Evening Post. WEDNESDAY, JULY 9, 1890. THE THREATENED MARITIME OFFICERS' STRIKE.

Evening Post, Volume XL, Issue 8, 9 July 1890, Page 2

Evening Post. WEDNESDAY, JULY 9, 1890. THE THREATENED MARITIME OFFICERS' STRIKE.

« Ths Hon. Gboege M'Lean has aoted most wisely in publishing the oorrespondenoe with Captain Watdk Highuax as to the demands and threatened strike of the members of the Maritime Officers' Union. Captain Hiohman, we notice, objected to the publio being informed of what was going on. He may possibly be, in fact no doubt is, a capital skipper and competent navigator when afloat on the ocean wave, but we venture to think the correspondence shows that, although ashore, he is still at sea in a good many respeots, and is scarcely competent to navigate a Union through a strike. Snoh navigation is of a very ticklish charaoter, and having originally started on a wrong course, it is no wonder that the gallant skipper now finds himself invojvod in unoxpeoted shallows, and threatened with dangers not noted on the chart he has been direoting his course by. We should imagine that Captain Hiqhman's chief literary experience, prior to attaining hispresont position, has been in keeping a logbook. He certainly does not shine either as a drafter of circulars or a correspondent. There is a brusqueness abont his style which is the reverse of conciliatory, and his domanda are urged in the "stand and deliver " form. A greater contrast in manner and tone than is observable between the Captain's communications and thoso of the Hon. Gsobqb M'Lean can scarcely be imagined. No impartial man oan read the correspondence without admitting that the Hon. Gkoboe M'Lean has infinitely the best of the argument, and has the strongest case on the merits. He has met the case put forward by the other side in a reasonable, conciliatory, and fairly liberal spirit, and has really out the ground from under his opponent's feet. Unable to further argue the matter, Captain Hiqhman resorts to the bushranger'B ultimatum, "Throw up your hands," and it is possible that failing oomplianco with this order he might have proceeded to extremities and led a great many people into a false position, from whioh they would find it difficult to extricate themselves, had he not reoeived a very neoessary and deoided oheok and warn* ing from a perhaps unexpected quarter. Mr. Millar, as we havo seen in other matters oonneoted with the labour agitation recently, is a prudent, sensible, and deoidedly able man, and he is not going to allow the extensive maritime labour associations he is conneoted with to be drawn into a false position or plaoed in ft difficulty by the impetuosity

or want of discretion of Captain Highman. Tho significance of tho warning given cannot bo misunderstood by the latter, and the sooner ho rovorses hia engines and begins to go astern the better. Any officers' strike under present circumstances would be altogether unjustifiable, and would not command the sympathy of aiy section of the. publio. It would be oondemned on all sides, because it is quite evident from the correspondence before us that the employing companies are quite prepared to meet the juat and legitimato demands of the officers as far as circumstances will possibly permit. Mr. Millar's intervention in a timely and proper ono, and will no doubt effect its object. ____