Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 28, 1920. RAILWAYMEN'S DISPUTE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XL, Issue 9291, 28 April 1920, Page 4

Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 28, 1920. RAILWAYMEN'S DISPUTE.

Whatever may be the virtues vi the railwaymen's cause, there is little wisdom in the tactics governing their actions. Strikes are usually foolish and unnecessary, and can gain the objects aimed at only by discreet guidance and by obtaining public sympathy. The Dominion railwayinen are not going the right way to achieve success. Whatever the denials, the outside public will not regard the strike outburst during the Prince of Wales's visit as a mere coincidence, remembering the threats made a few weeks ago by some of the men. Common courtesy and consideration demanded a cessation of domestic strife during the Heir-Apparent's brief stay here, and should the railwaymen's sudden decision prevent the carrying out of the programme of Royal visits to various centres, public resentment will be such as to give the strikers no hope of victory. The railwayinen themselves seem to be half-hearted about the dispute, despite the executive's statements to the contrary. Apparently the strike is to be sectional, although if the North Island men are justified in refusing duty, their Southern colleagues should have equally good reasons for striking. It is more than probable that some of the men's complaints are wellfounded, but few claim that the grievances are so serious that immediate desperate measures are imperative. Hitherto, the cost of living has been advanced as-the chief cause of the men's discontent, but that is now said to be a secondary matter, and the amount of wages is put forward as the main factor for arbitrary action. Criticism has been raised by the railwaymen against the personnel of the Commissions that have, investigated the complaints raised, but Mi; Massey's proposed new Commission, to meet on June .1, met this dissatisfaction, and no real reason has been published against the men's acceptance of the Premier's latest offer. At this early .stage it is inadvisable to become eloquent over the dispute, as the least said the soonest mended, but the railwayinen start their attempt to enforce actively their claims with the great disadvantages of irritating the general, public by choosing this particular time for the strike, by the difference in the sentiments expressed by some of their leaders, and by the fact that means had been provided within a month to have their case investigated again.