The Press. Wednesday, December 13, 1916. Enemies of the State.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15772, 13 December 1916, Page 8

The Press. Wednesday, December 13, 1916. Enemies of the State.

In to-day's paper wo print the remarks made by .Mr .Justice Pring when passing sentence upon tlic twelve members of the I.W.W. who were found guilty

on various charges of conspiracy against the public welfare. There will be no doubt in the mind of the average man that the Judge, performed a public duty

in inflicting very severo sentences upon these dangerous criminals, and in putting in plain language the facts as to tho character of the I.W.W. organisation. Wo in New Zealand cannot feel that wo have no concern in this matter. Tho I.W.W. organisation has agents in this country; its ideas have taken root amongst a small section of organised Labour hero; and if public opinion in New Zealand were in a less healthy* state, and the Government were likely to shrink from performing their duty of protecting the commonwealth, there is not the least doubt that tho experience of Australia would be repeated here. During the referendum campaign in Australia the regular Labour organisations opposing compulsion urgently disclaimed all connexion or sympathy with the 1.W.W., and sinco the real character of the

organisation became known in this country, our own Red Feds and Social Democrats have also been busy assuring the public that it is an infamous slander to say that the I.W.W. has any support amongst them. We need not here recount the significant part played in the 1913 strike by the I.W.W. leader Barker, who was the hero Df the Red Feds, nor need we recall the open and direct advocacy of sabotage that led to tho conviction of some of the men now at the head of organised Labour in New Zealand. But it may be noted that in its last issue the "Maoriland Worker," the official organ of the New Zealand Labour Party, devotes a leading article to a furious protest against the punishment of the I.W.W. criminals in New South Wales. In this article it is formally stated that the "Worker" has never been in agreement with the tactics of tho 1.W.W., but this is a very comical thing to say in an article born of deep indignation that the proved crimes of the I.W.W. should be punished in a suitable manner.

The stern sentences inflicted by Mr Justice Pring. and the Government's prompt acceptance of his suggestion that the I.W.W. association should be rooted up, will go far towards discouraging the growth of criminal ideas in the body of organised Labour. Nothing but good can come of this reminder that crime is crime on no matter what pretext or with what supposed object it is committed. In recent times there has

been growing up a feeling that the world is so ill-constructed that any means are lawful which are employed by a party or organisation desirous of removing the sad imperfections of society as it at present exists. It is high time that this delusion was corrected. The average trade-unionist is an ordinary enough roan, with as little appetite for crime or violence as any of lils neighbours, but he is very easily led. He can be kept in peaceful ways and in a law-abiding frame of mind as easily as he can be induced to run amok against civil order. When he errs, ho is the victim of his leaders—those fluent and heartless men who have learned how to make a living by playing upon the weaknesses and the essential childishness of the crowd. In most cases these leaders, being more intelligent than their followers, more conversant with affairs, and having more time to think, know themselves for impostors; only the best of them ever believe and hope that they are helping the interests of the workman. They aro the workingman's worst enemies, and their removal would be the best thing that could happen to trade-unionism. If these men are dealt with promptly and sharply when they transgress the law, and are put out of the way of doing further mischief. there will go with them all the capacity of organised Labour to work evil to the nation. Trade-unionism will lose nothing of ralue to it, and the publi c will gain much. Public opinion in New Zealand is in a thoroughly healthy condition, und will earnestly support the Government in any steps it may take to keep in order the agitators who aro only less harmful to the public interest than they ire to the real interests of tradeunionism itself.