DAY BY DAY.

Waikato Times, Volume 91, Issue 14148, 27 August 1919, Page 4

DAY BY DAY.

The curtain has been rung down on the . seamen's strike in AusThe End tralia, after a duration of of -' several weeks. It has The Strike, had a paralysing effect on trade and commerce, many have suffered, and it is very doubtful if anyone has benefited by the stoppage. The men certainly have not; they have, in the aggregate, lost many hundreds of thousands of pounds in wages, and the avidity with which they flocked back to work,on Monday must be taken as. evidence that they are collectively pleased that the trial .of strength is over, and that they are at liberty to once more resume their avocation. It must surely eventually dawn upon men that strikes are an obsolete weapon of the boomerang type, which hits back hard upon the user, and that any concession won by such means is dearly bought. In a democratic country where every man is of equal standing in the eyes of the State, no matter how much or how little he may possess, resort to strikes cannot be Justified. There is> a constitional method of effecting reforms, and this should be adopted". The process may be slow, but it is sure,- and it does not leave the rankle that "direct action" invariably entails. The unfortunate fact is that the'rabid extremist too frequently dominates the counsels of his fellows, who are led away by his oratorical accomplishments, and they follow the wisp instead of the steady gleam, the result generally, being their own discomfiture. The Australian seamen's strike is but another exemplification of the folly of removing one's nasal organ to vex one's own visage, and it is certainly to be hoped that it will be a lesson laid well to heart. The crying need of the world at present is a period of steady sustained, industry on the part of all. There is, however, a* widespread disposition to ignore that fact, and to seek other methods of ushering in the industrial millenium. It cannot be accomplished. The salvation of the ' world depends upon work.. \\Titu tho Armp.inainn of the seamen's strike there is good ground for- hope that the local "coal situation- will Soon • show easement, and that railway traffic and other restrictions may be "lifted" in the near future. This is a consummation, devoutly to be wished, for the monetary loss to many has been heavy, the State coffers have "materially suffered, and industry and development generally have been seriously handicapped during the past couple of months. Cargoes of coal from Australia may soon be expected, and when these come to hand the 'railway authorities will no doubt feel justified in resuming the full train service, and the wheels of industry will then once more revolve. It is certainly to be desired that there will be no more stoppages, for the outlook is becoming alarmingly serious, and unless the people the world over eschew bickering and set themselves assiduously to producing, those in close touch with affairs tell us that a world-wide famine is inevitable. It is for each country, and every individual in that country, to recognise, his personal responsibility, in this connection, and. set. himself to work. If ever it were true that, that man is a public benefactor who causes two blades of grass to.grow where only one previously sprouted that season is now, and that man who plants and waters that the earth may bring forth more abundantly is doing himself, his neighbour, his country, and the whole world a service.

Seed for Sower. and Bread for Eater.