NORTHERN ADVOCATE DAILY With which is incorporated the NORTHERN MAIL DAILY. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17 1919 CAUSES OF "GO-SLOW."

Northern Advocate, 17 December 1919, Page 2

NORTHERN ADVOCATE DAILY With which is incorporated the NORTHERN MAIL DAILY.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17 1919 CAUSES OF "GO-SLOW."

Registered for transmission through

the post as a newspaper.

A veiy lively interest is being shown all over the Dominion in the "go-slow" policy. The interest is mainly of three kinds —those actually adopting the policy, the general public who feel its effects, and the capitalistic element which feels and resents the lessened income. Now it is quite evident that there must be some vital cause or causes for the policy in vogue, unless we assume that a large proportion of the people adopting the policy arc cither intensely stupid or selfish. The anti-labour extremist would probably agree that no words are too severe to designate so senseless a policy; and the most unbending advocate of "go slow" would as emphatically declare that it is only by such methods that their grievances will be met. The mass of people, in between, feel the effect in rising prices, and while regretting such a result, have a half-feeling of opposition against those who seem to find a "go-slew" policy necessary. Viewing the procedure unsympathetically it can be declared as a monstrous imposition of economic and social disability on the great body of citizens by an irresponsible or callous minority. Looking at the policy with kindly eyes it is seen as a most effective means of rousing interest and enforcing the plea of better wages and conditions. As in most matters, there must be a bed-rock legitimate complaint, even although inarticulate, for such an exceptional course of action to find, favour. And there can be no doubt that there is a growing tendency for certain manual worker.3 to adopt so rcadv a means to enforce their claims.

They argue that it is one of their few available weapons, and that they are as free to use it as the employer does to force a larger output if the state of the labour market introduces keen competition between the men themselves. Indeed, the worker urges that, after all, ho is but fighting the battle of economics for his family's well being; whereas the employer in his clash with labour does not personally suffer in any case other than, perhaps, a slightly less balance in the bank. These issues need to be brought to a common factor applic able to the whole community, irres pective of class or station. And the barest statement of the rights of each citizen in the light of the growing valuation of human endeavour, indicates unmistakably the need for a better distribution of the good things of life. The vistas opened by better education also suggest the justice of better remuneration; and satisticians, economists, and students generally enforce the claim by figures and* suggestions of better or ganisation. And moralists and idealists of all types join in the chorus of "something must be done." The fun damental feeling at the base of the "go slow" policy is that there is no better way for making the powers that be listen to, and rectify, the story of the injustices and the lack of brotherhood under which they labour. It is a blundering and incomplete method of attaining their ends. It is the hard and earnest worker who draws the sympathy,, and attains the hearing from the employer. If, for the sake of argument, the policy were reversed, every reasonable being would back up and support the application of the wage-earner for' consideration, and we feel sure he would get it. At all events, if he didn't get it the backing would be so strong that the employer who failed to give it would be compelled either to do so or go out.

There are two ways of looking at every question, and the only method in our opinion of reconciling or harmonising both views is by the roundtable conference ) backed up on the one hand by efficient service, and on the other by ready recognition. In this connection we cannot refrain from saying that the remedy can be fostered by a broader wider, and better all-round education.

The seaplane which reached Dargavilh> on the first mail-carriage air test, is of American construction, and has been used for instruction at the school for about V 2 months. Its carrying capacity outside the crew and necessary equipment is limited to 501b —about three mail bags. The seaplane has a cruising speed of 00 miles an hour and a maximum speed of 70 miles an hour, and as a flight has previously been made to Russell little difficulty is anti-