THE BLACKBALL TROUBLE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2167, 16 April 1908, Page 3

THE BLACKBALL TROUBLE.

NO .FRESH DEVELOPMENTS. Press Association. GREYMOUTH, April 15. There aro.no fresh developments in connection with tho striko at Blackball., The Tyneside Minors Union meet on Friday, when it is expected it will agroo to continue its support of tho strikers. COLLECTION OF THE FINE. ACTION OF THE GOVERNMENT. MR. MILLAR EXPLAINS. Press Association. WELLINGTON, April 15. “People imagine that nothing lias been clone by tho Government,” said tho Minister for Labor (tho Hon. J. A. Millar) when discussing tho striko situation at Blackball. “There scorns to bo an idea prevalent- that tho Dopartmont has taken no action, but that idea is entirely erroneous. What are the facts? Tho Arbitration Court gave its decision in tlio caso on tho 12th of March. Tho demand for payment of tlio lino was mado on tho 18th of March and a reply was received from the union oil the 20th of March saying it, had, no-funds. This was forwarded-to tlio Chief Inspector of Awards, who then mado a demand for immediate payment. On the 30tli of March the union again stated it had no funds, and on the 7th 'of April the Crown Prosecutor at Groymouth was told to take the necessary legal steps to recover the penalty. Ho now has tho matter in -hand. The reason why the demand for -payment of tho lino in the first instance was not mado until the 18th of March was because negotiations were going on for a settlement. As soon as it became apparent that nothing -would, be done in this direction, I immediately put the law in. motion. The Crown Prosecutor will first proceed against the union officials, and then, if necessary, against every individual member of the union.” The Minister added that tho only way to render the law thoroughly effective in relation f-o the collection of fines was to embody in tho Act tho .proposals submitted in his Bill last year, i. 0., the right to follow a worker who had been fined to any employer whom he subsequently worked for, and collect a percentage of his wages towards the ultimate liquidation of the penalty.

THE GOVERNMENT CRITICISED. DUNEDIN EMPLOYERS’ ASSOCIATION. Press Association. DUNEDIN, April 15. A'special meeting of the Employers’ Association was held to-day to consider the Government’s actions in connection with tho Blackball strike, and also the question of aiding and abetting, and the matter of Mr. Skerratt’s opinion of section 14 of the Factories Act Amendment Act, 1907. The following resolutions were carried: —“That this meeting expresses its disappointment at the turn things havo taken in connection with the Blackball strike, and very much regrets the Government’s continued inactivity to enforce the Act, The meeting considers that in the best interests of tho community as a whole it should be immediately amended and mado enforcablo against all parties or expunged from Statute Books of the Dominion altogether.” “That as the Government refuses to take prompt action against unions which have been guilty of aiding and abetting the strike in passing resolutions of sympathy and the donations of money to carry on the strike, the New Zealand Employers’ Federation be asked to institute proceedings against one or two of the principals, so that _ a test case-, may be made, and the position of employers ascertained.” “That this meeting is strongly of the opinion that radical amendments must be made to the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act if it is to be of any lasting benefit to the community, and that the local federation be-, appointed to draw up necessary amendments to be approved by a general meeting and forwarded to tho federation for submission to employers throughout, the Dominion.”