THE "CO SLOW” VIRUS.

Wanganui Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15127, 23 January 1917, Page 4

THE "CO SLOW” VIRUS.

To go slow 'is a form of sabotage, and it is one of the things advocated among working men by that criminal organisation, the I.W.W. In Australia, which seems to give a home to every mad industrial creed produced in the world, the “go slow” idea has been tenderly nourished, and now it is growing henltliily, and is already an embarrassment in some industries. It is a sufficient commentary on the intelligence of the men who disseminate the idea—which is supposed to strike at the root of private ownership—that a vigorous complaint concerning it has come from the Stateowned New South Wales railways. The Chief Eailway Commissioner has published figures, showing that since 1908 there has been a falling off of 15 percent. in the production of work. In 1908 the average number on the staff was 14, 891, and the average number of train miles per man was 957. Each year there has been a reduction until, in 1915, with 26,535 men on the staff, the train miles per man had dropped to 800. In part, the reduction had been due to shortened hours and improved conditions; otherwise, the figures would have almost ghastly significance. Yet, making allowance for this, there was a considerable margin of loss not accounted for, and it must be admitted that it was due to reduction in effort, or misdirected effort. “Slow work ie a tragedy. Carried to ultimate limits, it means national suicide,” said the Commissioner. “Why are men not happy at their work to-day, as they were not so long ago—whep workers in this community worked joyously, and the strong, vigorous man was proud of being able to do more than any of bis mates? If that question eould be answered, perhaps the remedy for many of our industrial troubles could be found. While men have grievances, real or imaginary, there will be no industrial peace, and while there are men glib of tongue, but shallow of brain, to dilate frothily upon the workers’ woes, and clamour for war against imaginary enemies, neither set of grievances is likely to be satisfactorily eliminated.”