NOTES AND COMMENTS.

West Coast Times, 20 June 1912, Page 2

NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Sccnns of liouses at Waihi, one© happy homes, arc now silent by the streets where workless men wander to and fro From week to week the number of houses “to let” increases; Hie Post’s special corresopndent estimates that tin population of the borough has dwindled by four to five hundred since the strike began. An air of desolation hao been put upon a thriving place because the members of the Miners’ Fmon, an anti-arbitration body aided and abetted by the Kod Federation of Labour, decided that it was not respectable, from the “solidarity” viewpoint, to work with arbitratioiiists, the members of the now Engine-drivers and Winders Union. From the outset the pi.bhc opinion in Now Zealand wont against the strikers, who had such a poo - excuse for stopping the wheels of industry. The power of that opinion has been felt by tho Federation’s Executive, which hopes to maintain the sinkers in idleness, on comparatively short commons, by taking a cut out of the wages of workers hero and in Australia. It is a hopeless attempt of the beaten executive to turn defeat into victory.

Sthike-pay at Waihi seems to be a scarce commodity. The supply is very far short of the demand. The maximum weekly pay f or the present is 30s, and it is limited to “cases of distress.” Those who have been thrifty enough to save something have to eke out a living on the surplus till they dnlt into the zone of “cases of distress.” Improvident workers are air eng those who first call on the strike fund. It is not surprising, therefore, that reports of resentiment come from Waihi, Many miners who were •constrained to danco to the tune piped by the Reds are now condemning the tyranny which compelled them 'to lose their means of livelihood. “ If the strike lasts another month,” said one of them, outward bound for Sidney, “ the leaders of the movement stand a big chance of being drummed out of aih«. Nothing could have happened that is better calculated to knock the Federation crowd right out.” In the early days of the struggle the strikers, merry at the moving picture shows, i sports, and dances, believed that the Red Federation would quickly win the day for them, because the boastful leaders of this ultra-SociaJist brigade

had presented themselves as all-power- j ful. Time has revealed the impotence of the Federation and the sore disappointment of the deluded strikers.

It is told of Dr. Johnson, says “Civis” in the 0. D. Times, that once a young lady admirer who chanced to bo of lumpish build asked his blessing on “leaving for tho Continent.” “Go, my dear,” said tho amiable bear; “you arc too big for an island.” Obviously it is Sir Joseph Ward that suggests to me this little story. But wo must speak by tho card, or equivocation will undo us ; our official card being tho official blazon on the foundation stono of Parliament House now building:— “ The Right Hon. Sir Joseph Ward, Bart., P.C., K.C.M.G., D.C.L., LL.D., Prime Minister.” (that was).

This long-tailed addition is out of keeping with tho environment, not to mention its oppressiveness. Sir George Reid, High Commissioner for tho Commonwealth, a big man in more senses than one, explains his K.C.M. G., as an anagrammatic for “ Keep Calling Me Gteorge.” But there iis nothing in Sir Joseph Ward’s honorific alphabet that suggests “ Keep Calling Me Joe.” Not that we hanker after an irreverent familiarity* far from it. We know our place But 'twero well If tho gap between groat and small were a little loss yawning. Listen to tho Hon. Thomas Mackenzie pronouncing (as would be expected of him) an official clogo at tho Invercargill banquet In the hour of the Empire’s danger Sir Joseph Ward has stood forth, and without hesitation had said that Now Zealand would give one ,and if necessary two, Dreadnoughts to the Empire.—(Applause.) . . They could never estimate the effect of that action, ’ which had emanated from the brain of that man and been courageously' carried out by him. Alone ho did it. Parliament and the country came in after, with liberty to say ditto and foot tho bill. Personally, I desire that Sir Joseph Ward should expatriate himself. But what mnst y bo the private thoughts of our Hon. Toms and the like, who scorn to exist by his permission ? It .that Sydney offer still open P