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Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 75, 5 May 1914, Page 6

Provision is made in the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act for penalties when unions or members of unions strike, or instigate or aid a strike. Many hundreds of workers and many unions brought themselves' within the i>ale of the law at the end of last year when they obeyed the call of the Federation of Labour, and downed tools. The Act provides that the Labour Department must take action within six months' time from the date of striking. With respect to the upheaval brought about by the Wellington watersiders, the six months' limit is on the verge of expiry, and no move has been made to put the processes of the Act into motion. The Prime Minister has incurred the displeasure of certain critics who claim that he is improperly

disregarding his own laws. Undoubtedly sections 5 and 6 of the Act were impudently transgressed a few months since, and it is equally true that, if the Government acquiesces in this transgression by not instituting prosecutions, it is only making a rod for its own back, besides setting a dubious example. It is a condition of affairs out of which Mr Massey's opponents are certain to make political capital, seeing that the elections are to be held this year. The Prime Minister's explanation of the anomaly is that the difficulties involved in the wholesale prosecutions are almost insuperable, and he adds his opinion that the Act requires amendment. This explanation will not nearly satisfy his enemies, but it is surely beyond dispute that the Government would enter upon an interminable task if it set out to punish each and every offender. \ The round-New Zealand chase of the slaughtermen strikers several years ago is a case in point. After what has occurred, it would savour a little of victimisation to put the law into operation against the offenders, and, apart from the fact that these have been punished by their own folly, the pursuit of hundreds of men now scattered all over New Zealand, appears to be a game hardly worth the candle. The position is palpably both difficult and vexatious, and if the Government has taken the line of least resistance, there is something to be said for its action. But Mr Massey must not forget that promised amendment to the Act—as it is, he must prepare the Government to answer some pointed questions.