THE WAIKATO MINERS.

Evening Star, Issue 24296, 10 September 1942, Page 4

THE WAIKATO MINERS.

Stkoxg condemnation of the behaviour of the Waikato coal minors lias been expressed by both Mr Webb and Mr Semple. Their words are the more impressive from the fact that these Ministers have been practical coal miners themselves, and if there had been any justification for the action of the men they as Labour stalwarts would have seen it. In Mr Webb’s words, the men, led by a few irresponsible wreckers, have treated witli contumely the Government’s request to resume work and keep up production, and in doing so have declared war on the State. Jfr Semple was equally emphatic, and as Minister in charge of the department he indicated the serious effect the stoppage in coal production would have on the railway services in the North Island. These Ministerial utterances are appropriate, but something more is needed. The issue is as to whether the Government or tho strikers are to be masters of the situation. In the past when industrial trouble has occurred, Labour Ministers have not displayed a resolute attitude such as might have been expected of them. Even in the present cose Mr Webb is “ appealing ” to the commonsense and loyalty of tho great bulk of the Waikato miners to resume work. An appeal evidently is not enough. It will have to be buttressed by strong action to end a state of things that if continued will have a serious effect on New Zealand’s war effort. Coincidentally with tho Waikato trouble, the appointment of a national emergency disputes board has been announced by the Minister of Labour. Unless it is designed to shift as much as possible of an odious responsibility from the Government’s own shoulders, one might reasonably wonder why. Such appointment is a remarkable departure from the policy advocated by Labour when in opposition, which stroijgly criticised the Government of the day for its dependence on boards and commissions. A week ago, Mr Webb had stated that tho miners’ grievances would be “ promptly ” considered by their own National Disputes Committee, and other industries have their machinery now for deciding disputes. No exception could be taken to the personnel of the new board, save that its members are very busy men. several of them being members of the General Working Committee of the Economic Stabilisation Conference, whose functions were recently resumed. The board is provided with power to intervene in a dispute which may affect essential services, to conduct a full inquiry, and to give a decision that it considers fair and equitable. Any person who fails to comply wit): the board’s de-

cision or direction commits an offence, and provision is made for penalties. Many methods have been tried to end strikes by the intervention of speciallyconstituted bodies Some success has been achieved in the past, but the solution of the problem lies with a Government which is determined to put an end to the constant stoppages and hindrances to the functioning of our industrial processes.