The Waikato Independent THE PAPER THAT COVERS THE WAIKATO. TUESDAY, JANUARY 10, 1922 EDITORIAL NOTES

Waikato Independent, Volume XXII, Issue 2492, 10 January 1922, Page 4

The Waikato Independent THE PAPER THAT COVERS THE WAIKATO. TUESDAY, JANUARY 10, 1922 EDITORIAL NOTES

Compulsory Arbitration.

A cable from London informs us that "with a view to improving employment and restoring confidence between buyers and sellers and workers and employers" fourteen coalitionist trade unionist members of the House of Commons have sent a. manifesto to Mr Lloyd George demanding legislation to compel the participants in an industrial dispute to submit their differences to specially appointed industrial committees functioning like police and country High Courts, the decisions to be binding on both sides under penalties. The cable further indicates that "the idea is to protect the labour leaders against the extremists.'-' Commenting on this new move the Farmers' Union Advocate says editorially: "The point l 'that seems to need amending is the enforcement of the authority of the Court. If some way could be found to penalise the members of the executive of an offending union, or by the abolition of the preference, it might have some effect in making the unions respect it, but if it is a question of protecting the moder-ate-viewed worker against the extremist, it becomes a problem of world-wide interest, and one which must be solved if the extremist is to be prevented from attaining dictatorial power, not only industrially but politically as well. It is the problem of modern unionism. It will settle itself in time, as it has nearly done in Russia, but thus far no one has been able to suggest a way of settling it without bloodshed. The best cure known is an over-sup-plied labour market. When jobs are fewer than workers, then threats have no power to coerce. We would be pleased to see some law that would enable the average workman to openly express his views, then would we have no fears for industrial peace. The difficulty to-day is that the average worker is content to remain dumb, and take all he can get from unionism."

Dear Stalking in New Zealand.

Some time ago "The Field" published an instructive article by Captain T. .E. Donne on deer stalking in New Zealand. It was stated in the article that a report had been received that the moosje and wapiti, which had been imported into the country some years previously, were doing well. Following on Captain Donne's contribution "The Field" now publishes Mr F. Moorhouse's official report in full. In introducing the subject the editor observes: "The success attained by the New Zealand Government in their importation of trout and red deer has been so outstanding, that any further experiments made in" the same direction will be watched by sportsmen of all countries and nationalities with the greatest interest. Wo are accordingly publishing the full text of the official report recently received dealing with the moose and deer. It should be remembered, however, that among other animals which have been imported are sambhur, cheetal, Himalayan thar rind Burrhel, chamois, and white tail deer. At present it is too early .to make any definite statement concerning these animals, but it is believed that all have taken kindly to their new surroundings, and are increasing in numbers. It accordingly seems highly probable that in the future New Zealand will hold out attractions to the stalker which will be excelled in no other country.''

Restriction of Immigration.

In order to meet the demand .for tho restriction of immigration to the United States, a new law was passed and put into operation in June of 1921. The effect of these provisions has been of such a sweeping character that many people are getting alarmed at the results, and some of the newspapers are much exercised. The New York "World in a recent issue published a very lengthy report, showing how the new law was operating. It showed that under the 3 per cent, Restrictive Immigration Law the States were elosed in September last, until June 30th, to Spain, Palestine, Turkey, Smyria and tho territory called in immigration parlance "Other Asia," the annual quotas of those countries having been exhausted. It was anticipated also that by the middle of this month (January) Italy's quota would have been completed, aud no more Italians would be allowed in the country. The same applied to Hungarians and Bohemians, while it was anticipated that Greece's quota would be made up by *the very next shipload of emigrants to arrive, and that no more Poles would be allowed in after the end of December last. These facts give some idea of the drastie effect of the new law. It is reported that another result of the restriction is that trans-Atlantic passenger traffic has been revolutionised, so much

so that some of the 'shipping companies are considering the conversion of some of their big liners into what will be practically one-class vessels, with dnly a comparatively small amount of space devoted to steerage. Some idea of the magnitude of immigration to the States may be gauged by the fact that, prior to the new law coming into operation, some 85,000 immigrants arrived in that country for the month of March, the month considered to be the spring of immigration.