SILLY STRIKES

Grey River Argus, 6 December 1938, Page 4

SILLY STRIKES

MR. SEMPLE'S. COMMENT. . CHRISTCHURCH," December 4. “It is time disgruntled minorities in trades unions woke up and realised that in fomenting stupid, comic opera strikes over trifles they are enemies to themselves, to their unions, and to their country.” These were the words of the Minister of Public Works une Hon. R. Semple) to-day,... when he referred to the appeal being .made by the Government for the co-operation of all sections of the community in an effort to increase production. The spasmodic strikes that had been experienced in the country did not come from the majority of members of unions, 90 per cent, of whom were loyal to their country and to their calling, said the Minister. Strikes over trifles came from a disgruntled minority, which wanted the most , for the least effort. Such an attitude could not and would not be tolerated by a Government that was doing a job to help New Zealand. “I do not want my words to be interpreted as an attack on trade unionism,” went on Mr. Semple. “I jam not indicting unionism nor attacking the loyal workers, who, fortunately, are in the majority. lam speaking, as one. who has been through the mill and suffered for his principles, to give some advice to those short-sighted individuals who cannot see that by the attitude they adopt they are damaging unionism and destroying their own rights.

“It may be said by my critics that the author of these words at one time took part in strikes himself. My record will stand investigation, and it will' show that big issues were at stake when I was engaged in strikes. In those days unionism was outlawed, and so were the men who joined unions. To-day conditions have been revolutionised. Unionism has been recognised and has been given its rightful place in society. A Government that is friendly to the workers) is in power. It will do its best to improve their standard of living, but it also wants the workers to play the game.

ENTERPRISE NEEDED. “When we ask that, surely we are not asking too much,” continued the Minister. Those people who adopt the method of hamstringing industry over trifles are their own enemies. Any increase that can be made in the the standard of living of the people depends on their own, enterprise, energy, and willingness to increase the volume and value of the nation’s production. You can’t take more out of tne pool than you put in, The more you put in the more'you will be able to take out. If that is not true then I know nothing about economics. “The comic opera striker and the malingerer can do nothing to bring about an automatic increase in the standard of living. Diligent and faithful service to the nation and to the people is the means of improving conditions. The maximum reward conies from the maximum effort. “Those who are not prepared to do their share have parasitical minds. If they get more from the nation than they are prepared to give, then they are living on the efforts of someone else. Unless the national income is increased, the standard of living cannot be increased oir even maintained. TO RICH AND POOR. “The Government appeals to every-

one' to give of his best and show what can be done for New Zealand by New Zealanders,” added the Minister. “Its appeal is not only for the co-operation, of the unions and the workers. It goes out to everybody, rich and poor alike. It is the duty of . all sections of the community, irrespective of political views, to respond to the appeal for a national effort to improve conditions. Now that the people have given their verdict at the election, party politics should be put aside. No section of the community should raise any obstruction. It is their clear duty now to fall in with the wishes of the majority and assist in developing a constructive programme that will mean material progress to New Zealand.”