COAL AND TRANSPORT CONFLICTS

Evening Post, Volume CI, Issue 49, 26 February 1921, Page 9

COAL AND TRANSPORT CONFLICTS

THE WAY OP RELEASE

WHERE THE OUTSIDER CAN

ASSIST.

(Contributed by the New Zealand Wel-

fare League.)

In connection with the coal raining industry, waterside work, and other branches of industrial transport, wa seem to just get over one conflict to get right into another. "Go slow" in the mines is followed by "no overtime" or other restrictive practice on the waterfront. A great body of the people are filling into tho fatalistic habit of thinking "well, it must be so," 01 of looking for release by some greater conflict that will settle matters completely. Everybody who thinks realises that these constant interruptions of trade are injuring the whole body of the people. The strugglegoes on, with brief interludes of 6eemipg settlement that are only but breathing spells. There are no onlookers in a sense, as everybody is affected by what is taking place. The industries, other than those engaged in the disputes, are variously affected by the shortening of supplies and' the increasing of cogts. of materials. The consumers are- aS the time affected by the disturbances in these key industries, in the higher cost of living which follows each succeeding change. Most of all, the great multitude of workers with their wives and families are detrimentally affected by the causes set in operation by each strike; go-slow practice, or close-down in these key industries of the Dominion. Is there any release from this state, of affairs, or are we to accept it as permanent or to be looked for at regular intervals? This> appears to us as being the question that above all others the heads of our Government authority should com© to 6ome conclusion on. Hitherto the Ministers of the Crown appear to have been content if .they could only find the means of settling some pressing immediate dispute.

What is troubling us most, however, as a. people, is not a particular dispute, but the constant repetition of industrial conflicts, with attendant stoppages of industry. It is to find the causes of this constant repetition and a solution of this trouble that our leading politicians should turn their attention. They may believe, as so many others do, that set- 1 tlement can only come by way of a big battle. The question still' remains as to .whether the "big battle" ever settles anything. The community and the State will defend itself when endangered, and rightly so; but in civil disputes it is most wise to endeavour to secure some methods of settlement which may result in something better than loss to both sides, which is always the case in a strike or lock-out. On review of the conflicts of this last year within the Dominion we observe that in all cases where the parties on one side or the other have sought to force their will entirely, it has resulted in a stoppage or serious hampering of the industry. The employers may claim to "hire and fire" as they please. In the abstract they have the right to employ whom they please, but the arbi; fcrary application will ever evoke the worker's right of refusing employment. On the other hand, a union's attempt to force conditions on the employer must meet the counter force of the employer's rights. Where the adjustment of these conflicts has taken place it has been in genoral by the entrance of an outside authority. The Prime Minister has, on quite a number of occasions, arranged for a committee representative of both parties of disputes, but always with an independent chairman; who for the time being represented that great third party, the general public. The employers ;of waterside labour and the Waterside Workers' Federation settled an. agreement which provided for a Disputes Committee of equal numbers with no independent chairman—the outsider was ignored. That plan has not proved a, 6uccess. The outside representative can assist, because he is likely to bring a spirit and perhaps point of view into the field that, is not possessed for the time by either of the contending parties. It is easy to make light of our Conciliation and Arbitration tribunals, but had all the disputes they have settled been determined'by strike and lock-out methods this country would have been greatly the loser. It is along the line of a joint control where the employers' interest and the workers' interest are represented, and the outsider, as representing the : general pxiblic, holds the balance, that we see the most hope for reasonable adjustment and stability. It might be well to consider whether in connection with the key industries mentioned it might not be well to set up permanent Boards of Industrial Review constituted as we herein suggest. These boards could take hold of many a matter of difference before it had reached the. acute stage, and might prevent disputes, which is better even than curing them.

With respect, we submit this suggestion for the consideration of all the parties concerned.