A WORD IN SEASON.

Greymouth Evening Star, 23 February 1937, Page 6

A WORD IN SEASON.

’T’O improve the lot of the worker and to develop the humanitarian note in industry, is part of Labour’s declared policy, and with which few will quarrel. Mr. Savage and his colleagues, in their public addresses, lay special stress on the rights of the workers, and promise them even greater concessions and benefits. Under the circumstances it is not surprising, that some sections of workers have developed erroneous ideas, and that numerous further claims are made. An instance is reported from the Chatto Creek irrigation tunnel where workers were on strike for three days, because demands for increased pay were not immediately granted. Mr. Semple, with typical bluntness, told‘these men what he thought of their action, and warned them that dismissal would be the result of any further breach of agreements. More candour of this kind is desirable from Ministers. They should stress the responsibilities of industrialists as well as their rights, and tell them plainly that those who refuse to recognise the former must lose the latter. At the best, New Zealand faces a serious problem through the rising costs of production, owing to Labour legislation, and if the workers do not carry out their part of the contract, no satisfactory solution will be possible. A “touch of Semple” should tinge all Ministerial addresses on industrial topics.