SHIPPING HOLD-UP

Dominion, Volume 19, Issue 95, 16 January 1926, Page 22

SHIPPING HOLD-UP

(To the Editor.)

Sir, —Mr. W. Beauford says it would do me good to work in a stokehold for six months. Having realised that an extended holiday would benefit inc, 1 admit he is correct. Employment in a stokehold under the present 1-will, Iwon’t, I-do-as-I-like conditions, would be a rest from those anxieties artel worries which are the experience of every person who is in a situation, and “plays the game” and treats his employer’s interest as he would like his own to be considered. Although the advice given by your correspondent is excellent, I expect that before I could qualify for the six months’ recreation, it would probably be necessary for me to show that, in my political beliefs, I was decidedly pink, even were I not a violent red,’ and that I was prepared to “pin prick” at any moment I was given “the wink” to do so. Your correspondent asks me to tell him what would (should?), happen to men who strike, but because of lack of money have to “give in.” If only this road was left open to the striker the answer to the question would be governed by the reasons which necessitated the action being taken, and these must be known before an intelligent reply could be given. It is a sure thing what I would do if men employed by me acted as did those who took part in the recent strike, and those who are at present taking part in job control tactics. Such men would never be allowed to again work for me, and it would be my endeavour to arrange with my fellow employers that the same men should not make them suffer the same experiences as I endured. Will Mr. Beauford—or some of his striking friends—tell me what they think should happen to men who, by their actions, deliberately endanger the future of the British Empire, who bring ruin upon their fellow-men, who cause suffering, want, and misery to women and children, who break solemn engagements, and who do this although the law provides constitutional means wherebv any injustices from which they stiffer can be remedied? Come. Mr. Beauford, I await vour replv.—l am, etc., "CORNUBIA.” Wellington, January 11.