ASSISTING THEIR COMPETITORS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19768, 16 February 1927, Page 6

ASSISTING THEIR COMPETITORS

Apropos the above matter, perhaps the miners of New Zealand will give attention to the reported activities of one of their leaders who is at present in New South Wales. In connection with the attempt to promote another coal strike in the Mother State (upon which, by the way, the rank and file seem dubious about embarking) a cable tells us that a meeting was addressed by an official of the New Zealand Miners’ Federation, who assured them of support from the New Zealand miners should they desire to make a fight.

It would be interesting to know if this official was authorised by his Federation to make this offer, or whether he made it “on his own.” And if authorised, did the Federation take a vote of the rank and file upon it, or act on its own initiative? It is hardly conceivable that the Federation, even though it has done foolish things in the past, would send money to assist men in another country when in their own land there are at the present time large numbers upon whose relief it would be better spent. Charity begins at home.

Considering that the New Zealand coal mining industry is not as flourishing as it might be, the miners themselves are apt to think that it would be better to keep their funds intact against a rainy day in this Dominion. New Zealand coalminers, be it remembered, have several times complained about eoal imports from New South Wales and have even deputationised the Government to have those imports curtailed, if not stopped altogether. Yet, here we find one of their own officials promising their support to men to enable them to continue the competition which means a certain shortage of employment for the New Zealand miner.

One would imagine that this aspect of the case could hardly escape a Federation official’s notice and that he would be cautious about damaging the interests of his own fellow-mem-bers by encouraging a competitor. But there are some who, at the slightest chance of pushing into a strike, completely lose sight of their own responsibilities. They are not called upon to pay the piper. But the rank and file are.