The Waikato Times With which is Incorporated The Waikato Argus. WEDNESDASY, JANUARY 7, 1920. "GO SLOW" AND EXTRAVAGANCE

Waikato Times, Volume 92, Issue 14257, 7 January 1920, Page 4

The Waikato Times With which is Incorporated The Waikato Argus. WEDNESDASY, JANUARY 7, 1920. "GO SLOW" AND EXTRAVAGANCE

The "go-slow" policy adopted 'by th<s miners of the Dominion in their effort to compel the coal owners to grant concessions, both as regard wages and conditions of labour, has been in force now for several months. It has not had the desired effect, and a settlement seems as far removed as ever. It .s now persistently reported that the policy is to be extended, and the output of coal still further restricted. If that be the case the crisis which has so long been deferred will be forced on, for it is hardly conceivable that the owners will consent to the indefinite prolongation of a* farce which is causing loss to all concerned; —the owners, the miners and the general public, the last-named being the chief sufferers, as they not only have to pay enhanced prices, for fuel, but they are also affected by the restriction of those industries dependent upon ample coal supplies. It certainly seems absurd for bands of men to denounce the cost of living while they themselves are continually forcing it up. Every section of workers is calling out for increased wages and shorter hours, and it must bo patent to everybody of any intelligence at all that if these demands are acceded to the cost of production must incroase. It is, therefore, a hopeful sign that some of the Labour leaders are showing a disposition to recognise that it. is not higher wages but lower cost of production that will meet their needs, and if the great body of workers will also grasp that fact and set themselves assiduously to work much of the present unrest would disappear, and a spirit of greater contentment permeate the whole of the community. We are satisfied, however, that the "high cost of living" slogan is more superficial than genuine, for there is little evidence that the masses feel the strain to any appreciable degree. The holiday season just closed shows conclusively that all classes and sections are participating in an era of prosperity. Business people in all parts of the Dominion state that their holiday trade was never better than this year, while the totalisator records show that there is a plethora of money in active circulation. The casual observer at the investment windows on any racecourse is forced to conclude that the bulk of the patrons of the machine is composed of those who "earn their bread by the sweat of their brows," and it is incongruous to think that those who have money to burn feel the pinch of high prices to the extent some of them would have us believe. It would appear that it is the cost of high living rather than the price of necessities which is at the root of the trouble. The people seem to have entered into an era of extravagance, and are not disposed to consider the possibility that there may be rainy days in the future. We are not amongst those who would deny a share of the good things and the legitimate joys of life to any member of the community, but the wise person is he who endeavours to-'live within his income ; and if he finds that he has been making the pace too warm prudence counsels him to right matters by the use of the pruning knife rather than by seeking to burden the industries of the country by making levies upon them which they can scarcely sustain,- in. order that he may continue his extravagant course. We are thus brought back to the coal industry, and the demands of the miners. The men are fuly aware that many of the principal industries of the country are entirely dependent upon ample supplies of coal, yet they have deliberately restricted their output and formulated demands upon the owners which, if granted, would do incalculable harm by raising the cost of production of numerous commodities to a prohibitive figure, rendering the industry unprofitable, and probably strangling it altogether. The miners' representatives are desirous of securing another conference with the owners, but the latter state that it could accomplish no good purpose. They have' offered a j concession which they consider their limit, though it falls short of the demands of the men, and this offer is still open, but the owners are prepared to grant a conference conditionally upon the men restoring the output to normal in the meantime. This does not seem an unreasonable proviso, and it can certainly be acceded to by the men without further compromising their cause, for it is admitted by them that "go slow" methods are in force, and the records show that they can earn excellent wages at the present rates did they not deliberately conspire not to do so. The conditions of labour may not be all that could be desired; but compared with those existing even a few years ago they certainly show a marked advance, and there would be a greater inclination on the part of all concerned to perfect them did the me.i manifest a tendency to be a little more reasonable in their demands and demeanour.