PASSIVE RESISTANCE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXV, Issue 10713, 14 November 1913, Page 4

PASSIVE RESISTANCE.

The strikers in New Zealand are now adopting a system of passive resistance, that is to say, they are allowing work to proceed at the wharves, and are remaining idle in the hope that the resources of the farmers will/be exhausted, and that the demands of the country districts will compel tlUi 'return of the special cotstables and new unionists. In the meantime, .they are throwing themselves and their families upon the charity of the people. Apart entirely from the gross immorality of such a proceeding, it must now be patent to everybody that the farmers; and their sons and labourers are determined to work the wharves and protect the arbitration unionists just so long as their services are required. In the meantime, a great 'many of the country workers are accustoming themselves to employment on the wharves, and will probably become permanent watersiders. The same thing will happen in respect to other occupations in which the men have been foolish enough to go on strike. Their places will be filled, and a great many of them will be left lamenting. The abortive appeal that has been made to the registered unions of the Dominion to "down tools" should convince the strikers and their leaders that they have not their own class behind them, and that their case isihttpeless.