The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is in corporated the West Coast Times. SATURDAY, JULY 18, 1931. THE WAYS OF THE UNIONIST.
The ways of the unionist coal miner appear to lead so often to industrial troubles, that it would be well in the interests of all concerned, if some remedy could be found to deal more promptly with the stoppages created so often. The Westport case is one in point where organised labour has decided to challenge the rights of private property, but in doing so, is inflicting | greater harm on its own followers than perhaps on those whom it is attempting to coerce. The position of the iiuller is simple and there seems no colourable right for such a challenge. Wlupt exists there to alarm the labour organisation, exists in other places, but the system is not challenged. The system is a perfectly sound one—the right of the individual to work his own property. There is the cry that safeguards imposed, for the security of the workers will be abused or neglected, and human life jeopardised, This is anticipating trouble which has mot so far reared its head. If there is that danger to human life, then the position can be in the proper way, and safeguards provided for by a system of inspection which could be made applicable to all underground coal-mining. This established definitely and the whole objection to the co-operative or tribute system must disappear. The objection of the miners in this instance is doomed to failure and a defeat following a. holdup which has been disastrous to,the members of the union and, of injury to the district. The action in this instance must do the cause of the miners injury generally. The prevalence of unrest in regard to trivial matters aggravated to national issues creates a feeling of insecurity, .and there is an answer at once to the policy of importing coal from New South Wales. It has become necessary to do so as a seem tv against a complete hold up in New Zealand. Information published through the press reveals that coal consuming industries in the Dominion apart from the Government, are importing coal from overseas, not foi the pleasure of patronising other countries, but as a security for supplies in emergency- The stoppages such as occur through the fads a.nj faqciqs of
some of the workers, are most irritating, especially at a time such as the present when there is a demand for coal and need for workers to produce the commodity. Outside the unions are thousands of unemployed who would he glad of a permanent job if the unionists are not going to play fair under their agreement. If the industrial awards in vocations where the position is being abused, were suspended, there would .soon he an end to the form < f pin-princking the unionists indulge in, and probably that way lies the cure to the recurring trouble. Tlie miners themselves are probably not to blame wholly. They very likely blame their leaders, who impose the harm, which extends to many innocent victims. The Westport waters’-ders are the victims of circumstances, for refusing’ to do what it is said the Greymouth watersiders are prepared to do if necessary in the way of loading tribute' mined coal. A comparison such as that shows how peculiar are the ways of the organised unionist to-day.
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Bibliographic details
Hokitika Guardian, 18 July 1931, Page 4
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562The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is in corporated the West Coast Times. SATURDAY, JULY 18, 1931. THE WAYS OF THE UNIONIST. Hokitika Guardian, 18 July 1931, Page 4
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