The New Zealand Times. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1913. A DEPLORABLE STRIKE

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8559, 23 October 1913, Page 6

The New Zealand Times. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1913. A DEPLORABLE STRIKE

Most unhappily, the Wellington waterside worker’s have ignored the voice of reason and the logic of facts, and have wilfully chosen a course of action that will unquestionably land them serious difficulties. The strike remedy is alwayu an extreme method of redressing a grievance, real or imaginary, great or small. It can only be prosecuted with hope of success, in whatever measure success may depend upon public sympathy, under those circumstances that offer no other avenue of redress, and then only after the existence of a substantial wrong has been demonstrated. The sixteen hundred men or thereabouts who have determined, if it be in their power, to hold up the important work of this port and city, have certainly not the supporting influence and vindication of a righteous cause. In holding a “stop-work” meeting yesterday, and thereby preventing the ‘ discharge or loading of cargo on the wharves from proceeding normally, the motive of the union was obviously that of defiance. It was a challenge to the shipowners, to the Harbour Board —indeed, to Jthe public served by the shipping industry and represented by the Harbour Board. It was not a representation of the case for the shipwrights whose demands for increased pay were nominally the subject of the '“stop-work” meeting. It was not a (dignified protest against ill-treatment or scant consideration of any sort. And we are bound to say —the conclusion is reached very reluctantly, but is irresistible—the action taken by the men has not the saving grace of honesty, for it violates an agreement reached after full consideration between representatives of the workers and the employers. The observance of such a compact, as we suggested yesterday, ought to have* ‘ been jealously preserved and carried out by the members of the union, even if it were only in their own interests and in those of their wives and families who will no doubt be the most poignant sufferers. The clause in the agreement intended and designed to prevent “stop-work”’ meetings is fair, clear, and definite; and we believe it is correct to say that it was actually drawn up by men representing the Waterside AVorkers’ Union. The union having chosen to practically tear up their compact and simply meet the employers with a defiant attitude, we are bound to say that the employers would have been craven had they yielded and declined to take up the challenge. ( We do not like to think that the men have acted with full deliberation. Wo should much prefer to imagine that they have been, to some extent at all events, moved by impulse and rather hurried into an exceedingly unfortunate position through lack or judgment; through some mistaken, sense of loyalty to those members of the shipwrights’ branch who are in disagreement with the employers; or that they have allowed themselves to he unduly swayed by passionate declamation on the part of those who might have been expected to offer wiser counsel. The hopelessness of their caso when submitted to argument and examination is pitiably palpable. There was not the slightest occasion or reason for discussing the shipwrights’ grievances during the hours when profitable employment was awaiting them. Any other time for such a meeting would have served equally as well—better, indeed, for the ostensible purpose of the gathering must inevitably have been obscured by the excitement inseparable from the proceedings. Wo are extremely sorry for the men who have struck work. The lot of a wharf labourer is certainly not enviable under the best of circumstances. Employment is somewhat intermittent, and it is of a laborious and uninspiring nature, calculated, it may be, to engender a certain element of dissatisfaction and resentment. But nothing is to bo gained out of a strike so wildly foolish, so ill-advised, and based upon such flimsy grounds as that which commenced yesterday. It is devoutly to be hoped that saner views will make an early impression upon the minds of the strikers, and that they will withdraw from their arbitrary attitude of defiance before commerce and traffic are seriously disrupted or their own sufferings from lack of employment and wages become too acute. The employers in both sections, the shipping companies ,and the Harbour Board, have on their ipart kept faith in every way with the :men. The conduct of the chairman of the board, Mr Robert Fletcher, has been beyond reproach. He has steadfastly and earnestly pointed out to the men the gravity of their extreme and unwise course, and endeavoured to dissuade them from their folly; but on the other hand he has unswervingly carried out his plain duty to the public, in insisting upon observance of the terms of employment entered into by the men’s representatives. Mr Fletcher received, as he deserved, the unanimous support and approval of the Harbour Board as expressed in a resolution at. last night’s meeting.