THE BLACKBALL STRIKE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13726, 16 April 1908, Page 6

THE BLACKBALL STRIKE.

GOVERNMENT'S ACTION.

STATEMENT BY MR MILLAR

[BY TELEGRAPH.PRESS ASSOCIATION'.]

VV ki.lington. Wednesday. "People imagine that nothing lias been done by the Government," said the Minister for Labour (the Hon. J. A. Millar). when discussing the strike situation at 'Blackball. *' There seems to he an idea prevalent that the Department has taken no action, but that idea is entirely erroneous. What .ire the facts? The Arbitration Court gave it? decision in the case on March 12, and the demand for the payment of the fine was made on March 18. A reply was received from the union on March 20 saying it had no funds. This was forwarded to Hie chief inspector of awards, who then rn.-ide a demand for immediate payment. On March 30 the union again stated it had no funds, and on April 7 the Crown Prosecutor at Grey-month was told to take the necessary legal steps, to recover the penalty. Ke now ha-s the matter in hand. The reason why the- demand for payment of the tine in the first instance was not made until March 18 was because negotiations were going on for a settlement. As soon as it became apparent that nothing would be done in this direction. I immediate]} put the law in motion. The Crown Prosecutor will tirsi proceed against the union officials, and then, if necessary, against even' individual member of the union."

. The Minister added that the only way to render the law thoroughly effective in relation to the collection of fines was to embody in the Act the proposal submitted in his Bill last year, i.e.. the right to follow a worker who bad been fined to. any employer whom he subsequently worked for. and collect a percentage of his wages towards the ultimate liquidation of the penalty. "AIDING AND ABETTING." OTAGO EMPLOYERS' RESOLUTIONS. [BY telegraph. — cress association.] Dc.n'kwx, Wednesday. At a special meeting of the Employers' Association held to-day, to consider the Government's action in connection with the Blackball strike and also the question of aiding and abetting, the following resolutions were carried : " That this meeting of-Otago employers expresses its disappointment at the turn things have taken in connection with the. Blackball strike. and very much. regrets the Government's continued inactivity to enforce the Act. This meeting considers that in the best interests of the community, as a whole, it should be immediately amended and made enforceable against all parties, or expunged from the Statute Books of the Dominion altogether.'' "That as the Government refuse to take prompt action against those unions which have been guilty of aiding and abetting the strike in passing resolution of sympathy and donating 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 lest case may be made, and the position of employers ascertained." "That this meeting is strongly of 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 the necessary amendments, to be approved by a. general meeting and forwarded to the federation for submission to the employers throughout the Dominion." NO FRESH DEVELOPMENTS. [BY TELEGRAPH.PRESS ASSOCIATION'.] Gbkyiiotjth, Wednesday. There are no fresh developments in connection with the strike at Blackball. The Tyneside Miners' Union will most on Friday, when it is expected they will agree to continue to support the strikers.

The Auckland Tramways Union notified last night's meeting of the Trades and Labour Council that it had donated £26 5s towards the fund for the support of the wives and families of the Blackball miners. A communication was also received from the Gumworkers' Onion, stating that £1 had been forwarded.