ACTING PREMIER'S APPEAL

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LX, Issue 17061, 14 August 1917, Page 5

ACTING PREMIER'S APPEAL

TO THE PEOPLE

A CONSPIRACY OF EXTREMISTS

With, the full concurrence of the State Government, the Acting-Premier of New South Wales Mr. Fuller, on the 2nd inst. issued the following appeal:— In spite of every effort made by the Government to prevent the calamity, this State is involved to-day in what will probably be one of the most disastrous strikes in the history of the Commonwealth.

We are not dealing with a revolt of workmen against oppressive conditions.

We are dealing: with trades unionism for the tim<? being under the control of irresponsible and dangerous men, who, for political reasons, have determined to plunge and keep the community in a state of industrial ferment.

This unwarranted strike commenced on the same day as the most critical battle of the war in Europe.

There are in this State a limited number of men, for the time being, in control of several trades unions, who have lost all sense of patriotism and responsibility, and who are deliberately contributing to the success of the enemies of civilisation by their actions.

The men on strike to-day are all Government employees. They have the full protection of an elaborate system of Wages Boards created by the law for the investigation of their grievances.

They enjoy numbers of privileges which workmen in private occupations do not enjoy.

These men, through their leaders, served an ultimatum on the Government that, unless a demand was conceded within 24 hours, they would cease work.

They refused to respond to every appeal to withdraw this ultimatum. They are striking on a matter of de-

tailed business management, the adopi tion of which cannot prejudice the interests of any decent workman in the State.

Nine-tenths of the men do not know now what the strike is really about but are being blindly led into this appalling conflict by a few dangerous leaders.

Every objection raised to the card system has been carefully analysed and m the presence of the mens' leaders it has been shown beyond doubt that their suspicions are without foundation. The card system is not antagonistic to union principles. Engineers and other workmen in private establishments have worked under similar systems without protest for years past.

The keeping o f time records in workshops does not aim at unfair speedingup, and no honest workman has anything to fear from them. The Government was, and still ig prepared to guarantee that after the •system had been in operation for three months a public inquiry shall be held, and if any injustice nas been done by its operation the whole matter shall be reconsidered.

•Every objection to the system is based on misunderstanding and gross exaggeration.

The Government made an offer to the men to meet them in consultation m order further to explain the card system, and the Commissioners also offered to allow the system to be thoroughly explained by two of their officers who are known and trusted by the, men. In every direction these efforts to dispel the groundless suspicions of the workmen were rejected, and the ultimatum was persisted in. : The Government is convinced that a section of the men were determined to have a strike under any circumstances. There can be no compromise on the part of the Government when an issue of this kind is raised. \

The time has come for the people of this State to take their stand against those extremists who have for a long time been deliberately conspiring against the public interest and who have been responsible for the industrial ferment which has disgraced this State since the beginning, of the war. It may be that this conflict will have serious results, "and will for a long time affect the general prosperity of *he State. ' - :

Bnt i» every country there comes a crisis when the people must be asked whether or not they will declare for vhe supremacy of the State, as. against the turbulence of a minority. That is the issue in this conflict.

I know that a large section of the men concerned are not in sympathy with the strike, but are blindly following the majority.

I know of and appreciate that spirit of loyalty which animates men in their resolve to .act together rightly or wrongly once a strike begins. " -y But to those who, in their hearts, are against this upheaval. I say that this is not. an ordinary'strike. "This is not a. Question of loyalty to fellow-workmen. Tins is a case in which the loyalty of a manto the supremacy of the State over tho individual is involved.

I now solemnly appeal to every workman in the State to consider seriously the direction in which he is drifting, sind to stand by the Government in its determination to resist to the utmost limit th.c challenge which has been so wickedly made by thoughtless leaders. ;> There is yet time to avoid a bitter struggle.

Let every man in the railwrw service on the possibilities of tho future. v

The door is still rmen for the reinstatement of sensible men. But to many men that door will be for over phut, if they persist in their present attitude.