Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image

BETTER GO BACK!

There are indications at the time of writing that the West Coast coalminers are prepared to be reasonable. If Robert Semple is speaking with authority—and he usually does so on questions connected with the coalminers and their troubles—a settlement of the dispute with the hewers at the State pits is in sight. Though the meeting held at Paparoa was resultless because of an unrepresentative attendance, Semple, who is in the best of positions to

gauge the feeling of the men, has probably good reasons for his prediction. If the miners do resume work next Monday it will not be before it was time. Everywhere there is a coal-shortage. Serious difficulty is being experienced in importing supplies from Newcastle. It was only the other day that the Minister of Supplies and Munitions (Hon. Mr Myers) stressed the vital importance, not only to New Zealand, but to the Empire, of every available ton of coal being forthcoming from the Dominion mines. The attitude of the West Coast men has interfered with supplies for domestic and transport purposes at a very critical period. The fact that that attitude had no real basis of grievance has. added to the gravity of the offence. A contemporary which, at times, wobbles between patriotism and politics, tried to suggest recently that the strikers had, or thought they had, good cause for downing tools, but Semple, as reported, lends no support to the theory. As we pointed out at the time, the miners have never been at a loss for a reason to strike, and in the present instance their conduct is as indefensible as it has been on previous occasions when a strike was called. However, much will be forgiven if work is resumed next week. It is to the miners', not less than to the public, interests that the pits should reopen immediately. The Government is determined to enforce its powers under the War Regulations in the event of the strike continuing, and a clash with the law can spell nothing but defeat and penalties for the men and their leaders. That, if not a sense of patriotism, should incline the strikers to return to work before the ultimatum expires.

This article text was automatically generated and may include errors. View the full page to see article in its original form.
Permanent link to this item

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/SUNCH19180405.2.24

Bibliographic details

Sun (Christchurch), Volume V, Issue 1293, 5 April 1918, Page 4

Word Count
367

BETTER GO BACK! Sun (Christchurch), Volume V, Issue 1293, 5 April 1918, Page 4

BETTER GO BACK! Sun (Christchurch), Volume V, Issue 1293, 5 April 1918, Page 4