The Gisborne Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1910. THE NEW SOUTH WALES STRIKE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2737, 16 February 1910, Page 4

The Gisborne Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1910. THE NEW SOUTH WALES STRIKE.

New Zealanders generally will bo glad to note that the disastrous Newcastle strike, which lias so seriously afflicted a sister State, is at last approaching- its termination. Judge Scholes has stated that-'he sees nothing t-o prevent the resumption of work on Monday next, both sides having agreed to his proposals. This does not imply that a basis for settling the original items in dispute has been arrived at, but that the owners and miners have agreed to continue work pending an award being made by the Wages Board. The result is something of a personal triumph for Judge i-S'choles, who appears to have exercised the utmost tact in fulfilling bis difficult function. When'the Board -first sat neither the workers nor the employers were willing to recognise it, but the Judge, whilst .adopting a most conciliatory tone, at the same time let it be understood that the Board would sit, would hear evidence, and would finally malm an award, no matter what the attitude of the contending parties might Le. By his firm and tactful methods lie has ultimately secured, if not complete ’ecognition, at any rate the acquiescence of an important section from both sides, and present indications are that before long tile offices of the State tribunal will be loyally accepted by both parties. This is as it should be; and one can only regret that such a decision was not come to before the strike assumed definite shape. As the result of miners and owners standing out as they did, immense damage has been inflicted upon the community, many innocent individuals have been ruined, and ill-advised, but well-meaning, labor leaders have been placed in gaol. We have little sympathy with men of the Bowling stamp, who openly defied the law, and incited the miners to a strike, which meant wholesale loss to the general public and irreparable injury i o many of the miners themselves; but at the same time we think it quite probable that it was not vindictive aoss, blit blind enthusiasm for the cause they espoused, which led them to take the stand they did. Under such .!reu distances, the termination of the strike lnighfc well be made the occasion for a reconsideration of the sentences imposed upon the labor leaders. The law has been abundantly vindicated, and those responsible for its vindication can afford to be generous when the dispute which led to its drastic operation has

been finally settled. To free the 5m-

prisoned minors, against whose personal character nothing has been alleged, soon, after the strike terminates, would have a market effect in removing the irritation against the law which is felt by a large section of the workers, and would probably prove a Step towards permanent tranquility.