ARBITRATION.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2151, 28 March 1908, Page 2

ARBITRATION.

THE IMPRISONMENT PENALTY.

ITS RETENTION NECESSARY. Press Association. WELLINGTON, .Marwi 27. The .Ministerial morning journal hero iloos not at all agree with 'the Prime Minister’s idea of doing away with the imprisonment penalty in connection with compulsory 'arbitration.

“In this matter,” says tlio “Times,” “Sir Joseph Ward advocated the elimination of the only punitive clause 'which allowed the Act to continue operative.” _ • “Without .the 'alternative of imprisonment,” adds the “Times,” “tho Act would hecomo a nullity, and it would become a hypocritical pretence to keep it on .the (Statute 'Book. If neither matters nor men can be faced with some definite punishment 'for contumacy und contempt of tho law, the Arbitration Act innist fall into desuetude. To seize and sell a miners’ few poor sticks in liquidation of a line would ho unthinkable, butt to protect a miner’s property and levy on a. mine-owner’s drawing-room suite mould bo equally unthinkable, because it would bo inequitable 'and gravely unjust. To imprison cither master or mail who acted an defianco of law and reason would, be a strong and righteous action, and a last resort, as «a. protection to the community. It our administrators are not prepared for this contingency, they bad better throw down their hands and let labor troubles take their unfettere course. _