THE INDUSTRIAL CRISIS

Patea Mail, Volume XXXVIII, 3 December 1913, Page 2

THE INDUSTRIAL CRISIS

Government's Action Endorsed.

At the meeting of the Borough Council held on Monday Or. Grainger said he would like to move that the Oouncil express it’s satisfaction with the manner in which the Government have maintained law and order during the trying time that has arisen owing to the strike.

In moving the resolution . Or. Grainger said ho thought all local bodies who had the maintenance of law and order should express their approval of the steps taken hy the Government to maintain law and order during the present industrial crisis, at the same time be would like it to be distinctly understood that he was not moving the resolution whh any political motive*. If anyone had seen as be had the state of anarchy that was existing in Wellington during the early stages of the strike, they would feel as he did that the Government deserved credit for the way the law had since been upheld. He alfo wished it to be understood that be wa* not opposed to unionism, far from it, but he was opposed to anarchy, sabotage and the tactics of the I.W.W. Such a state of affairs as had existed in Wellington in the early stages of the strike could not be tolerated for a moment. From his knowledge of the dairying industry he could tell them that the present was a splendid season. It would, in fact, have been a record one but for the strike. The people had lost a lot of money through the acts of the strikers and the individuals were going to suffer, just through the wanton acts of a few agitators. Or Christensen said he would second the motion. It was only right, no matter who was at the head of the Government, that they should strengthen their hande by every means in tbeir power at a critical time like the present. The resolution was then put and carried unanimously.

The following telegram has been re. ceived in reply from Mr Massey: “ Tour telegram received. I have to express my thanks to your Council *nr kind expressions of appreciation as to the action of the Government daring the present industrial crisis,**