SEAMEN’S STRIKE.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 November 1922, Page 8

SEAMEN’S STRIKE.

direct action or arbitration? THE SEAMEN’S HOLD UP. The N.Z. Welfare League writes:— Regarding the present hold up or ships at several ports by seamen refusing to work under the termc 01 the Arbitration Court’s award, we protest most strongly against this attack upon the public. At least thirty vessels are affected. whilst and the general public are being made to suffer. It is all very good to find Labour men protesting that they are in favour of Arbitration, as they did when the Government introduced amending legislation, but it is an utter siham to take up the position of claiming to act under Arbitration and by direct action also. The irritation strike method now put in force by a number of the seamen is a direct attack not merely on the Arbitration Court (materially it is not affected) but on the consuming public. Such goslow or restrictive measures hit. the general body of workers hardest of all, because it forces up prices and makes the cost of living heavier for all. A little while ago members of the public were giving money in order to supply work and relief to seamen as Well as others, and people must feel incensed to find that when work is available men will not take it. because they do not 2-et all their own way. If the Shipping Companies showed their dissatisfaction vith an award, and they have been much dissatisfied at times, the Labour loaders would howl against such action as tyranny on the part, of capital. What is tlie position ffbw? Because they object to the award given, seamen are sticking up the trade of the country. With all the talk about big organisation and constitutional action, etc., the Seamen’s Federation. Alliance of Labour, and N.Z. Labour Party seem powerless to prevent these dislocations of industry. Mr. Holland protests to the New Zealand public that they fere not for insurrection, but what is any protest worth if industrial insurrections go on in spite of all they may say? It looks as if a spirit had been infused which defies all responsibility, and cares nothing about the interest of the public, ft is time this sort of thing was stopped. No body of men have any right to say by their actions “ourselves alone hang everybody else/’ If this is ‘■Labour'' then in self protection the great body of the public will be forced to fight against it. At the same time we do not believe it is Labour in general, but rather the outcome of the revolution being taught, by certain misleaders.