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Hokitika Guardian, 4 May 1927, Page 2

The agitation over ilio Trade Union Bill is increasing in intensity, as the time draws near for the decisive struggle. According to recent reports, a large section of the unionists refuse to lx l deluded by official Labour's misrepresentations, and are prepared to accept the Bill. But as these reports emanate from a Conservative source it is quite probable that in Iheir case the wish has been father to the thought. Ministerial supporters, we are told, are satisfied tintl “a solid mass of public opinion is behind iho measure.” This may he so and yet the Bill mnv prove to he one of the worst errors in political judgment that dir Baldwin and his colleagues have yet perpetrated. It is quite true that, as we have already explained, a great deal can be said in favour of practically ever clause of the Bill. More especially the proposal to make “picketing” ille;;nl should commend itself to all lovers of fair play and individual freedom, irrespective of parly considerations. But the Bill cannot and will not lie discussed on its merits, either in Parliament or ontwidc. For it lias been brought down at a most unfortunate juncture, when public opinion lias been aroused against tbe Government by its weakness and indecision in dealing with a recent industrial crisis, and it is quite ensv for Labour to interpret any sentence in it as nil attempt to extinguish the rights of the workers and to play into the hands of the reactionaries and the privileged classes. Tt is not the true character of the Bill. Imt ilio circumstances of its production that condemn it, and the Conservatives may soon have reason to regret that their leader has provided the various sections of the Labour party with so good an excuse for patching up their quarrels for the time a r r uniting solidly against him.