TIME FOR FIRM ACTION

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIV, Issue 62, 10 September 1942, Page 4

TIME FOR FIRM ACTION

Whatever may be the cause1; of the dispute in the Waikato mines, there can be no, excuse for the general stoppage of work that has taken place. By defying their own industrial organisations, which have exi pressed their opposition to the stoppage, and by following the lead of "a few irresponsible industrial wreckers," to use the words of the Minister of Labour, the miners have struck a very serious blow against the country at a time when it is vital that production should be maintained and, if possible, increased; The severity of the blow is emphasised by the statement of the Minister of Railways (Mr. . Semple) that the cessation of coal production in the Waikato has made it imperative in the national interests to curtail severely all train services in the North Island from Monday next. This shows the narrow margin on which the railways system, already carrying a greater load in goods and passengers than ever before in its history, is working, and how vital it is that there should be no interference with coal production. Without the maximum amount of coal, the service, according to Mr. Semple, would be in jeopardy and on the verge of collapse. This, with the rubber shortage, would amount to a national calamity. Yet a section of workers are prepared to expose New Zealand to this risk. Even in normal times such an action would be inexcusable; in time of war it cannot be tolerated for a "moment. The public will be less concerned with the cause of the stoppage than j with the very serious effects it has already had and the effects it is likely to have if it is allowed to continue. They will look to the Government to bring about an immediate resumption of work. There is ample machinery within the industry itself for the prompt settlement of all disputes without recourse to such action as has been taken in the Waikato, and on top of that the Government possesses very wide powers for dealing speedily and effectively with industrial disputes. Why has this machinery not been used? Why has the dispute been allowed to drag on until over 1300 men are idle and New Zealand is losing coal at the rate of 3000 tons a week? Mr. Webb, as Minister of Labour, has condemned the action of the men in allowing themselves to be led by irresponsible elements in the industry, in ignoring appeals by the Miners' Federation and the Federation of Labour, and in "treating with contumely" the Government's request to resume work and keep up production. This is all very well as far as it goes, but it has unfortunately become abundantly clear < that mere words, however Vigorously expressed, are -not enough. What is needed is vigorous action. Mr. Webb has spoken in similar vein on a number of occasions in the past, but has failed to prevent disputes and stoppages" of work. Mere words will not bring the present dispute to an end. The final responsibility for ensuring that pror duction is maintained without interruption belongs to the Government, and the Government must not hesitate in using the powers it has taken to meet just such circumstances. Yesterday Mr. Webb announced the setting up of a National Emergency Disputes Board, with very wide authority, to adjudicate in industrial disputes. This is one more weapon in the hands of the Government. But all the weapons in the world will be ineffective unless they are used.. Both Mr. Webb and Mr. Semple have declared that it is the intention of the Government to take up the challenge issued by the Waikato miners. What the public will now expect is firm action. There can be no compromise with men who play the part of wreckers.