THE HIKURANGI STRIKE

Northern Advocate, 18 February 1926, Page 4

THE HIKURANGI STRIKE

The settlement of the strike at the Hikurangi Coal Company’s mine is a matter for congratulation. The strike was an unfortunate affair prolongation of which would have been fraught with disastrous consequences. Happily, it was of brief duration. In a way, the strike may prove a blessing in disguise, for it has once more revealed the folly of precipitate action in a dispute which, as the ultimate decision of the miners in this instance proved, is capable of judicial settlement. As the parties concerned in the strike have settled the dispute to their mutual satisfaction, we do not intend to traverse the circumstances of the strike. At the same time, we are impelled to congratulate the Hikurangi miners upon their decision to admit the Press to their mass meeting. 1 This action was the essence of wisdom, and, if generally; adopted, it would lessen the -liability to industrial upheavals. The public is genuinely interested in the welfare of miners and every other class of useful worker, and sympathy is the more readily forthcoming when both sides of a question in dispute are made available. There are always two sides to a dis : pute, and it frequently happens that neither side is altogether wrong. The public » is an impartial spectator, but it must have an unimpeded view of the ring in which the' contestants fight. That unimpeded view is readily provided by the Press. The report of last night’s mass meeting, as published by us today, will allow the public to sum up the dispute and pass judgment accordingly. We hope the decision of the Hikurangi miners in giving publicity to their points of view will be adopted by other bodies of organised workers. The great majority of every labour organisation consists of solid*, industrious and honourable men, in whose interests, it .•s desirable that the fullest publicity should be given to every dispdte. In too many instances hardworking men and their families have been irretrievably ruined as a result of the propaganda of insidious individuals who have flourished in an atmosphere of secrecy. "Let the public know" is sound advice. The public is impartial.