AGAINST DIRECT ACTION

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20845, 1 July 1939, Page 6

AGAINST DIRECT ACTION

Mr Webb’s announcement that the Government will introduce legislation curbing direct action by either employers or employees in industrial disputes comes at an appropriate moment, when chaos as the result of strikes and other labour troubles is threatening many of the Dominion’s important industries. The Minister has made an appeal to the common sense of all those engaged in industry. There is a limit beyond which demands for higher wages and improved conditions cannot be carried if iudustry i« to survive. The Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act is facing a crisis. If it goes by the board, what can take its place 1 As the result of a long struggle, not by the workers alone, the Act was evolved as an impartial tribunal, representative of both sides, to hold the scales fairly between workers and their employers. It set out to prevent the demolition of industry by extortionate demands and at the same time to give working men a fair share in the products of industry. That Act must now receive the loyal support of the men whom it protects, or it will give place to a less desirable state of affairs which has been indicated by Mr Webb. It is certain that industry in most of its phases cannot continue to yield to ever-increasing demands and still provide a livelihood for its workers. All over the country industrial disputes are arising, too often accompanied by the direct action of striking. Generally, employers are held closely to the awards of the Arbitration Court by watchful unions, but if the system is to remain fair and effective it must have the loyal co-operation of both parties. Admittedly the cost of living is pressing insistently, but the Arbitration Court is doing its best to maintain- the balance, and if it breaks down the alternative is not pleasant to contemplate. The nature of the legislation proposed by Mr Webb has not yet been disclosed, but if the workers as a body are wise they will themselves take the necessary steps to assure that the principle of conciliation and arbitration is preserved. Otherwise they may lose a privilege for which they fought for years, and industry generally will be much the poorer. There is no reason ■why legitimate complaints should not be heard whenever they arise, but the good sense of the people engaged in New Zealand industries will surely lead them to the conclusion that the alternatives to constitutional methods are extremely dangerous to all concerned.