A CRITICISM.

Timaru Herald, Volume LI, Issue 4920, 30 August 1890, Page 3

A CRITICISM.

The action of Mr Millar m oalling out the crews of tho intercolonial steamers of tho Union steamship Company seems to be very ill judged. vVo do not prof«a to understand tho mysteries of uiodrrn unionism, but applying ordinary sense, and judging from the lateßt movo by that standard, it is impossible to arrive at any other conclusion than that a serious biuuder has been committed. An army without a commissariat is an anomaly ; yet tho unionist loaders fail to see that by intercepting supplies from New Zealand prices on the other sida will be sent up to unprecedented rates. The cost of living thero will of necessity be doublod at a time when the eurnings of the working classes are roduced below one-half. luste.id of the men ompljyed on tho Union Company's boats being able to contribute acoording to thflir means to the relief of their comrades m Australia, they will themselves have to go on tho "strike list." At every point of vantage the ecore is against the labour organisations. The irritation caused by tho inexcusable threat to close the port of Ljttleton has not yet by any means been alloyed, although the Maritinie Council to a great oxtent retrieved their position by retracing their ateps m that matter. Tho colony will now bo incensed, and, wo think, justly incensed, by what is apparently a wanton attempt to paralyse the trade of New Zealand, bocauso a body of steamship owners m Australia havo quarrelled with tho' labour organisations of Australia. As far as can bo learned the Union Company have not m any way broken faith with their mon ; and, although tho company are members of an Australian association, thero was no grievance against them poraonally. It is to bo feared that wo are on tho evo of a determined struggle— ono that will bo fought largely at tho expense of the colouy. Taking an impartial viow of the existing posilioD, we cay boldly that the labour organisations, through their loaders, scorn to bo wanting m the essentials to their wolfiire — clour foresight and good leadership. There is no use of shutting one's eyes to what lies ahead of us. Tho crows of the intercolonial boats are called out, but the coastnl boats are not interfered wilh. If, however, I.lio Union Company attempt to run their intercolonal boats with non-union hands, it may be assumed that " all hinds " will be called out. ''ho West Coast miners will then go out on strike, and tho general trade of the colony will be brought to a deadlock. Then unionism will bo equivalent, to stagnation. Non-unionism will bo represented as freodom from tho tyranny of labour. Wo are both n free and a fair people, but it is not to be expected that we shall consent to starve nbilo we live m a land of plonty. So long as the unions content themselves by conserving their rights and show by an intelligent administration of their several organisations that they appreciate the responsibilities of their position, the publio will support them warmly. On the other hand, as soon as they allow themselves to be dragged into any of the petty quarrels that may occur all over Australia — falling posßibly into epeodily propared pitfalls occasionally — t^ien public opinion will declare itself against them. Without the sympathy of the public tho uqions will bo pjworless to effect real good. A mas 3 meeting of unionists should bo convened for the purpose of considering the position, which is one of extreme danger. The loaders of the Maritime Council do not seem to realise tho gravity of the situation, or they would scarcely commit themselves to Buch a flippant definition of the crisis as being " a friendly trial of strength between tho two parties." Tho real pinch of a strike or lockout is not felt by thoso m authority, but by tho rank and filo and by tho wives and families of the latter. How much have the man's wives and families been considered bofore the crisis is precipitated is a question that needs to be answered. — (From tho lJunedin Star)

Tho Bailway Servants havo promised to send to Australia £600 a month whilo the trouble lasts. If requisite this Society is quite propared to giro a day's work a week to keep their fellow-unionists m Australia. XIII 3 would mean over £6000 a month — The Bailway Commissioners will only pay tho men according to tho reduced time of runing while coal is scarce.

Wellington employora are conferring as to tho advisablcnoss of a general lock-out of all Unionists, which had been virtually determined upon had tho threatened Whitcombo and Tombs strike como off.