labor organisations, etc. Under all these ■ opinions lies the conviction that the obi ject of affiliation is to enable extremist , labor to present a strong and united front j against any proposals emanating from the Government, or from private capitalistic ranks tending towards retrenchment or necessary’ reduction of wages compatible with the falling cost of living, and should, in the opinion of the alliance, the necessity arise, of backing up their opposition by direct action, or, in other words, by a colossal strike, to cower the authorities into agreement with their demands. Now, Sir, it is absolutely essential for our national and Imperial safety that no senseless strikes occur within the next few years, i so pregnant with possibilities of reconstruc- ■ tion and development. England—perhaps I should say Britain and her allies—defeated Germany and all die stood for on the battlefield, and now, by industrial strife, her workmen are allowing Germany a splendid opportunity to regain all by competition in commerce. New Zealand, of all countries, depends on production, and ceaseless production, and the Alliance of Labor has made this great bid to capture control of the P. and T. Association in order that it may more effectively hold a revolver, as it were, to the head of the Government, and so, by threatening to seriously cripple industry, obtain its ends, if necessary, by the great strike it contemplates. May I suggest to our civic authorities, to the Chamber of Commerce, or to any other influential body that they straightaway inaugurate a canvass of citizens who care for their country’s welfare; in fact, all non-extremists, with a view to the formation of an organised body of men who will pledge themselves to, step in as free laborers (or “scabs,” as the Alliance would term them), and keep the vital work of the country running, should a general strike eventuate. The promoters of such an organisation need not shrink for fear of lack of backing, as they would find that the majority of the community would readily give such a pledge and fulfil it. But this great mass of sane labor and people with the vital needs of the country at heart would require organisation, and the result of such definite organisation would make the Alliance pause and weigh their chances before plunging the country into a senseless and criminal general strike. —I am, etc., “BE PREPARED.” New Plymouth, 13th April.