STRIKE PROSECUTIONS

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume II, Issue 49, 10 February 1912, Page 4

STRIKE PROSECUTIONS

It will be seen by a telegram puh-lisl'-ed elsewhere in to-day’s issue Shat the Labour Department is collecting data for the prosecution cf .he participators arid abettors in the rteent Wellington Tramway strike. The information has to be submitted to the Alinister for Labour, and it

is expected that this will be included in the first business to confroi-i him on liis arrival in the capital. It is tn be hoped the Alinister will act firmly in the matter. It is not a ■pt< sticti of taking vengeance upon the men. They are free men and have a i-iglit to strike if they want to. unless that right is taken from them by their own laws, but, as their rovi: cievi r little organiser. Professor Albis, points oat. each right carries with it a responsibility, and tlie re sponsibilty of the tramway men was iv fa it iifuily observe tb.e terms of the agreement under which they took work. The law provides that formal me ice must !>e given of intention to v.or’r by r body of work,-”. >;i ; ’i'id by an award. The men scorn id :o give this notice and defied th lav. They disregarded their respc'.i- -- i i; i I it ies ami therefore infringed th-? rigiits of other tree citizens, nence they deserve punishment. There ?h< :tld not be any spirit <jf vindicC', no = s in the proceedings. !■’ when it comes to breaking the law of lite land the.re should be uo indnl-

genee in sentiments. The men op.mly and biataiiny defied the la w, - therciure the only course open to the Department is plain.