SEEKING A SOLUTION

Waikato Times, Volume 94, Issue 14600, 25 February 1921, Page 4

SEEKING A SOLUTION

The announcement thai the Wellington Waterside Workers' Union- has asked to have the present dispute referred to the Disputes Committee, and that Hie employers have agreed to that course is Hie most hopeful sign on the industrial horizon at present; and il is devoutly to be desired thai the efforts I" find a way out of the deadlock will prove successful. Th.'re should be no difficulty if both sides are reasonable and anxious to avoid trouble. It is asserted—and there are not wanting indications thai the statements are correct —that the waterside workers themselves are far from unanimous concerning the wisdom of the policy of those who are responsible for the present campaign, and that there is at least a very substantial minority who are convinced that by the tactic-? adopted they are alienating sympathy and damaging their cause. The statement that Hi" men are acting on their own initiative, and independently of their unions or federation, is palpably erroneous, for it is inconceivable thai bodies of men from one end of the Dominion to the oilier would simultaneously act on ;i common impulse on identical lines. Somebody must have directed the movement, which Ins caused so much apprchcnsioiHas likely to*culminate in a general hold ifo of Hie industrial activities of the whole country. The faol that the Wellington men have moved in the direction of rcfernng the matter to the Disputes Committee is a happy augury, for it indicates a desire to settle the difference, and there should be little difficulty in doing so, for il is to the interests of the three parties concerned,—the employees, the employers and the general public—that sane counsels should prevail even at this stage. A full, free and frank discussion between reasonable 111..11 around the council table should serve to clear away much of the suspicion and ill-feeling which now undoubtedly exist, and lead to a belter understanding generally. Between'the extremists of the rival factions there is a great gulf fixed, the bridging of which is perhaps impossible, for the inclinations of both turn in the direction of strife. The hope for industrial peace lies with the moderate men of both bodies, who recognise that their interests move in parallel lines. And if these can bo brought lo Ibe conference table, it >s not improbable thai the lowering rlouds which are causing so much apprehension will be dispersed.