PUBLIC OPINION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 9192, 23 March 1908, Page 1

PUBLIC OPINION.

. » FROM SATURDAY'S PAPERS. (By Telegraph.) THE UNION AND THE STRIKERS. The attitude taken up by'' the Otago Trades and Labour Council will commend itself to everyone. We leel sure that the views of the Council are in accordance with those of the majority of workers throughout the dominion, whether .unionists or non-unionists. So long as a regular and legal method of settling disputes continues in existence there is absolutely- no excuse for striking. The worst feature of the present system is the long delays that are constantly occurring. If all differences could be referred to a competent tribunal and heard and a decision given within a month, we believe that we should hardly ever hear a word about strikes, and the greater part of the bitter feeling that is sometimes shown on one side or the other would disappear. This prompt settlement of disputes was one of the features of tht Bill prepared last year by the Minister of Labour, and it was also one of the most valuable. It is greatly to be desired that something on the lines of the Minister's proposal should be made law without longer delays. — Dunedin "Star." THE BLACKBALL STRIKE. It is satisfactory to find the Otago Trades and Labour Council formally announcing its belief in the application of the principle of conciliation and arbitration to labour dispute- and declaring its inability to see its way to advise affiliated unions tc £rant assistance to the Blackball miners. To have n-a<le the former assertion and to have advised the unions differently would, oi" course, have been highly ir:consi_teat. It remains fcr "other labour organisations in the oominion tc show a ke reasonable spirit, and the prospect of an early termination of the present deadlock at Blackball must be materially imi;rDved. — " Utago Daily Times." THE MAORI. The opening of the main trunk railway means »_, encmous impetus to settlement. The lai.d can be no longer idle. If the Bla^ri will not wcrK: the strenuous white will swa *m over his bush-strewn acr.fr as surely as the sun will tint Aorangi at the dawn. The Maori will be so harried and driven that eventually he will be absolutely dissolved', until he will become a vagrant remnant of the once fierce, robust, magnificent race. Words cannot save him. Appeals' cannot spare him. The idler cannot eat. — "New Zealand limes." THE AMERICAN FLEET. At least the Premier's invitation ha* not been refused. Of course we wish to see the ships and their men and "welcome America. Worthy brother Jonathan is a good , friend of purs and a strong bulwark in the Pacific. Some of these days we may rely upon him to roll back the menace of Asia, and we may give ourselves congratulations that he has shown himself uncommonly able and willing for the task. — " Evening Post." THE MINING TROUBLE. It is clear that the conduct of the Blackball miners has produced a generally bad impression upon the wintry, and at the same time it h»e inflicted a serious blow upon the credit and reputation of our Arbitration Court. — Auckland " Star."