The Star. THURSDAY, APRIL 16, 1908. THAT FINE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 9213, 16 April 1908, Page 2

The Star. THURSDAY, APRIL 16, 1908. THAT FINE.

A great deal of nonsense is being talked about the delay in the collection of the fine imposed upon the Blackball Union in connection with th© strike, which still continues to drag its tortuous way from day to day with rapidly-failing enthusiasm. The Employers Association in Dunedin has cried out with a great and violent cry, and is thrusting greatness upon Tteelf by offering to usurp the functions of the Government and take action iteelf against " aiders and ab bettors " of the etrike. The Opposition. Press, a trifle more dignifiedly, but quite as impertinently, is challenging the Government to go and collect its dividend, and everybody least concerned seems most anxkraa to instruct Mr Millar in the duties of his position. There is no need for the Minister of Labour to get bustled by these irresponsible critics', and whilst his explanation of the position yesterday was given with his usual courtesy, there was really no necessity for it. Mr Millar points out that the decision of the Court was given on, March. 12, and the demand for payment was made on March 18. Th© Union replied that it had no funds. This reply was forwarded to the Clerk of Awards, who then immediately made a further demand for payment. Tho Union replied that having died before, it was still dead, and that having had no money on the occasion of the previous application, it still had no money. This reply was made on March 30, and on April 7 the matter was placed in the hands of the Crown Prosecutor to take the necessary legal steps for its recovery. The Crown Prosecutor now has the matter in training, and failing recovery from the Union, his instructions are jto proceed against the men individually. The only delay that hms occurred was during the period from. March 18 to March 30, when negotiations were proceeding with a view to a possible amicable settlement of the difficulty, and the Government was- perfectly right to stay its hand so long as there was a possibility of saving the misguided men from further expense. It is wiser always to be forbearing rather than vindictive, and nobody is desirous of seeing foolishness punished beyond the degree it has earned. The position after the second refusal of ihe Union to pay up became different, and the ordinary procedure of the law has been adopted sinoe_then without delay and without aggressiveness. Any ordinary tradesman who was trying to collect a debt of £75 from a debtor who had no money would think himself extremely lucky if he were to get paid within six months of securing judgment, for the law is notorious for "moving as slowly &a the proverbial mills of God, but with the same inevitable exactitude. To judge from the clamour that is being made in. some circles, it really seems as if the opponents of the men were anxious to see them persecuted. These people need not grow hysterical. The Government will collect its fine and amend its legislation, for it has no intention, of wavering from the steadfast attitude it has assumed from the beginning. The Ministerial position has been dignified, clearly-defined and honest throughout, and the attempt to cast discredit upon it is as unjust as it is ridiculous.