King Country Chronicle Saturday, November 15th, 1913 FARMERS AND THE STRIKE

King Country Chronicle, Volume VIII, Issue 619, 15 November 1913, Page 4

King Country Chronicle Saturday, November 15th, 1913 FARMERS AND THE STRIKE

■•> — The temper of the general community in regard to the strike has been demonstrated in a remarkable manner during the present trouble at Auckland and Wellington, and it is beyond question that the organisation of the farmers has contributed largely to the sense of public security which is now felt in the chief centres. Apart altogether from the merits of the dispute, and the subsequent strike developments it must be broadly recognised "that the established laws of the country must be uphtr'd, and adequate protection afforded to life and property. It is recognised that industrial disputes resulting in strikes lead to a straining of the bonds between various sections of the community, but fortunately in New Zealand a display of force has rarely been necessary in order to uphold law and order. In reseat years, however, there has been a growing tendency on the part of strikers to resort to forceful methods of argument. Patrols and pickets which may be legitimately used in the exercise of moral suasion and reasonable argument to win wavererß or opponents to support their cause have been apparently acting on the assumption that personal violence was pardorable, and the temptation to resort to the primitive argument of brute force has been irresistible. The individual who with more courage and discretion expressed an opinion in opposition to the strikers was not safe from outrage, and the peace-loving section of workers were dominated entirely by the aggressive members. The syndicalist method of attempting to paralyse in dustry by means of the general strike can only be maintained by force until the organisation of the workers of the country is so complete and perfect as to include every Bection of worker, and so financially strong as to make it possible to sustain a lentghy struggle. The trend of modern legislation is altogether in the direction of providing better conditions for workers and that syndicalist methods should be necessary in New Zealand would be a standing reproach to the country. It is to be sincerely hoped the differences which have rent the industrial firmament will be adjusted with honour to both workers and' employers Meanwhile we cannot but be conscious* of the fact that the action of the farming community haß served to maintain the established authority, and afford that protection to the liberties of the community without which no country is a satisfactory place to live in.