The Wanganui Chronicle. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 1945. SECTIONAL STRIFE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 89, Issue 287, 5 December 1945, Page 4

The Wanganui Chronicle. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 1945. SECTIONAL STRIFE

ITROM almost every corner of the world conies confirmation of the views expressed in Christchurch on Monday by the president of the New Zealand Farmers’ Federation, Mr. Mulholland, when lie. warned that unless there is a cheek put to rising sectional strife it will lead to civil war. The world has just come through a war in which nation has fought nation and is paying dearly in life, blood and property for so long. Now it would appear that countries themselves are very near to bloodshed within their own borders. In New Zealand there should be no excuse for such danger. Not a single 'Wellington tramwayman should be on strike, because a Government favourable to his interests is in power, and a system to which that Government has pinned its faith is in vogue—the system of voluntary conciliation and arbitration. Yet the traniwaymen of Wellington have, in effect, passed a vote of no confidence in the Labour Government, and no confidence in the system of conciliation and arbitration. They have taken direct action, and are one step away from civil war. In Australia the same state of affairs exists, miners and seamen have ignored lawful channels and made laws of their own, laws to suit one section against the rest of the community. This is no war of country against town, or town against country—it is strife between neighbour and neighbour. IE the people who foster that strife continue it, the consequences in this country will be disastrous.