The Gisborne Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9, 1910. A QUESTION OF JUSTICE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2755, 9 March 1910, Page 4

The Gisborne Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9, 1910. A QUESTION OF JUSTICE.

Although the most serious aspect of the Newcastle strike lias disappeared with the failure of the unionists to paralyse industry by bringing on a general strike in New South Wales, the original dispute still drags on. On several occasions, just when a settlement appeared to be in sight, some unexpected obstacle intervened and prevented the end which all desired. At the present time a deadlock has occurred over tlie employment of those who refused to stind in with the unionists when they struck, and vuo whole trouble now hinges around the position of those who are alternatively termed free laborers, blacklegs, or scabs according to the stand point of the speaker. To a ‘'‘good unionist there can be no possible excuse for the man who works for a firm which has been temporarily boycotted by 1 lie unions. In America lie is liable to be lynched, as was seen in the case of the tramdriver at Philadelphia last week, whose life was saved by the opportune arrival of the police, who were just in time to cut down the rope from which he was already suspended. Fortunately unionism in New Zealand lias not obtained such a degree of power and unserupulousness as would produce such terrible results, but even here the man who stands by his employers in the case of a strike is an object of contempt on tlie part of his fellows, and is occasionally the subject of brutally callous treatment. Yet us a question of abstract justice there seems no warrant for this attitude. The unionist leaves off work because the pay and other conditions do not suit him, and, presumably, because he is able to, for the time being, exist without the employment. Moreover, by reason of his unionist membership, he has placed himself in the hands-of his leaders and l’eols bound to follow their instructions. On the other hand, we find a man who, for various reasons —quite possibly honest ones—has refrained from joining the union, and is therefore in no sense bound by its decisions. He probably considers the pay and conditions offered by the employer quite satisfactory, and, having nothing else between starvation for himself and his family, accepts the work. Surely, such a one is entitled to the respect of any honest man, and undoubtedly should be free from any kind of interference in hillegitimate efforts to earn a living. In striking, and thus suddenly depriving the employer of their services, the unionists have played what they believe to be their strongest card. If it fails they fail, but they'have no right to back it up by molesting these who arc desirous of accepting the work which they refused. It is, of course, very hard for a band of workers, when, smarting under a sense of injustice, they attempt to force the hand of their employer by proclaiming, a strike only to find their places filled by others and their billets permanently gone. Yet this after all is but a part of the game they played. They took the risk and lost. In excuse for the unionists, it must be remembered that the stakes they play for are very heavy. They find themselves,- sometimes, at all events, working out the best years of their lives at a sweating wage, whilst their employers live in luxury. Every legitimate means , is used in vain to obtan improved conditions, and ultimately they strike. In doing so, they wcognire that they arc in for a struggle in which defeat spells disaster. They

foul that they arc fighting for their homes —what is still more to some ot them—they are fighting for what they consider to be tlife principles of unionism. This latter —tlia/iks to the constant reiteration of their leaders—has become elevated to a religion, and in its defence they are quite prepared to apply the most Jesuitical methods. In other words, so long as they win anything can be justified. It is this perverted sense and the terrible apprehension of defeat which is responsible for the deplorable surroundings of big strikes. So long as human nature is as it is, it is difficult to see how strikes can he carried on without unjustifiable lawlessness, and that is why the law should be. invoked as far as is safely possible in order to permit the peaceful settlement of industrial disputes. In the meantime, the free laborer is entitled to every protection which the law can give, and, what is still more to the point, ho is just as much entitled to the respect of the community as is the unionist who strikes for higher wages. In our view the Nc-wcastle miners are in the wrong over the present deadlock, it may he annoying and even irritating to be asked to work alongside men whom circumstances caused to be on the opposing side while the strike was on, hut that is not a valid reason for prolonging the dispute after all other matters have been satisfactorily adjusted.