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Sun (Christchurch), Volume III, Issue 871, 24 November 1916, Page 6

So far as the situation in the drivers' dispute has been outlined, it appears likely that a deadlock will ensue, with a serious and disturbing strike to follow, unless the employers as a whole concede the demands of the men, or the Government takes the settlement of the matter in hand. We suggested the other day that the outlook was such as to demand the attention of the Acting-Prime Minister, and according to an interesting message from a Sun special correspondent in Wellington, not only Mr Allen but several other Ministers have been using their influence to try and bring the parties to terms. Our correspondent suggests the likelihood of the Government using its undoubted powers under the War Regulation Act to effect a settlement if other means fail, and we have no doubt but that is the shortest, and probably the fairest way out of the difficulty. The War Regulations Amendment Act, 1916, empowers the Governor-in-Council by regulations to make such provision, as having regard lo the exigencies of the war or the conditions created thereby, he thinks advisable for the maintenance of industries essential for Ihe public welfare, and there can be no doubt that the carrying trade, with all its related industries, conforms to that description. The drivers have done wrong in demanding increased wages at the point of the strike weapon, while the intrusion of the miners' agent is an offence to decent trade unionists, but as the Arbitration Court seems in this case to have had too little regard for the abnormal conditions resulting from the world I war, and as the Dominion is threatened with a grave dislocation of business if the drivers carry out their present intention, it is the duty I of the Government to smooth out the ■tangled skein.